---

The train pulled away from the station, giving one last cheery whistle in farewell to its student cargo as it slowly started down the track. It built up speed as it rounded the bend, and could be heard rattling down the line, off to parts unknown. Students and their luggage trailed off the platform, making their way through the cobblestone streets of town and up towards the imposing castle of the academy. Past the pastel houses and storefronts, the lush flower gardens and lazy canals, the entire scene seemed like a fairytale setting. One where dreams came true and princes and princesses got married and lived happily ever after.

Pulling his heavy suitcase behind him, Richard could see that several streets had been cordoned off by thick red rope and the town’s volunteer police force, making a direct path from the train station to the school. The return of students in the summer was a big enough occasion to bring the traffic of the tiny town to a halt, and the locals cooperated with the school to ensure no students tried to sneak off and skip the first day. For second years, this was especially important, as today was the day they would take the sacramentum. Today was the day mages would meet their familiars, and familiars would meet their mages. Both souls would be tied together in the ceremony, and they would be shown to their dorms afterwards. Where they would spend the next 10 months in what would be more or less the same room, with only a sliding wall to separate them. Richard hoped he didn’t get anyone noisy.

‘Speaking of noisy, where’d Bee go?’ he thought, scanning the crowd for any sign of the tiny brunette. She had sat with him on the train, annoying him every mile of the way. She was normally excited and annoying, but moreso today than of any other day in the past two months. She must be anxious about meeting her mage. To admit it, Richard was incredibly nervous as well. He still had yet to manifest his ability, and if it didn’t manifest after forming a sacramentum, he thought he might die of embarrassment. It was horrifying enough to be a late bloomer, if he had trouble manifesting his ability after being bonded, he’d be a real failure.

He eventually spotted the girl, struggling with an enormous trunk just outside of the station. He broke into a jog to catch up to her, lifting his own suitcase up so it didn’t catch on the cobblestones.
“Bee! Bee, wait up!” he called, reaching her and holding out a hand to steady the trunk.
“Oh my god, is this all your stuff? Why didn’t you grab a dolly? Do you need help?” he asked, eyeing the heavy crate. He knew Beatrice had developed her ability during their first year, but would she be okay carrying something that heavy?
“If you want, I can go grab a dolly or help you steady it? How much stuff do you have in there, anyway?” he asked. He knew it was a boarding school, but really, with the money they had and the town a ten minute’s walk away was such a huge chest really necessary?

---

“Mooooonnnnntyyyyyy! Mooooonnnnntyyyyyy!” Felicity called out, standing on her tiptoes to try and spot her brother amongst the sea of heads. Blondes, brunettes, gingers, went by, black hair, red hair, dyed hair and hats. None of them belonging to her brother. She puffed out her cheeks in a sour pout, crossing her arms impatiently. How could he just run off like that?! Telling her to sit put while he got the luggage. Who did he think he was, treating her like a child? She was two whole hours older than him! She was the older one! There was no reason why she had to stay on the platform and wait while he got their suitcases.

And besides, it was so boring, waiting for him! He’d already been gone over 5 minutes! People were already moving towards the school, suitcases and dollies in tow. She wanted to go to! If they were late because he goofed off or forgot something, oh, she’d let him have it! This was the most important day of their high school lives, and she was not going to miss it because of an overprotective twin.

She strayed from the spot he’d told her to wait at, looking up at the pamphlets plastered on the station bulletin board. Train schedules, advertisements, a missing bearcat, all stapled on to the board. She looked out towards the town, pastel colored buildings and flower covered shops. Seeing Enklen always made her smile. It was such a quaint, cheery little town, slow and peaceful. Nothing like Maefeld, with its bright lights and bustling metropolis. Finally, she traced her gaze up the hilltop, to the academy, where its spires and buttresses stood out above the tree line. She had read the orientation email like everyone else. They were to make their way to the school, where the second years would be taken aside and led into the great hall. There, the Ceremony of Names would take place, and the binding of souls, the sacramentum, would begin.

An excited shiver went up her spine, she couldn’t wait to meet her familiar! Would it be a girl? Would they be a boy? If it was a boy, she hoped they were cute, and single. She remembered her last issue of Vague had reported that 35.7% of all first bonded couples got married! Maybe that would be her! Visions of wedding bells, white doves, and her own wedding dress flew through her mind. She’d have to design her own dress, of course, it was only befitting of a future designer! She reeled herself back in, shaking her head. Of course, that was only if her partner was a boy who liked girls. And she could only find that out if she met him. And she could only meet him if her brother hurried up!

Resisting the immense urge to slump against a wall and sigh, Felicity resorted to tapping her foot, glancing up at the station clock every few seconds and watching people go by. She was too excited to start school again. Too excited to see her friends after summer vacation, too excited to get her new uniform, too excited to pick out the electives in her schedule, and definitely too excited to meet her familiar. She had to just calm down and wait for her brother to return with their luggage. And hope he wasn’t off wasting time somewhere.

---

---

As the swarm of students surged forward, following the nicely arranged rope-barriers ever onward up to the castle-like visage of St. Fortuna Academy, one lingered behind ever so slightly. His bags set down beside him, Korrigan Umbraisis(more commonly known as 'Korrey') took sometime to stretch his legs after spending so many hours sitting down. Said stretches, however, were somewhat hampered by his current attire, a blood-red sleeve-less vest covering a striped black and red dress shirt. With black pants, shiny ebon loafers, and a pair of sunglasses to finish off his Raziel's attempt to make him look like some sort of vampiric butler.

'You may be a second year, but that's no excuse to look like a slob' is what his adopted parent would often say whenever Korrey complained about the. . . unique sense of fashion that he tried to force upon him during special occasions. Adjusting his sunglasses, Korrey knelt down to pick up his bag, coming up to his towering height of 6'6 and looking over the heads of many in the crowd too see if he could notice anybody he knew from the previous year. However, before he could turn much attention to it, he felt a familiar weight press down on his shoulder, a quick glance downward confirming the presence of Festus as she began to coil around her master's neck.

"Getting tired of being in my backpack, huh?" His question was answered with a flicker of her forked tongue and feelings of slight irritation as Festus let her dislike for this particular method of travel be known. "Okay, okay. We're off the train now aren't we? You're free to slither and writhe now, so come down before people start to think I'm trying to act like that one guy in those wizard flicks. . . Ya know, the one who talks the snakes. . . Of course I'm talking about the one with a nose!"

After a few more moments of arguing with Festus, a rather loud even that likely drew the eyes of a few passers-by(assuming the fact that he was a 6'6 teen with dark red hair, a stitch-like tattoo around his, dressed like a vampiric-demon butler, wearing semi-designer shades and having a python draped across his shoulders hadn't already made him an oddity of sorts), he turned his attention back towards the surging crowd, giving the departing train little thought as he took his first step forward. Crimson irises swept back and forth across faces and features as he tried to identify someone he knew from within the crowd. Instead, however, they'd land on a blonde girl who was just standing around waiting for something, though not very patiently it seemed. Curious as to what was keeping her, Korrey walked up to her, giving a light wave as he approached.

"Hello there, blondie, mind if I ask you who ya waiting for? Maybe I can help you in lookin' for him, or at least drawing their attention. I hate to brag but . . ." Korrey trailed off slightly as he took a second to make a somewhat over dramatic gesture towards himself, sweeping his arms to either side of him as if he was spreading his wings, wide white grin gleaming across his face. "I'm the sort that's quite hard to miss in a crowd, wouldn't you agree?"

@Invader Len
@SunsetRoses
@onenote
@MechonRaptor

((OOC: Mentioning peeps that have a current relationship of sort with Korrey, but anyone can come up and chat, or at the very least, stare at Korrey. As he goes about trying to help Felicity.))

Once again, Lilac stepped down the train, carrying her suitcase with her. And once again, like the year before, she found it quite heavy, so she had to drag it around with her two hands.

Oh how she hated this, especially when she looked around and saw other people carrying their suitcases with no problem at all. At times like these, she wished she was bigger and stronger, like the other students of her year. Really, most of them ended up being taller than her. It made her feel like a little girl. She was fifteen, for God's sake!

After dragging her suitcase some more, she finally found her salvation. A dolly. She could put her suitcase on there and then just push it to the school.

"Hngggggg!"

She summoned her entire strength to lift her luggage onto the dolly. After putting it down, with her almost missing towards her feet, she wiped the sweat that had gathered on her face. And she could feel other sweats gathering all over her body, thanks to her exertion.

Oh how she hated sweat. She hated the icky, sticky feeling that made her dress stick to her body. Another good reason why she hated physical exercise in general, other than she found it a chore and that her weak body couldn't exactly do them well.

After panting for around 5 minutes, she pushed the dolly as she headed towards the academy. This year, she would finally obtain her familiar. This was the main reason why she was so excited to go back to the academy, even with her having to pull around her luggage like a menial servant. She finally would receive her familiar. That meant she could finally study magic properly, as she needed the familiar's mana to feed her spells.

She only hoped it would be someone tolerable, at the very least. She couldn't imagine spending a year with someone she detested. Sure, she could ask for the sacramentum bond to be broken, but that would require a more legitimate reason other than just a simple "I can't stand them".

"I get high, and I love to get low
So the hearts keep breaking, and the heads just roll
You know that's how the story goes.

Ex's and oh, oh, oh's they haunt me
Like gho-o-osts they want me
to make 'em all, all, all
They won't let go
Ex's and-

"Hey! Watch it!"

She had been completely fine, lost in her own world until a first year decided to bump into her, completely cutting off her singing. With a roll of her eyes, she groaned and brushed herself off. If the girl had so much as scuffed any part of the short emerald sun dress that adorned Delaney's fair skin, she would be starting off the school year one body part short. Once she was satisfied that everything was still in perfect order, the teenager fluffed out her red curls and surveyed the area around her.

The train ride had been a long one, as usual. She absolutely hated the ride and was thankful that it only occurred a couple times during the school year. Her green eyes took in the lush surroundings leading up to the castle. As she took in the sight before her, a small grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. The place was a home away from home. Much better, actually, seeing as how at home she started to grow rather bored. Delaney, or DJ as only a few select were allowed to call her, had drama and chaos running through her veins, and she most certainly didn't get that in a mansion filled with only servants.

As she started to make her way towards the castle with her two suitcases, she glanced over at the other students who had just arrived. She could barely hold back a grimace as she recognized a few. Her people were late to the party, as per usual. She really couldn't count on anybody these days. With a huff, she yanked one the blank earbud from her right ear before fully taking in the people around her. Where were Janine and Henri when they were needed? She had barely seen them over the summer and she was yearning for some human interaction. She turned off the mp3 player in her hand and stuffed it into her black clutch.

Her attention was soon grabbed by a male voice and she groaned loudly. Rolling her eyes in his direction, she looked him over before scrunching her nose in apparent disgust. Delaney looked at the poor blonde that he had been talking to and shook her head. "Run while you can, sugar. This one is nothing but bile."

@Raijinslayer (Hope you don't mind!)
@Avanhelsing @General Scales

Beatrice stepped off the train and onto the station, careful so as not to trip over the cobblestone jutting out of the sidewalk. She glanced ahead of her towards Richard, wondering whether she should follow him or not, before deciding to grab her own luggage first. She wandered towards the baggage claim, taking in the familiar scenery around her. It all looked the same as her first year, but everything felt much different. The air was charged with excitement and nerves, matching her own sentiment about the situation. Ever since she was a child Beatrice had dreamed of the sacramentum, of getting her very own partner. The person she would share everything with, depend on, and maybe even go on adventures with! As a young girl she had looked forward to this moment with only excitement, but now that she was actually here, on the day of the ceremony, she couldn't help the flutter of anxiety in her gut.

'Well, there isn't much I can do now but hope for the best!' She thought to herself as she gratefully took her suitcase from the station worker, who almost dropped the heavy trunk in the effort to hand it to Beatrice. She had to admit it was rather heavy, and she was now regretting letting her fretting parents pack for her. They always over packed, with the excuse that she might forget something if they didn't. Beatrice doubted she would, but decided to let her parents coddle her one last time before she left. Taking in a deep breath, she lifted her suitcase with great difficulty. Her ability may have been strength, but she had very little control over it, and her father’s old trunk of a suitcase was almost as large as she was. If she tried, she could easily fit into it.

She moved through the station with difficulty, and had just made it out of the station when she heard a familiar voice call out to her.
"Oh, hey Richard!, there you are! I was going to start looking for you, but you kind of disappeared." She looked down at her pack as he pointed it out, pulling a face.
"Yeah, mom and dad kind of over did it again. I didn't see a dolly anywhere, and I didn't want to bother anyone, so I just took it on my own. It's a little on the heavy side, but it's nothing I can't handle!"

She heaved the heavy trunk up again, almost toppling over as a consequence.
"Actually, you know what? I might have to take you up on that offer." She looked up at her friend, laughter lacing her words.

---

"Excuse me, I was in line- and you're not listening." Monty let out a resigned sigh. There was a fair amount of chaos at the baggage claim, everyone desperate to start the short trek up to the academy. He could understand the excitement, but he didn't understand the need to crowd and cut in front of others. It was all very bad manners really, and he knew that everyone here must know as well.

'Well, I suppose I can't blame them for being jittery. I definitely am, and from the way Felicity has only been talking about the sacramentum for the last few days, she definitely is. On the upside, I now know about every Vague article vaguely relating to it.' He thought, and chuckled at his own joke. When he looked up, he noticed the room had cleared out considerably as all the students began leaving the station. He made his way over to the counter and gave the woman a polite nod.

"Luggage for Felicity Goldberg please." He gave the woman a half smile at her quirked eyebrow, and took the bags from her hands.
"Thank you ma'am." He added, before turning around and quickly walking out the door. Felicity was probably waiting for him, and she never was too patient. Monty carefully weaved through the crowd in search of his sister, bags rolling behind him. He panicked slightly when he saw that she wasn't where he had asked her to stay and cursed under his breath. Scanning the crowd, he quickly found her standing not to far away. With a boy. A strange, vaguely threatening looking boy.

'Who is this punk? He looks like dangerous! He better not be threatening Feli, or I'll...' Monty shook himself, reminding himself of the task at hand.

Monty narrowed his eyes suspiciously, protectiveness and worry welling up in his chest. He waited a few minutes, frozen, before walking over to the two. He watched as another girl spoke to his sister and felt even more suspicious. He carefully looked the boy up and down before turning to his sister.

"Hey Feli, I got your luggage. Everything okay over here?" He asked her, a hand on her shoulder. He didn't want to stop her from making friends, but he couldn't help but feel slightly nervous. She may have been older than him by 2 hours, but she was still his precious and only sister.

@Raijinslayer @Invader Len@Sailorsadie

People are strange when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly when you're alone
Women seem wicked when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven when you're down

When you're strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you're strange
No one remembers your name
When you're strange
When you're strange
When you're strange

Henri had been singing to himself since he had left his family's mansion. In typical, Amberhall fashion the break had been a rather cold affair. It had started with his father's usual method of ignoring his youngest son. The older three had been circling around their father like the good little lap dogs that they were. The company was riding high after the opening of their newest spa in the Pearl. This time his father had decided to allow Henri to go out with the family. Usually when he went out it was with DJ or her family. Henri had learned early on that making friends was always a great idea. He had met her at one of their upper crust parties back home. The whole use of those parties had been to show off before their competitors. Henri found DJ's special brand of chaos to be just the thing he needed. The fact that his father hated their friendship that made it all the better. However, during the break Andrew had decided that his youngest would be allowed to go out with the family for the opening. It was clear that he was doing it. He had the first bit of his father's attention. Now all he had to do was prove why his brothers were unworthy.

As soon as the train arrived, Henri stood up and started walking away from his seat. He had no idea where anyone was and that scared him. He walked until he was outside in the hallway. He walked looking around trying to figure out what his plan for this semester was. He needed everything that he could find for friends but he did not need the ones who rarely talked. No he would ignore people like that unless he had to talk to them. The social ones were usually easier to manipulate. He had honed his craft to an art form. Henri wore personalities like he was at a masquerade. Very few people actually knew the real Henri and he was fine with that. He sauntered along until he ran into DJ and two randoms he did not know. There might have been more but he learned never to look at the wide picture.

"Delaney!" He said not using her nickname. It was rare for someone to be on the "Use Delaney's nickname list" and Henri liked being on. "How have you been?" He said already knowing the answer but he had an act to work. He gave the rest a sugary sweet grin. "Sorry, I don't know any of you. I'm Henri." He said trying to be pleasant. There was no reason to be nasty. Yet. He usually left the snark to DJ since she was better than him.

@Sailorsadie@Raijinslayer@Invader Len

Regis Dimitrios

"Greetings sir slash madam second year Mage of St. Fortuna's Academy for the Higher Arts whom I may or may not have already met! You have been graced with the opportunity to form contracts with the illustrious, esteemed and distinguished Regis Panayiotis Kyriakos Timorous! I can only imagine you are overcome with glee and various forms of exuberance at this annoucement, but I must urge you to control yourself and your rampaging hormones! Or to use some more easily understable vernacular for your potentially uneducated mind, to 'chill out', or 'chillax', or 'relax, bro slash sis'. Any of the three will suffice I'm su--"

Regis frowned at the paper he was reading. For a considerable portion of the train trip, he had been reciting his welcome speech for the Mage he was soon to meet. Aloud. Rather loudly, in fact. The dirty looks and sighs of irritation from the other passengers going completely unnoticed by the snazzily dressed rich kid. Even people outright asking him if he could stop, or at least quieten down a bit, were met with laughter and claims that he was sure no-one else minded, right? Surely no-one would be so sensitive as to be bothered by something so trifling!

Regis turned to the one sitting next to him, a boy that had headphones up and blasting some godawful 'techno' music. Or 'electro'. Or 'techelectro' or whatever on earth that noise was called. He doesn't need to know such irrelevant nonsense, he's rich! Anyway, the boy's music was quite loud.

"Excuse me!" Regis said, jabbing the boy in the side with his finger. The boy glared at him sharply before dropping down the headgear, raising his eyebrows in exasperated questioning. "First of all, that music is quite loud. You're bothering the other students!" The boy's expression turned into a mixture of bafflement and fury.

"Are you actually ser--"

"Second of all," continued Regis, thrusting his script in front of the boy's eyes. "Is this first sentence run-on?"

"What?"

"A run-on sentence," Regis repeated, much slower this time so he properly understood. "A sentence thats runs-on. Not literally 'runs', of course, more like a--"

"Fucking hell, I'm not taking this garbage anymore." The boy stood up and disappeared down the aisle to find another seat. Regis blinked in incomprehension, watching him go.

He was silent for the rest of the trip.

--------

Regis went to retrieve his luggage as quickly as possible when he exited the train. The line be damned! He was at an unfair disadvantage with his height, if he sticked too long in the crowd he was bound to be crushed alive! Having pushed through several people, receiving several insults and short-lived rants, he managed to succeed in his endeavour and breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't trampled! It was a miracle!

He attempted to scan the crowd of people for anyone he vaguely knew in some manner. This proved borderline impossible as the mass of people all seemed to tower over him. These were students, right? Have so many of them failed their classes and been held back so many years that they've all unfairly grown to the size of monsters? Is it drugs? Is there some popular height modifying drug that has been circulated around to everyone? How immoral!

Regis continued to push through the crowd, until someone vaguely familiar caught his eye. That's right, that girl will the name of a gem! That he'd never really talken to at all with before! He's forgotten all of other classmates names, but with a name like that, there's no way he'd forget! He marched up to the awkward looking browny-red haired girl with a beaming smile. "Greetings, Sapphire! Long time no see!" He frowned. "Uh, wait, no. Greetings... Lapis! Wait, no. Quartz! Hi, Quartz!" That's definitely it. No mistaking it.

Before she could correct him, or even say anything at all, he thrust his script towards her. "One question, is this first sentence too long?"

@onenote

A blonde student wearing an intricate, light blue sundress mumbled in annoyance at the dolly in front of her attempting to push forward to no avail having managed to get it wedged on a rock as she was on her was to meet with her two friends that she had no doubt were ahead of her. It took another minute of fidgeting before the girl managed to wiggle the dolly and her large case free returning her attention to moving on not wanting to dwell on something so trivial, even if it had slowed her down. As she moved herself through the crowd a close eye was sizing up everyone but only for a second as her vision scanned back and forth looking for familiar faces among all of the students present. Janine was genuinely excited to come back to the beautiful academy grounds which would host her and anyone of apparent worth so they could hone their skills as well as whatever else there was to learn.

Being off the train was a gift as she did enough sitting around normally and no matter how she tried to pass the time boredom took over soon after. Sure there had been some conversation, as much as she would allow given her mood, but such a ride tended to take forever to end so her patience would waver. The air outside and around the grounds always seemed much fresher than at home which as much as she loved could get too familiar taking the life right out of it. Her mother hadn't taken her on the usual trip to Maefeld this year obviously focusing more on her older sister for now since the graduation, not that she was particularly jealous but instead missed both of them. Besides her best friend Delaney there were a scarce few who brightened up her day quite the same as her family who were winding up to be quite busy, her father had been in the process of several negotiations taking up all of his time recently leaving her alone which she despised though it was hard to blame him for such a thing.

Janine caught a flash of curly red in a small group speeding up her pace to get a better look to see if it was her friend waiting. Luckily Delaney was fairly easy to pick out of a crowd when not distracted by the unclear walkway, she would have to mention it to someone of the town to reprimand the person who's job was to clean that up. She also noticed Henri as well as a couple others nearby so she approached with a confident smile glancing between the second party quickly looking them over as she strode up next to her friend.

"There you two are it so great to see you both. Oh and hello to the both of you as well, I see Delaney is making more friends already. I am Janine Alrya." Janine said feigning interest in the pair across from her while she made her presence know to those she cared about.

"Oh dear is that a new dress? You have to tell me where you got it later. How are you doing Henri? Its been a bit since we talked." The blonde continued on a bit obviously quite happy as she prattled on a little with her small talk.

@Sailorsadie@Invader Len@Avanhelsing@Raijinslayer

Upon noticing him, Bee gave Richard a funny face, obviously upset with his “disappearance”. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
“Bee, I didn’t disappear. I lost you in the crowd. Maybe you shouldn’t be so freakishly short, and I wouldn’t lose you. Rather, I’m impressed you lost me. I’m 6’2” with red hair, I’m a human lighthouse.” he remarked dryly. He was cut off from any further sarcasm, however, as Beatrice shifted her massive cargo and almost took a spill.

Richard quickly moved to help steady the trunk as his tiny friend almost fell flat on her face from the weight. He adjusted his suitcase in his hand and grabbed the other handle of the trunk, lifting it with a lot of effort.
“Holy crap, Bee! What the hell is in here, rocks?! Did your parents pack you a fricking boulder for school?! What even is this?!” He grunted, struggling to lift his end. He might have muscles, but he was nowhere near buff enough to carry stuff like Beatrice could.

He could feel his hands already starting to sweat, trying to balance both handfuls of suitcase as best he could. He huffed at Beatrice’s laughter, hair falling in his face.
“Yeah, no shit, Shylocke. Let’s just hurry up. If my arms get tired, I’m leaving you in the dust. I’m not gonna be late to disappointing my mage because you bit off more than you can chew. Again.” he snapped, knowing full well he wouldn’t leave her. Beatrice was annoying, rash, and taunted him about getting more love letters from girls than he did every Vali’s Blot, but she was still his best friend. His only friend, actually. Only one he knew.

---

“Hello there, blondie, mind if I ask you who ya waiting for? Maybe I can help you in lookin' for him, or at least drawing their attention. I hate to brag but . . ." Felicity looked up at the boy who had suddenly approached her, tall, dark, and fearsome looking with a stitch-like tattoo around his neck.
“I’m the sort that’s quite hard to miss in a crowd, wouldn’t you agree?”

Felicity stared up at him for a second, processing what he had just said in her mind. Then it clicked, and she broke out into a wide smile.
“Oh! Oh my, you’re tall! Oh, sorry, I mean yes, you can! I’m looking for someone, a boy. He’s taller then me, but not as tall as you, oh no, and he has short blonde hair and blue eyes, like mine! His name is Monty, he’s my-“ she quickly bubbled with a bright expression, before another voice cut her off.

It was some other girl, calling something she couldn’t quite understand, but Felicity think she called the boy in front of her bile. Bile? Well that was rather rude. Did she know this boy? If not, it was very mean to judge him by how he looked. Certainly he looked rather frightening at first glance, but he was offering to help her, and now that she got a better look, his clothes were rather well made. A little overdressed for a warm day like today, Felicity was only wearing a pink sundress and sandals, coupled with her accessories. But nonetheless, rather stylish in it’s own way!

She then felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up at the person touching her. Oh! It was Monty! And he… Did not look very happy. She didn’t understand why, or why he was giving this nice boy such a hard glare. It wasn’t like he was hitting on her, he was just offering to help.
“Monty! There you are! I’m fine, this guy here was just offering to help me look for you! Why did you take so long, we’re going to be late at this rate!” she scolded him, brushing his hand off her shoulder and turning back to the boy.

“I’m Felicity, this is my twin, Monty! We’re second years at the academy. What’s your name? And would you mind if I asked where you got that vest? Is that from the Girabella ’12 mens fall fashion line-up? I saw it in Vague magazine, in one of their yearly throwback pieces. I love the color! And it goes so fetchingly with your shoes!” She complimented him, her mouth running ahead of her. No sooner had she spoken than two other people showed up, both speaking to the girl who had called the nice boy “Bile”. They seemed to be ignoring them for the most part, and, glancing back at the clock, she realized that they really would be running late if they stayed too long.
“Monty, we really have to hurry! I want to meet my familiar soon!” she whined, picking up her suitcase.

She returned her attention once more to the stranger, flashing him a smile.
“Do you wanna walk with us? It’s more fun to go together!” She offered, giving a token of friendship.

@Raijinslayer @The Errorist
@Sailorsadie @Avanhelsing
@General Scales

"Keep your chin up Ruby, I know you can do it. You have Korry with you and all the amazingness that comes from being a Doer, and if anybody can do anything it's us! Love, MJ" Ruby sighed as she read the letter that her sister had sent her before Ruby had to go back to St. Fortuna. There were details about how her apprenticeship was going but a good deal of it was trying to get her pumped up for her second year. Ruby wasn't worried or sad it was just… She already missed last year. Things just wouldn't be the same without MJ there. The only real friend she had with her now was Korry, so she was thankful for that. But there was no replacing MJ.

But Ruby couldn't mope around, especially with the train pulling into the station now. This would be the best chance she had to find Korry since she couldn't find him when she got on. So Ruby did her best to go with the flow of the crowd until she got to where her luggage was stored. It wasn't a quick pace but by the time she got there, she didn't have to fight tooth and nail just to try and pull her luggage away. She had just finished putting her things on a trolley when a rather short, but good looking boy (that she was sure she had a class with before but couldn't place him) came up to her with a big smile… And immediately got her name wrong. Several times.

Well Ruby could appreciate the effort that he remembered that she was named after a gem and this wasn't the first time someone mixed up which gem it was (usually it was old Lewis the guilds old treasurer though) and he didn't seem to be meaning to mix it up so Ruby was able to look past it. But she would have at least liked a chance to correct him before he started to shove papers in her hands and ask questions about it. Ruby was at a lost of what to say or do. She felt like it would be rude to hand him the papers back and he said it would just be one question.

"Ummm..." Ruby mumbled as she quickly read over what the paper said. "Regis," Ah so that was his name… Why did he put all four of his names down… He has four names? Why did he write like he did? Ruby bit her lip for a moment as she considered what to say next, and figuring honesty was the best policy, she tried to be gentle.
"Please don't take this the wrong way, but I think whoever you read this to might think you're being rude. I don't think you're meaning to sound that way, but what you wrote about yourself isn't exactly humble." Ruby didn't want to hurt Regis's feelings but she really did feel like it might be better to try and tell him this before he met his partner.
"And um, you were close. It's Ruby, not Quartz."

---

Nancy was not a morning person, and given the opportunity, she would sleep anywhere. A train seat was a surprisingly comfortable spot when you were super tired, Nancy had found that out last year, and just like last year, Nancy slept through the whole train ride. She could enjoy the majestic wonders of nature that could only be experienced by train when she went back home. She might have stayed awake if someone had chosen to sit next to her, but no one really wanted to sit next to the tall goth girl that had stumbled onto the train looking like she was in a bad mood from having to get up early. Which was fine with Nancy, more sleep for her.

Nancy woke up when the train pulled into the station and everyone began to make a commotion as they started to get off and collect their things.
"I definitely needed that nap." Nancy yawned as she stretched before getting up and making her way out to collect her own things before making her way up to the school. As she put her suitcases on one of the provided trolleys, she looked around for any of her friends. There were plenty of people she was friendly with, the type of people you recognized in the hall and could have friendly chit chat with, but she was looking for more personal friends.

And she found them as she started to make her way with the rest of the students. Her good friends Felicity and Monty, and some guy she didn’t know and… Wow, they sure had a crowd of people around them. Everyone in the group seemed to have their attention focused on someone else in the group, and the only person who didn't seem to be getting much attention was poor Monty. Well, that was about to change.

"Hey, guys!" Nancy called as she started their way. "Nice to see you again!

Korrey didn't really seem bothered as the red head insulted him to his face, looking a tad moreof confused by her choice of word than anything else. Festus, on the other hand, disliked the casual insult sling at her master, and proceeded to rear herself up, letting out a menacing hiss. . . until Korrey flicked her on the snout. Shocked by the action,the snake drew back with another, more surprised hiss, shaking it's head in a rather unsnake-like fashion. "Festus, I've already told you to stop hissing at strangers, it's rude. And what's with you raising your self up like a hydra? You're a constrictor, not a viper, nor a monsterous snake that breathes fire. Thus, you have no business doing any of that kind of posturing." Festus, looking as ashamed as a snake was capable, lowered her head, her tongue flicking out in a depressive manner before she slithered back into his backpack, maneuvering her tail to curl around the custom-made loop on the inside and zip it closed from the inside. *sigh* And now she's sulking, and I don't have Vulcan's dumb little face to cheer her up right now. Ugh, I'll deal with this after the ceremony. She'll probably be in a better mood by then.

By this time, he'd turned his attention back to the scene at hand, only to notice that the number of people he had been talking to had nearly tripled. Before he could get a proper grasp on what was being said and who was who, he found himself getting asked a barrage of questions by the blonde girl he'd initially been trying to help in regards to his attire. Korrigan was nothing if not adaptable, however, and quickly caught back up with the convo, taking a bit of time to address each party, taking their level of interest in his responses in accordingly, starting with the newly named Felicity and the person she'd been waiting for, her twin brother Monty. He quickly put together the look the brother was giving him and how Felicity had been scolding someone while he'd been doing the same to Festus, figuing out what likely happened while he'd been focusing on his snake.

"Ah, don't be too harsh on your brother, he's only doin' his duty in trying protecting ya! Hell, if I had a sister and saw her talkin' to a lout who looked like me, I'd probably be a bit worried myself. And as for the vest, uh, maybe? Fashion ain't really my thing, this is something that my patron picked out for me today. I don't usually dress up like this, but he insisted. Either way, thank you for the compliment. And as for my name. . ." Korrey decided to lean a bit into theatrics and flare, taking a step away from the small crowd to give an exaggerated bow to them all, a bit of crimson and black showing from the space between his sunglasses and brow, before he rose back up with an equal amount of fan-fare, excessive hand gestures included. "I'm none other than the illustrious Korrigan Umbraisis, scion from the grand city of Erridun. . . but most everyone I know calls me Korrey. Less of a mouthful. Though I guess I got me a new nickname now, huh?"

It was here that Korrey turned to face the red-headed girl from earlier, now surrounded by her posse. Giving another bow, this one being much more restrained than the former, he flashed a smile their way, hoping to show that he meant no ill will nor took any real offense to the slight. "Bile, wasn't it? Give ya points for creative word choice, ain't never been called that before. But a nickname given, means a nickname returned, so if we ever have the good fortune of meetin' again, I hope ya don't mind if I call you Lil' Red, ye? or how about just Red? Have a preference?" Korrey was sure that his smile seemed a lil' more snarky after his poking at the girl, but he doubted the girl or her friends would take any real offense to it, and if they did, what was the worst they could really do? "Well it has been a pleasure meetin' all of ya, but I have to go get my luggage soon before my other little buddy starts to get worried. Felicity, Monty, Lil' Red, Henri, Janine, hope to see you all in the comin' months, and hope you all get good partners in the sacrementum. Don't wait up on me, now, wouldn't want any of ya to be late to such an event on my account."

With those final words and a wave, Korrey would be off to reclaim his luggage, which would be a bit of an ordeal in and of itself, since his luggage included five huge suitcases full of all kinds of things, ranging from all of his many, many books, training weapons for his mornin' warm-ups, regular training gear, clothes, it was quite a lot to lug around by your lonesome. The baggage claim lady even asked if he'd like any assistance from the volunteers, but Korrey politely refused, already having a system in mind. Pulling at the first one, he'd half-roll, half-drag the heavy suitcases along the ground at a slow but steady pace, a small line of sweat rolling down his brow as he did so. With each step, he also picked up a little speed, so before too long, he'd be already at walking speed, probably around the time everyone got in line for the ceremony if no one else came to chat with him, not that he wouldn't mind the company. As he was dragging along his train of luggage, however, he happened to finally notice a familiar face.

"Hey Ruby, glad I didn't *hurk* miss ya! Who's your *urgh* friend?" Korrey asked between strained grunts as he worked to get his luggage train a movin'. Okay, point taken. Next time the old man says to just let him deliver the stuff to my dorm, don't think of it as a challenge. Me and my big mouth. . .

@onenote
@Invader Len
@General Scales
@Avanhelsing
@The Errorist
@Discontent

Talia Nitro!

Talia's circadian Rhythm was a bit off, to say the least. After a relaxing summer from school and work she enjoyed many late nights playing video games, even being as foolish to do so the night before the train. She was knocked out on the train ride, since she was so used to sleeping around this time of the day, and due to her lack of sleep the night before. She wore her usual attire which was both comfortable and temperate to be in, which facilitated this slumber. She was having a dream that she was the captain of a space ship, and that they were fighting an intergalactic force, she sat in this big spinning chair and had a crew backing her up. They pulled off multiple maneuvers and attacks but were soon hit themselves. The Ship's alarm system went off and started to beep every so often...? She woke up suddenly to realize that there was a slight beeping coming from her phone, which was amplified because she had left her around the ear comfortable gaming headphones on. She sat up and looked around having put the headphones around her neck. She checked her phone only to realize that it was just a few pictos from some of her friends back at home. She looked outside and realized that the train was slowing into a station. "Yaes!" she exclaimed as she fist pumped in the air, receiving a few odd looks.

With her backpack with its tamagotchi key chain she got off the train, which was her first mistake. There was such a plethora of bustling people that she was getting swept with countless currents of people. She eventually navigated her way to the pickup area and took her two additional bags, which were heavy, but she could handle it. She started to make her way towards the academy with the rather large crowd. She often looked down at her phone to check a few things but also took the time to look around. The place had quite a few lovely areas to see and tour, but what caught her attention was the arcade. Oh man if she had to the freedom to she'd go there right now. She sighed and looked forward walking through the crowd when someone caught her attention.

It was a thin kid with Brownish red hair and he was talking to a smaller girl who seemed to be carrying a lot of luggage. "I know I've seen him before... I just can't reme- oh shit!" She ran to catch up with the boy, stopping before him showing clear excitement. "RacingMahoganist23_3!" She of course referred to him by his online name by which she knew him. She looked at Beatrice also but just looked back at Richie rich. "It's me, T-Nitr0, er uhh just call me Talia, nice to meet ya!" She puts her fist out trying to get a fist bump from him.

@Invader Len
@The Errorist

A massive boy stepped off of the train with a sigh. He reached out with both arms as far as they could, stretching his muscles, and bellowing an obnoxious yawn from the depths of his diaphragm. It was like watching a bear come out of hibernation greeting the beautiful sky with a lazy grin and sleepy eyes. After popping a few kinks in his neck, Clyde Lee threw his fists in the air shadow boxing an unseen opponent in front of him. The excitement of a new year could hardly be contained inside his body. This was not going to be a repeat of his lonely first year. He had spent his first term at the academy secluded and friendless. It was miserable to say the least, but this term will be entirely different. This term he would be partnered with a mage! Even if his efforts to make friends did not bear fruit, he will have at least one person by his side. His eyes scanned around him to the other students, many of which were smaller than him in both height and body constitution. After all, Clyde did look like a monster of a boy. His musculature was well defined, shoulders broad, and wild untamed hair gave him the appearance of a ruffian.

The other students definitely gave the boy a wide berth. The boy easily carried his dufflebags with both arms and comically twirled about the streets lined with rope. Clyde walked at the edge of the path created by the town's peacekeeping force and smelled the lovely flowers growing upon the hedges. Their aroma was a lovely change from the heavy fumes carried by the coast in Colbar. Such an earthly and sweet aroma that reminded one that they were alive. Songs of the birds overhead brought a goofy grim to his lips and eased his racing heart. The boy danced, and skipped, and hummed a soft tune as he made his way towards the academy with ebullience. But his own reflection in a few windows made him stop dead in his tracks.

"What am I doin'?" he thought to himself. He looked like a complete fool swaggering around town like he had no clue. "Be cool, Clyde. Cool like a cucumber. Cool like the underside of a pillow. Cool like a fool in a swimmin' pool."

His brown leather jacket went well with the hide rancher boots on his feet. Coming from Colbar, this made him look very different from the rest of his friends back home. The clopping sounds from his boot heels made a rhythmic cadence that matched his confident stride. Being taller than many other students, sometimes he would go past others without noticing their existence. One such person was a little lady that he accidentally bumped into. Clyde noticed a little thump to his chest and looked around for a moment believing he had accidentally walked into a shrub. But it was not a plant. Quite the opposite in fact. It was a person.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that missy," laughed Clyde. "I can be very oblivious to others somti-"

Female.

She was a short gal with soft features to her face. Her hair flowed down her shoulders like fine silk, gold like a vast field of wheat that shined with a radiance brighter than any stars in the night sky. Crystal blue eyes that seemingly pierced through Clyde's outer shell as if his persona was made from paper and glass. His heart twisted in his chest in a vice-like grip of nervousness and fear. It was a habit of his he could not break. The boy was not quite deathly afraid of women, but it was something about them that made him tense and anxious. His eyes scanned around him for a quick escape but there was none to be found. The damned town suddenly turned into a tight corridor with no end in sight. He could practically feel sweat form at the edge of his brow and his hands quivered as strength left his body.

"Say somethin' to get yerself out of this situation, ya' idiot."

"N-need, uh, help with them bags?" asked Clyde with a nervous twitch.

"Good job, sport," he thought sarcastically.

@Hammerman

---

---

@Klaykid @Hammerman

Regis Dimitrios

Ah, it was Ruby. Quartz, Ruby, about the same, right? But forgetting the whole name thing, he was what? Rude?! The Dimitrios family are the humblest people in the entire country! No-one is more modest than Regis!

"I asked if the first sentence was too lengthy, not for a damned half-baked review, you idi-- Wait!" A flash of understanding ran through his face. "I see what you're saying. Bizarrely roundabout method of expressing it, but nevertheless clever! It's 'rude' to the Mage because I didn't put enough effort into making it sound natural! As I thought, that first sentence is just a plain mouthful. Hmm... yes, shortening the whole school's name down and making the 'whom I may or may not have already met' part a separate section should make it much better. Your speech writing advice has been highly appreciated, Quar-- uh, Ruby! But I'd better be... going... uh..." Regis trails off, as a peculiar sight appears in his peripheral.

"Hey Ruby, glad I didn't *hurk* miss ya! Who's your *urgh* friend?"

Regis stared at the, quite frankly, ludicrously tall specimen attempting to lug the rough equivalent of damn near everything he has ever owned, ever. And somehow managing... barely. Regis began laughing, and didn't bother attempting to supress it. "Wha... eheh, what on..." He had to pause to try and caught his breath, only to fail completely as more laughter arose. "You, heheh, didn't think to just... pfft, send all that over? Or think at all?"

Regis blinked.

"Wait. I know you from last year. Something Orray. Gorray? Borray? Borray. How do you not know who I am? I deigned to remember your stupid name, you grotesquely tall freak of nature." It's gotta be drugs. No other explanation. Doped up on height-enhancements.

Lilac pushed her dolly as she looked around her. Students everywhere, just as she had suspected. They were all heading to the academy. Not that they had a chance, seeing how the locals had made sure that they wouldn't go anywhere else by putting a thick red rope that blocked any roads not leading to the academy. It was a major event for the town, which was a surprise for her when she first arrived here a year ago.

Most of the students seemed to be travelling in groups or pairs, chatting with each other, no doubt acquaintances from the previous year. She had no such thing of course, seeing how she spent her entire year barely socializing with anyone. She only devoted herself to her books and studies. She simply didn't see the need.

Unfortunately, looking around often meant that you don't look what's right in front of you.

Thump

She almost lost her balance due to the sudden impact. She would've fallen down to the ground, no doubt dirtying the white dress she was wearing, not to mention the added embarrassment. She wasn't some clumsy little girl, goddamnit.

She looked forward to see who she just bumped into. And she only found a wide and firm chest, instead of a head.

She humphed internally. She hated having to look upwards to see who she was talking to.

It was a man, as she had suspected judging from his stature. But he looked more like a bear than a man, with how imposing his presence was. And she, as a short petite lady, could feel the full effect as she stood right in front of him.

"N-need, uh, help with them bags?" he said to her.

She could tell he was feeling awkward as he stood in front of her. It was all written on his face. She didn't understand how a huge man like him could be like that. If she were that huge, she wouldn't be afraid of anything.

Before she could answer him, another tall person appeared. And this time, she recognized who he was. Leo John de Coeur. She had met him a few times in some of the parties she attended to. She remembered how her parents introduced her gleefully to him, and anyone else in the room, as if she was some pretty doll. Even back then, he was already significantly taller than her, even though their age wasn't far different at all. Her impression of him was quite good, as he was polite, even with his constantly serious face. But other than that, she didn't really know anything about him.

"Ah, Leo. You're studying here too?" she asked him with a calm face and tone. "I didn't see you at all the last year."

@Klaykid@TheHangedMan

Anelise stepped off the train, the plump suitcase behind her trembling as it fell to the ground with a satisfying thunk. Her backpack swayed with her movements as she took in the scenery. It was as picturesque as it had been last year, and the image was made all the more pregnant by the low, soulful tune blasting into her ear via two pearlescent buds. She felt oddly at home here, more so than she did in her quiet townhouse, the one that had been empty -save for her- most of the summer. The streets were so alive, the subtle titters and cacophonous chatter filled her with a sense of purpose, and joy. She could have lost herself in that moment, one where she singled in on every minute detail, had a fellow student not bumped into her shoulder.

Her mouth gaped with an inaudible gasp, and she willed her eyes to regain focus. Today was not just another day of wandering, after all, not for the second years. Today mages would gain their very first familiars, and vice versa. She had lost count of the number of dull -albeit informative- books she had read on sacramentum over the summer, knowing in the back of her mind that no book could prepare her for the bond she was about to be faced with. She hoped, in the far recesses of her mind, that the Academy had picked someone suitable for her. The higher ups there were anything but stupid, yet her nerves still caused her to tremble at the thought of being paired with a man or woman who would resist the bond. She thumbed the hem of her cold shoulder top, hoping to quash the unwarranted fear. It didn't work.

Pursing her lips, she continued onwards at a meager pace. Perhaps if she found a few of her friends, the cold tingle at the nape of her neck would fade? Yes, that's exactly what she would do. She scanned the crowd, pausing on faces that looked partially recognizable, but otherwise skimming over everyone without stop. Sooner than she thought possible, she found someone she would know anywhere. A tower of a lad, with hair so fiery in the sunlight it seemed ablaze.

“Korrey!” She chimed, her own voice muffled by her ear buds. Pulling her suitcase with a newfound stamina, she wormed her way through the overbearing crowd. A few feet from where Korrey stood, she realized he was in a small group of his own, accompanied by a distinguished looking male and a slight, red headed girl. This didn't surprise Anelise, as Korrey was just as cheery and friendly as she, but it made her excitement die down just a little.

Anelise waved, smiling with bright white teeth on display. She became increasingly aware of her ear buds still blaring music, and pulled them out of their nooks. If one were to listen closely, they would recognize the tinny voice echoing out of the buds as Anelise. The sound went just as fast as it came, though, because Anelise -flustered- tugged the cord until it popped out of her phone. “Hi, my name's Anelise, it's a pleasure to meet you all… I'm a friend of Korrey’s.” She nudged the struggling boy on the shoulder. “What are your names?”

---

@Discontent@Raijinslayer@onenote

“Holy crap, Bee! What the hell is in here, rocks?! Did your parents pack you a fricking boulder for school?! What even is this?!”

Beatrice looked sheepish at Richards comment, averting her eyes
"Well I mean, dad did put some of our garden stones in here, so yeah I guess..." She trailed off, watching as he too struggled to help keep the trunk from falling.

“Yeah, no shit, Shylocke. Let’s just hurry up. If my arms get tired, I’m leaving you in the dust. I’m not gonna be late to disappointing my mage because you bit off more than you can chew. Again.”
Beatrice snapped her head up to look at Richard at his comment, her jovial grin disappearing as her face morphed into a disapproving face.

"C'mon Richard. First of all, I know you wouldn't leave me, so don't even try pulling that crap. Second of all, we talked about this! Your mage isn't going to be disappointed in you. Is this because of the ability thing? Because we both know that these things happen, it's natural. And I know whoever it is is going to love you! Now help me finish-" Before she could finish what she was saying, she was interrupted by a girl running up to them. She seemed to be talking to Richard, but Beatrice couldn't understand what she was trying to say.

'RacingMahoganist23_3? T-Nitr0? Were those some kind of code names? Wait no, I know that first one... That's Richards online handle! So that's what this is.' With her thought process ending on that note, Beatrice looked between the girl and Richard with a smile.

"Sooooo, is this one of your online friends Richard?" She nudged him in the ribs, winking. "Or is she something more? You got a gaming girlfriend you didn't tell me about? I'm feeling a bit scandalized right now."
She turned back to the girl, all teasing gone from her face, but smile still in place. "So, Talia right? I'm Beatrice, Richards friend. It's always nice to meet Richards friends." Beatrice glanced around, watching as students walked past them towards the school.
"We should probably get a move on though, we're going to be late at this rate. Want to walk with us? You and Richard can catch up on the way."

---

Monty's eyebrows steadily rose at the growing amount of people around them. The two that had joined the girl in front of them seemed content on ignoring them, so he turned back to his sister and the strange looking boy. Who had a snake. Monty glanced at the snake as the boy spoke to it, confused, before shrugging it off. He had seen stranger things.

Monty was snapped back to his sister by her scolding. Monty felt sheepish as she explained the situation, raising his now free hand to rub at the back of his neck. He gave a half smile and a small wave as Felicity introduced them, and shook his head fondly when she started rambling. He knew she did it when she was excited about something, and felt a bit bad for the other boy. Monty decided not to say anything, as he had already embarrassed himself enough for the day. He kept some attention on the people in front of him, but for the most part just stared out at the city of Enklen. His admiring the scenery was soon interrupted by a familiar voice calling out. Monty turned his head up, a grin spreading across his face as he recognized the person walking towards them.

"Nancy! Hey, it's good to see you too!" He glanced towards Felicity and the other strangers as Korrey left, and then up to the crowds of people walking to school. Felicity had already nagged him about time, and he wasn't too keen to get yelled at again just yet.
"We should probably get going, don't want to be late. Nancy, do you need any help with your luggage?"

@Invader Len@Redmarshmellow@onenote

Beatrice reacted very quickly to his self-disparaging comments, grin replaced by frown. ‘Oh no, here we go again. Another pep talk.’ Richard thought, as his best friend quickly gave him yet another quick lecture on why he shouldn’t be embarrassed over his lack of ability. Sure, it was easy for her to say that, her ability had already manifested, and she had the strength of a god damn behemoth! She had super strength! That was one of the most useful abilities, inside or outside of combat! He’d probably get something totally useless, like keeping coffee hot or having peanuts taste like walnuts.

Before he could give back a biting retort about not needing a pep talk, they were both interrupted by a strange, oddly familiar girl running up to them. She addressed him, which was the first thing that surprised him, as he hardly knew anyone at school aside from Bee, and though he did stand out somewhat, he was usually ignored by other rich kids. The second thing that surprised him, even more than the first, was that she didn’t call him by name, but by his username. His online handle. He stood in dumbfounded shock as she introduced herself, suddenly realizing who she was.
“T-T-T-! T-Nitr0?! You go here?!” He stammered out, stunned by the revelation. They had met on an online video game and had exchanged Picto information and seen each other’s faces, but he didn’t know her name, and certainly didn’t know they went to the same school.

Upon Beatrice’s sly comment and nudge to his ribs, the boy’s eyes blew wide, his face turning as red as his hair.
“B-Bee! N-No! W-W-W-We’re o-o-o-online f-friends!” he squeaked out, his voice breaking in embarrassment. Beatrice quickly ignored him, and went right into introductions, leaving him with his own fluster. How could she embarrass him like that?! He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He needed to control his nervous stammer, he did not want to start the year looking like a babbling idiot!

He hoisted up his end of Beatrice’s trunk, giving Talia an apologetic look as they started walking.
“S-Sorry, Bee is just joking. I-I’m Richard. Although, I guess that’s been said already. S-So, you go here? I didn’t know you were the same age as me. U-Um, Bee- I mean Beatrice is my friend, the one I mentioned was into Overtime as well? She’s a real jester. he said, letting all that venom seep into his last word as he gave Beatrice a hard glare. He was so going to get her back later for embarrassing him, just wait.

---

The boy introduced himself as Korrigan Umbraisis, though he noted he preferred Korrey. Felicity kept this info on a little mental note in case she ran into him again. He was so tall, was he a fourth year? He definitely had the feel of a fourth year. She completely missed the snake around his neck, and thus was completely unaware of the reference to “little buddies”. Did he have friends in lower years? Oh, he really was nice then! She waved to him as he left with a bright smile.
“Bye-bye! It was nice meeting you! Thank you for your help!” she called. Even if it was a brief meeting, he seemed like a very nice boy, and was the first senior Felicity had met! How cool upperclassmen were!

Before she and Monty could leave, however, a familiar voice called out to them, followed by a familiar face. A gruff goth girl, with spiked ear piercings, a formidable attire, and hair cropped short approached them, and Felicity’s heart soared with glee as she recognized her friend.
“Nancy! Oh my gosh, hiiiiiii! It’s been, like, forever!” She exclaimed, rushing to her spiky friend and giving her a hug.
“I haven’t seen you since school let out! How was your summer? Did you do anything fun? Meet any cute boys? Oh yeah, let us help!” she offered, picking up her suitcase and unlocking the wheels, making it suitable for rolling. Fashion and mobility, that was the essence of suitcase style! At Monty’s reminder, she nodded reverently, remembering their big day.
“Right! Let’s hurry! We can talk as we walk! Nancy, who do you think your partner is gonna be? I hope I get either a nice girl that loves fashion, or a cute boy! Did you see the Vague article I posted on FaceTome? I’m so excited, I just can’t stand it!” She squealed, hurrying off down the road, always a few steps ahead of her best friend and brother. It was a beautiful day to make a new friend!

@Redmarshmellow @The Errorist
@onenote