Freana
"Hey, wait up, Sigi...!"
Freana heard the screams and shouts all too well, her large ears pricking as they honed in on the source. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she wasn't about to let Sigi go alone. She soon caught up, glancing around as she tried to piece things together. It didn't bring her closer to solving it, but the crowd looked just as confused as she was.
"What she said. You okay, floofies? Sounded like a ruckus..."
The Light That Blinds
Shard
Shard grinned, and was about to say something—but then a commotion erupted on the other side of the courtyard. Curious, he turned and noticed Vivien yelling...
...at Lac...
...who was running away.
Uh oh.
Shard's eye widened, and he looked back at Elliot and Xera. "Hey, uh, you guys mind if I head out for a bit? Thanks." And with that, he dashed off after Lac.
"Lac! Lac!" Now that he was close enough, he could notice...tears. Double uh oh. "Hey, Lac, everything alright? You look upset."
"Kept me waiting, haven’t you? Tch. No matter. Dawdle all you’d like. In the end, your defeat remains inevitable."
Breath of the Sun
Pick
Pick could not help but smile as Freana ruffled his hair.
Guess that's how love works. Those were wise words, he thought. Even if Freana herself didn't realize it.
Finishing the last of his stew, Pick deposited the now-empty bowl in the nearest receptacle, before walking off to find his other classmates.
He had thus far only worked with Sigi, Freana, and Verona, but he would be remiss if he did not get to know the rest of his class. Verona would be fine, he assured himself.
He spotted two such classmates quickly, a pale Alvar and a furred Dragonfolk - Lac'ner and Vivien, if he recalled correctly - and strode towards them to introduce himself.
Pick got within earshot just in time to see Lac storm off, and to hear Vivien's angry comment. His brow furrowed as he looked a moment at Vivien, then at the retreating Lac. After a moment, noting that Sigi and Freana were already moving towards Vivien, Pick decided to follow Lac.
He caught up just as Shard appeared. "There appears to have been an argument of some kind." Pick said. "I do not know what caused it, but I heard Vivien's parting words. I know it might not mean anything, as we barely know each other, but I wanted to tell you that you are not a freak, Lac'ner. And that, as your classmate, and hopefully future friend, I am here for you if you need me."
What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
Bona-Fide Mastah
Lac’ner Kineas
Lac’ner didn’t know how far he’d gone, breaking into a short lived sprint after freeing himself from the feast’s main crowd.
His mouth dry, hood pulled tighter around his downturned head, he only thought of running.
That’s all you’re good for!
Vivien’s words rang in his head over and over and over again.
To the point he didn’t notice a stone in his path.
He trips, stumbling over himself until he finds himself prone in the grass, the sharp feeling as knives against the sore skin of his palms.
Hearing the footsteps approaching from behind him, Lac just…gives up, and rolls onto his back.
Doubtless it’s a mob, come to exact vengeance upon me for my harsh words…perhaps I’ll have a good view from whatever pike I’m stuck up.
He sighs, and waits…and then he hears Shard.
Lac’ner sits up, the hood he so often wore simply falling to rest on his back, his shock of white hair dimly shimmering in the light of the moon
Concern…that was still a foreign concept to him, as freely as Shard gave it.
Nothing that damming up your emotions couldn’t fix.
“I…everything is…f-f-…”
The dam cracks, then breaks. Lac’s knees rise to meet his chest as he crosses his arms atop them.
“Everything’s f-fine…just…making myself hated by three fourths of the school…h-hey, at least now nobody’s go-going to get hurt…then they’ll have to see my s-s-stupid face, right?”
He laughs a few forces chuckles, then sighs, turning his attention to the other classmate that followed him.
Pick, now there was an almost refreshing sight. Lac’ner had never really paid much mind to the recently mentally awakened Mesmer. There was an air of innocence about him.
Perhaps that’s why his words didn’t sting as badly.
“I-I’m glad you think that, little one…” he says, his fingers beginning to traverse the various ridges of his loosely bandaged arm, “But I’m a-afraid he was right…I am a freak…”
Spooky Scary Boneheaded Man
Kai'Tema
Kai just... stared. He hadn't heard the entire interaction between Vivien and Lac'ner, of course, but that last bit had been rather alarming. He did not consider himself particularly brave, or even especially good at talking to others — hell, his main interest was with rocks — but he still felt fairly awful inside for not being able to figure out what he should, or could, do.
"... Uhh... Oh... Oh no..."
It took him some time before he found his voice again. He hadn't been involved in all this — so why did his stomach feel like it had dropped out of his abdomen? Why did his limbs feel heavy and hollow?
"Just... trying to get to know others better, I guess?" he eventually replied to Torhild. "Though... I'm worried I might've walked in at a very bad time."
"The Stick has sentimental value. It's like an enormous, hideous teddy bear we can kill things with." -rikalous
The Light That Blinds
Shard
Shard blinked. Several times.
Then, his brow furrowed, and he knelt down next to Lac. "Look," he said. "I dunno what Vivien said or what you said or what could possibly make three fourths of the school hate you, but...you're not a freak. I don't know you all that well, but I can tell you're a good person."
Shard gave him a grin and reached out to place a hand on his shoulder. "An' I'll say it as many times as it takes for you to believe it! Kay?"
"Kept me waiting, haven’t you? Tch. No matter. Dawdle all you’d like. In the end, your defeat remains inevitable."
Breath of the Sun
Pick
"Shard is correct." Pick agreed. "You are clearly not a bad person. I do not know why Vivien called you a 'racist freak', but no doubt he was speaking out of anger. It is not true."
Unlike Shard, Pick barely even needed to kneel down to lightly touch his hand to Lac's. "Even though I have only been self-aware for a short time, I know that it is important to not hate yourself. If you cannot believe in yourself, then at least know we still believe in you. We are your friends, and we are here for you."
Pick spoke with a surprising authority, even though he'd awakened so recently. Even though he'd seen many of his friends doubt themselves. Perhaps it was childish naivete, but Pick had a certain unwavering confidence. "You aren't a freak, no matter what anyone says."
What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
Xera
"Oh... see you around, Shard."
The sounds she could hear from Lac'ner were rather alarming - clearly they were quite upset. Xera didn't want to overwhelm the boy with another visitor, though, and wasn't really sure what she'd say regardless. Comforting people wasn't really her strong suit. In the end, she decided to eat some Pierogi with Elliot.
"Seems like school has been rough for some people," she observed. "Is um... everything going alright with you so far, Elliot?"
Edited by HilarityEnsues on Nov 17th 2021 at 1:22:30 PM
Omega Overlord. Or superjwren329. Either or.
Elliot.
Catching Shard walking off out of the corner of his eye, Elliot glanced over to see what was going on...before deciding it'd be best to just give them some space and check on them later.
"Mm? All things considered, aside from maybe...a few...small mishaps, it's been a pretty good week. Kind of hoping we learn more practical skills things soon, adventuring is more than swinging around steel and spells, after all!"
And it certainly didn't take him long to ask the same.
"Your week has been faring well too, I hope? Oh! Or if there's anything you're looking forward to, Xera?"
Edited by TheRealWren on Nov 20th 2021 at 12:37:47 AM
Hope you weren't expecting anything witty here. Maybe some day.
In the crowds
Vivien's little exclamation earned him cheers from some of the other students, who jeered after Lac'ner as he left, while Viven received pats on the back from numerous other Dragonfolk and those of Dragonfolk descent.
"You tell 'em!" "Hell yeah!" "There's no place for their kind here!"
Fight Club
"Alright, alright, same rules as before. End at first blood, submission or knockout, no magic except for Life and Body, yadda yadda yadda." Maya mimed a mouth with her hand, looking extremely bored.
"Anyways, BEGIN!"
"Alright, good luck!"
Lilia took off her feet like a bolt loosed from a crossbow, lunging towards Verona with a lightning-fast palm thrust, followed by bringing the other arm around for powerful hook aimed at Verona's head. Which would suddenly feel a little...strange.
I certainly hope you plan on making this worth watching. You could probably even win, if you tried.
The voice was vaguely familiar, certainly ringing a bell from the last few days. It was also weirdly not interfering with Verona's focus, even as a strange, otherworldly figure
appeared behind Lilia, hovering in midair as they reclined. Several masks like out of a theater play hovered around their head, moving in front of their blank, featureless face as they spoke, first boredom, then the classic happy 'comedy' mask.
She's using Body magic. I suggest you do the same. You heard Mekel, Verona. You've got plenty of Body energy to spare and you aren't allergic to it. You know you tapped into it during class, with those cards.
Edited by UndyingPhoenix on Nov 21st 2021 at 12:56:51 PM
Torhild Hedinfal
Being raised in a Fenrir home, Torhild was already annoyed at Vivien's casual dismissal of family relations and the implied message that he was too good for such nonsense. Adding what as far as she was concerned was mudslinging and social posturing on top of that earned the half dragonfolk a stern glare and a restrained but clearly angry "Well, I hope you're proud of yourself" before Torhild turned and marched off, wolf-like ears angrily laid flat against her head while she tried to ignore the urge to slug one of Vivien's new cronies.
Unfortunately that also meant ditching the conversation she was already in and ignoring the other concerned classmates who were just showing up, but at this point trying to explain anything to them barely crossed her mind.
Edited by BlitzTrain on Nov 21st 2021 at 6:33:42 AM
Bona-Fide Mastah
Lac'ner Kineas
"..." Lac'ner breaths a long, heavy sigh.
I don't deserve people like this but...
He swallows the dryness in his throat, wiping the tears on his bandage sleeves.
"I...If you say so...I guess....t-thank you, both..."
He forces a small smile, pats Pick on the head, and stretches briefly before standing up.
"S-Still...I don't think t-the party is for me..."
He turns to look at the main building of the academy before pulling his hood back up. The observant may notice the points of his Alvari ears poking out of his scruffy hair, seemingly pulled flat against the sides of his head by come combination of clasp and elastic band.
"I-I should probably prepare some of the medicines for tomorrow."
Fluffy/10
Vivien Solkish
Seeing Torhild's reaction, and her just walking off like that, seemed to make something... Click in Vivien's head. Those tears he'd been covertly wiping came back, in force - but not because he started sobbing. No, as he turned to Sieglinde and Freana, his muzzle was contorted with sheer rage, his whole proper posture collapsing as he all but yelled his response to them.
"D-Do I look okay!? I... H-He..."
For a moment, his words were lost - until he took a breath to steady himself, wiping the worst of the tears off his face as he straightened his back and scoffed. When he spoke again, his tone was like the one he'd been using with Lac'ner - no, it was worse, his words laced with a bone-chilling, impersonal hatred.
"... It doesn't matter. I've seen how it is, now. I thought this place would be better, but no - it's just as bad as everywhere else. But at least the two of you bothered to ask. To care. So... Consider yourselves invited, you two."
With that, he looked around to the little Dragonfolk posse he'd gathered, cracking a grin - his tone softened, more enthused, jovial, even, but still with that malicious undertone.
"Speaking of which - why don't lot follow me? I've got a few bottles of north Sigmuni mead stashed away back at my dorms, and I'm feeling like maybe today's a sharing sort of day. How do you say? A party just for us Dragonfolk - and the few here who care about us."
With that, he was off, heading towards his dorms - and hopefully with at least a few people in tow.
AKA Nixer
Sieglinde von Brandt
“...”
Sigi's teeth ground together painfully behind her smile as she nodded in response to Vivien, her eyes disguising her own feelings towards his tone and response as she beckoned for Freana to follow.
“Well that's nice~! C'mon, let's go. The others can watch over Verona. We can spare a few... uh, whatevers. Minutes. Hours. Eh.”
Yes, her tone was a mite hollow when she spoke of letting the others watch over Verona during her battle, but she was already moving to follow Vivien. She began to hum soothingly to herself as she clapped her hands together and resumed her magical lightshow, letting it act as a calming mechanism for those who wanted it. Also as a test of sorts, to see how the others reacted.
If they allowed the calm to wash over them, they may be more rational when talking to them. If they refused to let the lightshow entertain them, well. Sieglinde knew who she'd be dealing with then.
Awww, poor Tori. We should go check up on her later. After this.
bork
Freana
Freana wasn't sure what had happened to warrant a party. She wasn't against a party, but only seconds ago, there'd been enough shouting and screaming to warrant an intervention. She'd barely heard it, too busy watching Verona to care, but it didn't sound pleasant. So to go from raging chaos to a rousing celebration? It didn't make a lick of sense...
...but she guessed it didn't matter now. Sigi was going along with it, and maybe that was the better thing to do here. Once Viv and his posse had a few drinks, chances were they'd be easier to talk to.
"Uh, sure thing, Sigi..." She glanced back towards Verona, but soon shrugged and trotted along. As long as they weren't using magic, she'd probably be okay...
"So! Having a party, huh? Always loved a good party! Been to lots of them, even if I wasn't invited half the time. Half of them didn't have a real reason to celebrate either, but it didn't make them any less fun...!"
The Light That Blinds
Shard
"If you say so." While Shard would've liked Lac to stick around, forcing the issue wouldn't do anyone any good. Instead, he sprang to his feet and offered him another smile. "If you want, I can come with you! I'm sure Ell and Xera will understand...ooh, maybe they can come too? We can all do medicine stuff together!"
What that meant, Shard had no idea. But hey, never too late to learn!
"Kept me waiting, haven’t you? Tch. No matter. Dawdle all you’d like. In the end, your defeat remains inevitable."
Breath of the Sun
Pick
As he did with Freana, Pick smiles when Lac pats him on the head. There is something about the gesture of a hand on his head that Pick finds strangely comforting.
He took note of Lac's Alvari ears - seemingly hidden, for some reason, even though no one here would take issue with them - but said nothing, merely turning a moment towards the cluster of Dragonfolk gathering around Vivien.
Pick considered going up to confront Vivien directly, but it is clear that he did not have all the information necessary. He did not hear what sparked the argument. So, Pick decided, they would address that later. For now, he made to follow Lac.
"I do not like this 'party', either. Perhaps it is because I am not consuming any alcohol, but I do not find it entertaining." Pick mused aloud. "May I accompany you to the infirmary as well? As an adventurer, I believe it would be helpful to learn about medicine."
What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
Verona Auer
The first blow glanced off Verona's side as she pivoted on her feet. Even enhanced by Body magic, the hit was easy enough to shake off, and a flash of movement in Verona's peripheral vision sent her diving instinctively to the ground. She tucked into a somersault as she went, popping up onto her feet at Lilia's flank.
That was when she heard the voice. She was no stranger to the inner monologue, but as much as the voice was inside of her head, it was definitely not coming from her. Combined with the ominous figure she could see over Lilia's shoulder, it all added up to something...very weird.
Then the voice implied that she was being lazy, and she forgot to be alarmed.
Wh- hey, I am trying! Mind your own business!
As the voice continued to speak, Verona was kept on the back foot by Lilia's offensive. Verona was able to dodge or redirect most of the strikes, but Lilia clearly had the advantage. And, honestly, the voice's advice wasn't half bad...
Ok, fine, we'll try it your way.
In the next breath, Verona planted her right foot and the ring was abruptly blanketed in the ghostly, barely visible image of a cracked desert wasteland. Foot flexed, she turned into a hard kick aimed squarely at Lilia's center of mass. As she moved, the illusory terrain below her feet rumbled violently, opening deep fissures in the barren landscape.
Of all the cards in her collection, the one depicting an earthquake ravaging the Iaian scrublands had stood out to her for its sheer, untamed power. She couldn't think of a better way to channel force.
Edited by furnacedoor on Nov 22nd 2021 at 9:59:32 AM
Bona-Fide Mastah
Lac’ner Kineas
The mention of people wanting to learn medicine, from him no less. It causes his face to flush, scarlet warming his pale skin.
“M…M-Me?”
Lac swallows hard, nervously tapping his fingers together in rapid succession.
“Y-You…I-I mean…I s-suppose…”
The rate of tapping increases.
“I-I don’t know everything…b-but I suppose I can teach you some b-b-basics…”
The Light That Blinds
Shard
"Alright! Hang on. I'll go ask them!" Shard briefly waved, then turned and sprinted across the courtyard back to Elliot and Xera.
"Hi guys!" he cheered, waving as he approached. "Sorry I was gone. Lac's gonna teach me and Pick medicine stuff! You guys wanna come?"
"Kept me waiting, haven’t you? Tch. No matter. Dawdle all you’d like. In the end, your defeat remains inevitable."
Xera
"Probably getting to know everyone during the schoolyear. I've never left Iaia before, or even met very many people that weren't Bogovi. So... I guess it just feels like there's a lot of the world that I've just been missing out on up until now."
Shard's reappearance made her turn towards him.
"Oh, it's quite alright. Sure, I'd like to come along - what about you, Elliot?"
Omega Overlord. Or superjwren329. Either or.
Elliot
Elliot gave Xera a nod of agreement. "Then I guess it's lucky we've got an entire year to get to know everyone, that's plenty of time. And considering the most I've heard about other sorts of people and places would be from books...mm...?"
And with Shard's return, Elliot gave a smile and wave before the mention of learning something practical and helpful caused the young man to practically beam at the offer, sounding rather enthusiastic about the idea.
"Definitely! If Sir Lac'ner wants to teach us something like that, I'm all for it."
Hope you weren't expecting anything witty here. Maybe some day.
Fight Club
Lilia's hands moved up to catch Verona's kick, ready to push it aside as it fell into her grasp. But as the leg hit, her arms buckled, a look of sheer shock crossing her face in the fleeting moment before she was pushed back, bowled over onto her back by the force of the kick. The red-headed Alvar's back hit the ground with a heavy thud and a loud grunt.
"Soldar above-!"
For a few brief moments, Lilia laid there, coming to grips with what had just happened, blinking as reality filtered in. The masked, faceless figure stood over, clapping politely at Verona's handiwork.
See, now that's more like it. But now I think the scales might a little too in your favour, and nobody likes a one-sided fight with a crowd favourite. The mask switched to a weeping one as he put on an almost-mocking sad voice. Let me just even the playing field, shall we? It'll be so dramatic and exciting! Once again, the grinning, laughing facade.
He reached down, grasping Lilia by both hands as he pulled her up to her feet, though it looked no more strange than if she had gotten up herself. With a pat on the back, an eerie glow surrounded Lilia, who took one powerful step forwards, planting her foot down hard and launching a powerful, fully-drawn back straight punch towards Verona's head, surging with an excess of Body energy.
The Light That Blinds
Shard
Shard eagerly clasped his hands together, an excited grin on his face. "Alright! Follow me!" He turned and bounded—slower than normal, to give Elliot and Xera time to catch up—back to Lac and Pick.
"They said yes!" he cheered as he approached, slowing to a stop.
"Kept me waiting, haven’t you? Tch. No matter. Dawdle all you’d like. In the end, your defeat remains inevitable."
Sieglinde von Brandt
“Uhm... sure! Uh... I don't mind anything. Maybe some fruits...? Whatever you think...~” Sieglinde smiled in response to Freana's offer, nodding in agreement with her idea. “I'll shout if something important happens...~”
Speaking of shouting. That was audible of the crowd. Sieglinde paled slightly, glancing around in confusion, before spotting the culprit(s?) and frowning slightly as she got up.
“...uh... on second thought. I'll... just be a moment...!”
She soon jogged away, pausing only for a moment as she felt a tremble wrack through her. She didn't like confrontation, but she hoped the worst of it had passed, and she focused on the comforting presence of her own magic to calm her down a little.
A subtle pink lightshow later, and she approached Vivien and Torhild in a cautious manner, offering them both a tentative smile.
“You two okay...? I just heard the...”
bork