[h1][u]Ciara Ventura[/u][/h1] [i][color=gray]Wingram Academy, Auditorium[/color][/i] [@Nanaya] [@ERode] [@Psyker Landshark] [@Sifr] [hr] [i][b]"Sucks to suck, I guess."[/b][/i] Ciara watched Michael cart out the few students stuck in slumber. The faculty staff didn't seem worse for wear, though she had no idea how he planned on tackling the impossible task of cleaning the auditorium. [i]Oops.[/i] As Principal Raja spoke, Ciara listened, feeling the coalesce of new essence in her system. The Adapa. A curious object that had made her cry. Though she was loathe to share her headspace with yet another Voice, the principal mentioned this one was subservient. She could use that. [i]"You mean we can [/i]Eat[i] it."[/i] [i]"I doubt it's terribly tasty, with how it brought me back to [/i]that[i] time."[/i] She thought. [i]"Doesn't matter if it tastes like chalk. I want essence."[/i] The child-like reply was curt and stubborn. [i]"If you want to Eat me, that's okay."[/i] Ciara heard a new Voice in her mind, soft and whispery. The Adapa. [i]"But you may find I'm of more use to you alive."[/i] Ciara allowed herself an intrigued expression. She could feel the Adapa's fear despite its cool tone. It was really worried about getting Eaten. [i]"Why should I keep you alive?"[/i] She thought, a tiny smirk flashing across her lips. [i]"I can put you in direct, instant contact with other students."[/i] [i]"Eh. I can teleport to almost anyone, anywhere. Try again."[/i] The Adapa seemed to squirm in her mind, at a loss for words. [i]"I'm Hungry."[/i] The child-like Voice chimed in, enjoying the game. [i]"N-no, don't Eat me! I uh, I can offer advice. I have knowledge of battle strategy. I know lots of things. Please!"[/i] Ciara tilted her head, pausing for a long moment. Then she shrugged. [i]"Fine, I won't Eat you. Yet."[/i] The relieved sigh was overpowered by the instant complaints of the other Voices in Ciara's head, to which she narrowed her eyes at. [i]"That's enough."[/i] She thought. [i]"What about the light?"[/i] The child-like Voice drew her attention to the knight, struggling to sit upright in her seat, exhausted and devoid of enough prime essence to fight. [i]"We will never find it in such a sorry state again. Now's our chance."[/i] Ciara's face turned cold, watching the knight as the Voices continued to pressure her. There was a part of her that furiously thought of ways to take down the knight, right there and then. Ways to destroy all the witnesses, fantasizing about finally Eating, finally being satisfied from this burning Hunger. Her eyes reluctantly shut. [i]"We're not going there."[/i] [i]"So you decide to attack it when it can fight back? You want to struggle with your meal?"[/i] [i]"I haven't decided on anything."[/i] Ciara snapped, standing abruptly from her seat as the lecture concluded. Her eyes gazed over the principal, taking in the motto and salute. Structure, rules, [i]order[/i]... She curled her lip at it, immediately feeling the tight constraints of the orphanage all over again. But, instead of voicing her distaste, she turned away, glancing at her fellow students. The boy with the glasses moved almost instantly, gone from the room. [i]Fair enough.[/i] Otis stood beside her, glance cast between her and Valen. [i][b]“I will join the Sword of Wund.”[/b][/i] Her eyes glanced at Valen briefly before returning to Otis as he continued to speak. [b][i]“If you wish to extend our truce, Ciara, join me.”[/i][/b] Interesting. The Sword of Wund was already an intriguing option for her. What did Otis stand to gain from aligning with her, though? Besides having the ability to destroy the auditorium's wooden assailants and swallow its chairs with help like hers. It was a smart move, but- [i]"You're overthinking it. Always align with this darkness. You noticed it didn't flinch when the red 'it' threatened annihilation of those disgraceful liars?"[/i] A deeper, more calculative Voice. [i]"Not necessarily a good thing..."[/i] She thought. [i]"It's calming, though. Isn't it."[/i] She had to admit, it was. If the Voices relaxed at the thought of chalk getting annihilated, even if it was wrong, it gave her mind respite. That was something worth noting. It means the Voices and the dark one, Otis, might be closer aligned. Perhaps sticking with Otis would spare her some headache down the road if the Voices were more soothed. Her head tilted, [i]"Adapa, what do you think?"[/i] A blue-ish, whispery presence came closer in her mind, and the Adapa spoke. [i]"From what I understand, the Strigidae has assisted and saved you from a terrible beating twice. You have no reason to distrust them."[/i] [i]"It."[/i] The calculative Voice corrected. Ciara paused, considering this, before turning to Otis. She had her answer. [b]"Very well."[/b] She said with a nod. Otis walked off before turning back and confronting Davil. [i]Good.[/i] She had an opportunity. Her grimoire appeared in a blue flash, opening to a blank page. She nodded to Davil, Otis, the knight, and the hunter. [b]"If you want, put in your contacts so we can keep in touch."[/b] That was when the hunter also spoke up. [i][b]"You must both be tired. Wanna find the dorms together?"[/b][/i] Her eyes glanced at the knight, then back at the hunter, feeling somewhat comfortable. She could never say no to being in the presence of the knight's delectable light, and the grey of the hunter's aura had tasty bite-sized pieces of light that were pleasant to be in the presence of as well. [i]"Maybe we can Eat both."[/i] Ciara stared flatly as the Voice spoke, then pursed her lips and gave the hunter a nod. [b]"Sure."[/b]