[IC] Darkness

[Aqutanama]

The “students” would all arrive at the same place at about the same time. Regardless of how they traveled or what transportation they took. When they all reach said destination they find themselves looking upon a fenced in yard. The fence looked at if it were made out of metal and upon closer inspection one would notice the etchings. The gates were old and creaked as if the hinges hadn’t been oiled in ages.

“Welcome to your new home.” Came a voice and when eyes finally tracked that voices location… they would be looking at a tall human looking individual. He opened the gates and looked at the hinges with a sigh.

“I told him those old things needed to be replaced.” He idly said as he looked at the new additions to the school.

“Welcome.” He said again as he moved to bring them inside. It was a quick ushering as he helped them along. After they were all inside he locked the gate behind them. With a smile he guided them along to the home. It was more like a small castle or maybe an old hotel. The place looked like it housed at least thirty people within comfortably. As everyone gathered inside… assuming they went in. They are rewarded with keys and room numbers.

“Ahh… our bright minds have arrived.” Came a deep calming voice.

“Please make yourselves at home. I do hope you all will enjoy your stay.” The voice seemed to come from nowhere but then a figure dressed in a mostly red and black suit walked up and greeted everyone.

“Keep your truenames for they hold power. Make up a name we may call one another. You may all call me Aku.” He said with a grin.

[Vampy]

After the welcome of Aku and the second person Moriko looked at her room number.Number 13, my lucky number. she said to her self. She looked around the castle like building looked really nice to her. Moriko placed her suitcase on the ground next to her. She greets the man back and the second person. Keep your truenames for the hold power. Makeup a name we may call one another? she thought. The Moriko looked at the other studens, greets them and said: "You all may call me Valencia." The name Valencia is a Latin kitten name that means Vigorous and strong. Moriko liked it from the sound of it, it makes her smile.

[Zetsuko]

Nybras followed in after the students and set down a small pack filled with a few tomes he had brought with, and were the only things he had brought with him. he checked his room number, 16, and listened as the headmaster greeted them. after Aku requested they think up a name rather than use their own he was slightly disappointed, he would've rathered use his own name but he'll think of one if he must "Harkon..." he thought aloud, simply a name he was fond of, he was distracted from his thought when another student introduced herself as Valencia, seeing this as the time for it he said "You may call me Harkon" he then looked to Aku "Excuse me sir, which way is it to the library? i would like to get acquainted with the space before the first classes"

[Aqutanama]

Aku stood and watched as a few of the students spoke. The others kind of just stood there and looked like statues. Perhaps they feared him because of the tall tales.

‘Very well Valencia and Harkon.’ Aku thought as he nodded to each.

“The library? You don’t need one of those. My mind serves as such. Although I suppose my mind could be biased. The Library is down this hall all the way to the end. It’s about four city blocks?” Aku explained as he walked up to Harkon and looked him in the eyes for a moment. Although he quickly looked away and smiled as his eyes fell upon the others.

“Valencia… I had a sister named Valeria. Although she was different and tried to kill me many times.” He said with a smile as he looked at her.

“Now I’m sure you are all famished and I have personally prepared meals based on each of your local tastes.” He paused for a moment and looked at each of them.

“Then again I suppose I should have asked what you wanted. Hospitality isn’t one of my strong suits and having guests here is something new. I think it has been four centuries?” He thought as he looked at each of them.

“Perhaps my mind is frayed from the seal.” Aku babbled as he started walking away.

[Vampy]

Moriko looked at Nybras as he introduced himself to the others. She greeds him with a smile. When Aku said her chosen name she looked at him. Then he spoke of his sister and that made her laugh. Moriko was really happy with her chosen name Valencia.

Aku mentioned the meals. I hope I get salmon tonight. she said to her self. It's not that being a half cat means that she has to like fish but in this case Moriko really loves salmon, its her favorite food.

Lost in the thoughts of getting salmon for dinner tonight, Moriko saw Aku started to walk away without saying what they have to do now. I guess that we must go to our rooms for our belongings. she said softly to her self. For that Aku was out of sight Moriko said: "Mr. Aku do we have to go to our rooms to that we can start unpacking our suitcases? If that is the case can you show us where our rooms are?"

[Zetsuko]

"Ah, thank you" Nybras said, he didn't pay much mind to Aku's momentary close inspection, he'd heard the his kind were rare in this region. He picked up his bag and nodded toward Aku and the other students and set out down the hall toward the library, breaking into a light jog along the way. when he reached the end of the hallway and went through the door to the library he set his pack down next to one of the desks and brushed of the surface, kicking up a load of dust and causing him to sneeze "suppose it's to be expected" he thought aloud as he rubbed the tip of his snout "from the way it sounded, he probably doesn't use this place much" he picked up his pack and placed it on the desk and looked around the library room.

[Aqutanama]

@Zetsuko
As Harkon entered the library it was indeed dust filled. That and there were cobwebs throughout the entire place. If he were to scan the room he would notice an old man sitting in the library… or the form of one. It looked as if he had died long ago in this place and remained as a guardian. As he moved the dust the room seemed to come alive. The lights lit themselves one buy one and the skeleton in the char started to move.

“What, what?!” He coughed out a handful of dust puffed from its mouth.

“Who, who is there?” The eyeless skeleton asked as he looked around the room. As he moved the dust seemed to break away and the room became alive with life. As the dust broke and was dissipating the man grew flesh as well as eyes in those sockets. It was like watching decomposition and ageing backwards. First he was a skeleton, then he had some flesh and muscle. His withered skin and old voice changed as the room became what it once was.

“Ah I see.” A familiar voice said as he moved to the desk where Harkon was.

“You are Harkon correct?” Asked someone who looked exactly like Aku.

@Vampy
Aku was walking away but stopped when he was asked a question. Or was it he could hear a thought?
“You like Salmon?” He asked Valencia.

“Oh pardon the intrusion. I get carried away with surface thoughts. I sometimes forget who they belong to. Try to form a barrier in your mind. Think of math or a repeated process. Like making food or something.” He informed her as he started to walk away and then the question came.

“OHHH! Where are my manners today… or is it night?” He asked as he looked around the room.

“You may unpack your things if you wish. Think I need to make maps for this place.” He pondered out loud as he shot his finger into the air.

“I did!” He said and with a few waves of his hands he produced a map and handed it to her.

“Now time to cook that salmon.” He said as he moved away from Valencia.

@Vampy@Zetsuko
“Please feel free to do anything you wish. Make yourselves at home. Also rooms are on the second floor. Wait there are rooms on every floor. Anyways your guest rooms are on the second floor. But remember! School starts in the morning… or was it night?” His voice moved throughout the entire place but it wasn’t booming it was as if he were speaking to someone.

[Vampy]

Moriko thanks Aku for the map although she was a little confused over what he told her. Make a barier in my mind? She didn't give it much thought then she opened the map. It was a pretty big place where you can get lost easily. "Second floor, room 13 where are you." Moriko said while studying the map a little. "Ohh, there you are." a little smile appears on her face. The stairs where left from where she was and room 13 was at the end on the right side next to a large window.

Moriko turned around towards the other studens. "Plz, follow me I know where the rooms are." She took her suitcase and stards walking to the stairs.

[Zetsuko]

"yes, I am" Nybras said toward the new Aku in the room, his hands rubbed together nervously, more from his own timid nature than the sudden liveliness of the room or the skeleton that formed into an image of Aku "i'm suppose to be an assistant Librarian here..." he looked back and his bag and picked it up, facing Aku he held if in front of himself "I brought some things i thought would make good additions to the collection here, a few rarer things, not...not often found outside of where i come from" he looked from his bag to Aku as he spoke.

[Aqutanama]

@Zetsuko
Aku stood there looking Nybras over with a puzzled look. “You are supposed to be an assistant for the Library?” Aku asked as much to himself as to Nybras.

“I think you have come a little late. Give or take fifty years.” Aku went on as he moved through the library. He waved his hand and a book moved into a full shelf. Although when it reached the shelf the other books seemed to make room.

“Are you saying you are here to learn to be a Librarian?” He asked as he looked at the young male.

“Seems a bit strange if you are. I think you should learn a thing or two while you are here. Then decide what you wish to be.” Aku went on like an old man rambling.

“Now then place what you have here and go get settled in. Here is a map of the castle… or was it a school now? Ah I cannot recall.” Aku said as he slipped over a scroll.

@Vampy
Aku was in the kitchen preparing the meal that Valencia wanted. He cooked it in his oven with a mix of spices and a squeeze of lemon. He cut up some potatoes and carrots and tossed them into a broth he was making. It sounded strange whenever he cut into anything because he was so quick and perfect at it. In one of the other ovens he pulled out what looked like a pie and another a loaf of bread. He was humming while he cooked and was a blur in the kitchen.

[Vampy]

Moriko opens the door from her room. As she steps in side she looks around the interiur was is her liking she really loves it. Moriko walked further in side and closed the door. The room was pretty big from what it seemed like from the outside. Moriko turned around towards her new bed and laid her suitcase on it to open it. The closset was already full with new clothes for her to wear. She picked up her clothes from her case and begins with unpacking. While unpacking and looking through the room she kept thinking about dinner. Between the clothes there was a dress that catsted her eye, she took it out and hold it in front of her for the mirror. Moriko changed her self in to put the dress and it fits her good.

Moriko looked through the window and it was almost dinner time.

[Zetsuko]

Nybras set the bag down on the desk and picked up the scroll. He nodded to Aku and said "I'll go find my room then". He left the library and headed toward the stairs. he was looking over the map as he walked along the hall toward his room and, in his distraction, turned and opened the door three doors down from his. when he stepped through the doorframe and looked up he saw a young girl in a dress in the room, after a second he recognized her as Valencia from earlier. "I...sorry" he stammered out and turned around quickly, smacking his nose on the doorframe, he walked swiftly down to his room's door, opened it, and went inside and closed the door behind him. He leaned on the wall and sighed.

[Aqutanama]

Aku was almost done with the food so he started to prepare the table. Once he was finished he noticed the table had too many places. With a small incantation he waved his hand at the table and it became smaller bringing the small group a little closer. With a satisfied grin he moved into the kitchen and gathered the food for his new students.

“Dinner is ready.” He said and his voice echoed throughout the building in that same calm not overpowered voice. Although the difference this time was his voice didn’t start from inside his guests rooms. This time they could hear his voice as if he was outside their door.

If they came down Aku would greet them and place them at the table. He could pull out chairs for both male and female because they are considered guests. He would also assist in scooting them in and then pour them drinks. He would however ask them what they would want to drink. Afterwards he would excuse himself and go into the kitchen.

“Ah my guests and future students.” Aku said coming from the living area. He was dressed in mostly black and red. He moved to the table and sat in his chair. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

“Let’s eat.” He said as he moved to take some food.

[Vampy]

The few from Moriko's room was beautiful, she could see a big part of the forest that was close by. Moriko walked back to the mirror and turned around to she how it looks on the back when her door opened and she believed it was Harkon that stood in the door frame. Moriko wanted to say something but in stead she just looked at him and blushes. It didn't take long or he left her room and closed the door behind him. He really seems to be a nice guy, that makes me happy. she thought as he left the room.

Moriko turned back to the mirror. Maybe I need to pick a par of shoes that to with the dress, although Aku said make your self at home. Hummm... I think that i keep it like this. No shoes. she thought and smiled more. The voice of Aku sounded outside her room: "Dinner is ready." Moriko opened her door but there was no one. She saw that the other students also where looking outside. How? that word keeps coming in to her mind. Then she remembered what Aku said to her. Moriko walked back in side and sit down on her bed. She closed her eyes and made an image of a bariar come in to mind and focused on that. It didn't took long. Aku, he seems very gentle and nice to every one. The things he did so far where amazing. I hope he will teach me a lot of things. Only he seems to be lony how long ago was it for him to get guests?

Moriko took her key and put the map in a pocked that she found. locked her room and started walking to wards the dinner room. Moriko capt thinking about Aku of how interesting person he is. She was so focused in her thoughts that she forgot about the other studens. They all didn't say much, it was like they where afraid of Aku or to shy to say any thing. Moriko stopped and looked where she was. The dinner room was next to her. She walks in side and saw Aku. Moriko greeds him a good evening and said: "Where may I take a seat?"

[Zetsuko]

Nybras had managed to get into a fresh set of robes before Aku called that it was dinner time. he picked up his map from where he placed it on the bed as he changed and went out the door to the hall, he opened the map and saw where the dinning room was. he set out and found that the hall was empty along the way, he assumed he was the last one to arrive at the dinning room and found that to be true when he got there. Valencia was asking where she would sit. Nybras stood a little behind her waiting to see if they would be placed in seats or if they would choose their own.

[Aqutanama]

Aku sat at the table and Valencia and Harkon entered the room. She had asked where she was supposed to sit and he waved his hand at the seats that were opened.

“Pick a spot to sit. The Table is round so there is no head of the table. Although my chair is fancy... I made it.” He explained as he looked at Harkon and nodded to him. Aku stood up almost forgetting himself when a female enters the room. He would wait for all of his guests to get seated before sitting again. Although the more he looked at his food the sadder he seemed to look.

[Zetsuko]

Nybras looked around the table, thinking on which spot to choose, he decided on a spot on Aku's right and walked around to the seat. he stopped and stood behind the chair, glancing at Aku for a moment before looking back at the other students. he was waiting for more of them to pick seats before they all sat down.

[Vampy]

Moriko followed Harkon to the table. She waited for him to pick a seat and then she walked to the seat on Aku's left. Moriko looked at the chair where Aku was sitting on. It was a beautiful chair and well made. She looked up from the chair and looked around the room. This place is really beautiful. I really feel that I'm at home somehow. she thought and smiled. All the students where at the room, so she grabbed the chair really to sit down.

[Aqutanama]

Aku waited for everyone to sit before he sat back down again. He nodded to everyone at the table and his eyes lit up with life.

“Now we eat. I’m not sure if any of you pray or have some kind of pre-meal custom but do not be shy. You may do what you like. I hope that the food is to your liking and I made other things as well. I don’t assume that everyone eats the same thing. That would be really dull. So please dig in.” Aku said as he raised a glass of red liquid and took a sip.

[Vampy]

Moriko picked up the sent of salmon and her eyes began to sparkle. She thanks Aku for the meal and she began to eat. It tasted really good, it was so good that a little tair came in her eye. Moriko looked at Aku: "Its really good!" she said with a smile. She didn't have salmon for dinner for a very long time and when she had it didn't tasted so good as now. Moriko didn't want to eat to quick, so she took an piece of bread. She looked around to see what everyone was having for dinner. It all smells so good. Aku had to be a top chef. No one that she knows could ever make a meal this yummy. This made her more happy that she jointed the school.