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Rev split off from the rest of the group as soon as he could, ducking out of sight before Sera or Mark could notice. This field trip was stupid, but maybe there'd be a building he could hide inside, or somewhere to eat (alone, without the others).
He kicked a pebble as he walked down the deserted pavement, deep in thought and bored as hell. A streetlight flickered off, then back on, and he scowled, stopping and blinking to get rid of the faint spots in his vision. It flickered again. That familiar anger welled up, and he snatched the stone he'd been kicking and tossed it at the light. The pebble glanced off the side, leaving spider-webbing cracks in the glass. The light winked out, and didn't turn back on.
Rev stretched his arms above his head, groaning softly. God, he was so bored. He glanced around where he'd paused. A fairly normal looking neighbourhood, mostly residential buildings with a couple of stores. Something across the road drew his attention - a stone pathway leading up to an abandoned-looking but fancy building.
Crossing the road, Rev found himself standing in front of an old school. The walkways were lined with quartz, small patches of grass and flowers dotted around. Wandering around, he eyed the overly gaudy decorations, including actual ponds? And water features? Was this what all schools were like or was this one just weird? The front gate was open, so he entered warily, checking his surroundings. Lockers, the entrances to corridors, presumably leading to classrooms.
In the middle of the night, with no lights on, it probably should have been dark, but he'd always seemed to have better night vision than his parents… Though it's not like he had many other people to compare his night vision to. Anyway, that depressing reminder aside, this school seemed big enough to occupy his time nicely. If he was lucky, he might be able to stay here and get left behind - nevermind, the vampire would never let it be that easy.
Regardless, maybe he could find some cool shit to steal.
He took his time meandering through the abandoned building. The rooms were dusty, making him sneeze more than once, and the place gave him the creeps, but he was confident in his ability to handle any dangers here. He kept track of the exits anyway, slowly building a mental map.
It was interesting to see. He was home-schooled, after all, the only school he'd ever been to was KADE. This was an opportunity to see if the layout of the academy was standard - an activity that would have been utterly mind-numbing in any other context, but compared to spending hours with Sera, the vampire, maybe even that stupid zombie, this was very engaging.
Engaging enough that he lost track of time investigating the place. The moon was significantly higher in the sky when he checked, and he figured he didn't have much time left to investigate.
Preparing to head back, Rev turned one last corner and found himself at the entrance to a large, dusty area. Fairy lights decorated the tent-like ceiling, with seats on one side, empty tables scattered around.
What he noticed most significantly were the bloodstains. They were faint, but everywhere. As if someone had tried to scrub away the remnants of a massacre, and only partially succeeded.
"Well, that'll be the reason for the creepy aura, I guess," Rev muttered to himself, venturing further into the room despite the faint prickling in the back of his mind telling him it was a bad idea.
As he wandered around, the wind picked up outside, breaching the thin walls easily and sending a chill up his spine. The rafters creaked, dust making him sneeze.
He rubbed his face to get rid of the dust, and as he did so something slammed into him, knocking him onto the floor. He staggered, caught off-guard. Scrambling onto his feet, he had just enough time to catch a glimpse of a translucent, pale figure with empty eyes - a poltergeist, actually fuck his life - when it surged towards him and everything went dark-
And he no longer had control over his body.
~
The boy hummed, spinning around to check out this new host body. It was a little on the short side for his tastes, but whatever. The memories were a bit muddled too, but he got the gist. His name was Rev, he went to somewhere called "KADE", and he was a monster of some kind. What exactly he was was out of his grasp for whatever reason, so he shrugged it off and left the school, slipping out of the fault in the fence he’d used when he was alive to skip class.
Now, "Rev" just had to avoid suspicion for… However long he was here, and he would finally, finally be out of that stupid school, free to take revenge on that freak, Bella. That thought made a memory stir, as "Rev" realised with interest that this emo freak's body he was inhabiting knew Bella, and that she went to the same "KADE" place.
A smirk found its way onto his face, the sensation unfamiliar after a long time spent incorporeal. He turned and made his way through the deserted streets, letting Rev's memories take over once he'd left the school and guide him to the rendezvous area.
A few other students were already gathered, along with a stern-looking lady with a gnarled, wooden staff. "Rev" dug through the memories available to him and came up with the name Miss Baba Yaga, alchemy teacher at KADE. She spotted "Rev" and gave him a disapproving look.
"Mr Vennett, I told you in no uncertain terms that students were not to go alone, did I not?" She said in a posh English accent. "Rev" put his hands in his pockets, smiling disarmingly at the teacher.
"Sorry, miss, it must have slipped my mind." The teacher looked surprised, an expression that faded to suspicion. She didn't say anything further however, instead turning to an approaching group of three students. "Rev" turned to look as well, feeling memories spark in the back of his mind and quickly realising Rev knew these people. A flick through the stolen memories and "Rev" had his answer.
Mark Dracula, vampire and son of Count Dracula. Clingy and loud. And Sera Phim, an angel with a lack of emotions. The third member took a little more digging, coming up eventually with Sam, an idiotic zombie. Maybe he should have been a bit more surprised that such creatures existed, but then again, poltergeist.
Besides, any lingering shock or fear at the fact vampires existed evaporated once Mark perked up at the sight of "Rev" and bounded over like an excitable puppy.
"Hi Rev!! We tried to take your suggestion and get burgers but um, the place was closed and we couldn't figure out how to get in," Mark looked sad for a moment, then brightened again, "what were you doing? You went off alone and I was a little worried you'd get in trouble but you look fine!" The vampire looked him up and down, as if checking for injuries. "Rev" blinked, having to adjust to such a chatterbox when he'd spent so long with only two others to talk to - not counting that freak in the library.
"Oh, I had fun!" Mark looked taken aback. "Rev" had quickly figured out that Rev wasn't the most sociable, and given Mark's reaction…
"Thanks for being concerned, Mark, but I'm fine!" "Rev" grinned at the vampire, who looked like a deer in headlights for a moment until his eyes lit up so much it was pathetic.
"Of course BFF!!! Anytime!!!!" Mark slung an arm around "Rev"'s shoulder, beaming. He knew it, the guy was definitely starved for positive social interaction. All he had to do was compliment him, and he'd be so overjoyed he wouldn't notice the strange behaviour.
"Rev" had to play his cards right. Rev seemed like the type of guy to be asocial and demeaning, though "Rev" wondered what was so special about him to attract not only the son of the Count Dracula, but also a very pretty angel.
An angel who was currently staring directly into his soul. Metaphorically. Hopefully. Could she tell Rev was possessed?
"…Sorry I didn't get a burger," she mumbled after a moment, voice monotone. Mark turned to her.
"Sera, it's not your fault they were closed! I mean, who even advertises a 24 hour diner when they're not 24 hours?!" "Rev" hummed slightly, relaxing as he realised Sera wasn't on to him. The conversation was interrupted as Miss Yaga called out sharply.
"On the bus, you lot!"
Alright, he could do this. These two idiots seemed completely unaware of the possession - he almost wanted to see how far he could take it before they became suspicious. But rational logic helped him stamp out that urge. After all, who knew when he would get this far again? He can't jeopardise this.
He spent the bus ride building the right personality - something at least a little similar to Rev's, but similar enough to his own that if he slipped up it wouldn't make people suspicious. He stayed mostly quiet and let the vampire chat at him, making the occasional comment. Every time he said something, Mark's eyes would sparkle and he'd start speaking faster, almost bouncing in his seat.
"Rev" kept his gaze away from Bella, unsure if his hatred would be conveyed through his eyes.
Once the bus arrived back at this KADE place, however, "Rev" was confident in his ability to blend in.
The classmates filed into the gothic building, "Rev" taking care not to examine his surroundings. He was supposed to be familiar with it already, after all.
However, as Mark, Sera, and "Rev" broke away from the main mass to head… Somewhere? "Rev" found his gaze drawn to something. Or rather, someone, standing in an open doorway, with their arms crossed, glancing over each student as they passed.
He wasn't wearing a uniform like the kids around him, instead wearing some sort of split cloak and fancy green waistcoat. A teacher, then, meaning he was likely doing a headcount. Pale, bloodless skin made "Rev" think of another vampire, but his eyes were black, with grey sclera.
What was most intriguing was his hair. Despite knowing everyone around him was a monster, the most inhuman appearance he'd seen so far was Sera, with those small wings that protruded from behind her ears. This teacher, one "Professor Lovecraft" as his memories supplied, had grey hair fading to black at the tips that seemed to almost move independently, like tentacles. It was weirdly mesmerising, and "Rev" blamed that for watching a bit too long, leading to Lovecraft making eye contact with him.
"Rev" broke it immediately, but the damage was done. Unfortunately, this Lovecraft guy seemed more shrewd than that other teacher, or his two oblivious classmates. Suspicion filled his eyes as "Rev" looked away.
"Mr Vennett?" Shit. "May I see you in my office?" Damn, that was one hell of a voice- no, not important.
"Rev" sighed, dragging a hand through his hair and mentally preparing himself to lie his ass off.
"I'll catch up with you guys?" He threw over his shoulder as he started towards the teacher, and Mark nodded enthusiastically, shooting him a thumbs up.
Lovecraft nodded cordially at him, ushering him into his office, and closing the door behind him. Walking further in and turning to face the teacher, "Rev" couldn't help but feel anxious. Despite that, he shot the teacher a smile, hoping to throw him off.
"What did you n-" At a flick of Lovecraft's finger, "Rev"'s back slammed into the wall behind him, winding him. As he struggled for air, Lovecraft stepped towards him, expression neutral.
"How long did you think you could get away with it?" "Rev" choked, looking up at him desperately.
"Sir, what-"
"I knew you were possessing my student the moment I laid eyes on you." The teacher came even closer, and damn "Rev" regretted all his choices. The body he'd found was short, true, but Lovecraft was towering over him even with "Rev"'s feet fully off the ground by at least a foot. Finally regaining his breath, "Rev" dropped the act, smirking up at the unimpressed Lovecraft.
"And?" He breathed, letting his voice distort in the same way it did in his poltergeist form, "what are you gonna do about it? I've been in this body for hours, you really think you can separate us?"
Lovecraft tilted his head, regarding the student coolly, "it will be painful for Mr Vennett, but I am sure he will be glad for my actions once it is done."
One of his hands slammed into "Rev"'s chest - and the pain began.
~
Lovecraft knew Rev was different as soon as he caught sight of the student with his friends. He was smiling, nodding along to whatever Mr Dracula was saying. Lovecraft had been a teacher for a very, very long time, and KADE's resident "therapist" since before the occupation technically existed. He knew very well that a student as angry and asocial as Rev didn't change their attitude so completely unless something very drastic had happened.
The most common reasons were attempting to hide either a plot or the results of said plot. Another one was plans for suicide. Lovecraft had seen Rev's behaviour with both - he didn't act much different.
Possession was not always his fourth thought. However, Lovecraft recalled the area the students were taking a trip to - the town that held Ms Donna's school. Where many students were killed in an exceedingly violent manner.
And if that was the case, he had to act before the spirit could do anything.
Lovecraft moved from the academy balcony he was observing from to the corridor just outside his office, leaning in the open doorway and watching the students filter past under the guise of an additional headcount.
When Rev, Sera, and Mark passed by, he knew if he called out for Rev, the other two would brush it off easily. And as Rev - or, "Rev" - stepped past him into his office, Lovecraft could easily tell his student was possessed.
Which led him to now. Holding his student against the wall and carefully extracting a spirit from him, doing his best not to damage him in the meanwhile.
The spirit - a poltergeist, as he could now tell - hadn't been completely bluffing. It was difficult to separate the two, and an ordinary spellcaster likely wouldn't have been able to manage it, at least not without completely mangling the host body and the two spirits.
Luckily, Lovecraft was no ordinary spellcaster. It took him barely a few minutes to tear away the screeching poltergeist, casting another quick spell to bind it to the most convenient object, a stray book on his desk a few feet away. The spirit vanished inside it, and the book trembled briefly before he teleported it to his house with a flick of his finger.
With that handled, he could turn his attention to his student, who was looking rather worse for wear, still pinned to the wall. Releasing him, Lovecraft stayed ready to catch him if he fell, which wouldn't be unexpected considering how draining possession could be. Rev did in fact fall, and Lovecraft caught and lowered him to the floor gently, letting the exhausted revenant lean against the wall. His eyes were closed, and Lovecraft wasn't sure if he was awake.
Lovecraft debated between taking him to the infirmary to have Adam look him over and keeping him here until he woke up and Lovecraft could explain what happened - or possibly calm him down, depending on how much he remembered - when grey eyes flickered open, devoid of the anger Lovecraft had grown familiar with.
"How did you…?" Rev mumbled, trailing off. Lovecraft sat back, regarding his student. It seemed like he did remember.
"How did I what?" Lovecraft mentally ran through the protocols for how to treat a recently exorcised person. The sudden return to a physical body leads to a higher susceptibility of overstimulation for a short time afterwards; keep the voice soft, cast a silencing charm so no outside noise bothered him, no bright lights or crowds. Lovecraft had already cast a charm to stop anyone hearing the poltergeist's screams, so he simply made it two-way.
Rev looked up, catching his gaze, and Lovecraft realised his eyes held no anger, just… Despair. It was foreign to see on his student's face, a harsh reminder that even with all his bravado and rage against the world, Rev was still young. An adult, sure, but only barely. Recalling his penchant for throwing himself off high ledges, Lovecraft squashed the urge to wrap him in cotton wool and never let him out of his sight.
"How did you notice? I- he was with Mark and Sera for hours and, well I didn't expect Mark to notice but I thought at least Sera would-" he stopped again, voice choked. Lovecraft didn't interrupt, simply watching him as he regained his composure.
"They knew, didn't they?" Rev said finally, "they knew but they preferred a poltergeist to me."
"No, Rev. They didn't know."
"They HAD to! Are they just that-" Rev's voice broke as his eyes glossed over, some of his anger welling up in an attempt to overwhelm the sorrow, "that fucking oblivious then? They're idiots!"
"Rest assured, I will be having words with them about why they didn't notice someone they consider a close friend was possessed," Lovecraft told him gently. The admission that he hadn't done something wrong, that it wasn't his fault, snuffed out any anger, and the tears spilled over.
He wasn't loud when he cried, as if he was used to muffling himself. Both hands were clasped over his mouth, back pressed against the wall of Lovecraft's office. He was clearly trying to stop, and failing.
Moving slowly, Lovecraft laid a hand on Rev's shoulder, and pulled him close, wrapping his arms around the revenant. He sobbed, curling into his professor.
Lovecraft didn't say anything as his student cried, just holding him, tracing gentle circles on his upper back with one hand. Exhausted as he was, first by the possession, then by the breakdown, Rev fell asleep quickly. Once he had, Lovecraft teleported him, held in the professor's arms, to his dorm room, blessedly empty of his roommate.
Placing the student down on his bed and absentmindedly brushing his hair out of his face, Lovecraft made a note in his schedule to speak to Mr Dracula and Miss Phim - they really should have noticed, after all.
With that done, the professor made his way to his house, where the possessed book lay on his home desk. Quickly exorcising the spirit, he held it, some jock-looking boy he vaguely recognised from Miss Donna's prom, bound in the centre of his living room.
"You don't scare me," the boy spat. Lovecraft raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" The professor lifted up the Necronomicon, flipping through the pages in search of the spell he needed, "ah, here we are. Do you know what this does?"
The spirit scoffed, "no, and why should I care?"
"Because it's a spell to extract matter, such as tears, flesh, bone, from a poltergeist," the professor hummed, "it's excruciatingly painful - for the spirit, of course. Quite slow, too."
"Unfortunately for you, poltergeist matter is a key ingredient in a fair few potions, and can be used in medicine," Lovecraft continued conversationally, as fear crept up the spirit's face. "Adam and Yaga's stores are running low. Are you excited to be helpful for once in your waste of an afterlife?"
The spirit was pleading for mercy by now. But, well, he should have thought about that before he tried to possess Rev.
It was the first time in a while Lovecraft had had so much fun harvesting flesh from a poltergeist.