---

You and your future classmates disembark from your variegated modes of transportation. Stepping upon either the rich, black sands of the beaches or the wooden pathways that surround the school you find your way, either through written instruction, helpful guides, or personal knowledge, to the clearing between the gardens and the dormitory complex. Surrounding the clearing you find yourselves in are the hedge mazes and thick copses of trees of the garden, where the many flowers within paint the breeze with the scent of many colors, the oddly calming scent only added to by the sea’s salt. The high grass of the rest of the garden comes up only to your ankles here, an area laid out for speeches, that fact made more clear by the rows of thick wooden benches arranged to be looking towards both the podium and the tower behind it. Standing at the podium is an older gentleman dressed in heavy robes of brown hue, adorned in a number of rubies. His elderly face smiles slightly at the gathering crowd, and he strokes his beard in thought. Behind him are a number of people, many of whom are renowned scientists or mages, the faculty. He waits, patiently, as each of you takes a seat on the benches provided. Someone jokes about how this feels like Hogwarts. A few of the students and even some of the faculty chuckle. When the last of you takes their place, he clears his throat, the assembled crowd quiets, and begins to speak.

“Hmm… Ahem, welcome students, staff, anyone here just because they like speeches, welcome to Arkangrad. I am the Headmaster, Arthur Wick. You are all here of course for one thing, I should hope anyways. You are here to learn, as are we all.
This is in part what Arkangrad is here for. You fine folk stand in what is one of the finest learning institutions in the world. Of course, you all know that already, else you wouldn’t be here. Arkangrad is also a place of unity as well as learning. I want you to take a look around you, what do you see? I see those willing to learn, and nothing else. That is what Arkangrad is for, the bridging of people.
Now, I expect you all to treat your fellow students with respect, regardless of the case. But I would also appreciate it if you all treated your studies seriously. You may argue that the world changed fifty years ago, and that it’s over but we are still feeling the changes even now, as is the way of the world, and I want you all to be prepared for it.
As I look over you all I see the hope for the future. It brings light to an old warrior’s heart, and I trust you all to grow into fine people.
Ahem, one more moment…
I’m sure if you’ve any other questions you can ask any of our delightful faculty, many of whom you can see behind me. Now you’ll find on your person pieces of paper detailing which dorms and rooms you’ll have, and the dorms are, as you can see, behind you. You have the rest of today off, to adjust and meet your new roommates, as well as explore the grounds if you feel like it. If anyone wishes to see me I’ll be in the large tower, and please, try not to burn the place down.”

Each of you finds, in your pocket, or your bag (otherwise in your hair), a slip of paper, upon which is written your dorm room number, who else is in that room with you, and which classes you are scheduled for. On the back is a map showing the route to and from the school itself. The day is yours, what will you do now?

Persephone listened half-heartedly as the headmaster droned on. Let's have fun, learn, and be nice to each other. Blah, blah, blah. She looked at her room assignment, then headed off to the dorms.

The common room was rather comfortable, with big plush chairs and a massive television set. The lamia slithered into the bedroom, dropping her bag on one of the beds to claim it, then started to unpack. Hopefully, her roommates would be in soon.

So this was Arkangrad, hm? Najwa smiled as she looked at the academy and the castle town below as she leaned against her 'father'. It certainly wasn't what she expected, though she had never been out of the ancient homeland of the Ifrit once in her relatively short life. Cool, salty air of the sea blew gently passed the two Ifrit as they observed the school grounds below. Various noises could be heard drifting up to their ears, foreign noises. Naj had made an effort to learn multiple languages so she could easily converse with the humans but to her ancient ears and mind, it still sounded so strange. Foreign.

"Worried, little flame?" Her 'father' questioned in their native tongue. At least, he was the closest thing ifrit would ever have to a true parent. He wasn't a father in the traditional sense, but rather - he was the one who gave his flame so she could be created. Not that parentage ever had much of an effect on Ifrit, but it was still proper to show the one who gave you life some sort of respect, always. She hummed quietly, a tune from the sands of her homeland, as the arm resting around his shoulder removed itself...and pulled the turban he was wearing over his eyes earning a displeased grunt from the vastly older Ifrit.

"...curious, mostly. They look so...weak and fragile." She replied in the same tongue with a light tone. "Hmm...no wonder the war devastated them. Its an impressive wonder they survived so long despite being so utterly weak." She laughed.

"Humans are far from weak, little flame." He replied, straightening his turban.

"Hm...remains to be seen." Naj replied, a bit more seriously. "Compared to me? The weakest flame in all of the sands? They are weak. Which is not saying much about their future. If they were smart at all, the would have saved themselves the trouble and signed their lives away to us for protection."

"Naj!"

"Oh, it was merely a joke." Naj replied with a dismissive huff, sitting up and untangling herself from her father fully.

"They will not take it as such if you go around saying that, Little flame! You must be careful with your words, did you learn nothing before coming here?" Naj frowned, furrowing her eyebrows.

"...I should curb my tongue instead of speaking proudly and truthfully?"

"If it prevents conflict with the humans, yes. I have told you this before. We - the Ifrit - can simply not survive another conflict with these humans. There are so few of us left - barely more than a handful. You must improve relations with the humans and make them realize not all of us were like those...that committed so many atrocities in the war."

Naj fell silent, looking at the fabric of the carpet that they were flying in on as it started its descent towards a cliff near the seaside. The large square rug was a relic of the Ifrit, one of the few remaining 'Flying Carpets' in existence. She couldn't understand, she really couldn't. She had tried to, but she couldn't. It be going so very much against her nature. Ifrit were proud. She was proud of her heritage no matter what they did in the past. Plus, she was strong - so much stronger than most humans would ever hope to be. She might take a few more decades to get there, but once she did...her strength would be the truth, wouldn't it?

"You will understand one day soon I hope, little flame." Her father replied again

"...I will try. But it is not something this little fire can understand at the moment. Humans are so weak, so fragile...so delicate. The Ifrit are better than they simply by nature of our creators."
"That is why you were sent here, Naj. To understand these humans."

She remained silent, not replying for that would only further upset her progenitor. She couldn't understand. Humans were weak, Ifrit were not. Therefore, Ifrit were inherently better. That was logical, was it not? She just couldn't understand at all. She had sworn an oath she wouldn't intentionally cause trouble - it was the only way the other elders would feel comfortable sending someone with such a volatile flame as hers.

"I will do my best."

"No, you must succeed! Use that Ifrit pride and fire to succeed, Naj! Ifrit's flame is not merely used for domination or destruction...least of all yours, little flame. Use that fire to succeed."

The young Ifrit merely sighed, and fell silent. The rest of the descent continued as such, Naj sitting near the edge of the carpet watching the humans move about below, like little insects scurrying about. If she had vocalized that analogy she'd have gotten a smack upside the head, but that is what they looked like to her. Of course she'd succeed. Her pride would not allow failure of any kind, nor would it allow anything less than perfection.

Soon enough, the flying carpet came to a halt near the ground. Naj stepped off the magical vehicle, onto the grass below - causing a few blades to become singed merely from her presence.

"You can do it, little flame. It is odd for an Ifrit to say such a thing, I know...but I have lived long." He handed her a number of bags that she was to carry with her. A few decorative items and necessities from the land of the sands. "I have thought long and hard, on our people...we are too caught up in past, tradition and our foolish pride. It is our nature, to be sure...but it is not something that we can not overcome with effort, Naj. You must believe this."

"Of course." She took the bags, giving her progenitor a respectful bow. "I will...understand these humans."

"Alshams 'iirshadik, little flame."

"And you, father." With that, the carpet rose vertically, before taking off in the direction they had come from. She watched the older Ifrit leave with some apprehension. She was somewhat glad he was gone. This conversation was not something she had enjoyed - she just didn't understand. She was an Ifrit. She was proud, and while she understood she couldn't throw around her power without repercussions, and she understood the value of human life...what she didn't understand, were humans themselves.

How they thought, how they think, or anything, really. They should be content to let themselves be protected by someone strong...like her. They were weak, and would only hurt themselves in the process.

...ah she wouldn't linger on those thoughts. She picked up the bags, easily carrying the heavy and somewhat large objects towards where she was supposed to go, leaving little embers of fire trailing off of her body as she walked. She could definitely feel a few eyes on her as she walked - as it should be. The humans at least, could easily tell when someone that was their better were present. She didn't make an attempt to converse with any of them, however. She had things to do and had no reason too. It didn't take her long to reach the clearing between the gardens. There were so many unfamiliar plants here that she would love to get to know...unfortunately, getting anywhere near plants would likely mean her burning them, as unfortunate as it was.

Still, she took a seat on one of the benches and listened to the headmasters speech. It seemed to be standard fare for a place like this. Nothing special. Still, Headmaster Wick spoke it with certainty and firmness. For a human, he seemed quite...gathered, at least. She might have even been wrong - but she felt a strong flame within him. A pyromancer perhaps? That would prove...troubling, but then, as an Ifrit among mages she was already in a considerably bad position if she got into a conflict.

Which meant it would be smart to keep her nose clean here. Not that she had any plans of causing trouble, of course. When the speech was over, and she found a piece of paper that was stuffed inside of her clothes robes somehow, she could only frown. Four roommates? And some of the likely to be human or other lesser beings. She had never had a roommate before...this would prove annoying, and troubling. Well, she might as well go ahead and claim her dorm as her own for now then, shouldn't she?

Sighing in disapproval, she started walking, hefting the large and somewhat heavy bag over her shoulders as she walked towards the dorms. Hmph. She would have much rather preferred a room by herself, or at most a single other person. She wasn't entirely sure she could handle so many...others, in another area. She shouldn't have to be subjected to something so ridiculous. At least let her have some decision over her roommates. Complaints or no, that was the way it was going to be whether she liked it or not.

After telling a handful of people that no, she did not need their help with her luggage she finally made her way to her dorm. Upon entering, anyone inside the small foyer area would have noticed a near immediate five degree spike in temperature as she walked in. She took a moment to take in the rather...simple decor. Nothing she didn't expect. What was odd though, were the two doors splitting off from the foyer. One was open, and she could see a Lamia sitting inside waiting for what was probably more roommates with two beds visible. Ho...so inside the dorms, they were split into two separate rooms? Well then...she walked to the door that had yet to be open.

And was pleasantly surprised to find no one in there yet.

So what's the first thing she did? She walked into the room, closed it, made sure it was locked or at least secured from being open as best she could, and set about unpacking her things, tossing the bag onto the bed. First things first. A complete redecoration of the room. She of course, realized she couldn't have the entire room to herself, even if she'd prefer it...but that didn't mean she could decorate it as she saw fit.

---

"Haaa...today is gonna be soooo much fun, heh!" Among the students that were arriving, one would note a girl that appeared no older than fourteen or fifteen at most, standing at barely four foot ten with long blond hair tied back into a braid, wearing a fairly elaborate looking purple dress. Upon her shoulder sat a blue creature made of odd flame like material, parts of its flame like body disappearing into the air around it. It vaguely resembled and extremely tiny fox, one of its ethereal flame-like ears twitching in idleness.

"Arthur can kiss my butt. I am not attending some silly opening ceremony. Totally boring." She walked down the street with a slow, waltz like pace. she wasn't going to be sitting up there with the rest of the staff and being a complete and total bore, oh no, she was going to find a student and play with them. Yep, that would be a lot more fun and better, wouldn't it? Yep yep. Much better.

The fox on her shoulder nodded in agreement.

"Heh, I wonder...there's always someone good to mess with on the first day here." She just had to find them. Preferably, someone incredibly easy to tease...one that was alone...and one that had no idea she was a teacher here! Technically, none of them should know but if there were some older students milling about or something she could get ratted out ruining her fun.

Of course she'd just spend the rest of the weak haunting them in the most horror storyish fashion she could, so that was probably a bad idea on their end. Most would know it, too. She was rather infamous among the students for choosing a random student every week and just constantly harassing them, and there was fuck all they could do about it too since it was mostly harmless. Of course, she had gotten into trouble with Arthur on occasion...but she would never take that crotchety old man serious ever again.

Well, when in doubt...find someone at random!~

With a childish chuckle, the fox leapt off of Viola's shoulder and sprinted in a random direct with her following behind it at a walking pace. She could keep up with her spirits easily enough.

The colour-drenched magnificence of the Neon Court in Mumbai vanished in a whirl of impossible light and burning darkness as Maia drew on her power. Warping reality came easily to her; she barely had to think about it, her mind seeing the twisting paths of possibility all around and dancing merrily down them, burning with silver light and skirting the catastrophe-curve of madness with the ease of long practice and innate talent.

The scent of spices, the sound of skirling instruments and the eternal festivities of the Court, the heat and humidity and the lingering liquid tones of her mother's goodbye were all instantly replaced with the sounds and smells of the sea and imminent rain as the portal dissipated around her and her luggage. It was a single small bag – at least, on the outside. The inside...now, that was a different story entirely, a dimensional regression with n mouths, easily big enough to hold everything she could require, and quite a bit else besides. Useful, but – as she'd discovered – painfully inimical to complex life. A stepping stone on the way to one of her goals, and a significant one at that, but only a stepping stone.

The world around her was a far cry from the gilded halls of her home: grey rock, blue sky, blue sea and a vicious chill curling in from the ocean, battering against the stout towers of the Academy itself. She arrived alone and subtle – skill lay in that unobtrusiveness, any novice could (and did) induce sheets of harmless flame, glowing specks of light in impossible colours, the deep-toned rumble of unseen bells and so on as the energies of their inefficient magic discharged in random but flashy ways.

Being alone was another perk; a long-distance teleport was always easier with just her, and there was little point in retainers and guards and hangers-on, supporting her non-existent dignity. Maia Eltharin was, here and now, a student mage. That her mother ruled the Neon Court with an iron fist in a velvet glove was merely another fact, not the defining point of her life. So ran her thinking, anyway, and, shouldering her bag with ease – the weight of its contents being another thing her magic laughed at – she took her first steps towards her future, moving with impeccable grace and a certain...alacrity. After the heat of India, the climate of the Irish Sea was cold, and inside her whispering silver raiment, Maia shivered as the chill wind struck gooseflesh from her arms, despite the furs, hurrying towards the Academy buildings and – hopefully – warmth.

Alas, such was not to be – her guide led her through a flowering garden, the air painted with the sweet scents of a hundred flowers, and she thought she felt the subtle artifice of heating and fertility enchantments worked into the soil and the planters both – but there was no time to inspect or excavate, the smiling flicker-life guide gently chivvying her onwards, towards a series of benches arrayed before a podium.

She sat amid a sea of flicker-life humans – although there was, at least, the occasional other immortal in the ranks – and tried not to shiver too noticeably. Maia had been spending most of her time in India for the better part of a year, after all, and had acclimatized to that sprawling, dynamic country's heat and humidity, even though she'd been born and mostly raised in the frequent mists and weeping rains of the British Isles, just a few miles away as the crow flew.

She knew of the headmaster by reputation, of course – most people did, in the post-War environment, probably even the isolationists in their few forest bolt-holes – and her mother had spoken of the man with respect, too, something accorded to very few humans. It would be wise, therefore, to pay attention. And to not get on his bad side. If she knew her mother, the Lady Neon would have sent gifts to the man to sweeten Maia's way in the Academy...but if she knew powerful mages, on the other hand – and Maia had seen a few in the Court's halls – then such things would not afford her a substantial indulgence.

Best to err on the side of caution, therefore. Being burned to cinders wasn't high on her to-do list.

The Rules – she capitalised them in the privacy of her own head – seemed fairly simple. Straightforward common sense, standard fare for a school, but – and this was the important part – backed up by the impressive sorcerous firepower of Headmaster Wick and his faculty. Arkangrad hadn't become the premier institution of magical learning by being mediocre, and to underestimate any professor, or any staff member in general, was likely to be massively unwise.

At the conclusion of his speech, something began to prickle Maia's skin. Squirming slightly, she managed to fish it out without giving everyone a free show and arched one perfect ice-blonde eyebrow in surprise as she read it. The Academy looked much larger than it would have needed to be to accommodate the student intake; she'd vaguely hoped, therefore, for a private room. Not to be squished in with three others – although squished was stretching it a bit, when one considered her specialty.

Her guide rematerialized at the end of the speeches, and was able to give her directions to her room. Simple and direct, her footsteps followed the path unerringly, drinking in the surroundings and ensuring she'd never have to walk there again. Oh, she could have teleported blind, based on a description, but that was risky, more energy-inefficient and, in a magical academy, who knew where she'd end up?

One journey wouldn't hurt.

In the event, the room was less awful than she'd first thought. It wasn't a dormitory, as such, just two bedrooms and a communal area, all done in a comfortable but bland institutional style. Maia could have been at any moderately well-heeled university in most of Western Europe, for all the character the rooms possessed.

Her room had been marked with a little star on the map so mysteriously – and uncomfortably – provided, and she made a beeline for its closed door, experimentally pushing at the doorhandle. It rattled and refused to budge.

Things were off to a flying start. Muttering a curse in Hindi, and not caring who heard it, in between the blinks of her eyes she teleported from this side of the door to that. The room she found herself in was considerably warmer, and she sighed in relief at the welcome heat, but most of her attention was taken up by the figure already present, busy next to one of the two beds that faced one another.

Presumably her roommate, who had perhaps wished for privacy just as much as Maia herself had wanted it. Hence why the door had been shut and locked. Oh well; too late to worry about that now. A tall girl – much taller than Maia, even with her vicious heels – with a tumbling cascade of jet black hair. And – was that fire? No – an illusion, surely. There was the smell of spice in the air, too, faint but definitely present, a pleasant perfume.

“Hallo there,” she said, putting her best foot forward, her voice the cut-glass and crystal tones of the achingly well-bred, honed and sharpened by a battery of tutors and the decadent maelstrom of her home. “Maia. How d'you do? It seems we're to be room-mates.” She cast an eye over the half-decorated chamber, and remarked with a mild smile: “Interesting décor.”

Humans were strange. They made huge cities made of stone, metal and light. It was somewhat hard on the eyes to Ghislaine looking at what the humans called "Architecture" or whatever. Back home, they lived in trees with hollow trunks. Regardless, she was going to have to get use to this. She was, after all, going to be living in this for so long as she attended the school. Speaking of, she found herself at the school soon enough but then found herself and the other new students corralled into a place with a bunch of benches. She hardly needed to use one, after all, she had the most comfortable seat in the entire school. . . Herself. Looking around though, it was a rather nice place for some place put together by humans. There was a garden and plenty of plant life. They were being gathered for a speech by an old looking human as it seemed. Something about getting along and making sure to study. Well, that was what she was suppose to be attending this school for. Understanding humans and supposedly learning.

Soon enough, the speech event was over. And Ghislaine found a letter magically appear in the flower on her head. While she was curious how it got there, she didn't question it too much considering this was a school for magic. She carefully opened it and read the contents. "Let's see here. Room 132. Maia, Persephone and Najwa. . . Ignoring the last one there, I believe I read the names of, well hopefully, female roommates! How intriguing. I rather hope that Najwa is a cute girl as well!" While the elders sent her here for studies and the understanding of humans, Ghislaine had but one reason she wanted to come here. . . To get as many girls to be hers as possible! Who wouldn't want to be in a relationship of sorts with her? A cute girl and delicious nectar all rolled into one! "I just need to be myself and everyone will just love me." She muttered to herself, walking towards the dorms.

She wondered though, "Why do all these people have so many bags?" Everything Ghislaine needed was on her person. She was pretty much her own clothes and there wasn't any real personal belongings otherwise. "I guess humans can't just be their own clothes. They seem to be especially fond of them. It's a bit annoying." She got rather distracted thinking about sustenance though and wandered around, looking for decent spots to take root if she needed, perhaps good places to have a sunbath when she needed to. Water should be the easiest thing. She even learned that humans had things called "Fountains" and "Faucets" that provided plenty of water. Now would probably be the best time to find a lot of the spots for this!

Gerald had arrived via ferry like many of the more human students that were to attend Arkangrad, not having any flash ways to just appearificate or have himsef limousined right on in. No, he had to float along in the back of a ferry, unnerving some of the students who had to sit near him. Being close to a ghostly apparition didn't exactly make one eager to conversate, so the most he ever really heard from anyone in particular was a "what the hell is he" whispered from a girl in one of the seats a little ahead of him. It brightened his day when they finally landed ashore and he was able to just sort of levitate and phase his way onto the dock and towards the school.

All around him were different shades, shapes, and sizes of spirits still attached to their body, and some not so much. Most souls he'd ever seen in his time as a Revenant were human, small ethereal energies that weren't too different from the bodies they possessed. However, here and there were souls of massive sizes that didn't quite seem to fit in the bodies they were given, some looked nothing like their bodies at all and were just whispering flames or crackles and sparks of energy. He couldn't help but stare at some people, one girl in particular whose spirit looked like a mighty flame that could destroy most everything in its path. She was not someone he'd want to mess with, even if he could tell her form was similarly mana based like his.

He pushed away the thoughts of variety clouding his head and found his way to a courtyard of sorts where benches went on and on, most likely for speeches and whatnot, hence everyone gathering here. He found himself a seat among some humans and just sorta listend as Arthur Wick explained the school. Gerald listened fondly, wondering what other sort of magic he was to find here, and what sort of creatures he'd see showcase their abilities.

At the end of the speech a piece of paper sort of just appeared, floating, right at the tip of his nose. It gave him instructions on his rooming situation and whatnot, with an added little note "It floats! Cause it would've fell through you!" And a little smiley face drawn next to it. One of the staff members here took the time to charm this piece of paper knowing physical things would fall right through him if he wasn't expecting to touch anything. So, someone knew what he was and how to appearificate this paper right on his nose, what sort of person had that ability? Probably a savvy spacial magic user. Maybe he could learn to strengthen his telekinesis then!

With happy thoughts he followed the directions on the slip of paper all the way to a dormitory. Looking for his room number, he found it after getting turned around a few times and decided to phase through the door. There were some beds and bedframes but they weren't really of any use to Gerald. He didn't exactly have any bags either cause he didn't require sustenance or clothing so... Welp. He just sorta took it in and let his mind process the entirety of Arkangrad. He decided it'd be best to greet his roommates in attempt to make friends and then wander off to see if he couldn't meet any professors in his schools of magic.

---

Yuu was finally ready to go, he had packed his bags late and was now rushing to hurry before he missed the opening at his new school. His mother promised to see him off in her human form, one she takes rarely and one hat eh loves the most. So now he was rushing out of their home and into the woods where she had set up the portal for him to get there, it wold drop him on the beach and he would have to follow his instructions form their.

"Are you sure you packed everything, and I mean everything? I don't want phone call in a couple of hours asking me to bring you some ridiculous item." His mother said when he reached her. Yuu was her youngest her baby and the final one to go, she new he would be to much trouble for any other school and with him asking questions about his father, Chie needed to give him some kind of distraction. It was wrong of her to send him away so she would not have to face her own demons but it was in her nature to run form important things.

"Yes mom, clothes and all, are you sure you will be alright when I leave? I am sure I'll be back to visit." Yuu said as he stepped into the magic circle that was to transport him. He did not know how to feel about leaving her. He was always near his mom, she was his best friend really and now she was sending him away to some far away place because she does not want to deal with "him".

They exchanged some good byes and Yuu was sent off and blinded by light. Moments later he appeared on a wooden pathway and some some of the other students that where barley making it to the courtyard for the entrance speech. He found his way to the back of the crowd and found a seat just after the beginning of Arthur Wicks speech about the school and what he expects for the year bla bla bla. Even though it was short and to the point Yuu was bored and wanted to put his stuff down, as he sat on the bench his tails where twitching with anticipation, wanting him to move around and do something.

When all the talking was done Yuu felt a small weight on one of his tails, it was a note with his name and room assingment on it. He went and wondered throughout the dorm halls till he found Room 111 and went inside. He did not know what expect when he got inside, a jock with clothes already thrown all over the floor, or a nerd who has taken up every out outlet in their room already with his many devices. No...what Yuu got was an empty room, and he just assumed that whoever his roommate is, has not arrived yet. So he took his time and unpacked his things.

Rigger gazed out upon all of the new students while Wick droned on and on. Sure, he understood why Arthur did this every year, but, not all teachers have the time to be standing around doing nothing, not when syllabi need polishing and supplies need purchasing. The dwarf, stout of body and stouter of attitude, sighs with relief when the ceremony draws to a close. He tugs on his beard as he trundles off toward the school, contemplating which demonstration he should open with. He decides on a demonstration of composite materials.

His thoughts then turned to the new students. Rigger was not entirely sure that everyone could be trusted, and he had lived long enough to learn that giving everyone the benefit of the doubt was an open invitation for trouble. He'd humor his colleagues and give everyone a chance, regardless of what his intuition might tell him. He strode into his office with all of the authority a tenured professor ought to have. He surveyed the room, making sure nobody left him any paperwork. Oh, how he resented paperwork.

After signing a few forms, he walks out, his hands tucked into his pockets. Rigger offers a polite wave to a few passing students as he meanders toward the cafeteria. Upon reaching his destination, he grabs a tray of food, and takes a seat, waiting for whomever might seek an audience with him.

@Shagranoz
-Ghislaine introduces herself to Persephone towards the end.

---

It didn’t take long for Viola’s little spirit to find a rather interesting target for her shenanigans. An Alraune of all things. How adorable. It had been quite awhile since she had last seen one. They were reclusive at best, and tended to avoid humans but with a little clever guidance and luck she was able to find a small community of them. Well, why not play with them a bit, hmm? That would be quite interesting, whatever the outcome, no?~

Viola giggled, running through the streets and towards where the fox had been heading. She placed a hand on her chest, a feeling of power coursing through her as she called upon her contract. A small number, only one...not too difficult to her bit it meant she had above-average human abilities.

The first thing Ghisliane would notice, was an ethereal fox looking spirit standing in front of her, looking up at her with a somewhat inquisitive stare. If she tried to pass it, it would simply move in front of her again and block her passage. Either way, it’d slow her down enough. A few seconds later, Viola would approach from behind the Alraune. In an almost too swift motion for a human Viola climbed atop her plant body and plucked a flower right from her head.

“Such a pretty flower!~” She giggled, hopping down immediately. “I think I’ll take one, hehe!” Likely before the Alraune had time to react, Viola would stick her tongue out and bolt down the street, flower petal in hand.

“Ooooooouuuuuuuccccchhh!” Ghislaine cried. “That hurt!” She just stopped to look at the curious fox that halted her when someone ripped a flower petal from her head. “That's so mean! My poor flower!” She reached for where her easily oversized flower petal. It really was gone. She did her best not to cry. It’d give that human the thought that she could walk all over her. She wasn’t going to let that happen. . . Not that she could actually catch up to her.

…she wasn't even attempting to catch up with her, was she? Viola pouted slightly, but she wouldn't be defeated so easily! With a harrumph, she turned around and headed back towards the Alraune.

"Hehe," She giggled. "You know, generally people at least try and take things stolen from them back." The small child-like person continued, flashing the stolen leaf petal. "I mean, unless you just like getting stepped on…wouldn't mind doing more of that to you, heh~"

”Even if I tried, no, doubled my efforts I don’t think I could have caught up to you.” She was coming back? Ghislaine wondered just what this child was doing. ”Coming back to gloat?” She said with an angry looking pouting face.

"Gloating is pretty fun." Viola giggled, holding the petal behind her back. "You didn't lemme have fun by having you chase me and then fall into a well-placed trap…sooo, I'll take what entertainment I can get from you~!" She giggled impishly again. "…do you want the petal back?~"

She held the petal out to the Alraune. However, if she made any attempts to grab it she'd find it immediately jerked away.

”It’s not even worth anything now.” The Alraune said as she looked down to the side, avoiding the girl’s gaze, her head-flower looking her in the face. Before either could do anything else, something came out of her flower, a tentacle of sorts, and inserted itself lightly in Viola’s mouth giving her a small bit of a sweet tasting honey like substance before retreating back into the flower. ”This does make me feel a bit better though.”

Viola coughed at the sudden intrusion, eyes widened slightly not entirely expecting what the Alraune just did. She wiped her mouth free of the delicious substance as she swallowed it.

"Usually," Viola continued with a smirk. "People at least buy me dinner before asking if they can shove their various appendages in my mouth." She giggled coyly. She was quite aware of the Alraunes nectar somewhat addictive substance, though it wouldn't particularly matter too much to her.

"But if that's how you punish people for stealing from you, I might as well steal your entire flower~"

”Give it a little bit.” Ghislaine said looking at Viola for any change.

It didn't take long.

Viola's body visibly started to relax, shoulders slumping and a generally calm look replacing her previously much more impish grin.

"Ah…Alraune's nectar also acts as a relaxant…" She giggled. "Eeeh, how could I forget?~" She chided herself for being so forgetful. "Ah well…not like I mind it at all…maybe feed me moooore?~" She looked up at the Alraune with a somewhat chilidsh grin.

Of course, the Alraune wouldn't know this was just another little trap.

”To be fair, it’s just the Alraune from my area that have it like this.” The Alraune smiled. ”But I am suppose to punish you. . . You seemed to think it tasted too good, you know? Well, I guess I could.” She added as the tentacle escaped it’s place inside the flower and moved out again. . . Instead this time it poked the girl in the neck, slowly injecting the substance. ”The more you get the slower you feel. Oh, are you one of those things they call a ‘masochist?’
Her eyes widened slightly as the injector pierced her neck. That was a big needle, and it elicited a startled gasp from the girl. Still, the small child didn't seem to mind, giggling dopily as she was injected with the relaxant. Ah, this felt absolutely wonderful. With her body the way it was, she didn't really get to enjoy certain…things all that much. Heh…maybe she could turn this Alraune into her plaything.

"Awhh~" Viola gave a giggle. "Assaulting a poor girl like this…you're mean, you knoooow? I wonder if I should call for help and have you expelled." She giggled again.

Ah, that trap was sounding like too much work right now.

”I mean, you literally asked me for this.” Ghislaine said as she injected just a bit more in before stopping. ”But I can’t get expelled here.” She muttered to herself as the needle retracted itself. ”Either way, you probably don’t feel like doing much of anything right now.” She just kind of stood there with her hands on her hips. ” I may be looking for wives but this totally isn’t the way I want to get them. I doubt you’d want to be one.”

"Nonsense!~" Viola giggled, attempting to prove her point by twirling away and nearly falling flat on her face in the process. "I am…perfectly fine!~" This of course, only caused another giggle from her.

"A-ah…wives, though?" She turned back to Ghisliane with a half asleep smile. "Hmm…I'm…a kid…you know? I can't really get married…unless you wanna do super lewd stuff with a kid, you pervert?~"

’’Eh? Kid? Dunno. Humans get older right? Not like I look too much older than you either way.” Ghislaine pondered the subject for a couple of seconds but it was too much work. ”I also resent that pervert comment. You humans are the ones who wear far too much clothing. Humans find that a lack of clothes is indecent, but I don’t see what’s wrong about being bare. Ahh, but, that doesn’t matter. The effect shouldn’t last all too long. You should just feel somewhat drowsy for. . . A bit.”

"Eeeh? But you're the one injecting me with all kindsa weird stuff to make me drowsy so you can take me and do super lewd stuff to a kid."

”Ehh? I don’t even know your name. What’s there in that sort of thing without even the slightest bit of love? Plus, this was just to punish you for stealing a flower petal. The punishment is. . . Wasting your time. I know you humans have a precious limited timespan.” The Alraune said, crossing her arms and feeling proud of herself.

At the words 'limited timespan' Viola couldn't help but to giggle again, seemingly becoming a bit more serious instead of the dopey seeming façade she had been wearing after being injected. She gave the Alraune a bright grin.

"Waaah?~ Wasting my time?~" She giggled. "You're not too bright are you, my pervy planty wife seeking friend. The joke is on you." She offered Ghislaine a smug grin. "Time is something I have a lot of..." She didn't seem like she was going to elaborate though.

”Well, you do look pretty young so even if you do waste a bit of time, you still have plenty.” Ghislaine admitted as she looked the girl over again. ”Ah! Wait! I’m not pervy! And I have a name! It’s Ghislaine!” She wouldn’t deny she wasn’t the smartest in the bunch, but she didn’t think she was especially pervy or anything.

"Ghislaine the pervy Alraune. I like it!" Viola giggled impishly, teasing the Alraune a bit more.

The needle shot back out and stuck itself in Viola’s mouth, giving her a taste of nectar. ”How annoying. I’m not ‘pervy’.” That was another bit of Viola’s time wasted. The needle retracted back after a small dose of nectar was given and Ghislaine asked a question, ”Are you a student here then?”

Viola of course, had been expecting the needle this time. She coughed slightly at the sudden intrusion but didn't seem to entirely mind too much.

"F-from the way you keep shoving your needles in my mouth," Viola chided, wiping a bit more nectar off of her chin. "You my planty friend, are definitely just in denial~" She gave the Alraune a languid sigh before continuing. "Ahh…that's really good, you know? Anyways, yep. I'm a student here." She continued with an outright lie.

She mostly ignored the girl’s comments. ”Oh, I guess I should also ask your name. I’ve not heard that yet… That probably should have been the first question to be asked, but it’s whatever.

"Aha, my name?" Viola giggled. "Hmm…not telling! You'll find out soon enough on your own, my planty little friend~" She gave the Alraune a coy smile. "…if you play with me, I miiiight feel inclined to tell you though~"

”Play with you? What do you mean?” Ghislaine asked as she tilted her head slightly and looked at the girl.

"Hmm~" Viola hummed for a few seconds to herself. "How about…let's see, you'd fail really hard at tag. You'd probably be terrible at hide and seek…you're not a very fun person are you? Eeeh…hmm…" She seemed to attempting thinking for a few more seconds, the relaxant not entirely helping her. "Hey hey, can you get out of that flower of yours?"

”You are a very rude person.” Ghislaine stated, looking a little irritated. ”But, yes, I can get out of this flower. Though I’m not too sure if I want to.” She said cautiously.

"W-waah?" Viola pouted. "Don't trust me? And you call me rude." Without warning, Viola walked up to the Alraune, reaching over the side of her flower and grabbing her hand and started tugging. "Come oooon~ I just wanna go look at the hedge maze! But your flowers waaaay too big so it'll get in the way."

Hedge maze? That one thing that people always get lost in, right? Ghislaine was a bit concerned. ”Going gods know where with you for a name? Doesn’t sound worth it.”

"Aww…." Viola pouted, climbing off of the Alraune's flower. She stared at the ground, seemingly in disappointment, clasping her hands behind her back. "T-that's fine I guess…I guess you don't like me after all this, huh?" Instead of pressing the issue though, she turned on her heels. "Understandable, pretty flower, I guess I thought we could be friends…"

”You did steal a flower petal from my head with little worry or care. . . At the very least you could say a certain set of words, unless Alraune are the only ones with manners.”

"I thought it was pretty, though…" Viola replied with a disappointed sigh. She seemed slightly uncomfortable as she contemplated apparently apologizing, however. "…But fine...I guess that was pretty wrong of me, huh?" She replied with a chuckle, offering Ghislaine a smile. "…Say, how about…is there anything you want to play?~" She turned back around to the Alraune, giving her a hopeful seeming look.

Ghislaine sighed, this girl seemed very sad didn’t she? ”Well, apologies are the first step.” She stepped over the the girl and patted her on the head. ”To be blunt, you’ve not really acted all too much like a friend. Your apology is the first step in that direction. But, anything I want to play? The Harem Game?” She joked, poking fun at her own desires. That wasn’t really a game or anything, she just didn’t quite know what game they could play. They didn’t have too many back home.
"…heh!" Viola couldn't help but giggle. "Harem game? And you say you're not a pervert! But let’s see…I suppose I wouldn't mind playing if you're part of my harem! I promise I’ll be a good little mistress~"

”Nono. I’m the one that gets all the girls.” Ghislaine complained jokingly. She didn’t know just how serious this girl was but it was probably a joke, right? ”Ahh, but seriously, I have no idea what we could even play.”

"You? Get all the girls?" Viola giggled. In a swift motion, she took a seat on the edge of the Alraune's flower. She leaned closer, demeanor seemingly changing in a near instant as she offered Ghislaine a confident smirk. "You've never even been with a girl before, have you, my adorable planty friend?" She reached a hand out, touching the Alraune' girl lightly on the cheek. "You don't know the first thing about getting girls, do you? So young, innocent, and naïve…you're lucky Mistress Vi is here to help you." She smiled. "What if I told you I already have a harem and I can teach you how to get all the ladies, hmm?~"

”I’d call you a liar. And I have been with a girl before, thank you. It was another Alraune, of course.” How could this small girl have a harem? She was calling Ghislaine a pervert for considering just marrying the girl later. . . So there was some taboo with humans or something?

"Ouch. Calling me a liar? And you call me rude." Viola giggled, hopping off the flower. She had her ways of proving her slight harem-ness to this Alraune. Or at least, convincing the Alraune of that. "Watch and learn, Ghislaine, hehe!~" Without another word, she walked over to a student that was walking by. She tugged on the taller blondes sleeve lightly. The ensuing conversation would be within the Alraune's earshot.

"E-eh? M-miss Vi?" She seemed somewhat nervous

"Enjoying the opening ceremonies, dear?"

"E-erm, well yes."

"Aha, that is good to hear…and I dislike asking, but will you do a small favor for me?"

"O-Of course, miss Vi!"

"Aha, excellent. I am holding one of my usual…parties this evening. I am however, missing something…mind picking it up for me and dropping it off at my place of residence, then?" She handed a small list of seemingly supplies of some sort to the girl.

"Y-yes, of course I can." Her face seemed somewhat red by now.

"Excellent, thank you dear. If you don't mind I have to convince this Alraune to join us this evening~" With that, and leaving a slightly flustered blond behind, Viola walked back over to Ghislaine wearing an impish grin. "So, how was that for proof?"

Ghislaine had eyes of slight surprise. She was called Miss Vi? How odd. Rather than that, ”I don’t get it, are you throwing one of those “Opening Parties” I’ve heard of. Ah, well, she seemed a little embarrassed for that.”

"Never mind her embarrassment, my dear Ghislaine. She was probably thinking about what we did last time I invited her over." She giggled, taking a seat on the Alraune's flower again, giving Ghislaine a coy smirk. "And you, my dear planty friend, are invited this time." She gave her a gentle poke on the nose. "Believe me now? Or do I need to go find my other…companions?~"

Ghislaine was curious what this “Vi” was talking about. If she put two and two together, it was probably something about. . . Well, that, all things considered… ”It’s a. . . Tempting? Offer? But, I feel like what you imply is, both shady and odd. With as vague as you are being, I can only assume things.” She patted Vi on the head, ”But I don’t think there’s anything there for me. I don’t see a point in doing certain things with people you don’t have a bit of love for.”

"Annnd if I said I did love you?~" Viola pouted slightly. "Who says I don't love all of my little companions? Awfully presumptuous my adorable Alraune." She hopped off the Alraune's flower, giving a quiet sigh of disappointment. "I suppose I can't force you though…but here," She handed the Alraune directions to her own place of residence in the campus. "If you feel like dropping by later…you are still invited. My doors will always be open for you, heh." She started walking off, the spirit fox once again sitting on her shoulder and waving bye to Ghislaine. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have things to do, companions to play with and other things. Ta-ta, darling and have fun on your first day of school~"

”Ah, uhh, bye then.” Ghislaine waved goodbye as Vi walked off to wherever. ”I wonder if she understood I meant that I don’t have a bit of love for her?” She muttered to herself as she turned around and headed to the dorms. It seemed the roads weren’t exactly safe even in a prestigious academy such as this. She soon enough found herself at the dorms, they really weren’t that far from where they were.

It was a bit of a struggle to get through the doors, but with enough fidgeting she made it through, plant body and all. She was just lucky her body was a bit flexible. ”Uggh, got through at least.” This was her dorm room, 132. It seemed like someone was here. . . Well, it felt like more, but only one door was open. It was difficult to move around in here so she let her pant half go rest in a corner as she peeked her head in on the open door. There was a snake girl. She looked like a snake, what were those called again? Lamia? Or something. ”Hello there! Which one are you? Najwa? Persephone? Maia?” She memorized the names of her roommates since they all might be cute girls ready to be swept off their feet.

---

@Empress

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As soon as she entered, she started making the place her own. Admittedly, there wasn't much she could do to make the place more homey for her, but it was the small things at least that could make it easier being so far away from the sands. She first placed an oil lamp on the desk at the end of the bed. Next, was the bed - which would be getting the most drastic change in the entire room. Claiming the one near the window, she removed the pillows, blankets, and set about making it at least as similar as she could to the one back home. She pulled some drapes from her bag, and went about hanging them up over the walls near the bed - especially over the window, blocking out the natural light in the room.

Next, she placed the sheets upon the bed, and made sure the drapes could be pulled to completely conceal the bed from the rest of the room. Next was some books, a few other miscellaneous items...and then there was an intrusion.

“Hallo there, Maia. How d'you do? It seems we're to be room-mates. Interesting décor.”

Najwa turned to face the intruder, frowning slightly as she had yet to even finish with the room.

"People usually knock to enter a locked door of someones residence." The Ifrit's frown turned into a small smirk as she continued. "I suppose I can at least admire such boldness...especially in a mortal, just don't make a habit of such disrespect or I might forget I'm not supposed to cause trouble." Najwa chuckled lightly. "Ah...where are my manners? I am Najwa Attar. One of the Ifrit of the few remaining tribes." She gave a polite and respectful, if somewhat curt bow towards Maia. "Now, If you have any idea what we are, then before anything else understand that while I am far from as violent or as domineering as my brothers...I am still a proud being and demand some modicum of respect towards myself. As long as you remember that, then we shall get along juuuust fine, my funny little mortal." Without waiting for a reply, Najwa walked over to her half-made bed and took a seat on it, lounging upon the plethora of pillows she had brought with her as if she was sitting upon some sort of luxurious throne.

"I suppose you want the other half of this room then, hm? I should inform you I am not used to sharing...let alone share the same sleeping space with a mortal such as yourself. Be grateful that I am even allowing your presence in the same vicinity as mine."

Normally, Elyris liked traveling by pixie dust-powered palanquin. Back home in the church, a dusted palanquin was a very popular method of transportation for those too lazy to fly, or just looking to make a good entrance. There was no reason to use a palanquin over, say, a nice comfy pillow with some pixie dust sprinkled over it, but there's just something ever so dramatic about a palanquin.

So naturally, Elyris' parents insisted that she ride one to her first day of school. And to bring extra pixie dust just in case. And to bring extra robes. And extra holy symbols. And extra snacks for the trip. And honestly, it felt to Elyris like she was towing the entire treasury of the church across the sky for the entire trip to the Academy.

“Sigh. Parents can be so dramatic sometimes.”

Luckily, and with a bit of invisibility charms, she didn't attract too much attention as she landed in the back of the crowd, just before the Headmaster's speech began. She quickly hid the pixie-sized palanquin and luggage, replacing the image with a much less impressive illusion of her, carrying a standard-sized school bag with a great deal of difficulty.

“Whew. I wouldn't want to be late on my first day...”

For a while, she listened raptly, but then someone tried to put a note in her bag. And the weird part is, it worked. Elyris double checked the illusion spell, just be sure the fake bag that fake Elyris carried was still as real-looking as ever. It was. But the note was tucked inside her real school bag. Not even any of the extra luggage, but her personal, hand-crafted, leaf-backpack. The teachers clearly had not been fooled for a second.

“Welp. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's a school of mages, after all. Still, I need to watch my step with the staff around here...”

Soon enough, the speech was over and Elyris decided to follow the note's instructions, while constantly looking over her shoulder to try to figure out who might have given it to her. Invisibly pushing her unseen real luggage through the air a good 9 feet overhead, the fake Elyris toted her unfortunately large illusory bag through the Academy grounds towards her room, acting how school children in books are supposed to act. Elyris had never actually seen a human school in person, but the books had to get the descriptions from somewhere, right?

“Maybe my roommates will help me fine-tune my illusion's act. Hmmm... I wonder who my roommates are? I do hope they're nice. And gullible. Hehehehehe ”

Slowly and carefully, Elyris pushes the door to her new room open, while having her illusory duplicate mime doing the same action. It didn't look like anyone had come in recently through this door, but you could never be too careful-OH! There was someone here! Someone...see-through? Was he an illusion too? She decided to play it safe for now, and stayed invisibly hovering near the ceiling while her illusory duplicate addressed the stranger.

“H-hello there!” The duplicate waves, as so does the real Elyris, just in case this stranger can somehow see her. “I'm Elyris, and probably your new roommate? What's your name?”

@FrozenEcstasy

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@Electra @FrozenEcstasy

Gerald perked up and turned around to see a floating little pixie talking to him. A big smile spread across his face and eyes lit up. His roommate floats around just like he does oh goody! She could probably go wherever he went which meant he had someone to go on floats with! Oh my gods wouldn't that be absolutely fantastic. He started to reply but squinted a little harder at her. She didn't have a soul? No that's not right. He turned around really fast and then looked up and around. He saw the spirit of her real form and waved at it. "Hi there! I can see souls, personal illusions aren't great with me." He said, sounding very apologetic, like he was in the wrong for having such an ability. "I... can't actually see you right now though, just your little spirit light, nice work! Really never seen anything like it." He said through his smile. He probably seemed rather annoyingly positive and was about to elaborate on the fact he was a ghost when someone else walked into the bedroom.

"Hell...o...?" Gerald responded to the girl with slight confusion. She seemed very disinterested... and wasn't this a two person bedroom? Gerald looked at the pixie girl and shrugged before he floated to the wall and phased into the next room, looking around and seeing nobody in it. He phased his head through the wall to where the two girls were at. "I think the fourth person in our dorm is supposed to be a guy. Since you two are over here I think it's fair the girls get this bedroom how about it?" He said with a smile, phasing a and through for a thumbs up. As long as his entire body wasn't engulfed in matter he could stay half phased forever. He just hoped his other roommate didn't walk into the bedroom with his butt just sort of hanging out of the wall.

In his head he began to theorize what sort of person would have the name Sultan... that's what the paper said right? Did that mean he was mid-eastern? Maybe he'd have an adorable accent! Much unlike Gerald who's slight drawl would be a tell of the southern US almost anywhere people were educated of his culture. Not that a slight drawl couldn't be adorable. As long as he didn't start talking with slang it was sort of hard to tell how southern he was, which wasn't much at all. Whether he sounded cute or not he hoped his roommate was at least pleasant to look at and talk to. At least one of his dorm mates seemed friendly but he didn't think a girl would want to room with him.

@Electra @TheHangedMan

Professor Glynn

Glynn's tall, trench-coat-wearing figure graces the hedge behind the headmaster, a little to the side from many of the other faculty. He preferred to be out of the direct line of sight of people,and in places where he could see everything...and the view from where he stood was certainly good. Ghosts, Elves, a fairy, a fire demon? It would be a fun year, if you liked that sort of thing. As long as they didn't try too serious of shenanigans in his classroom. Glynn wasn't a fan of putting out fires in his textbooks, or other such things.

Headmaster Wick's speech was pretty standard...couldn't expect it to be tailored or personalized every year without a hell of a lot more effort than me man was willing to put into it. Glynn might have considered it, but that would still require months of prior planning and preparation, much less actual speech writing. Best to go with the tried and true individual approach. Besides, you could get some useful information from a standardized event. He could tell pretty easily which ones were bored, actually interested, mildly intrigued, or merely respectfully aloof from the words the headmaster spread across their ears. Just as they were getting a feel for what to expect around here...mostly. It wasn't as if people were good at expecting Professor Viola when they first met her. But a little controlled chaos went a long way towards a positive learning environment, as long as it didn't get out of hand. A hopefully healthy conduit for younger mischief.

As the Headmaster's speech wound to a close and people started starting at the presence of their room assignments in their everywhere, Glynn allowed himself an even smirk. Even at this school of magic, people were so surprised that it was actually used effectively. Of course the Headmaster's use of it was a bit more advanced than most, but even still...it wasn't as if these were experienced magic users here who should be surprised that a mage...even of such high caliber...had managed it. Most of these kids didn't even have wards to block such things. Ah well...they'd get used to it. As most of them started to move off to their dorms and the professors...some of them...started to disperse off to their dorms and offices, Glynn slowly walked around the edges of the gathering along the wall of the adjacent building, adjusting his sunglasses around his pointed Elven ears and letting his black coat sway outwards in the breeze. His eyes traversed the group, picking out the ones who seemed interesting and marking them for observation in class.

And oh bother, Viola...already?

Sultan

Sultan wasn’t a great fan of islands. They were fine for vacations, and holidays… Unsuited for longer periods of time. His bio chemistry was somewhat allergic to the climate inhabiting them. The heat was fine, it was the humidity that got to him. It made his skin feel sticky and greasy. Sea salt made his scalp itch incessantly, whether it was the water or the pollutants their in he had no idea.

Though he could continue mentally ranting on his dislike for the climate for quite a while, but there were better ways to spend this mental energy. He checked his watch, a simple digital affair with its grey metal glinting in the sun. Roughly 30 minutes of journey remained. Luckily he wasn’t sea sick as the simple cabin cruiser hurled its way across the relatively calm sea.

“Sir, why don’t you come topside and enjoy the fresh sun and breeze” said a gruff voice from the deck.

“No thank you, Noud, I’m quite happy right here, besides I’d rather not get sunburnt” said Sultan. His caretaker, butler and chapperone was always harnguing him to ‘put yourself out there’

“You really ought to spend less time on that relic of an video game system, go outside and play or something. You’re nearly as pale as a vampire, metaphorically speaking of course…” said Noud over the rough purr of the engine.

“Yeah yeah, but people usually bore me , disappoint me or worse... annoy me. I couldn’t stand the pressure of keeping up pretenses for so long. Unlike my game here people are far too messy.” he replied with practised ease. This was an argument the two them had regularly and would likely continue for the foreseeable future.

“Sir, I say this with all due respect, but the current path leads to a rather dark place, one with minimal female contact” said Noud.

“Oh for the love of god… will you stop with that…” said Sultan with a sigh and a palm on his face.

Eventually he could see the island in the distance. He could only feel ambivalence. Although he was not remarkable in his nascent talent for magic, he hoped that here he could at least escape from the cloying expectations of the clan. He already knew he would be easily shadowed by the other students in the school. After all their would be beings from all sorts of places, and some with immeasurable talent in magic. Beings for whom magic was as simple as breathing, woven into their very lifeblood. In reality he was not here to learn magic, he would likely never be good at it. Rather he was here to build contacts, earn favors, things that could banked upon by the clan. After all there were others from his generation within the clan, that had significantly greater aptitude for magic and would take up the mantle in that department.

It took only another 5 minutes for the boat to edge up to the island’s dock. Sultan finally getting up from the chair as the engine stuttered to a stop. Straightening his grey fleece hoodie and grey jeans, he went up onto the deck to say his goodbyes to Noud.

Noud towered over him as always, the man was a giant. His wild mane of black hair framing sharp eyes. His lean functional muscles, giving definition to his rather formal shirt and trousers.

“Now, you be careful over there. You hear, alright” He said gruffly, patting him on the head.

“Of Course, I’m not going to prison.. It’s a school so I doubt there’s much to be careful about” said Sultan

“Call me every night or if you need anything, I will be staying on the mainland during your term. Just in case” said Noud, a small smile playing on his

“Yeah yeah, I know the drill.. Though seriously this is just a school Noud” said Sultan

“Hah sure, only a school… and even so I wouldn’t dream of it, Its not time yet for us to part…” said Noud

“That time would never come… Still good bye for now” said Sultan, as he moved into give a small hug to his only friend.

“Good bye little man” replied Noud returning the hug.

With that Sultan got of the boat and made his way to the school. As per the schedule that he had received he had to make it to auditorium…

~ some time later ~

Room 413, now was the most worrisome part of the day. He had never shared a room before. He had had no idea what it would be like sharing with 3 other people. This would either be very painful or moderately so. But definitely so. So with a sigh, he got his game face on he pushed open the door..

“Good evening, you may call me Sultan” said Sultan. Inside he was cringing, this was not how he wanted to do it, but he slipped up and said that the minute he entered the room without taking care to see if anyone was listening… argh..

@Electra@FrozenEcstasy@TheHangedMan

Persephone finished unpacking her clothes. Actually, most of them were enchanted to unpack themselves, but that was really an academic distinction. What mattered was that all her things were put away, and now, she could get to meet her new roomates. "I'm Persephone. And you are...?" There wasn't anything haughty in her voice, just a genuine curiosity.

"Me? I'm Ghislaine, it's nice to meet you! So, Persephone is a. . . Snake Person. How cute." The Alraune said as she entered the room and studied the Lamia up and down. "Hmm, you have sort of big body too. Did you have trouble getting it? My other body had a bit of difficulty. I think it needs to lose a bit of weight." She nodded to herself.

Persephone smiled. "The proper term is lamia, but 'snake person' will do, I suppose. This is my normal body- I'm really curious as to how you got a second one. Did you use alchemy or something?"

"Eh? Oh, uh, no." Ghislaine said, almost chuckling. "I'm an Alraune. We have this more human body and a more plant-like body. I left it in the front room here." She grabbed Persephone's hand and led her out into the front room and pointed at the corner she left her plant body at. "See, see? Isn't the petal design pretty?"

The lamia had to admit, the other girl had a good eye for aesthetics, though it might just have grown that way. "So, let me get this straight. You can walk around normally like this, but you can also climb into that flower and walk. It's more like a skirt or something like that than anything else, right?"

"But I can move it without being in it." Ghislaine just looked at Persephone, slightly confused. As she said the words even, the plant body started to move around and right behind Ghislaine's human form that just sat down on it. "I mean, I'd say the more human one is the core for sure, but the plant one is still me."

"Ah. I see." Persephone gave the alraune a glance. "Um, you don't mind if I have a heating lamp, do you? It's just that I'm cold-blooded, so I need to keep warm at night. Don't worry, it's infrared, so you won't be kept awake."

Heating lamp? Well, it's about something obvious right? It was just a warming device right? That couldn't be too bad. "That's fine, I prefer the heat anyway." She didn't really get what cold-blooded meant, but wouldn't that mean that it was better for her to be cold? Well, she was the one that was 'cold-blooded' so she'd be the one to know. "I have little idea about human society but I hope we can get along in the time here at the academy!" She stood up and offered the lamia girl a hug with a large smile.

Persephone returned the hug, wrapping her tail around the alraune's leg. "Just be thankful I'm closer to a rattlesnake than a boa constrictor," she chuckled. "Their embraces tend to be a little more... violent." Ghislaine joined in on the chuckle.

"I'll be happy to talk with you about humans. I've lived alongside them most of my life. That said, if you truly want to know more about humans, the best thing to do is talk to one yourself. cut out the middle man."

"I'd have to find one that isn't exceedingly mean." Ghislaine said after they finished their hug. "Well, that said, we have two other roommates. I wonder where they are. I have a feeling they're cute girls as well. My cutie senses are tingling."

Persephone grinned. "I wouldn't mind in the slightest. I could always use more eye candy." A thought came to the lamia. "Not to be a jerk, but I'm genuinely curious. Do you photosynthesize, or do you eat normal food? Or maybe you have a late-night snack of miracle-gro?" she said, winking on the last one. Just to let Ghislaine know it was a joke, meant in fun rather than harm.

"Heh, well, we don't bother with that human product. Miracle-gro, pfft." She giggled a little afterward. That was a bit funny. "But seriously enough, we can photosynthesis. We can also eat normally. We live in a forest so we couldn't live on just the sunlight alone. It's pretty useful, though if I want to do that for this part here," She said as she lightly hit her plant body, "I need to be inside it when I eat."

"That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure." The lamia looked around. "So, what sort of magic do you do? I've studied a couple branches myself, but I'm really good at telepathy. I think I'll make that my main focus while I'm here."

"Magic? Ahh, well, I'm not that amazing. I can use a bit of. . . Nature magic was it? I can just grow some small things, like shrubs or vines." Ghislaine shrugged, not thinking it was very good. It really wasn't.

"That's impressive to me. I find it's too... artistic for my taste, I need something formulaic. Mathematical." Persephone patted the alraune on the shoulder. "Listen, if you're doing the best you can, be proud of that. And let's be honest, most humans would be amazed by what you can do. Magic isn't that common yet."

"Maybe... Ahh, well. I'm sure there's students better than me here, but I have something that I think absolutely no one else on campus has." Ghislaine giggled and put a finger to her mouth, unsuccessfully stiffling the laugh. "Curious? If so, close your eyes and say 'Ahhhhh'."

"Do I really want to know? Alright, fine. Go ahead." Persephone opened her mouth wide, making sure not to let her fangs drop. She didn't really have good control of her venom release yet, and she didn't think the school would take too kindly to her killing another student.

As Persephone closed her eyes, a mischievous grin crossed Ghislaine's face. "Don't worry, it won't hurt." She said as her needle apendage moved to the Lamia's mouth and put a small bit of nectar on her tongue. "Hope it tastes good!" She said as the apendage retracted.

"Oh. Oh, my." Persephone tasted the strange liquid as she swallowed it. "That's good. Really good, and extremely sweet. What is that, your nectar?"

"Bingo!" Ghislaine said excitedly. "But don't take too much unless you want to sleep." She sat back down on her plant. "It's also a relaxant. If you ever need to sleep let me know. It should help put you right to sleep."

"Good to know, then. Personally, though, I prefer caffeine." She shrugged. "What can I say, I'm naturally sluggish."

Ghislaine shrugged. "I'm not sure what caffine is exactly. That's the thing in coffee right?" It really was amazing how she knew somethings and not others. "But still, offer's there if you can't sleep at night. Roommate discount of free!" She looked at the door to the other room and then looked back, "Najwa and Maia if they ever show up. Hehe."

"Hmm. You're right, they do seem to be a little late." Persephone coiled herself on the bed, feeling a little drowsy. Maybe she'd taken more of Ghislaine's nectar than she'd thought. "I'm a first year, so I don't know anything about them. I'm guessing you're the same."

"Nope, not at all. I've no idea who or what they are. Maybe. . ." Ghislaine said as she stood up on her plantself and looked at the other door. "There's only one way to figure this out!" She said as she walked to the other door and tried to open it fast and walk in the room as if to surprise someone, but hit her head on the door. Really hard. And made a loud thudding noise after which she made a loud "Owwwwwwwwiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Persephone couldn't help putting her hand to her face. "Gods, Ghislaine, you really are a klutz. Who on earth hits their head on the door that they're opening?" The lamia reached into her bag and pulled out a healing potion. "Here, drink this. It'll have you right as rain in no time."

"But it wouldn't open!" Ghislaine complained. Rubbing her head where it met the door. Did doors have the powers to prevent people from entering!? Oh, no... It was the almighty lock she had heard so much about. She then looked to the thing the snake lady was handing her. "What is that even? Does it taste good?"

"Actually, I've heard it described as tasting like everything from "moldy shoes" to "vomit"... but it will clear up any pain you have." Persephone gave the Alraune the potion. "Take it slow, a little goes a long way."

"I-I-I just hit my head! I do-don't need something that tastes like garbage!" Ghislaine complained a little too loudly. That was the absolute last thing she wanted to do right now. "Thank you for the kind offer though! My head feels better now!"

"For the love of the sands…would you please at least try to use an indoor voice and not make such a racket?" As Ghislaine and Persephone chatted idly, it seemed that the door had unlocked itself. Judging from their voice, whoever was on the other side of it perhaps had not entirely been too happy with the sudden racket.

Najwa unlocked the door, walking out of the room and observing the other two in the foyer outside. leaving Maia to think whatever she would about what she had previously said.

A…lamia and some sort of plant thing. Well, free kindling at least if it annoyed her.

"One of my roommates doesn't know how to knock and the other makes far too much noise. How wonderful." The Ifrit said with an obviously none too impressed tone.

Another girl had showed up, and didn't seem too happy about the noise. Persephone looked her up and down, not sure about her species. "Don't blame me, blame her. She's the one who nearly knocked herself out, then couldn't stop yelling about it."

"It's not my fault! I didn't think anyone was in there!" Ghislaine said as she realized she was speaking in quite the loud voice. "Ahh, sorry." She apologized as she looked up and examined the girl. She had a nice bronze tone to her skin. Exotic. Sexy one might call it. Well, she didn't look like a "Maia" so likely she was, "Najwa?" She had to ask.

"Hm. More observant than you look." Najwa replied with a smirk, fully walking into the foyer. "But next time perhaps check if the door is locked and then knock. That is the proper way of things, no? Or is it different here?" It almost sounded like an honest question, but it was quickly dismissed as she formally introduced herself.

"I am Najwa of the Ifrit tribes of the sands. It is a…pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"An Ifrit? It's rare indeed to see your kind ouside the deserts. Then again, I'm from the desert and never met an Ifrit before, so it seems safe to say it's rare, period." Persephone smiled at Najwa. If you were going to be spending most of the year together, better get friendly with her right quick. "Ifrits are creatures of fire, right?"

"Hm…we do not grace any desert with our presence, serpent." Najwa replied with a small smirk. "Only those of what most would call the 'middle east' is where we make our home. It is our ancestral homeland, and where we feel most comfortable." To answer her second question, Najwa made a simple gesture - suddenly her entire left arm lost its fleshy, human shell as its appearance shifted entirely before their eyes. Flames licked up her entire arm, all the way to her shoulder as a scale like carapace formed with sharp claws, flames flaring from red-like veins.

"And indeed…we are creatures of fire. Someone at least does their homework, heh." And just as quickly as it came, flame enveloped her arm and it returned to its more human appearance.

"Ahhh, ha-ha. . . Fire..." Ghislaine made a note to herself. Let's not overly irritate this "Ifrit" girl. "Oh! I'll give you a special early model of my personal product!" The Alraune said with a great smile on her face.

"… early model of your special product?" The ifrit looked at the Alraune curiously. "I am unsure what that means exactly, but it would be rude to turn an offer down." After a moment of thought, she continued. "Very well then, let me see this special product of yours."

"Great! Great! But first, close your eyes! I want you to be a little surprised!" The green girl said excitedly. She caught herself though. "Ahh, but, I'll work on my volume." She covered her mouth.

"…this is highly suspicious you realize, but very well. If you will try and keep the volume down, I suppose it is a fair exchange." Najwa complied with little resistance.

"Wonderful." Ghislaine said, in a much more quiet tone. She looked to Persephone and gave a nice big wink as her needle apendage slipped over to Najwa's mouth and quickly made it's way inside her lips and gave her a taste of the Alraune's nectar. It was nice and sweet, as usual. It made it's way back to Ghislaine as the plant girl smiled. "How is it? Good?"

Najwa gave Ghisliane a stunned look, almost seeming to think the act was some sort of assault to begin with, but upon tasting the sweet nectar the Ifrit seemed to calm considerably, or at least decided it wasn't an assault of sorts.

"…that was delicious. A luxurious, sweet taste." Najwa replied, holding a hand to her chin. "…if I could take this back home I could make quite a profit from it…" The Ifrit turned her head back to Ghisliane. "Curious, is that something Alraune produce naturally?" It didn't seem its relaxant effects were having much of an obvious effect at the moment.

"Of course!" The Alraune said excitedly again. Someone that understands just how great her nectar was, was someone worth talking to. "But, uhh, I'm not going back home with you, just to be clear." Ghislaine wanted to confirm with the girl. "It's top tier quality since it is the wonderful me that made it." She bragged a bit.

"Oh my, aren't you adorable…but no, little Ghislaine?" Naj smiled, sauntering over to the Alraune in a manner the exact opposite of subtle. "Are you certain? You would be welcomed with open arms, you know." She continued, leaning against the smaller girl, letting the heat from her own body seemingly seep into the Alraune. "You would be treated very well, I imagine…" She ran a hand across the Alraune's shoulders, before giving her a pat on the cheek. "Like a queen, almost." Her face was close to Ghislaine's now, close enough that she could probably just lean forwards and kiss the other girl and it almost seemed like Naj was going to do just that. "You could have anything your little heart desires, all you'd have to do is give us that nectar of yours~"

The Alraune was highly unconcerned with how close the Ifrit was. Though, that brought up an internal question to her. Is this an invitation? Well, nothing to especially lose. This girl probably wouldn't let a small thing like this stop her after all. She gave a bit of a grin before moving in quickly and giving the Ifrit girl a kiss on the cheek only to then jump back on her plant body behind her. "Nah, I don't want to be a queen or anything. I just want to love many, and be loved by many. That said, if it were in a place with a lots and lots of desert I wouldn't be able to live anyway." She added, teasing a bit with the desert part.

"Tsk~" Naj seemed to pout slightly as her invitation to bring her back to the Ifrit tribes was rejected, seeming to for the most part ignore the kiss. Najwa walked over to the plant girl, not seemingly to give up so easily. "You really have no idea of the desert, do you? Most of my people live underground where it is cooler. Most of our settlements are filled with exotic plants, oasis', an freshwater springs. It's quite a bit more pleasant than just sand, you know. Besides, you'd have all the Ifrit clamoring for something as sweet as that. I dare say you'd have them all wrapped around your fingers little finger quite easily."

…come to think of it, this nectar would be a fairly interesting method of controlling the more violent Ifrit.

…okay bad thought, but she could still make a killing if she sold it.

"There a bunch of guy Ifrit that'd be clamoring for me?" She asked with a curious tone in her voice.

"Hmm…there are admittedly quite few of us left." Naj replied with a dismissive wave. "But gender matters not so much, does it? Certainly there are male Ifrit, but there are just as many female ones."

"Nah, I don't want any attention from guys. So I'ma pass." Ghislaine said with a bit of a dismissive tone. She didn't like the typical aesthetics of the male face, nor the tone of voice. She rolled off her plant-self and moved quickly over to her friend, Persephone. "I prefer when someone has a nice figure like her. And you. Besides, sounds annoying having a bunch of no ones fighting for my attention just because I make some good tasting stuff. I mean, isn't it better if someone gets to know you first before trying to fight for you? Change the no one's into someone's."

"…are you serious?" Naj replied with a completely deadpan expression. She didn't know what to think at first. And then the insult came. No ones? The Ifrit were no ones? That was quickly replaced by confusion however, when the Alraune finished her sentence. "You…you confuse me. You…are throwing up an opportunity to have an entire tribe of objectively powerful beings at your fingertips…simply because…you don't like men?" Naj was dumbfounded. This was absolutely ridiculous sounding to her. It was absurd. Who wouldn't take up this offer? "You realize if you didn't attention from men you could just tell them to get lost, couldn't you? You could likely even convince them ot take female forms…mostly, female forms." Naj rubbed her face with a hand.

"...Gah, these outsiders are absurd. Should just burn them all to the ground and feast on their flames." She muttered in her native tongue with a sigh. "I suppose your...ridiculous tastes can't be helped as I myself have no particular interest in women such as yourself. I suppose that also means we are done here, then. I still have my room to set up, so if you will excuse me." With that, the Ifrit excused herself from the room and walked back into her dorm.

"Ahh. I think I made her mad."

Well, that went faster than expected, Elyris thought as her illusory duplicate slowly faded from view and her real form appeared near the ceiling. She had met precisely one person since arriving at the island and her illusions have already been seen through twice. How does something like that even happen?

Might as well make the most of it though. After all, Elyris came here in the first place to learn, didn't she? And clearly she needed it. Maybe her new roommate could help her. Although rooming with him would be awfully inconvenient. If she were constantly stuck in the same room with him, she could kiss her duplicate strategy goodbye for good. And who knows what else he could do, or what else he could see?

While Elyris was pondering the many mysteries of Gerald, someone else had entered the room. Someone who wasn't even paying attention to her. This presented a perfect opportunity to get some space, and it looked like the spooky see through man was playing along beautifully.



Happily, Elyis began pushing her flying luggage down towards the floor to unpack and cement her claim on this room. But at that moment, the door flew open once more and another human-looking person (you could never be too sure) waltzed in proclaiming that his name was Sultan. Well. This was an opportunity she couldn't just leave hanging. As all thought of the soul-seeing spook that was Gerald flew from her mind, Elyris left her luggage floating in mid-air and flitted over to Sultan.

Surely, not everyone here could see through illusions, Elyris thought to herself. And even if they could, it would be better to test that right now rather than find out later by making a fool of herself. All she needed to do right now was figure out who she could fool, and who to be very careful of. So far, her mental list of people here that she could fool with her illusory tricks was sad and empty. Let's see if she could add a little someone named Sultan to that list.