"I'm a mage, like yourself and Lilac," he responded. He would have continued the conversation, but one look at his wristwatch changed that. It cutting a bit too close to the start of the ceremony at the moment, and they had yet to move away from the station. That wasn't good.
"Excuse me, while it was good talking with you, I'm afraid we're going to have to hurry if want to avoid being late," he stated, already hefting his luggage behind him. With a courteous nod, he made his way towards the Sun Hall, rapidly outpacing several students in front of him despite the weight of his luggage hindering him somewhat. It didn't take long to reach the Hall, were hundreds of other students were already gathered. Standing next to the others, he adjusted his slightly ruffled clothes and waited patiently for the ceremony to begin. Well, he waited as patiently as every other student in the room, anyway, which is to say not actually that patiently at all.
He did pride himself in not letting it show on his face though. He might not be able to control his emotions, but he wasn't about to stoop to letting impatience get the best of his expressions.
It was only once he was inside and somewhat adjusted that he allowed himself to wonder in amazement at the marvel that was the Sun Hall. It was an old building, with history and dignity. In fact, calling it an old building was like calling an emerald a shiny rock - it was more than that. It was past, present, and future; it was a place, and yet, also a living thing - everything about it shined in a way that screamed that this was a house where divinity dwelt. It was a place of power.
And if there was anything Leo could find it in himself to respect easily, it was power.
Soon enough, a large owl stepped on to the podium, and began speaking with the voice of Headmaster Loyola. He frowned, wait no, that was the Headmaster. Was it just him, or was his mustache more grandiose than it was last year?
Well, whatever the case, with him on the podium and his speech finished, the two Druids behind him stepped forward. Druids of the Holy Star - their members where the ones that facilitated the
sacramentum and it had been like that since long before he had enrolled at St. Fortuna's. A follower of the faith himself, Leo knew that there were quite practical reasons to have them do the ritual, rather than just have any other mage familiar with the ritual do it.
That was beside the point, however, as the ritual began as the Headmaster began calling names. After the first pair, a second pair of Druids hurried onto the podium, looking slightly harried - according to the Headmaster, it seemed they were going to need some assistance in order to accommodate the large number of students. Was that normal?
So on it went, familiar and mage, together onto the stage, bonded, body and soul. Again, it would be a lie to say he wasn't feeling nervous as each pair came and went. But still, he kept his expression mastered and his breathing regular - he would not show something so unsightly to whoever was to be his familiar.
Funnily enough, he recognized the the first familiar to go up. It was Korrigan - or Korrey, as he liked to be called. A regular sparring mate of his and someone he was well acquainted - even friendly - with. He was surprised he didn't spot him sooner - Korrey was one of the few people his grade that he knew that was taller than he was.
And Leo knew for a fact that he was ridiculously tall.
The pairs went through the ritual quickly, some handling it better than the others, until . . .
"Talia Nitro and Leo de Coeur!"
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, his first, actual expression for the day, before smoothing back into his more comfortable glare. Face impassive, he walked quickly, yet calmly, and steadily towards the podium, leaving his luggage behind for later.
This was it, it was his turn.
He looked at her. She was much shorter than he was, only coming up to his chest, but that was no surprise. She was attractive, at least in his eyes, but that wasn't important. There was a kind of energetic light in her eyes, and at once, he was reminded of his little sisters - a fact that both warmed his heart, and sent a chill down his spine. This girl had the very same light in her eyes as his little sisters, which told him one thing: She was
not touching alcohol while he was around. Not if he wanted to keep his sanity, at least. For her sisters it all it took was sugar, but for some reason he felt like it would be worse with Talia and alcohol.
A strange image of him in drenched in alcohol and lacking pants flashed through his head, but he quickly dismissed it.
Mouth set in his usual frown, he nodded towards his familiar-to-be, staring at her straight in the eyes as he gave a short bow. A bit grandiose, maybe, but it helped calm him down somewhat.
"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Talia Nitro."
Still, she looked like a nice enough girl. Only time would tell if he judged this book correctly by the cover.
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