Shannon Mcgee had a faintly awed looked on her face as she and Athena walked away from the dean's office at the university. "I can' believe you managed to force 'im to back off," the slim redhead admitted. "It helps having the proper paperwork in hand," Athena smirked, the blonde warrior patting the folder tucked under her arm. "The letters from the ACLU, GLAAD and others probably made him sit up and take notice." "Not to mention my expert testimony," Circe smirked, the golden haired sorceress looking positively impish. "Thank you both," Shannon said softly, "when I told you about the harassment, I ne'er really expected to get help..." "You're my student," Athena shrugged calmly. Her lips tightened a bit, "Besides, he was clearly a bully.. once he was confronted he backed off." She looked at their other companion, "I think you looming in the background made him nervous, too." "Thanks," Sam grinned, the brown haired priest's collar gleaming white on her black garb. Shannon's eyes were curious as she said to Athena, "So you're a swordswoman, lawyer, and work in a bar.. what other secrets are you hiding?" Athena grinned, "I'm a woman who wears many hats, you haven't seen all of them just yet." Shannon bowed, "I'm looking forward to seeing them." She smiled wryly, "I'd better get to m' dorm, let my roommates know I'm not goin' anywhere." "Good luck," Athena laughed as Shannon headed off. "I know you'll want to linger here a bit," Circe said to Athena with a knowing grin, "Sam and I will just head back to the bar." She sighed a bit glumly, "I have some work to do and I think Sam and Descent have plans..." "All right," Athena nodded to Circe then gave Sam a look, "be careful, please." "I'll try," Sam nodded as the two walked away as well. As always Athena felt quite comfortable walking the halls of learning, going down the paths with an almost instinctive knowledge. As the goddess of wisdom this was one of her homes, in many ways, and she could almost feel her power manifesting around her. It took a conscious effort to make her way towards the front gate, instead of finding the library and settling in with research. "Athena?" a surprised voice called out questioningly. Turning around Athena saw Margaret standing nearby, the beautiful redhead looking at her with a frankly curious expression on her face. "Margaret," Athena nodded to the woman in recognition, her unique gifts instantly tagging her as a teacher at the university. "I thought I saw you at the Daughters last night," she said as they fell into step, the breeze stirring their clothes. Margaret looked a bit sheepish as they walked between the buildings. "You were very busy," she admitted, "I didn't want to bother you." "Next time come up to the bar and talk," Athena smiled at her, "I can manage to converse and sling drinks at the same time." "I'll do that," Margaret flashed a grin. Curiously she said, "I don't think I've seen you on campus before..." "It's not my usual place," Athena said dryly. She gave Margaret a thoughtful look, "In fact you might want to avoid me, or you may be in trouble with the dean." "Why?" Margaret said in surprise. "One of my students was having some problems," Athena said flatly, "and I suspect the school's dean wasn't pleased with how I handled it." "Shannon Mcgee?" Margaret guessed. "You know about it?" Athena felt a faint bit of alarm. Margaret looked faintly uncomfortable. "Several of my students have complained," she admitted, "they find her practices disturbing." Athena felt a sharp moment of betrayal at the woman, and her voice went oddly flat. "The freedom of religion rules on campus protect her as much as the good Christian children who likely complained," she said with a bit of bitterness. Margaret sighed, "I've offended you, I'm sorry." Athena saw the honest regret in the woman's face, but that didn't ease her annoyance. "I'd better get back to the Daughters," she said briskly, "I'm skipping out on work as it is." "But I was hoping..." Margaret started. "Excuse me," Athena cut her off then strode away at a brisk pace. Margaret looked after her, feeling like the fragile connection between her and Athena had been cut with a knife. Turning away she made herself walk to her next class, silently wondering what else she could have done. She had an obligation to listen to student complaints, and if she agreed with them she would never say so out loud. 'So how did Athena know that?' Margaret thought guiltily as she entered the English department's building. She headed to her classroom and entered briskly, moving up to her desk as she saw her students gathering. She sorted out her papers, trying to get her thoughts in order then looked up as the bell rang. "All right," she said, "today we'll be discussing..." "Sorry, sorry," Shannon Mcgee blurted as she hurried in, clutching her books. The redhead sat at the back, giving her classmates a sheepish smile. Margaret felt the hostility in the class, the students glaring at the oddball and suddenly she had enough. "Excuse me," she said sharply, striking her desk with her palm and bringing all eyes to her. "I'm well aware of the prejudice Miss Mcgee has been facing and I have had enough!" There was shocked silence in the room as she continued, "Freedom of religion is just that, and I expect you all to treat her as you would wish to be treated. Is that understood?" Students looked at each other uncomfortably, then a brave one started, "But ma'am..." "Is that understood!" Margaret didn't even make it a question that time. "Yes ma'am," the students mumbled, looking down at their texts to avoid meeting her eyes. The only person looking up was Shannon Mcgee, who gazed with astonishment. Margaret looked away, feeling vaguely uncomfortable as she went back to work. 'Did I fail Shannon that badly in the past?' she wondered, lecturing almost on automatic. She handed the students their assignments and sat down to mark, passing the time between classes. "Thank you," Shannon said, stopping in front of her desk. Margaret looked up, meeting her eyes as she answered honestly, "Don't thank me... I only did what I should have done a while ago." "Still, I appreciate it," Shannon said. She moved to leave then stopped at the door, "If you don't mind my asking... what prompted that?" "I do mind your asking," Margaret admitted, "but I'll answer. I had a talk with a friend who reminded me what a hypocrite I've been." "Either way," Shannon said as she headed out, "thank you." Margaret kept at her work a few minutes when she felt another presence at the door. The older man smiled wryly, "I heard from a student you made quite a scene." "Professor Bennet," Margaret nodded formally to her department head, "yes, I guess I did. Is there a problem?" "Actually all the departments just got word from the dean," Bennet sounded amused, "we're now supposed to step firmly on any signs of prejudice. He's not naming Miss Mcgee herself, but the message is pretty clear." "Good to know," Margaret sighed. "You don't sound pleased," Bennet noted in fatherly tones. Margaret smiled up at her friend and coworker. "Just wondering how I got to be such a spineless drone in search of tenure," she admitted wryly. Bennet gave her a sympathetic look, "You can be forgiven for a instinct for self preservation." "Maybe," Margaret didn't really agree, thinking of the disdain she's seen in Athena's eyes.
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