[IC] Through the Doors of our hearts - Finished

[Saltwater Thief]

Alexander

Well, at least the lad seemed to be taking things well. He seemed to always be glancing around, especially out the windows- Alexander could understand that. Clearly his home was more outdoorsy than this place, and when that was the case you never really adjusted to staying inside again. As if to confirm the thought, he watched Ryker bolt for the room's only window and fling it wide open to breathe in the air.

"Well, I'm glad you like it!" he exclaimed with a wide smile. A smile that faded instantly when he saw where Ryker's hand was beginning to stray. When that hand moved definitively toward his precious dagger, Alexander exploded into action. Quick as a flash he stepped to just behind Ryker and lashed his hand out to clamp around the new boy's forearm with a grip like iron. The smile was gone, replaced with a stern glare that nothing he'd done prior suggested he was capable of.

"I would really. REALLY. Rather you didn't."

Confident that his message had gone through, Alex released his grip, smiled again, and turned to respond to the knocking at the door- though his eyes never entirely left Ryker, and they wouldn't until he stepped fully away from the dresser.

"Hello Eleanor, was wondering when you'd get here!" he said as he opened the door and greeted the headmistress, "Just about got done showing Ryker the room, matter of fact!"

@Siaya Dragalorn
@Kirah

[Kirah]

Elenore

Now that she lacked the extra layers, the true Elenore shone through. She was wearing a bright orange shirt over hot pink pants, her mismatched socks peaked over her shoes.

"Then I continue to have excellent timing. Will the two of you do well as roommates or shall I fear another murder?" Elenore smiled and didn't entirely seem like she expected a murder to happen but at the same time the way she said it implied that there had been at least one murder during the operation of the school and she wouldn't be surprised if it happened again. "After dinner, Kade will take the several new children and give them the orientation, and from there therapy. For now, take Ryker with you to meals and class. I won't force the two of you to sit with each other of course, but please introduce him around. Sound fair."

"Oh, one last thing. Ryker none of the teachers are aware of where students have been, we like to keep that from them. But outside of class, you are welcome to be yourself. I just ask you stay on the school grounds."

~~~ TIME SKIP TO DINNER ~~~~

[kittyluna45]

Astrid

Astrid had been shown around the school by Katalina, but by dinner time, Katalina had decided to leave Astrid to her own devices. Apparently Katalina complained that she needed to go swim for a bit. So, Astrid had been spending the past hour in the front sitting room. She had been warned to keep her spear in their room, at least until all the teachers had left. They were all, as Katalina had said, and then Eleanor had scolded her for saying the word earlier, 'mundies.' Astrid understood that the word was not to be used, but she got why Katalina would use it. She had seen it with her parents. They didn't understand where she had gone, why she was different. They tried to help as much as they could, but they would never understand.

She heard the sounds of the dinner bell ringing and sighed as she realized that she better eat something, otherwise she was going to have a reaction later. She still had to speak to this 'Kade' fellow about her medicine. Eleanore had made it clear that Kade was to be asked about things like that, as well as medicine. She wasn't sure why, but Eleanore had just said: "Trust me," winked and then had walked off when Astrid had tried to ask her more.

She headed to dinner, deciding what she wanted was to be alone for the moment. The two girls from earlier had been too much, and she didn't know anyone other that Katalina really. She knew that she would meet more of them later, at the orientation, and she was fine with that. This was still so much to take in. A whole school full of people like her? That had gone to other worlds?

Yes, she had seen some of those worlds while she had been a Valkyrie. Collecting the souls of those that had died in battle had been her task. So many brave souls, so many people... and she found herself missing it. The halls full of laughter, no one ever sitting alone... it was a big party. She missed the smell of mead, the intermingling, the sounds of music... everything here was different.

[Saltwater Thief]

Alexander

"I think we'll do just fine," Alexander replied, "No murderin' to be had here!" Well, he thought, so long as Ryker doesn't try to touch the knife again. He didn't expect most people to truly understand his obsession with that. The knife was special in more ways than one. It wasn't just a memento from his world, it was symbolic of his connection to Julie, his Stormwing. The knife had been made by folding the steel around one of Julie's feathers, and while there was no question the feather itself was no more, the whole thing was supposed to be metaphorical anyway. It was supposed to mean that even when he couldn't see the sky and she couldn't hear his whistle, they were still together and relying on one another. Sure, some of the students had objects they really liked, or maybe even mementos from home, but how many of them had something that was that significant to their time? He certainly hadn't met any that did.

But, before too much longer, it was time for dinner. And after an afternoon facilitating introductions and helping Ryker find his way about the house, Alex was ready for a little solitude. So, he sat down a bit away from anyone else with his food, and started to eat, every so often glancing about to see if anybody was set on approaching him.

[Kirah]

Hannah and Sumi came into the dining hall, the pair energetic as ever. Sumi took a look around the room. She was used to taking control of a situation if any of the "happy" girls were being obnoxious. The three boys (other than Alexander) sat in their group. Christopher, who hadn't quite fit in with them since Sumi's return, was about to sit by himself, yet again when Sumi smiled at him and waved him over to the table Hannah and she were going to claim.

"Astrid, sit with us." Sumi smiled at her. "You'll want to meet Christopher he is from a Morte world as well." Christopher nodded at Astrid, his hands too full to wave. Since he was holding both a tray full of food and his bone flute. "You can sit with us too Alexander," Sumi added as she saw him.

[kittyluna45]

Astrid paused a bit as she was waved over by the rainbow girl from earlier, a little surprised that she knew her name for a moment. Then she remembered that Eleanor had introduced her to everyone earlier. If she remembered correctly, rainbow girl was Sumi, and the girl attached to her was Hannah. Kata had explained briefly they were from 'nonsense' worlds, which did make sense. The way they acted, the way they dressed, it screamed nonsense even if she didn't understand what that meant in regards to worlds.

"Hello, Christopher, Alexander..." She said softly, regarding them both. However the bone caught her eye. She could see... darkness. There was something there in the bone. However, she looked at him. "A Morte world, huh? Which one?"

"I don't suppose you'd know of it... Nancy didn't... it's called Mariposa." Christopher let out a longing sigh after he said that, but Astrid seemed to light up.

"Mariposa! I know that place! The Skeleton Girl rules there, yes? Sugar skulls everywhere?" Astrid asked with a small smile on her face, which Christopher soon mirrored.

"You do? Wow!"

"So, uh... what about you Alaxander, where did you go?" Astrid asked, not wanting to leave him out of the conversation. She didn't feel it was right to ignore him after Sumi and Hannah had brought him over.

[Saltwater Thief]

Alexander

Sometimes solitude just wasn't permitted at the school. Especially not where Hannah and Sumi were concerned. Refusing would only result in the two of them coming and pulling over insistently, so he sighed and resigned himself as he changed course with his food plate. He kept quiet as the chatter started, though it was interesting to see Astrid and Christopher hit it off like they did. He couldn't keep quiet much longer, however, when Astrid turned and asked him a question about where home was.

"Oh, I went to a place called Sylvent," he replied between bites of food, "Floating islands up in the clouds, airships and planes to get around. Really nice place. Full of adventure."

And there again he found himself wishing he could fly again. The wind howling about him, nothing but the clouds for company, and the whole sky ahead to move about in as he pleased. Walls were tolerable and often necessary, so he never felt cramped out surrounded indoors, but compared to the freedom of the air, well...

"You said you were from a Morte world? Which one?"

[Kirah]

Sumi and Hannah shared a smile. An unspoken conversation passed between the two girls over their bread rolls.

A table over a couple of the "happy" world girls were whispering to each other. Sumi watched them and when one of the girls looked their way she shot them a dirty look. The girl shifted and refused to look at Sumi again.

Hannah's hand shot up and she waved over another person, a beautiful young man carrying a book. He gave a slightly exasperated sigh and came over. "Yes, Hannah?" The young man's voice had an Oklahoma twang to it.

"We have new students," Hannah said and gestured at Astrid.

"Surprisingly I knew that. Since you know I'm the one who does orientation." He then turned and smiled at Astrid. "I'm Kade Bronson."

"He is also Elenore's nephew, but he didn't go to the same world as her." Sumi added.

[kittyluna45]

Astrid

Astrid kept mostly quiet as Alexander spoke, and she noticed how he seemed to perk up when talking about Sylent. The name sounded familiar, but she wasn't sure she knew it. She had been a lot of places during her time in Valhalla... so she wasn't sure if Sylent was one of them or not.

"Oh... I went to Valhalla." Astrid's rather casual remark seemed to silence Christopher as he looked at Astrid.

"Valhalla? The Hall of Dead Warriors?" Astrid noticed Christoper's voice drop for a moment before Hannah and Sumi signaled Kade over. Astrid looked up at the rather beautiful young man and blushed for a moment.

"Pleasure to meet you Kade, I am suppose to talk to you once dinner is over, Eleanore said so. It's about um... some things." Astrid was always afraid of how to bring up the medication she had to take. Hormone replacement wasn't easy, and she was honestly never sure how people would respond to find out the truth.

"Ah, yes, Eleanore mentioned it. No worries. I'm sure we can grab a moment before Orientation tonight." Kade's twang reminded Astrid of someone she had met in the halls, but she pushed that thought aside as she poked at her dinner a bit. She really was not use to all the attention, and talking about herself in front of others.

[Saltwater Thief]

Alexander

"Valhalla? Hmm," Alexander thought. It SOUNDED familiar, but from where? "I think I remember a pirate gang back home talking about that, something about a 'Warrior's Hall' or the like? Err, sorry, if you'd rather stop answering questions that's fine."

He quickly apologized as he realized that all the questioning was probably making Astrid uncomfortable. He'd been badgered incessantly, or so it had seemed, when he first arrived. And now here he was doing the same to someone else. Talking about home was hard; sure, the pleasant memories came flooding back, but after they receded all that was ever left was the sad, crushing knowledge that this wasn't home. And in the wake of that, of course, was the doubt of whether or not he would ever see it again. And now, here he was, putting someone else through that.

"So, abrupt change in subject," he said after Kade and Astrid had had their exchange, "What do you like to do when there's nothing to do, Astrid? What's your instrument for killing time?"

[Kirah]

Hannah & Sumi

"Kade, can we sit in on orientation?" Hannah asked.

"No." He said without missing a beat. "You've already had orientation, and I know you two. You'll be nothing but a disruption." Hannah slumped back in her seat and then leaned over to Sumi and whispered something. Sumi frowned.

"Ask him." Sumi finally said. Hannah looked over at Astrid and Alexander to make sure they were distracted in their own conversation.

"Have you ever had this many new students show up at once?" It was Kade's turn to frown.

"I can ask Elenore." Kade finally said.

[kittyluna45]

Astrid

"Yes! A warriors hall! It is the Warriors hall! Where the fallen in battle go to enjoy an eternal feast!" Astrid perked up a bit at what Alexander said, as he had an idea of where she had been. Most of the people that had heard of it had mostly mythology buffs, or people that thought it was some sort of metal band. Of course the adults had tried to tell her it couldn't be real That the spear had not been a gift, that her eye had been taken as part of some kidnapping gone bad...

She shook her head a bit as Alexander asked her another question. She was about to answer when Hanna and Sumi talked to Kade for a moment. The frown that crossed Kade's face did not comfort her. The fact that so many new students had shown up at once seemed to be alarming to the young man.

"Uh, to answer your question Alexander, I practice fighting. I have a spear. However most people won't let me do that now. So, for now, I've been sketching. What about you, Alexander, Hannah, Sumi? What do you do to kill time?"

[Saltwater Thief]

Alexander

"Boy do I know how that goes," Alexander replied, thoughts going to the dagger upstairs. "'Don't do that in public,' 'people will see,' 'what, do you think you'll be attacked on the street?' 'Don't bring that to the dinner table!' It gets old after a while."

He spoke in mockery of the various things some adults had told him, and he was sure had told Astrid. It was all rather silly, really.

If he let Hannah or Sumi answer first he'd never get a word in edgewise, Alex thought, so he took the initiative. "Woodcarving, mostly. Go find small logs outside and see what I can carve them into. Can't say I'm good at it, but it helps keep the knife sharp, if nothing else."

Speaking of knives, he thought, his food would get cold if he didn't get back to it. So, as he left the floor open for the girls, he turned his attention back to what was on his plate.

[Kirah]

After dinner

Kade found Astrid and pulled her aside to talk to her. Then led orintation with the new students. He explained the compass system as well as the rules for living at the school. He also gave some fair warnings emphasising not everyone finds their door home even if they think they will.

After orientation

As Astrid is leaving the orientation room and she hears Kade head to Elenor's office.

Alex is down the hall and sees Kade enter Elenor's office.

[kittyluna45]

Astrid

Before orientation Astrid was pulled aside by Kade to talk to him. She explained her situation to him, regarding her shots and medicine, and he gave her a sly smile, as if he perfectly understood. He made sure to tell her that she'd be fine, and that he wouldn't let her forget. Astrid got the feeling that Kade understood better than he was letting on. She thanked him, for keeping it between them, and he nodded to tell her that she always had a friend and ally in him. Orientation was... weird. The compass system didn't make sense, since she didn't seem to fall on it. He did make sure to explain that Underworlds and Death Worlds fell on a different sort of compass, and they would explore that later.

After the orientation, Astrid went to fetch her things of medicine to bring to Kade, but saw that he was headed to Elenor's office, and paused a bit. She was curious about what was going on.

Katalina

Katalina had dinner with Cora, and explained to the other girl about her new roommate, as much as she could. Cora was a bit sad that the girl wasn't from a water world, but did understand. The two mostly talked about a few things before finishing dinner. Soon, Katalina was walking down the hallways, and bumped into Alex and saw that Kade was entering Eleanor's office. "Hey." She kept quiet... as to not arouse any suspicion.

[Saltwater Thief]

Alexander

After he finished dinner Alexander was faced with the question of what he wanted to do with the rest of the evening. There was always his usual pastime, but it looked like it might storm tonight so that was probably out. He sighed somberly to nobody in particular; storms used to be no issue for him. In fact he used to make sport of going out in them just for the thrill. Those were the nights, he thought, as a memory bubbled up in his mind.

The airship had been in port for the night, and a good thing for that because the winds were picking up and the thunder was setting in. But while the rest of the port had buckled down and stayed indoors, Alexander and First Mate Marco had donned heavy coats, raced to the edge of the floating island, and leaped over while whistling for their birds. Julie and Edward came soaring in to catch them, and together they swooped through the darkening clouds. The wind howled in their ears as lightning flashed and cracked around them, the rain assaulted their faces and soaked their coats through to their bones, and the sky itself seemed to roar in displeasure at their presence. But the birds danced upon the air and swooped around the electrified bolts before they struck, all the while screaming through the dusk air at unfathomable speeds while their riders laughed and yelled. There was no real danger to them; Stormwings lived up to their namesakes incredibly well and were designed by nature for flying into and through such unfriendly skies. Even lightning, the most destructive force in all the air, was nothing to fear from Julie's back.

But that was then. Here, on plain, boring earth, storms were a thing to be wary of. There was no Julie to detect and barrel roll away from a lightning bolt long before it lashed out. And climbing up onto the roof with all its metal when there was even a chance of the weather turning south was out of the question, if for no other reason than Kade would yell at him again. That left him in search of something else to do, he reasoned, but as he turned down the hall to go find it he found himself face to face with Katalina... who was being awfully quiet when she greeted him.

"Hi," he said in a response that matched her volume, "What are you up to?"

[Kirah]

The three gathered outside Elenore's office hear the below:

"I'm worried." Kade's voice, a soft southern voice.
"I've noticed." Elenore's voice, light and happy even though it doesn't seem to match the mood.
"What do you think is causing it?"
"I don't know. Can't find out without going -" Elenore's voice drops and only Katalina hears the rest.

A loud crash is heard in the foyer and the late summer storm that threatened to break all day finally let go all of it's furry and lightning flashed followed not a full count of two-thousand later by thunder.

"Better close up the school." Elenore's voice was back at normal level. And then Kade's heavy footsteps were heard coming toward the door. There was not enough time for any of the three students to get to the end of the hall and around the corner before he would exit.

[kittyluna45]

Katalina

"Oh, what I'm doing is not what we're suppose to do. Eavesdropping. Kade and Eleanor have been odd all day since the new students arrived, one after the other." Katalina whispered to Alexander. She knew that something was up... something was bothering them both. She paused and gestured for Alexander to go quiet as she listened to Eleanore and Kade.

She leaned in close, her ears picking up the conversation and the last of Eleanor's words. "Can't find out with going to the index line." However, the crash startled her, and it startled another, and with a cry, Astrid stood up and dashed off.

"Sweet Lord of Thunder! I am here!" The girl yelled as she ran off for the stairs. Katalina knew this too well, some people took things the wrong way. She had mentioned... why would there be a Lord of Thunder? It had to be a summer storm. However watching the poor girl tear down the stairs as if she was looking for her door... so soon... it hurt. Katalina knew that pain. However, she could also see the young man with the corn-yellow hair that was probably going to chase after her, or scold them for eavesdropping.

[Saltwater Thief]

Alexander

Eavesdropping was hardly a new thing for Alexander. The make of the doors was different, but the idea was the same; sound carried, and while walls and doors could muffle it, usually it couldn't be blocked out. You just had to get real close to said wall and keep your ears sharp. Katalina got to the wall first, so she got the better audio, but he still caught most of the conversation. Kade was worried. About what, Alexander had no way of saying, and he didn't catch whatever the end of the conversation was.

Before he could check with Katalina, however, the storm outside broke at last with a deafening crash. Alexander nearly jumped out of his skin, and amid the noise he heard Astrid yell something about being present before racing past them toward the front door. Seizing on the convenient distraction that stood opposite getting scolded by Kade and Eleanor, Alexander stood and bolted toward the door after her.

"Astrid!" he called as he reached the door, "Come back inside, lightning's dangerous here!"

[Kirah]

Elenore

Startled by the crash (not the storm) and then the cries of Astrid. A weary look crossed her face, only seen by her nephew. "Best get her and bring her inside. Therapy as normal tomorrow I suppose. The group seems to need it." Kade nodded and stepped out of the room. Elenore inside the room placed her hand on a map on the wall.

Kade

He only gave the barest flinch at Astrid's cry. He knew exactly what was going through her mind. He nodded and stepped out of the room finding Katalina there and hearing Alexander yelling after Astrid. "You okay Katalina?" He asked as he passed her, only giving her a brief moment to respond. Kade quickly made his way outside to where Astrid and Alexander were. "Astrid, it isn't safe. Come inside. This isn't your door. Stay dry." He told Alexander and stepped off the porch after Astrid.

Hannah

Short of breath and standing at her window half hanging out of it, grinning as the wind and rain whipped into a fury. She yelled from her window. "There are no gods here!" Her body shook with laughter and someone yanked her inside.