Who: Quetzalcoatl, Higher Education When: Apocalypse! Where: Edges of New Tenochtitlan What: Hello there!
The building that marked the entrance to New Tenochtitlan was actually nearly a mile away from the city itself. They all preferred it that way, giving the city at least a slight buffer against anything that wandered in from the desert. It was a practical little place, made of brick and three stories high. It wasn't terribly imposing, and that was also deliberate. Most newcomers to the Aztec territories would only pass through it briefly, knowing it only as a checkpoint. But there was a contingent of soldiers on hand at all times, and they were always more than willing to detain someone suspicious.
Quetzalcoatl had gotten the call early this morning.
"Tezcatlipoca taught us a spell to identify immortals," Miguel had explained over the phone. "This guy came in this morning with some other people. We've been keeping him here, but haven't done anything else. What should we do?"
"I'll talk to him myself," Quetzalcoatl had answered, rising from his chair and stretching.
He wasn't sure which pantheon the immortal had come from; leading with a little bit of fear couldn't hurt. He walked outside his temple, shrugging out of his T-shirt and jeans as he went.
Transformation was still a somewhat painful process, but it was much, much easier with his increased power. Quetzalcoatl couldn't help but laugh as his arms shrunk into him and vast wings sprouted from his back. By the time he was done, he was a massive snake, as big around as a tree trunk and stretching out endlessly. A bright spray of feathers ran down his spine and across his huge wings, flaring out around his face like a lion's mane. It was like sliding back into his real skin.
He took to the sky when he was finished transforming, circling the city once he was in the air. He knew the people below him were watching, awestruck and perhaps a bit afraid, and Quetzalcoatl wondered how he'd ever lived without this.
He reached the checkpoint quickly, his wings carrying him like the wind he controlled. He landed outside and coiled himself on the sand, tucking his wings behind his back calmly. The guards gaped at him.