[IC] Highschoolers, Fight on!

[AGenericUser]

@OliveYou

The blonde lady had spoken up, netting Feine's attention quickly. To this point, he'd only really heard the man from the group of three speak. So what was this lady like, Feine wondered...

The very first words out of her mouth - 'I've never heard of your books'. As soon as Feine registered this, he placed his dominant left hand into his pocket, and clutched onto it, as discreetly as he could muster - a tic Feine had developed when someone had offended him. The purpose of this was to essentially hold his tongue and think upon what he would say next.

It was almost insulting to the prideful writer from the Rhiter family. All those hours, days, even months devoted to writing stories - all that effort he'd expended on creating the perfect works? He'd put in what he considered a gargantuan effort, having done his best to emulate the styles of famous writers and combine their strongest parts. It was simple, really... so why was Feine's effort going unnoticed? What could've been so hard about adopting each writer's strengths, with none of their negatives, especially for a self-proclaimed prodigy like Feine?

It wasn't just this woman that made Feine seethe, regarding his works and their lack of notability. It was everybody. Nobody seemed to know or even care... and sometimes, that extended to the world of literature as a whole. Many a person didn't seem to give a hoot about any of it!

The woman continued what she was saying, and Feine chose to listen. What she said next shocked Feine. She stated that she loved Shakespeare's works, and liked A Midsummer Night's Dream the most... and then she asked for Feine's favourite work from William Shakespeare.

This broke Feine's attempt to feign a cool, mystical, powerful composure as he suddenly gasped, only to hastily cover his mouth as quickly as he could muster. What the lady said to Feine had surprised him to an incredible degree. She knew Shakespeare, and even had a favourite work of his! She seemed to respect the man, too... not only that, but she even asked for Feine's favourite work from Shakespeare. Feine couldn't help but respect the blonde haired lady, all stemming from her liking Shakespeare.

'She knows one of Shakespeare's works! I didn't expect this!' Feine thought to himself, still shocked. 'I'd planned what I'd say if they didn't know much about Shakespeare! I didn't think one of them would have an interest in the literature arts!'

Shortly thereafter, the lady offered Feine a cookie, which netted her even more respect from the writer. Feine certainly had an interest in the cookies, in two senses. The first of which he was lead to by his writing-centric mind. If he were to write a piece on the interactions of this group of three he'd been analyzing, perhaps knowing the cookie's flavour could help him? The second reason was far more mundane. Feine thought they looked like good cookies...

"My favourite of Shakespeare's works, personally... when I was studying his style, I always ended up coming back to Macbeth. I studied the popular ones mainly, because Shakespeare's a famous writer - and those are his most famous works. I want to draw people to my works, and create sprawling, creative stories people can enjoy." Feine began to explain somewhat excitedly, clearly enthused that he'd come across a fellow fan of literature. "Though, I like all of Shakespeare's works, really. There's something beautiful in each of them... they're full of meaning. Am I right?"

Feine's feigned attempt to make a stoic and superior composure had completely and utterly fallen away. He was simply astounded that he'd come across someone else with an interest in the vast and expansive world of literature. She hadn't heard of Feine, and while that definitely still did annoy him... it was forgiven very quickly in Feine's mind. The offering of the cookie also amplified his opinion of the lady. All this made it a little hard for Feine to utilize his usual, smug attitude, and instead - he couldn't help but gush about his love of Literature. It had been a while since he had.

With Feine's next words, however, he calmed his excited tone and talked in his usual, calmer tone.

"I'd definitely like to try one of these cookies. They seem, how do I put it... both intriguing and scrumptious? They seemed to cause quite a commotion between your two friends. Perhaps your cookies are so excellent that they caused this little squabble between your friends?"

Feine's words were carefully picked. Deep down, he knew that chances were, the blonde lady's two friends were not fighting over a single cookie. That would be ridiculous, after all. Feine's reason for stating that assumption was that it would likely be confirmed as incorrect, thus leading to an explanation of why the two are fighting in the first place. This would lead to a net gain all around for Feine. By knowing what the two were arguing about, that could lead to further ideas for his next work.

[Canidae]

@ReveTheDreamer

Fillan could tell Kludd wasn't taking the whole move to a new school very well. In a way, it made him feel bad. He did suggest that they go to this school in the first place,
"That does um, sound pretty bad. It's um, a good thing he didn't um, take off with your wallet. Hopefully um, class will start soon. Most of the students should be settled in by, um, then."

He mumbled to Kludd as he nervously fidgeted with his pencil. Surely not all these students are that bad. Maybe that kid just had a rough day or something. Moving to a new school can be really hard on everyone. That girl with the brown hair and tanned skin was still sitting over there at the table, alone. Why isn't she with the others? Aren't those people her friends?

@QueenNugget

Without another thought, Fillan rose from his seat and walked over to the wooden table she was at. He couldn't tell if she had noticed him or not yet so he spoke up,
"Hey um, are you alright? You're just um, sitting there. Oh, well it's fine if you want to do that too! Uh, I'm um, Fillan...what's your name?"
Fillan said the last part softly and looked over his shoulder. He was sorta starting to regret this.

[pandapolio]

@Canidae Atlan noticed another boy walking over to the table where his show was taking place. Once he realized the boy was attempting to talk to the angry girl he almost wanted to warn him. But instead of that he pulled granola bar out of his pocket and started eating it ready for the new character to join his show.

[ReveTheDreamer]

@Canidae @QueenNugget

"I sure hope so." He said, just before Fillan got up. He watched him for a second before realizing who he was going to talk to. Kludd quickly stood and followed him over there, placing a hand on Fillan's shoulder as he spoke to the girl. This was not a good idea. Not at all. He did NOT have a good feeling about the outcome of this interaction at all. He wanted to just pull Fillan away now, avoid this whole mess, but at least Fillan was making an effort to be social.

[QueenNugget]

Ashley sat down in her seat, her hands in her pockets. She was still a bit irritated from that guy, Mikale, or whatever his name was, she didn't care. She sighed through her nose and closed her eyes when she noticed Lalisa had walked over to another boy and had offered him a cookie too. She thought about running over there and tossing that one too, but she knew better of it, it would just start chaos and she didn't want to deal with that right now. Plus, it would result in a lack of trust from Lalisa and that wouldn't be good for her overall plan. It was surprising how just a cookie could determine her future.
Soon enough, Ashley began constructing a plan on how to build SU(Sisters United) back up again, especially in a school full of magic users. It was different than her old school, where a large amount of kids didn't have powers, as she did. She thought about starting up a few clubs, if they weren't already created and then becoming leader of those groups. Ashley wondered whether archery or volleyball was a club/sport here. Probably. If they were, she'd have to join them. She frowned when the idea popped up in her head that she would actually have to be nice to the guys here in order to win everyone else's trust. She took a very deep breath, but decided she would go with it until the very end, in which she would kill them. At that, she smirked.
While thinking about this, some person had decided to start talking to her. She made the slightest jump, not noticing that the person had come up to her, but she refused to acknowledge that she did. She opened her eyes and immediately stood up, realizing it was a guy. She was just about to punch him when the thoughts about her plan came up again. Right. Said said to herself. Through clenched teeth, she answered him.
"I'm fine. I'm...Ashley," she forced herself to say.

[OliveYou]

@AGenericUser

Lalisa watches as her words begin to impact Feine in curious ways--first, the boy grabs ahold of his shirt pocket, which signals that he's shaken. She supposes she upset him somehow, without meaning to. How impolite of her. This conversation thing is harder than it seems. He stays quiet for a moment, and Lalisa wonders whether she should apologize for not hearing of his books. But, it's not like she could've changed that somehow; Grandmama is a very overbearing parental figure, and Lalisa mostly just reads what she's given. She'll have to do research on Feine Rither once she can access the Academy's library, or maybe their computer system--she'll need help with that.

And then, surprisingly, Feine gasps. It surprises Lalisa, at least, because he seemed such a cool-headed figure. His entire countenance changes; excitedly, he begins to rave about Shakespeare's works, all coolness forgotten. Lalisa finds it a bit cute, actually. And he accepts her cookie! He seems so eager to taste it, too...

"I completely agree! Shakespeare was a genius, easily one of the best authors to ever live. His characters and tragedies are so... beautiful!" Lalisa can't help but fangirl a bit, too--after all, Shakespeare gave her much comfort during the long afternoon hours of silence. She loves books, and anyone who agrees, well... they can't be that bad. And the way he describes his writing! Amazing. Lalisa decides she likes this Feine, after all. And she should check out his books.

He's laying it on a little thick, though. Her cookies aren't that good. She hands him one. "Chocolate chip," she explains. "I made them to hand out to other students. I hope you'll like them... they aren't that good, really..." She laughs, a bit embarrassed at the amount of praise she's been getting. It's overwhelming. "I'm not sure why they were fighting, though. If you can even call it that. I think Ashley just doesn't like boys, for some reason. Anyway, I mustn't gossip..."

[Canidae]

Fillan was startled by the hand that suddenly appeared on his shoulder, he quickly glanced upwards to see it was Kludd. He couldn't say he was surprised by this, but it still found it pretty weird. Is he trying to support me? What's he trying to do here? This is just making things more awkward...He shot Kludd an unreadable expression before looking back at Ashley.

"Oh, um, Ashley. That's a pretty name."A speck of dirt on the ground suddenly caught his interest. He shifted his feet slightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see another guy who he hadn't seen before with really pale skin that contrasted with his pitch black hair. He was standing a little ways off, eating a granola bar. Is he watching me? I think he's watching me. This is too much, I need to get back.

"Um, well it's uh, nice to meet you, Ashley. I thought it might be good to introduce myself to um, some of the students here in case we um, have any classes together. It's been pleasant um, talking to you. Maybe we can um, talk again sometime." Fillan attempted a weak smile to mask his anxiousness but he doubted it actually worked. He tried not to run back to his table and hide his face behind a stack of math packets.

[ReveTheDreamer]

@Canidae
Kludd noticed the look on Ashley's face and the way she was speaking through clenched teeth, and was just glad she didn't try and kill him on the spot. As soon as Fillan had finished speaking, he just half-heartedly waved to Ashley without saying anything, and took Fillan's hand, pulling him back to the table before sitting down.
"What the hell?" He asked in a low voice, clearly not pleased, "Of corse of all the people in the room you'd talk to her. Didn't you overhear her talking about how much she hated guys? You should pay more attention to things like that." He scolded before sighing loudly. Of course he loved Fillan but sometimes he was just a pain to look after. He could never tell what he was thinking, or if he really thought about things at all sometimes. 'Kludd, you really shouldn't be so harsh,' He thought to himself, "After all, he was at least trying to talk to someone.."
He lightened his expression a bit, and wrapped his arm around Fillan again. "Though, I am happy you had the confidence to try and talk to somebody, don't get me wrong, you just need to be a little more careful, alright?"

[Metamore]

Seren

Arduous. The hike up the mountain could be summarized in one word: arduous. The trail Seren had taken led them through six hours of inclines, thornbushes, eerie silences that deafened their own footing, and roots of every kind to trip them up; and Seren had tripped a lot. All the while their siblings alternated from hovering, mocking, encouraging, and quite literally pulling Seren along. It was humiliating. Even their rallying cries and protection felt hollow with fear. Fear of what Seren had become with their new horns, and new future. The amount of times Seren wished Erika was there to reassure them that that everything was going to work out; that this school was going to help; that Seren was going to change their own future were as countless as the stars to which their sister had divined so long ago. Another reason Seren took their first step.

That too was exhausting. Not even a yard into their journey, and Seren had already managed to make a fool of themselves. All too often Seren obsessed over making sure they did their best to never be a bother, and that incident was further reinforcement of that obsession. On a good day Seren would have apologized, check to make sure the other person was okay, apologize again, and be on their after again checking they hadn't harmed anyone. Seeing as this was the first day of school, it was most certainly a bad day. Thankfully, Maeve had dragged them away before Seren could contractually offer their undying servitude to the stranger for merely bumping into them. An obsession acquired in early childhood, but exhausting one none the less to be so emotionally consumed by penance.

Unfortunately, the day dragged on for a bit longer before giving Seren a reprieve. They'd gone from nearly passing out upon finally arriving one moment to having to sprint in order to not miss orientation the next. Definitely not the best impression they could've made on their first day. Luckily, two things eventually happened to go Seren's way. First, they artfully swerved between their peers left and right; rushing past upperclassmen that had aged out of needing the introductory seminar. Secondly, that upperclassman group included their older siblings, thus giving Seren respite from the twins. Seren was even more grateful when they slipped into the orientation room just a split second before the Headmistress began. If either of their siblings had been there, the two would've ruined any chance Seren had at stealth.

Throughout her speech, Seren took it all in with intense focus. This was it. They were sitting –well actually standing against the farthest corner in the back left trying to look as small as invisibly possible– in the orientation hall of The Academy. When she finished however, Seren realized her authoritative voice was the thought dam in their mind holding back the torrent of their pressured emotions. This was it. They were finally here, and now that they were it was a lot to grasp. They actually had to start taking steps to defeat their father. Everyday was going to a battle against him. Whether or not Seren learned from and understood their courses, would decide whether or not they even got be themself anymore, and not some . . . host. A shell. A costume. Soulless skin wrapped around a body that belonged to a demon.

Overwhelmed. Seren's composure could be summarized in one word: overwhelmed. They need to breath. They needed to not be in a closed room with people around to watch them have a breakdown. So Seren excused themself from the room an umpteen amount of times. Totally lost with the singular thought: 'This is a lot.' Eventually Seren made their way outside. The could feel the grass part way from their steps, but Seren didn't really have the capacity to think about where they were even going. All they knew now was that they were drained. With the physical stress of the hike combined with the emotional turmoil of their arrival Seren was drained. Tired. If they really tried, Seren could feel the dark aura of their father's influence simmering inside them; lulling them into deam land. What their father didn't know is that Seren had just fallen asleep underneath the tree someone already occupied. A sleeping someone; and like clockwork it only took three minutes for Seren's incubus-inherited dream magic to unconsciously awaken. When Seren opened their eyes, they were in the dream of another. A fae boy with a penchant for attitude, and –apparently– napping in trees.

@Cherrywitch

[Cherrywitch]

The Dream

The first thing to greet Seren was the sound of whispering. They were in a playground, of what appeared to be an elementary school. The scenery was simplistic and bland, as expected of a dream. Raphael was little here, maybe 5 or 6, sitting alone on a swing with his head bowed sadly. He seemed so lonely, dragging his feet over the sand underneath him and gripping the swing’s chains until it left marks in the palms of his hands.

Seren’s hearing would tune it, bringing them to focus upon the other children— if that’s what you could call them. In his dream, the other children were malicious smoky black figures with demonic red eyes, morphing and shaping with evil fanged smiles.

“He’s so weird.”
“Hey, don’t say that, his daddy will come after you.”
“What a baby.”
“Can’t even stand up for himself.”

Suddenly the image warped into another scene, filled with screams and shouts of the children. This time Raphael was a little older, and on top of another boy. They were fighting.

”Just leave me alone already! I just want to be alone!!”

Another shift in reality brought Seren to outside of a principal’s office, with Raph curled up on one of those cheap blue chairs, his face tucked into his lap. Vaguely and muffled came the voice of who you could only assume was the principal: “Your son has been acting out at school. I’m sorry, but we can not tolerate this behavior any longer. You must homeschool him.”

With a blink, they were now in a young Raphael’s room. There was drawings discarded without care into a trash bin beside a piano, where the blonde boy sat playing. Beside him stood a tall brunette woman, the image of her face scratched out in his mind. “The wrong note again? When will you get this right?!” A ruler cracked down on his knuckles, making the fae boy yelp out in pain, holding his hands. “You’re so slow. What will your father think?”

Everything went dark. An echoing voice cried out familiarly ”Just go away!” A sword, seemingly made of pure light, slashed through the darkness.

As light refilled the scene, Raphael stood as he does now, paralyzed in shock as he gazed down upon the injured woman. Beside him was a pure beauty, a small blonde woman with stunning features but most noticeably large iridescent insectlike wings protruding from her shoulder blades.

”No. I won’t go back with you. You abandoned me once, you won’t do it again.”

Raphael ran away, the faerie woman calling out to him silently. He eventually landed upon this very school, collapsing into a sleep. The dream suddenly cut out.

”Ah!” Raph shot up out of his sleep, sweat dripping down his face and panting hard. He hadn’t dreamt about that in so long... The fae boy held his head, in a weak attempt to stop the horrible pounding in his temples. ”Why...?” He asked himself shakily.

@Metamore

[AGenericUser]

@OliveYou

The lady had handed Feine the chocolate chip cookie - and he accepted gladly.

"You made these to give out to other students? Such an interesting character." Feine uttered, somewhat impressed - though he knew he'd never do this himself. What it showed, however, was that the lady was quite kind. "From a writing standpoint, there could be all manner of reasons why somebody would give out cookies, free of charge. It's certainly very interesting."

But aside from the cookie, the blonde lady had given Feine a few juicy tidbits of info on her friend, the woman Feine assumed was a tomboy from earlier. Apparently, that woman's name was 'Ashley', and that they might not like boys. This was interesting to Feine. Perhaps males in general were her 'Berserk Button', as a certain site Feine enjoyed would put it. Nonetheless, it was a very interesting trait for somebody to have, and certainly one that could lead to interesting scenarios. It seemed that the wild man may have provoked her by pushing this 'Berserk Button', which led to the cookie being thrown.

'In that case, it seems that I am lucky my cookie still remains in one piece. Though... wouldn't that be an interesting scenario? That woman simply slapping my cookie out of my hands, causing it to shatter and scatter, like dust in the wind.' Feine thought to himself. 'Though, I should devote the characteristics of this 'Ashley' and this unnamed blonde lady to mind. I would do so for the wild man, but I know not much about him. Though... what interesting characters we have, in the play called 'Life'!

Feine looked down at the cookie he'd been handed.

"Thank you for this chocolate chip cookie, too. Perhaps it'll provide the inspiration I seek for my next piece?" Feine thanked with a calm tone. "Anything in life can provide inspiration. The good, the bad, even things that may seem unlikely, such as this cookie here. That is the beauty inherent in writing, of course."

'While rather delicious looking, I cannot afford to eat the cookie in public. After all, it is quite embarrassing to eat in public, is it not?' Feine pondered over the cookie.

[OliveYou]

@AGenericUser

"It's not much, really," says Lalisa bashfully. Feine puts in on thick when he's interested in something, doesn't he? "I just thought I might as well try to make friends, since we'll be here for a while." Feine puts everything in terms of writing--do all writers do that? She hasn't known any, so it's hard to say.

"Oh!" Lalisa puts a hand to her mouth and blushes. "I never introduced myself! How impolite of me, I got so carried away..." It completely slipped her mind; Lalisa sticks her hand out formally, tucking her hair back behind her ear. "Lalisa Greenwood. I study plant-based magic. I hope we can... be friends?" she ends nervously, like she's not exactly sure what she's doing. Which is true. Is that how you start friendships? Grandmama, you never taught me about this!

Feine is still looking at the cookie. Lalisa has no idea why--maybe he found "inspiration" in a cookie, after all? Why does he say it like that? Has she been saying it all wrong? Suddenly, she wishes she was home. Grandmama didn't lecture her about writing, just manners.

"Um. Do you... want to eat it?" she asks uncertainly. "Maybe you're not hungry..." She's so, so bad at this socializing thing. Her fingers itch for a good book, or a bowl of batter to whisk.

[Metamore]

Seren

A Dream?

That impression was drowned out by the sea of haunting figures Seren had stumbled into before even seeing little Raphael on the swings. Sunken, crimson eyes and dripping fangs washed away any sense of whimsy attached to the word "dream". Shadows of monsters that were supposed to be children didn't crowd around defenseless children in dreams. Taunts like eroding waves breaking over stone didn't happen in dreams.

“He’s so weird.” A punch in the gut.
“Hey, don’t say that, his daddy will come after you.” A shove to the ground.
“What a baby.” A kick in the side.
“Can’t even stand up for himself.” A spit in the face.

They could feel the words as the violence they were. Seren wanted so dearly to reach out to the child. To do something. Anything to help him, but the insults had brought them to their knees. When they stood back up on shaking legs, more violence was their new view. This time begot by the tormented child himself. This was not a dream. This was a nightm-

"Just leave me alone already!" A bellowing cry.

Seren was overpowered by the foreground that was Raphael's sleeping psyche. This was worse than a nightmare. This was real. It had happened. Everything felt too surreal, and this too was too much for the both of them to handle. Before Seren could even imagine to think of getting their bearings, the fight warped and rippled into an office. The principal's office, Raphael's mind supplied. Too many memoires filled the pages of books lying around the room for this to be a construct either. This was real, and Seren hadn't been there. As such, Seren started to dissolve into the background of this place. They sunk further into Raphael's subconscious, dragging him down with them, but surely the experience was different for him. He had dealt with these moments firsthand. Seren had not, could not, and thus everything began to blur at this point. Only select glimpses stained Seren with their own unique pain.

A father's disappointment.
An instructor's abuse.
A blinding blade.
A shrill scream.
A declaration.
A runaway.

All of this came to it's climax at the base of the The Academy where, for Seren, things swirled together faster and faster. Details they couldn't process whilred as Seren writhed and tried to swim their way out. It was too late however as the vortex and the "dream" suddenly bursted open.

"Ah!"

A voice with ringing familiarity that Seren couldn't immediately place, sounded like an alarm, yet Seren's eyes stayed shut. Fighting the urge to automatically open them honed their focus. Seren had been through this before, and while that didn't make it any less taxing on them, it did mean they knew how to handle this. Years of downplaying their own recurring nightmares, night-terrors, and nightly visits from him had prepared them for this. Unless someone was there to see this quick squeezing of their eyes, none after would be the wiser for next Seren began acting. Despite the absence of pressure from their family's concern, this process was second nature for them at this point. Slowly, so as to not draw any further possible attention, Seren softened their own expression as if they actually asleep. The next step was counting to one hundred. This gave Seren time to calm down from what had happened, and furthered the illusion of being asleep. Once Seren got to one hundred, they opened their eyes, and all they could picture was that lonely child's downcast face. As lonely as Seren was.

'Who was that?' As Seren asked themself, the previous voice returned to their attention. 'And who was that?' Seren stood up, pulled their hoodie tighter around themself, and looked up towards the source of the exclamation. Their neck craned. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't announce myself. Did I frighten you?" Seren bowed over twice, and before Raph could get a word in, anxious apologies and offers flowed in quick tandem. "I'm so sorry. It wasn't my intention. Are you okay? Please don't fall. Do you want some help down? I've done this with my brother many times. I can help." Their embarrassment distracted Seren from what they should have obviously realized happened between the two. 'I can't even take a nap without causing a scene. Ugh, I can't believe myself. I always make trouble. I should've stayed in the Orientation Hall.' Seren pulled on their sleeves awaiting a response, but never broke eye contact. That was rude.

@Cherrywitch

[Cherrywitch]

@Metamore

Another jolt went up the boy’s spine, he spinning around so quickly in the little nook of branches he rested in he almost did fall. Once he managed to regain his delicate balance, the golden eyes were wide, akin to that of a startled animal. Soon enough, though, they narrowed into their usual fiery gaze, pointedly glaring down at Seren.

With the grace of a cat, Raph departed his sleeping place to land softly on his feet, shooting a sideways look at the other. His pretty features were fixed back into the same tempered mask he usually wore, the fearful childish expression seeming as if it could never had belonged.

”I’m fine. And I don’t need your help. Sneaking up on sleeping people is rude, just so you know.” Raphael’s voice was rough and tinged with venom, his eyes moving away from Seren’s strange appearance and out back towards the school. Was the orientation over already? How long can that woman talk? The fae chewed the inside of his cheek in a vague attempt to calm his still quickly beating heart. Damn nightmare... it seemed he wasn’t falling back asleep anytime soon.

Raph’s attention slowly faded back to the white haired figure beside him, who hadn’t scurried off as he had assumed. ”well? Did you need something or are you just being a pest?” The blonde tucked his hands into the oversized jacket draped around him, turning to fully face Seren with an expecting look.

[Metamore]

Seren

Raphael flailed at Serens's abrupt introduction, causing Seren to half reach out to catch him. Thankfully, he stabilized before they could even finish the motion. They let out the breath that caught in their throat, but soon Raph gave them a new reason to tense up. Yellow eyes winced as gold eyes sharpened. Seren wanted to curl into a ball, and it took all their effort to not physically flinch. They couldn't stay still for long though as Raphael made his feline landing right where they once stood.

”I’m fine. And I don’t need your help. Sneaking up on sleeping people is rude, just so you know.”

Seren's embarrassment was immediately sobered. Their silence a somber one. Guilt dropped to the pit of their stomach like a two ton weight. Hearing Raphael speak paired with taking in his features finally made the familiarity in his voice make sense. "Just leave alone already!" They shouldn't have seen what they'd seen. It was beyond private. Beyond personal. Seren knew quite literally how it felt to have those kind of things thrust upon you after believing they'd gone away. Seren felt every taunt, every strike of the ruler, and every ragged breath heaved out of Raphael's lungs as he ran in aimless, desperate panic towards The Academy. Putting all the pieces together reminded Seren of their own night-terrors, and how devastated Seren felt when they even imagined anyone finding out about them. This recollection deafened the outside world.

They heard Raphael speak, but their attention was lost on his face. He was sharp as a knife, but knowing what Seren knew made it clear that his edges hid his vulnerability. His memories told Seren what Raph wouldn't admit, and this kind of lying –the avoidant kind– was all too recognizable from Seren's home-life. Was as familiar to Seren as their own oversized hoodie. Funny how things turned out this way. Two people cut from the same cloth, but at different ends, have the same taste in jacket size.

”Well? Did you need something or are you just being a pest?”

Seren couldn't just leave him to be alone again. They knew how lonely it felt to lie like this. Like everything was fine when it wasn't. Maybe Seren was reading too much into it, but they couldn't help but feel connected to the fae boy. The cambion doubted he'd accept their company willing though, so Seren had to come up up with something quick. They lightly jogged to catch up with the fae as they strung together an excuse to watch over him.

"Oh, uh, b-but surly I can be of some help to you! I nearly startled you out of that tree; all from my laps in manners." Expectedly, this wasn't well received. It wasn't often Seren embraced uncomfortable honesty, but Raphael forced them to make an exception. So pulling together what little confidence Maeve had instilled in them, they walking ahead just enough to face the boy. Seren took a deep breath. They didn't know how he was going to react to this, but they had to get it out. Anxiety was ironed out of their now determined eyes by hardening resolve, yet they still faltered at the last second. "I have wrong you, I have invaded your most exclusive of privacy, and I'm going make for it." In actuality, Seren wasn't over their fear of explaining the impact of their powers, and so they defaulted to being vague from years of censoring themself. However they put off chastising themself later, in order to fix Raphael with the hardest stare they could muster.

Their other habit kicked in, and Seren added "please," but did their best impression of their mother's signature I'm-asking-you-but-really-I've-made-up-my-mind tone. They needed to do this. For Raphael, they told themself. Because no one had been there for him when he first experienced the moments from the dream. Because he needed someone. . . . What their subconscious didn't tell them? That this was for Seren. Because Seren never never allowed anyone to be there for them in the aftermath of their own tormenting dreams. Because even though they were trying to change their own future all by themself, they need someone. So Seren had to help.

@Cherrywitch

[AGenericUser]

@OliveYou

The blonde haired lady had introduced herself as 'Lalisa Greenwood'. Perfect! Now Feine knew the names of two of the three people he'd taken an interest in, aside from the man he dubbed wild. Perhaps he would have to try to overhear it, or perhaps - give him a name he had created on his own?

Lalisa spoke of wanting to make friends, due to the fact that the students at the Academy will be around for a while. Feine found this quite interesting. Different people react to different scenarios, well, differently. Some people may isolate themselves, others may try to make friends. However, in this scenario - a possible right answer would vary on the person. Of course, for Feine, he knew that his right answer was to surround himself with none other than people near his level. Limiting himself to people on his level was far too restrictive, after all.

But Feine's mind was driven to a stop as Lalisa stuck out her hand. This surprised Feine, who subtly raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Not many people did such a thing back where he lived. It was quite formal, but... Feine wasn't entirely sure what he was supposed to do.

'Am I supposed to stick my hand out, too? If I do this, but that's not the case - then I would definitely look like a fool. On the other hand, quite literally - making hand contact with someone is not something I plan on doing, not unless they're completely on my level. This lady is on a higher level than your average Joe Schmoe, but even still... however, in either case, that would come off as quite rude. This Lalisa has an interest in literature, and seems to be quite the possible source of inspiration. So, as for my next move - I'll play the guise of somebody else. A clueless boy, much unlike me. While possibly degrading, this is in the interest of writing.' Feine thought to himself quickly, considering his possible courses of action in this scenario.

"Uh... what do I do here?" Feine uttered, a tone of cluelessness in his words. "I'm not entirely sure, to tell the truth... forgive me. But anyways, being friends sounds pretty good. Literature brings people together, it looks like."

Along with that, Feine also felt he should add something else - he'd been asked why he hadn't eaten the cookie yet. This was easy.

"As for why I haven't eaten the cookie yet - eating is not particularly something I like to do in public. Along with that..." Feine began to speak. "As a human, I strive to be the greatest I can be in all possible fields - something I feel is within my grasp. One such thing I've done to pursue that goal is minimize how often I eat. There is little meaning to eating food, other than survival - of course. However, some food can provide inspiration. That is the food that truly draws me to it." Feine explained rather quickly yet clearly, bringing his eating habits into light. Any of the cluelessness in his voice from what he'd previously said had been abolished, like ice in a boiling hot furnace.

"Hmm. I used quite a few words there." Feine muttered, audibly enough to be heard. "However... I have no doubts that not only will this cookie taste good, but it will also bring forth inspiration."

[OliveYou]

@AGenericUser

Lalisa stuck out her hand, supposing Feine would take it and they'd shake, but that doesn't seem to be the case. He instead stares blankly at her hand, and Lalisa has a brief moment of panic--now what? Does he not shake hands where he's from? Is she offending him? She would've thought somebody who talked like he does would know his manners, but... Lalisa secretly thinks him a little spoiled. Not that she would ever say something so rude out loud, of course.

"You've never shaken hands before?" She asks him in disbelief. "Oh, it's easy! Here, you stick out your hand..." At this point, Lalisa reaches for Feine's hand; she hopes it's not impolite, but she sees it as her duty to make things as un-awkward as possible. Taking his hand in hers, she grasps it firmly while explaining, "Then you shake... like so, you have to really squeeze though!" Shaking Feine's hand vigorously, she exclaims, "Nice to meet you!" as an example of a greeting. Once her demonstration is complete, she drops his hand and smiles brightly. "You'll have to do it a lot, so you better learn now. I hope that helps!"

Feine also puts a lot of thought into how he eats. Lalisa feels a bit insensitive for asking the question, but there's nothing she can do about it now. He's interesting to listen to, at any rate.

"I also think that food it meant to be enjoyed," Lalisa says rather seriously, because she takes food seriously. "The taste of a meal can have as much difference on you as the nutrient value. I'm sorry for asking such personal questions; you seem like a very well-thought out individual."

Catching that word again--inspiration--and his muttered sentence, Lalisa nods. That was a lot of words, indeed. But... he wants to be friends! Wait till Grandmama hears, she'll be so proud!

"Let's be friends," Lalisa says formally, squaring her shoulders proudly. Her first friend! Not counting Ashley... Does Ashley count? She sorta fell out of Lalisa's good graces with that cookie throw. What a waste.

[Cherrywitch]

The patting of footsteps behind him made Raph chew the corner of his lip, holding back a shout of annoyance. Did this kid ever know when to give up?

Raphael was just a tad shorter than Seren; that plus the fact that the fae wasn’t even trying to outpace them made it quite easy for the demon to cut off his path abruptly. The blonde eased up on his fervent steps, a cool slow down into a gentle stop to shoot another annoyed glare. I don’t get it. I’m just as rude to them as any other person, yet they aren’t giving up. Is this some kinda bet or challenge or something? Raphael stayed silent, eyeing them curiously, trying to find any hint of a motive behind their actions. Because, of course, there had to be one if someone was being kind to him of all people.

"I have wronged you, I have invaded your most exclusive of privacy, and I'm going to make up for it."

What the hell are they ranting on about? What privacy? They just woke me up. An involuntary twitch of his eyebrow showed his distaste with the whole idea, but Raph quickly realized he wasn’t getting rid of someone this clingy easily. Fine, if they wanted to hang around him, let’em, but he sure wasn’t going to treat them any nicer. Seren would get tired of him. Everyone did.

”Whatever. Do what you want. Just stay out of the way.” The fae ran a hand through his golden locks with a huff, before dropping it back into his pocket and starting off again back towards the school. It actually was a sort of nice feeling having someone walk beside him non-aggressively, but that was something Raphael wouldn’t admit out loud. He still couldn’t trust this person. The only one he knew to trust was himself, and even that is a shaky concept. His eyes darted back over to Seren, similar to a cynical pup who had been picked up from the pound. Why? Why were they doing this? Raph unwrapped a red lollipop and stuck it in his mouth to chew on out of nervous, childish habit, returning his eyes back to the interesting picture of his feet walking through the grass.

”... Your name. If you’re going to follow me around like a flea, then I at least should know your name...” He mumbled around the lollipop, averting his gaze in the complete opposite direction. The hell was he playing along with this for? ”... Er. Just call me Raph, I guess.”

@Metamore

[pandapolio]

Atlan was crushed, why was she so calm? Why did she not throw something again? He was so disappointed that he even didn't have an appetite. He put his granola bar back into his pocket, and started running time at double speed. He just wished the assembly would be over, so he could go eat something. He realized his appetite was back and started working on that granola bar again.

[OliveYou]

The Academy, Orientation Day. The Great Hall.

As the speeches and talking came to a close, Miss Headmaster Elysion clears her throat. The sound bounces off the sturdy stone walls, silencing most of the students gathered. She smiles, a soft but true smile that lifts spirits. She hopes, in her heart, that these students will pass her tests, will follow the good rules like her other students and the graduated warriors. It has not been many years since the Academy first opened its doors, but the first class of graduates had already been welcomed with open arms to their villages and cities, proclaiming them as "warriors of good". She hopes for the same to these small ones. They talk amongst themselves, and pay no attention to the greater things asked of them. But they will.

Soon.

Miss Headmaster Elysion checks her watch, again. The time is nine hours and fifteen minutes, and her calculations were correct.

"Usually, we assign partners based on skill and personality, but today, things are going to be a little different. If you stay in your seats, please..."

REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

The sirens placed around the school begin to sound, causing some students to perk up, others to panic. The Headmaster, observing her return students begin to equip weapons and her staff move to the front, raises her voice to be heard above the sirens.

"...You may stand. Students, this is your first test. Show me your skills, young ones."

---

As the alarms sound, the reactions are quick. Returning students, already used to the sudden nature of these attacks, file in from various places and start towards the front doors to secure them. Lalisa, from her place in the hall, can see most of the first years as they panic, cheer, or just look confused.

Our first test! What an exciting opportunity! Lalisa, though a peacemaker at heart, is curious as to see what sort of monsters they will face--will the first years get to fight? She must try her hardest to please the Headmaster.

Summoning a few plants from the dirt in between cracks in the floor, Lalisa feels a shiver of excitement run down her spine. If only Grandmama could see her now!

I'll make you proud, Grandmama! I promise!

The lights flicker, dimming the great hall significantly. This is the first sign of the Spirits--as dark beings, they detest light, good, and especially the Academy--which is why they attack it so often. Miss Headmaster Elysion is not on good terms with the dark forces, being an angel and all.

With a great roar, something dark and slimy slides under the doors, breaking the windows and streaming down like water. The Spirits, some taking forms of animals, others as people, begin to close in on the crowd. Most surround students in clusters, probing for the weakest link.

The students of the Academy prepare for battle.

(@Metamore@Canidae@ReveTheDreamer@Joker892@QueenNugget@AGenericUser[@InsertAlias]@Cherrywitch@pandapolio. Y'all ready for this? These Spirits act like low-level enemies basically, you can work out how your char fights back/what your Spirit is like as long as you aren't like obliterating them. I'm flexible. There will probably be a boss later, played by yours truly, but for the most part just wing it. If you have questions, ooc is fine, or even (). Good luck!)