Elaine/Season 2

## Plot

### Fallout

In the week following the public defeat of Wellston High's Royals, Seraphina stayed cooped up in her room. She had witnessed the fight and realized that Joker was John after all. She requested that Elaine tell all visitors that she didn't want to see anyone for a while. This desire was totally ignored by John when he stopped by to find out why Seraphina wasn't answering his calls. When it finally sank in that John's company wasn't wanted, he exited the bedroom and encountered Elaine once more. Shooting a suspicious glare towards her, he asked if she had said anything. She swore she didn't, and John told her to keep it that way. He then left, unaware that Seraphina was nevertheless on the same page as everyone else who knew his secret. Elaine went to check on her roommate's current condition. She urged that Seraphina take it easy after witnessing her throw her pillow on the ground in a rage. Incredulous, Seraphina asked how she was supposed to "take it easy" in her current condition. She went on to express how livid she was that the confident, cocky attitude she admired John for was born out of being secretly stronger than anybody who antagonized him. Elaine insisted that Seraphina should not continue to beat herself up for not realizing the truth sooner, admitting that John had threatened everyone who found out to keep quiet about it. Now that there could be full disclosure between them, Elaine told Seraphina that being John's enemy was so dangerous that even Arlo couldn't refuse his orders.

A couple of days later, Elaine was walking down a hallway by herself when she realized she was being followed. She turned around to see Joker right behind her, itching for a scrap. Terrified, she nervously asked what he wanted. Joker said nothing, but when he activated his ability, Elaine realized something was off. Joker's eyes were the wrong color. Upon realizing that it wasn't John attacking her, she prepared to defend herself. She allowed her opponent to get a punch in before breaking his arm in retaliation. When she healed her bruise and called him out as an impostor, he took a swing at her and slipped away. Elaine determinedly pursued the Fake Joker until she lost sight of him in a crowd. Elaine later texted Arlo so they could meet up and discuss what she had witnessed. Despite Arlo telling her he didn’t want anything to do with Joker, she quickly explained that it was someone else using the mask to anonymously target her. If word got out, a terrible trend might follow. Arlo’s angry reaction to the news frightened her, but she begged him to calm down and to work with others to fix the situation.

### Responsibility

Elaine was one of the high-rankers Remi reached out to for assistance in getting a handle on the Fake Jokers. Elaine enthusiastically signed on to the Anti-Joker brigade.

### Tyrants

When Safe House was opened to the public, Elaine and Seraphina remained comfortably relaxed reading books on beanbag chairs as Remi emceed the opening ceremony and sent the trouble-making Zeke away. Elaine was scheduled to supervise the club together with Remi during Block 1.

Much later, after Zeke and John invaded the Safe House, Elaine was called to heal the injured club members. While being healed, Seraphina suddenly asked her and Isen for a favor in secret. She learned that the former Ace planned to visit some people who had sent her a note, and was mortified to hear those people might be the House Invaders. Both Elaine and Isen tried to discourage Seraphina from going, but they were unable. With no other option, she called Arlo to help persuade Seraphina to not go. He came to their dorm at once, and was led to Seraphina's room. But instead of trying to prevent her departure, he agreed to accompany her instead. Elaine was shocked and dismayed, and nagged them both for being insanely reckless. But Arlo ordered her to alert the school if they didn't return by night, so she could only watch as they departed.

So Elaine waited late into the evening. She sent a text to Arlo asking if they were okay, but go no response. Just as she was wondering how much longer she should wait until reporting their absence, the two returned, and Elaine boisterously expresses her relief and concern. She was frightened by Arlo's bleeding shoulder. She pulled out her phone to report the incident to the Authorities, but Arlo stopped her and resignedly told her that it was fine. All he wanted from her at the moment was some healing.

### Discord

After a long period of not being terribly involved in school matters, Elaine was to partake in an official Safe House vote. Despite everything he'd done, John had been given the opportunity to join the club and show a willingness to turn over a new leaf. He did so in the hopes of joining the others on their upcoming field trip to Rowden. The vote was to determine whether everybody else thought he had earned that coveted spot. Elaine was against it, but to her surprise, Arlo wanted John along for the ride. While it's not known if this changed Elaine's mind, it didn't matter. The vote resulted in John not being welcomed.

The weekend came, and Elaine kept Arlo company as the group prepared for departure. She was taken aback by a certain gawker, but otherwise there was no incident during the start of the trip.

### Infiltration

The group arrived at their resort and settled in. Elaine shared her room with Seraphina, and asked her if she was interested in joining her and a few friends for a walk around the place. Seraphina stated she'd rather relax, so Elaine gave her space. The next morning, Elaine was hoping to get some breakfast, but Seraphina got held up by her phone for some reason. During the wait, there was a knock at the door. Elaine went to answer it. She was immediately sorry to have done so. Arlo had come in the company of none other than...John. Elaine wanted to know why *he* was in town to begin with. Arlo only told her to keep the news to herself, and to give them a minute alone with Seraphina. Elaine was glad to oblige, as experience told her that those three were always looking for trouble.

John wasn't in sight for most of the outing to Rowden Park that day. But him going back to Wellston was too much to hope for. Everybody learned that he helped Blyke fend off the town's Royals. Despite several votes resulting in him getting on the first train out of there, Seraphina and Arlo firmly reminded the others that their club stood for commending even the most belated shifts from open hostilities. And so, he attached himself to the group. Elaine, on the other hand, had to keep *her* distance. That evening, Seraphina instructed her to invite John and Arlo to their room. She was also asked to vacate the place for the duration. Same old, same old.

The next day, the group split up. Elaine had signed on to join Remi's entourage for a tour of the city, where the two would go clothes shopping with Aurielle. There was an uneven split between their group and team nature hike. John wanted on going with Blyke's group, inspiring a few city tourists to do the same. After that, no further fuss was made. When they arrived at the city rendezvous point, the group split up further. Arlo wanted to stay close to Remi, even if it meant loitering in boutiques all day. Elaine and Aurielle welcomed this surprise wholeheartedly! Elaine led the others to a promising first spot. Having Arlo along turned out to be more disappointing than anticipated. He was glued to his phone the whole morning. Even with Aurielle's help in picking out the cutest outfits available, Elaine couldn't grab his attention. Aurielle thought he might be communicating with another girl, but Elaine suspected that it was a guy on the other end. Suddenly, Arlo started freaking out as if it was the end of the world. He grabbed Remi and told Elaine that she was in charge Safe House if they didn't return. She watched as they hightailed it out of there, sadly knowing this couldn't possibly bode well.

### Hardline

Since that day, Elaine realized that today's high-tiers have big problems. The kind that will suck in others who aren't careful. So she steered clear of Royal business when she could help it. Seraphina came back to their dorm one certain day, with John arriving soon after. After the standard door scare, Elaine directed him to Seraphina's room. They emerged shortly after, looking down in the dumps. Elaine looked on in curiosity, but ultimately stuck to her guns and focused on finishing her juice.

Later still, Arlo summoned her to Isen's dorm so she could heal the Jack. She obediently did so, but got annoyed by the typical lack of gratitude. John and Arlo started grilling Isen about Remi, Blyke, and his injuries. Elaine curtly stated that enough was enough. She then remembered who she was talking to, and minded her manners as she continued to speak her mind. Elaine said that despite her earnest efforts to fit in, she understood that the others wouldn't associate with her if not for her ability. The time she spent away from them made her realize how exhausting it was to devote all her energy into getting their approval. So she decided that she'd always be available to come to those who need healing, but she'd prefer to focus on academics and her friends from now on. She bid the boys farewell and exited the room. After a sigh of relief, Elaine went on her way.

Elaine underwent a bit of retail therapy in the company of friends. It was the happiest she felt in a long while. The bliss was momentarily disrupted when she got a text from Arlo. She considered whether she should oblige his request for a moment of her time. But Aurielle and another friend reminded her that they agreed that their day off was not to be interrupted by boys. So Elaine texted back that she was too busy and went on to enjoy the rest of the day.

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 156
2. ↑ Chapter 158
3. ↑ Chapter 159
4. ↑ Chapter 176
5. ↑ Chapter 201
6. ↑ Chapter 205
7. ↑ Chapter 212
8. ↑ Chapter 213
9. ↑ Chapter 217
10. ↑ Chapter 244
11. ↑ Chapter 245
12. ↑ Chapter 246
13. ↑ Chapter 247
14. ↑ Chapter 252
15. ↑ Chapter 254
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Chapter 256
17. ↑ Chapter 255
18. ↑ Chapter 257
19. ↑ Chapter 298
20. ↑ Chapter 305
21. ↑ Chapter 308