Fiction:Doctrina Venefica/First Term

1/9/34: My First Day
Early Sleeping World, 34 New Age: Olnah District, Northwestern Sector of Purity's Apogee

The carriage stopped at the gates of the ancient academy; the Grand Sovereign State-College of Magicka, or more widely known as the Grand Collegium of Magicae in casual terms, has stood proud and tall for over three thousand years and has been subject to consistent funding by the government of the and by charitable causes in other elven states that were considered members or allies of the archaic and influential coalition. It has had a track record of producing powerful and affluent magical individuals which has remained constant through those millennia and has thus contributed much to the success of the Sovereignty and its mastery of sorcery, hexes, and miracle magic which has now become a part in modern living where once it had been untapped and restrained. Despite facing competition in the form of privately-funded schools and colleges throughout the territories of the Sovereignty, the Grand Collegium has remained the most successful facility of the education of magic throughout its history and among the Eastern Continent.

Outside the gates stood soldiers and warriors, clad in shimmering armour and enchanted blades and spears clasped tightly in their palms. It was still morning, thus the light of the sun glimmered off of their reflective equipment; both men and women from a diverse range of ethnic groups stood within these ranks, for when it came to the art of combat, there was none that could not be taught to adapt to it regardless of race or sex. Stepping out of the carriage was the young half-elven witch, who looked around in admiration as she held on to her hex book and was followed by , her familiar. The girl could barely believe she had been invited to study at such a place - to her it looked more like a palace than a school - and she could barely contain her excitement as she walked to the direction of the gates. While most students had to pay for their own tuition to attend such a prestigious place of learning, young Moirai was one of a few uncommon cases where her tuition was offered to be paid for her by the academic heads that administrated the school for she was considered, as she had been told, an "exceptional subject of interest".

As the girl approached the gates, a hand rested upon her shoulder firmly. One of the guards, an Erylian female, glanced down at the witch and spoke in a rather indifferent tone. She stood taller than the student by a significant margin which, combined with the intimidation factor of her weaponry and armour, gave her an imposing presence.


 * Guard - Identification is required. You have your passage of identity, don't you? And you should also have a signet of membership if you are an attending student.
 * Clothovera - Urm... I-I do, yes. Here.

Clothovera reached for her pockets and took out a scroll and a ring, presenting them to the guardswoman. Expecting her forms and signet, the elven guard soon returned the scroll to the girl before grasping onto her hand and placing the ring - branded with an icon of a pentacle - on her ring finger in a somewhat forceful manner.


 * Guard - You should wear your ring at all times while on school grounds. Now, go inside and meet with your guide. She will get you acquainted with the the interior, show you your dormitory, and grant you access to a timetable for lessons and daily routines. ... Do not take so long, however. The entrance ceremony will begin in a few hours.
 * Clothovera - O-okay! I should be on my way then!

Clothovera quicky put the scroll back on her person before putting the signet of membership on her index finger, before grabbing Nyakik and running to the entrance, much to the cat's surprise and annoyance.


 * Nyakik - Don't grab me without warning!
 * Clothovera - We can't be late for school!

As Clothovera ran, she could barely have time to admire the exterior of the school as she approached it; it was by far one of the largest and tallest establishments in Purity's Apogee, let alone the rather rich and prosperous Olnah District, and its architecture clearly shared traits from a majority of the major elven member-states of the Sovereignty and their traditional, iconic structural styles. A large wall fenced off the school from the outside for protective purposes, with towers, manned by squads of crossbowmen and longbowmen, overlooking the town beyond. Flags and banners fluttered from the school and the surrounding turrets, signifying the Grand Collegium's golden logo on red backgrounds. Waiting for her near the large open doors of the academy were not only more armed guards but also another Erylian woman, this time dressed in somewhat skimpy and loose robes of red and white which exposed her stomach, shoulders, left thigh, and, most remarkably to Clothovera, a notable amount of cleavage.

The Erylian elf smiled as she watched the witch girl clumsily rush through the gates and across the front yard in order to remain on schedule, quietly amused while she rested her hands on her stave. This was ; a teacher, or officially known as a Tutor, who specialized in aeromancy and magical arts pertaining to defensive styles and utility. She was also a known member of the Wind Sect of the Esoteric Order - a cast of exceptional magi who worked in direct service to the Sovereignty's government and in support of the matters of administration and regulation within and outside of the Sovereignty's borders - and the current moderator of the school's Veterinary Club. Clothovera ran up to the Tutor and stopped in place, causing Nyakik to swing around in her grasp, the cat letting out rather annoyed groans as the witch looked at Ennea with some apprehension. She was not sure what to expect.


 * Clothovera - H-hello? Are you the... erm... guide?
 * Ennea - Ah, you must be one of our new students. I am Tutor Ennea Ignaura; I work as one of the Heads of Aeromancy Arts and I am also the current head of the Grand Collegium's Veterinary Club! I shall be your guide for the next few days as you adjust to your new surroundings. ... Oh, excuse me, I don't think I caught your name.
 * Clothovera - I-I'm Clothovera. Clothovera Moirai.
 * Ennea - Ah, Clothovera! Yes, I have been told a fair bit about you. And... Ooh, who is this little cutie?

Ennea proceeded to reach out and run her hand over Nyakik's ears, stroking her with soft fingers and an experienced, caressing touch while she seemed to be captivated with the feline's rather cute appearance.


 * Nyakik - I am Nyakik. I am the reason we are here. This establishment recognizes my greatness.
 * Clothovera - Oh, come on...
 * Ennea - Aww, she's so adorable. And she's full of personality too! ... Ahem, pardon me. I should really be getting to showing you to your dorm. You'll be sharing a room with several other girls around your age, as we have had an influx of new students this term and we were unable to provide independent living quarters. I am sure you and your familiar will get on like a house on fire with them, teehee!
 * Nyakik - These others are now my property. And also, why is this woman dressed like a courtesan?
 * Clothovera - K-keep quiet, you stupid furball! ... Just ignore her, Miss Ignaura. She's stupid.
 * Ennea - Oh, please, just call me Ennea. And you do not have to worry about your familiar's behaviour; I am actually dressed like this to distract her from the giant three-headed hound that we keep on the grounds to protect our school. The one that happens to be coming up right behind you, in fact.
 * Nyakik - What?! Let go of me, Clotho! Remove hound!
 * Ennea - Teehee! I am just pulling your leg. We do not have three-headed dogs on these grounds right now. We let them out at night in case anybody tries to sneak out or in. Now come along; there's a lot for you to get used to and I do not wish for you to be late for your ceremony!
 * Clothovera - Okay!

With a smile, Ennea turned and led Clothovera inside; the interior looked to be even larger than what the exterior seemed to show - which, due to being a place of magic, may not have come as much of a surprise - and the witch could clearly see many students, both new and previously attending, wandering around with their own respective guides and inspecting the place. Ennea, realizing that the crowd would have been both highly uncomfortable for them to wade through and costly regarding how much time they had before the ceremony started, grabbed Clothovera's hand tightly.


 * Ennea - Hold onto your belongings and make sure to not let go. I am taking a shortcut.

The Tutor proceeded to suddenly leap over the crowds of people, a gust of wind picking up where she had just been standing, before she managed to settle her feet lightly on a landing two floors up from where the ground was, a lighter breeze radiating beneath her as her bare feet made contact with the floor tiles. Clothovera let out a surprised yell as the two of them suddenly flew over the crowd, and the witch girl stumbled as they landed. She was not unaware of the idea of flight as she had done it before, but she was taken by surprise due to having never been around a wind mage before.


 * Ennea - Oh, are you alright, dear? I did not mean to startle you, but I assumed neither of us fancied being stuck in traffic for how much time it would have cost us.
 * Clothovera - I-It's okay, just... I've never seen anyone fly without help.
 * Ennea - Oh, believe me, dear, you have not seen true flight yet. That was just a... what do you young folk call it? A "boost"? In any case, it was simple wind magic nonetheless. If you think that was something, you are going to be amazed. ... Oh, and also, do not tell anyone I just did that. We are not really allowed to abuse our powers like that within the school.
 * Nyakik - What nonsense. What is the point of teaching things we cannot make use of?
 * Ennea - Oh, but you will have plenty of opportunities to use your magic. We run a... quest program, of sorts. In fact, for your place to have been verified and paid for by the school, your entrance in it is mandatory... And I get to be the one to give your missions and assignments to you! Isn't that exciting?
 * Clothovera - I've been through lots of quests before... Not sure how I feel about this.
 * Nyakik - I shall prove my superiority by completing your challenges in record time.
 * Clothovera - You're staying in the room, that's what.

Ennea stood outside the door to Clothovera's new dormitory; it was unassuming at first, with the letters CVI - 106 in numerals - magically lit in front of the wooden door like a sign, yet on the inside, Clothovera could make out that the place was essentially its own miniature home rather than just a bedroom as she had been expecting. Two bedrooms, a kitchen area, a toiletry, and a front room were contained within this evidently magically-provided space, perhaps through the same magic which contained the rest of the huge school, with furniture and other necessities spread throughout.


 * Clothovera - Oh... This place is huge!
 * Ennea - So you like it, then?
 * Clothovera - Yeah! I never had a room of my own.
 * Ennea - Well, just remember that you are sharing this place with a few other students. We have resources supplied for you to share between you, although you are free to set up your own personal belongings as well. Our crystal balls only have a few select recordings to choose from, after all.
 * Nyakik - My room now.
 * Clothovera - Who are these other students?
 * Ennea - Ooh, let me remember... Ah! Szalvetha Vairadi and Teael Sehenem, if I recall. Both members of our active quest program; Szalvetha is one of our few resident "anticasters" and Teael is a swordmage. I think you shall be this term's first full spellcaster to live in this dorm.
 * Nyakik - I do not like the sound of an "anticaster".
 * Ennea - Ah, do not dwell on it. You shall be fine! Surely you know of, the renowned vampire-slayer? The one that wielded the ancient Coronaira Whip? Well, he is an anticaster. He even took courses here!
 * Clothovera - Know him? Oh, I do. We have met.
 * Nyakik - It is a long story, do not ask.
 * Ennea - ... Oh yes, silly me. I should have known. Of course, now I am beginning to see why the Archtutor was so interested in having you attend our academy. Well, you have nothing to fear from Szalvetha or Teael, so go ahead and make yourself at home. ... Szalvetha! Teael! You have a guest!

Emerging from one of the bedrooms was an Aithrena elf dressed in casual clothing although she appeared to have been caught in the middle of changing as she was called; Teael Sehenem wore a hide jacket which hung loosely from her shoulders and shorts which revealed much of her long legs, while she kept her arms folded over her torso to hide her lack of vest as she wore an expression of notable embarrassment and frustration. She had shaved her hair into some form of a short, blonde mohawk, keeping her face clear of any hair that could get in her eyes or mouth. Positioned against the wall next to her bedroom was a sheathed curved blade marked with Aithrenic inscriptions.


 * Teael - Ngh! Could you knock next time, Ennea?! I-I was in the middle of getting changed-- Oh. Excuse me, I had not seen you there, miss...?
 * Nyakik - Nyakik Moirai, new master of this house-room.
 * Clothovera - Shut up. I'm Clothovera. I'm your new roommate.
 * Teael - Moirai...?

Out of another bedroom emerged Szalvetha. Indeed, like Yurthez, she was a Derevar, and she peeked out of her room with an expression of indifference as she held on to a book about alchemy. Her long hair covered one of her eyes, much like Clothovera, and she wore a large magician's hat which further covered her face.


 * Szalvetha - What now? Moirai's room is over at the boys' quarter... Wait a second, you're not a boy.
 * Teael - Clothovera... Moirai?
 * Clothovera - Yeah. That's my name... Why do you look so surprised?
 * Nyakik - She cannot get over the magnificent thing that is us Moirai.
 * Szalvetha - That cat talks.
 * Ennea - Oh please, Szalvetha. Surely you know what a familiar is?
 * Szalvetha - I know what they are. I also know talking animals tend to be annoying.
 * Clothovera - Well, you're not wrong.
 * Nyakik - Hey!
 * Teael - ... I never knew Damon had a daughter. At least, you look young enough to be daughter.

At this moment, both Clothovera and Nyakik froze completely. The witch's eyes widened as she appeared to shiver in place, and she struggled to speak as she questioned the Aithrena.


 * Clothovera - D-did... did you j-just say... Damon?
 * Teael - Yeah, Damon. . He's one of the Adjutors that work here. He never looked like he had a wife or girlfriend, so I could never imagine him having kids.
 * Ennea - ... Oh dear. I am so sorry, Clothovera. It slipped my mind entirely.
 * Nyakik - How do you know Damon? You are all lying! Damon died a decade ago!
 * Clothovera - M-my... m-my brother is here?!
 * Szalvetha - Ooh, boy.
 * Teael - Y-Your brother?! Damon Moirai is your brother?! He never spoke about having a sister before! We... We thought he was the last of the Moirai Clan.
 * Ennea - As Teael said, Damon is an Adjutor; in other words, he is my apprentice. I took him in, taught him, and raised him a decade ago and he decided he wished to become a teaching assistance here. I am so sorry that I forgot to tell you...

Clothovera clenched her fists as she turned to Ennea. The Erylian could see the girl was close to breaking into tears.


 * Clothovera - Where is my brother? Take me to him! Now!
 * Ennea - I am afraid that Damon is busy helping organize the entrance ceremony right now. Once the ceremony has been concluded, I will bring him aside and formally introduce... erm, reintroduce you two. Is there anything else I can do for you until then?
 * Clothovera - No... I just... want to see Damon...
 * Ennea - ... Girls, help Clothovera settle in. As we have only two bedrooms in this dorm, she will be sharing one of them with you. And I want you all to be dressed appropriately for the ceremony; it starts in an hour, after all. Clothovera, I will go talk to your brother in the meantime and prepare him to meet you after the ceremony is over.
 * Teael - If you want, you can sleep in my room. It's spacious in there and it's not full of all that crap that Szalvetha thought to bring with her.
 * Szalvetha - Yes. Teael will take care of you better than the Derevar ever could.
 * Teael - ... That's not what I was implying. You always gotta twist whatever I say, Szal.
 * Szalvetha - It's true, though. One of you try and sleep next to me, you're not gonna have a good night. I am, among other things, "creepy" and "unpleasant to be around".
 * Teael - Grr. ... Anyway, that's not important right now. Come on Clotho-- I can call you Clotho, right? I'll help you set up your stuff before we gotta go. I've got snacks to make you feel better as well--
 * Ennea - Eating snacks in your rooms? Naughty, naughty.
 * Clothovera - Okay...
 * Nyakik - One question though. Where is Felvinus? Is he with Damon?
 * Szalvetha - The black sarcastic talking cat Damon keeps around? Yes.
 * Nyakik - ... Yes, I feel happy.

Without another word, Teael approached Clothovera and helped pick up her belongings; for an elf, she could lift a surprising amount of weight as she carried all of the heavy load which the young witch had brought with her without breaking a sweat before walking back towards her bedroom. Ennea, reaching into one of her pockets, brought out a handkerchief for Clothovera to wipe her tears away with before seemingly vanishing before her very eyes - a slight breeze of wind being the only trace of her presence before she disappeared entirely.

There had been assigned seats upon rows of benches in the Hall of Ceremonies - a dedicated place where events of religious, traditional, and celebratory nature were held, including dances and speeches. Clothovera was assigned a seat among the middle rows, with Teael and Szalvetha sitting on either side of her, and the students gathered in the hall were left to observe a stage with a long table and a row of expensive, regal thrones perched upon it. Sitting upon the largest and most imperious throne was the Archtutor of the Grand Collegium, who was a young and dashing Aithrena man with a clear hint of Erylian blood within his veins as exampled by his somewhat darker skin and his stylish eastern robes. Sat next to him were his highest authorital members of staff, each a diverse and notable individual in their own right based upon their appearances. A clear mix of old and young with a range of stylish and expensive clothes. Despite having assisted with organizing the ceremony, Clothovera could not see Damon around.

The witch lowered her head, a saddened expression on her face as she could not see her brother, who she thought dead for so many years. Szalvetha, as expected of a Derevar, showed an expression of indifference as she looked around, though those who could identify her kind's emotions could see some enjoyment in her eyes. Teael appeared somewhat bored, her arms crossed and her position slouched where she sat while she pouted in an impatient, grumpy manner.


 * Teael - Man, this is so dull. And what's taking them so long to start? They shouldn't accomodate for late arrivals, I say. And you'd think they would at least serve food here! What's the big deal, eh?!
 * Szalvetha - You're still hungry?
 * Teael - Hey, breakfast is not going to keep me full forever! Even if it was three servings of it, breakfast is still breakfast; it tides you over until lunch. Why, aren't you hungry?
 * Szalvetha - No.
 * Teael - Gah! What about you, Clotho? You agree with me right? We can go grab ourselves some food after this snooze fest is over. I hear there is a place in town which cooks great fish!
 * Clothovera - ... The two of you, how much do you know Damon?
 * Teael - Well, Damon's not exactly the most talkative guy in the world. He opens his mouth when he needs to, otherwise he keeps to himself and does his own thing. He's helpful, though. ... Oh! And he's a total dream boat!
 * Szalvetha - Yeah, the whole "cool and collected" act makes all the girls crazy around him. One time he took his shirt off for a quest and Teael wouldn't shut up about it.
 * Teael - Dude! Damon totally has, like, an eight pack under his shirt! ... Well, not quite, but he's still fit. And those tattoos? Man! I totally need to go to the parlour he got those done!
 * Clothovera - Our mother gave us those tattoos when we were young... Seems like my big brother has grown a lot...
 * Szalvetha - You don't sound too happy about it.
 * Clothovera - Well... apparently, he never mentioned me...
 * Teael - Well, he probably mentioned something to Ennea. She was the one that brought him up, after all. They're inseparable! And he gets pissed off whenever somebody tries to talk back to her or shows her any attitude. ... Maybe he thought you were, you know...
 * Szalvetha - That's probably it. Old wounds don't heal quickly. But it's hard to say. We hang out with him, but we're not the ones who spend all the time with him. That'd be Heilen and Pyrath, his roommates.
 * Teael - You'll probably meet those guys when you meet Damon. And you'll quickly go sick of Heilen, I can guarantee. He's such a little shithead. I'm surprised Damon lets him hang out with him.
 * Clothovera - What's so bad about this Heilen?
 * Szalvetha - He creeps me out. And I'm supposed to be the creepy one.
 * Teael - And he's always telling shitty jokes! And he's lazy! It's a wonder how he gets any work done considering how useless he is!
 * Clothovera - ... Damon has a weird taste in friends then.

Suddenly, a loud cough was made from the stage, grabbing the attention of all the students and teachers present within the room. Clearing his throat before he stood up from his seat, the Archtutor loomed over the crowd of people that had sat before him, analyzing each and every student attentively while maintaining a warm smile on his face - a smile that was present on the faces of at least a few members of the staff that were allowed to sit alongside him, although it was notably absent from the face of another, possibly younger Aithrena man who was seated precisely to the Archtutor's left side, whose robes were dark and whose posture showed impatience and boredom while his face was contorted into a sneer. The Archtutor raised his arms in a welcoming manner, bowing before the students in an act of humility and respect which was swiftly returned by his pupils as a matter of courtesy. When he spoke, he spoke with a deep, firm and confident tone with a hint of an eastern flicker in his accent.


 * Archtutor - Greetings, my wondrous apprenti, and welcome to a new year for the Grand Sovereign State-College of Magicka... or, to allow you to keep your breath, the Grand Collegium of Magicae. I am your Archtutor, Selsor Granvinran, and it shall be my responsibility to teach you the ancient arts, to guide your innate talents, and to ultimately protect you and allow you to secure a future for yourselves. ... To the older and more experienced students, you will know me as Archtutor Eigeyem's successor. May we spare a thought for his memory.

Around the room, older students bowed their heads in solemn respect. Teael too bowed her head, although she did not have as much conviction as her fellow students for she was beginning to grow more desparate to leave; Clothovera could note that the Aithrena held a clenched hand over her left breast, above where her heart was, and the branded signet of membership which glimmered with silver while the young witch's own was made from bronze - a symbol representing how long she had been attending. Szalvetha also wore the same ring, for they were both students attending for a second year in a row and she bowed her head much like her Aithrena roommate. Seeing the others doing it, Clothovera mimicked the bow, albeit not without some flaws to her postures.


 * Selsor - Let our mourning not compromise the dawn of a new term, however. Eigeyem would not have allowed for it and let us hope that his memory will grant our new arrivals fortune in their attendance. A banquet to celebrate our new year shall be arranged tonight, so you had all best dress as appropriately as possible. Our Tutors and Adjutors will be handing out routine sheets for you to follow for the following term detailing your lessons and any events our staff has organized. ... Oh, and before I forget, let us grant a round of applause for our new Vice Archtutor, Osvernal Eilenneim!

The man that sat beside the Archtutor's side raised a hand in ackowledgement, his sneering expression swiftly changing into a feined, closed smile while students throughout the Hall of Ceremonies clapped and applauded him. Although she could not pin a finger as to why, Clothovera felt something innately strange about the Aithrena, as if there were a thick, suffocating aura of darkness about his presence which could only be seen to her. He had not bothered to stand as the Archtutor did, instead remaining with his leg folded over the other while paying only the slightest amount of interest in the ceremony, his eyes sharply glancing over the crowd before they seemed to almost single in towards the bench where Clothovera had been seated; she could feel his glare almost pierce through her like a blade the moment he laid his eyes upon her. The young witch's face showed apprehension as she stared back at Osvernal, with her not understanding what was taking place. She looked at the others to see if there was any reaction, but it was clear they were not seeing what she was seeing. Osvernal's smile cracked somewhat before it returned to the snarling scowl that he wore before, and Clothovera could feel as if she had sworn to have noticed something... familiar about the way his face emoted. As if she had seen this behaviour elsewhere.


 * Teael - Man, that guy's such a creep. He doesn't even bother to say anything! He just sits around and acts all high and mighty. Gah, I'm glad I am not specializing in dark magic so I don't have to look at his shitty mug every day.
 * Clothovera - There's something very wrong about that man...
 * Teael - Just wait until he has to open his mouth or when he laughs. You'll wish you could have torn your own ears off before you had to hear him. ... Apparently he likes to pick favourites in class and treats almost everyone like dirt as well.
 * Clothovera - I mean, he looked straight at me... and I felt something evil in him. Couldn't you feel it?
 * Szalvetha - You're asking if a Derevar can feel magic.
 * Teael - Evil? ... Hm, yeah. I would say he looks pretty damn evil. Maybe he might have taken a liking for you though, Clotho. No offense but you look like a... an... umbramancer.
 * Szalvetha - How is that offensive? That's literally how dark mages are called.
 * Teael - Yeah, but I know that humans tend to get all pissy about being associated with dark magic.
 * Clothovera - ... I'm not human.
 * Teael - Right, right. Half-elf. I just thought that, well, since you're a Moirai you were raised by humans and--
 * Clothovera - Elves. Humans and elves. Aithrena elves.
 * Teael - Well, I didn't have a doubt about you being part Aithrena. I mean, you have that look about you, if you get what I'm saying. And those horns, too! ... You must have had a good family if your mother and father stayed together despite being human and elf. I know many half-elves don't get that opportunity.
 * Clothovera - We lived together... Me, mom, dad, Nyakik, Damon... until the Inquisitors and the cultists arrived.
 * Teael - Ouch, girl... I'll shut my mouth for now. I don't want to bum you out even more than you already were. That's Szal's job.
 * Szalvetha - I'm not the one who took this long to get the hint.

The ceremony continued; more cheers and applause was had, the members of staff were introduced to the new students, and information regarding school clubs and quest assignments was practically hammered into the students' ears before the event was brought to a conclusion. As dashing and handsome as Selsor was, he spoke for far too long and often managed to go distract himself with tangents and thoughts that were not relevant to the speech he was supposed to give. Following the conclusion, the girls left their seats and, as per Teael's encouragement, moved back to the main entrance hall and sat at one of the available benches and tables so that she could arrange snacks and card games for the three of them to play as they bid their time. She was sincere when she said it was no intention of hers to bring Clothovera down further, feeling as if she now had an obligation to attempt distracting her from the memories she unwittingly managed to bring up. Clothovera ate her snacks quietly, and while she appreciated the Aithrena's gesture, her mind was elsewhere; she wanted to meet Damon and nothing else.


 * Teael - ... I wonder where Damon is right now. He's probably being forced to suffer through Heilen's shitty jokes again. I hope he doesn't bring that shithead with him when he comes to meet up with you.
 * Szalvetha - The two of you need to shut up and kiss already.
 * Teael - Me? Kiss Heilen?! You're joking, right?! I'm nowhere near interested in that guy; if he really wants, he can bend down and kiss my ass because the face is too tired of his shit.
 * Szalvetha - Maybe you'll like that, then.
 * Teael - ... W-Wait, no, I didn't mean it like that! S-Shut up, Szal!
 * Clothovera - ... He's not coming, is he?
 * Teael - Huh? Oh... I'm s-sure he'll come, Clotho. You're his sister, after all. Maybe he's just busy helping out with clearing up the Hall. That's the kinda stuff he gets paid to do, after all.
 * Szalvetha - Or maybe he really doesn't care. Damon is so cold, after all.
 * Teael - Way to help out, Szal. You're such a great motivator.

At this moment, loud sounds were heard coming from inside the hall. Objects and students were flung away as a man, standing taller than Clothovera but with similar facial features to her, dashed through it, unleashing gushes of wind behind him to increase his speed. Clothovera turned her head to the source of the commotion to see him going at her direction, and she had little time to react as he tackled her. Szalvetha narrowed her eyes as she held on to her hat so that it would not fly off of her head, and as the dust settled, she could see the man had wrapped his arms around Clothovera in a tight hug, his expression displaying shock. Teael, meanwhile, was knocked from her seat and landed on her back with her legs in the air before beginning yell curses and exclamations.


 * Damon - Clotho!!
 * Clothovera - D...D-Damon...?
 * Teael - Damon, what the fuck?! Be more careful when you're doing your wind stuff, you damned clutz!

Damon ignored Teael completely as he looked at Clothovera, with her coming to do the same as the siblings realized how much they had grown since the last time they saw each other. Both of them failed to control themselves as tears fell from their eyes, which to the Collegium girls was not something they had ever seen before: Damon crying. Teael began to quiet down as she saw the two Moirai siblings embracing one another, tilting her head while she moved to stand up and look down at the emotional mess that was Clothovera and Damon as they reunited with one another after spending a decade apart and alone.


 * Teael - Damon...?
 * Szalvetha - By Isiris, leave them alone.
 * Damon - Where were you all this time? Why didn't you make contact?
 * Clothovera - I thought I was the only survivor... I moved to the south to escape the human lands... I had no idea...
 * Damon - ... And why in the Twelve Hells has no one told me anything?!
 * Teael - D-Don't look at me! Ennea was the one in charge of all that stuff! She forgot to tell Clotho that you were still alive earlier as well.
 * Damon - She didn't tell me she was alive until the end of the damned ceremony!
 * Teael - Well, hey, you're both back together again now. That's what counts, right? ... Man, do any of you need a tissue? I can see your eyeliner running down your face. Damon.
 * Clothovera - Heh... still a hothead, even after all this time.
 * Damon - Well, you know me. You know me better than anyone else.
 * Clothovera - I have so much to tell you. I've been through all sorts of messed-up adventures.
 * Szalvetha - And Damon has been mopping the floor of this place.
 * Damon - ... It's not too wrong.

Teael proceeded to reach down and grab the two Moirai siblings by their collars before raising them unsteadily onto their feet, dusting off their clothes before placing her hands on her hips and wiping a single tear from her eye with a wide smile on her face.


 * Teael - Man, this is just enough to make me cry. I... I gotta write about this in my journal so I don't forget about it.
 * Szalvetha - Not for me. I don't really feel.
 * Teael - Ah, don't be a liar, Szal. I've seen the way you look at your anticaster Tutor's Adjutor and how they look back at you... With cold, dead stares.
 * Szalvetha - Did I mention how good of a guinea pig you are for my potions? Because you are.
 * Teael - Did I mention that you can be an absolute bitch at times?
 * Heilen - I dunno, she's got competition.

Out of nowhere, a Hikamera male appeared behind Teael, looking over her shoulder. He had a sarcastic, toothy grin on his lazy-looking face and wore a small hat. Teael felt a shiver crawl down her spine as he suddenly appeared behind her, somehow managing to avoid being noticed by the entire group. The Aithrena, in a fit of shock and severe agitation, proceeded to turn her self around and swing her fist forward in an attempt to punch the Hikamera, though he promptly removed his head from the way.


 * Teael - Son of a bitch!
 * Heilen - Hmmm, only a little bit rude? My mom's a beautiful person.
 * Teael - Screw you and your mom! Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on people like that? You could have been anybody! I could have been stabbed in the back and not even realize until I'm stuck on the floor bleeding to death.
 * Szalvetha - Hello again, Heilen.
 * Heilen - Sup, Szal.
 * Clothovera - So this is the famed Heilen, eh?
 * Damon - Yeah. Heilen Shinerun, one of my roommates.
 * Clothovera - ... Shinerun? I know a girl with that surname. Name's Lyra.
 * Heilen - My big sis? How's she doing?
 * Clothovera - She's okay. Last I saw her, she's adventuring with a friend of hers.
 * Heilen - Ah, doing what she loves best then. My sis is awesome.
 * Teael - ... Man, so much brother and sister stuff today. Where's Pyrath, Heilen? ... Wait, don't answer that. You left him behind, didn't you?
 * Heilen - Me? Damon left us both behind when he suddenly took off to meet Miss Eyebags here. He should be arriving soon. Oh, and glad to hear you found your sis, Damon.
 * Damon - Hm. Thanks.

Amidst the commotion that was caused by Damon's sudden entrance into the main hall, the sound and sensation of a sudden light breeze of wind could be felt as the girls in the group had to stop their robes and clothes from being blown about and potentially revealing anything they did not want on show. The older Moirai could feel a pair of soft fingers pinch his cheek and pull; Ennea tutted in a teasing manner, a hand on her hip as she shook her head although she was clearly smiling.


 * Ennea - Bad Damon, causing a mess in the main hall on the first day! Do you not realize that the janitorum works hard to maintain this place? What have you got to say for yourself, hm~?
 * Damon - ... Why did you tell me my sister was here sooner?!
 * Ennea - Oh. Erm... Surprise? ... I am so sorry.
 * Damon - You should be. I told you about her so many times and you drop the ball this hard.
 * Ennea - It slipped my mind! You know how forgetful I can be, Damon, and you were busy with getting the ceremony together and I did not wish to disturb you.
 * Heilen -  Maybe one day she'll forget to get dressed. 
 * Ennea - Ohohoh, don't think I cannot hear you, Heilen. And it would not be the first time; you would know that if you did not spend all of your time sleeping.

Heilen shrugged.


 * Heilen - Well, okay then. You're damn hot.
 * Damon - Dude. She's like, my mother.
 * Heilen - A man's gotta open his heart.
 * Ennea - ... Oh! Because I am an Erylian! Hahaha! Teehee, it really seems you Hikamera have an eye for these things.
 * Heilen - Oh man. Now I think I'm really in love.
 * Szalvetha - This is gonna be the death of Teael

As Szalvetha said this, the group could hear Teael suddenly burst into a loud, agitated scream; her hands clasping onto her horns and her head laid backwards as she seemed to react in outright pain towards the jokes and puns being passed around. As she began screaming, she was swiftly silenced by a hand being placed upon her shoulder, causing her to turn around and see Pyrath; a young, well-built Erylian wearing a jacket with furred trims and sporting a rather ridiculous pompadour as he kept one hand in his pocket and the other on Teael's shoulder. As the Erylian opened his mouth to speak, he was inhibited by a sudden dosage of palm connecting with his cheek.


 * Teael - What is it with you guys and sneaking up on people?!
 * Pyrath - Ah!
 * Heilen - Teael, please stop screaming like a little girl and trying to hurt us.
 * Pyrath - Yeah, what the Twelve Hells, Teael?
 * Teael - Oh, sorry. I guess your hair must have scared me.
 * Pyrath - What the fuck did you just say about my hair?!
 * Damon - ... Anyway. This is Pyrath, my other roommate. Pyrath, this is my sister, Clothovera.
 * Clothovera - Uh. Hello.
 * Pyrath - Huh? ... Oh! Hello there, Little Miss Moirai! I don't think Damon introduced me as properly as he should have; I am Pyrath Cindraech! Second year student of Pyromancy Arts! Second year student of Alchemical Study! And second year frontline adventurer! At your service!
 * Heilen - And professional dragon wanker, all years.
 * Pyrath - Ngh! I've told you before, it's dragon blood! Not saliva, not semen! Blood! Why don't you believe me?!
 * Clothovera - ... Man, Damon. You got quite a collection of people here.
 * Damon - Your friends any stranger?
 * Clothovera - ... Actually, yes. A lot stranger. You said Ennea was your adoptive mom? Mine was a witch in a cave shaped like a skull.
 * Heilen - Wow. She speaks as much nonsense as you, Damon. You really are siblings.

As the group spoke and chatted among themselves, with Damon and Clothovera catching up with one another and telling stories of their decade apart, there was some sense of normality returning to the main hall. Ennea had left to assist in preparing for the student feast tonight while the students were allowed to hang around and get to know Clothovera better while they also informed her of all the intricacies of the school and the activities and lessons it hosted. As they spoke, they did not go unnoticed; various eyes watched them from afar, observing them and paying heed to their tales and plans while making sure not to have their presence become known to them. As Clothovera was swiftly welcomed a member of this new circle of friends, she was oblivious to the sharp stare imposed upon her from afar as the Vice Archtutor, Osvernal, moved from the Hall of Ceremonies to return to his office and private quarters.

A new year had just began at the Grand Sovereign State-College; there was much learning to be done and many quests and adventures to undertake for the sake of knowledge and experience. And despite her new, seemingly cosy surroundings in a place where she could finally feel accepted, Clothovera would not be able to shake the feeling that in time, it was inevitable for trouble to arise as it always had wherever she travelled.

3/9/34: The First Class
Classroom 2.038: Arts of Umbramancy and Umbramantic Study

It had been two days since the start of the new term and was approximately halfway through the week, with official lessons being deemed appropriate to start as both the new and older students have spent their time settling into their rooms and becoming familiar with the routines and lesson plans as well as the Collegium building. It was a comparatively grey day today; the sun hid behind a heavy veil of clouds which darkened the sky and dampened the optimism of many of the attending students with the prospect of rain - at least, for students who had chosen not to undertake practice in the arts of hydromancy. Clothovera, now that she had been adjusted to her dormitory, was considered fit for learning and had been assigned to morning classes ran somewhat unexpectedly by the new Vice Archtutor, Osvernal Eilenneim, with her first lesson pertaining towards the definition and history of the practice of umbramancy alongside its uses and the extent of its versatility. She was sat in a class of around 80 or so other students who had been assigned to take morning classes, with many being Aithrena or having shared Aithrena heritage although there were some students from other notable elven races.

The room was structured much like a lecture hall; ascending rows of wooden disks with various flights of stairs to divide these rows into three separate segments - left, middle, and right - and a singular set of wooden doors to serve as a main entrance and exit for those inside. The students were allowed to pick which seats they wished to sit rather than having their Tutor assign them seating places - Clothovera had chosen to sit at the last row of the middle segment, mostly due to her shyness. She had brought Alhazred to class, with him still being dormant ever since her arrival, which she used to make notes. The class had started not long ago yet it already felt as if Osvernal was droning on, although in truth, it was through no fault of his own as in spite of his rather inhospitable expression, his voice was deep and smooth with a certain calm fluidity to it that caused people to get lost in it while losing the sense of meaning to the words he was saying. It would have been a handsome and attractive voice had it belonged to someone other than a seemingly crooked figure such as Osvernal, even if he was tall and well-built in a rather effeminate way. Even his face could have been tolerable were it not for the persistent disgusted or snarling expressions he made.


 * Osvernal - ... So you see, class; in spite of what others tell you, umbramancy is a magic fit for more than mere combat and unhallowed practices. It is an art deeply-routed in Aithrena culture and has been used for an equally diverse range of purposes as even arcanomancy. Only an uneducated simpleton would deny umbramancy of the credit owed to its practitioners. In fact, the combined versatility and potency of umbramancy... Are you listening, girl?

Suddenly, the Aithrena outstretched his arm and pointed a slender, almost clawed finger in Clothovera's direction, eyeing her up and down in an analytical manner; his stance was striking and dynamic, contrasting with the calm and reserved tone in his voice. The young witch jumped in her chair as she was pointed at, and she stuttered as she replied back.


 * Clothovera - Y-yes, sir!
 * Osvernal - Tsk. Then tell me, who was one of the earliest recorded human umbramancers and the first known one that was a human female? If you hold pride in your... Imperial heritage and your practice, you should be able to tell me. I did mention their name just some minutes ago, after all...
 * Clothovera - Uh, it was, urm... C-Clotholaire the Witch, s-sir.
 * Osvernal - Ah, very good. So were were paying attention in spite of how much the bags sagging from your eyes seem to be attempting to deceive me. ... Remind me, what was your name?
 * Clothovera - I'm C-Clothovera...
 * Osvernal - No doubt named after Clotholaire. You know that Clotholaire was said to be capable of moving the Twin Moons with but the tips of her fingers; that she was able to cast hexes which floored entire legions. ... That she could turn a Void Denizen inside-out by merely pointing at it. Your parents undoubtedly must have high expectations for you.
 * Clothovera - Uh... Yes, sir.
 * Osvernal - You have much to live up to if you wish not to disappoint them. To think a human like Clotholaire could have achieved so much... Hm. A true shame she was the only human worthy of note for our sacred umbramantic practice.

With that, Osvernal turned once again, lowering his arm while he maliciously smiled at Clothovera and returned to lecturing his students; his small tangent had attracted some eyes towards the witch's direction, with some having been amused at the instance of her name and the subsequent comparison between her and the archaic Dawn Warden of ancient myth. Even if she was attempting to pay attention to what it was that the Vice Archtutor was saying, she could not help but feel as if there were instances of chatter around the classroom between a few groups of notably elven students, while the apparently human student who sat beside her had graciously said nothing to either her or anyone around himself and kept his mouth shut. The witch's pointed ears dropped as she tilted her head down in embarrassment, and she opened Alhazred over her face in order to block it from the view of the other students.

Some minutes passed while Osvernal carried on his lesson before there was the sudden sound of bird squawks coming from the front of the room where the master umbramancer had been teaching; a raven locked in a golden cage cawed loudly as Osvernal spoke, causing the Aithrena to become partially irritated although he simply masked his frustration with a sigh and placed his hands into his pockets. Glancing up at his students, he frowned and spoke;


 * Osvernal - Break. You have 25 minutes to yourselves; I suggest using that time to organize and compose your notes. ... Meanwhile, I am going to shut this damned bird up.

The Vice Archtutor proceeded to kick the stand that the cage was perched upon, causing the raven to panic inside and begin squawking and cawing louder which in turn irritated Osvernal's ears. Clothovera got up from her seat, taking Alhazred with her as she made her way out of the classroom. She walked out and proceeded to go to directions given to her by Damon beforehand, where they would spend their break together. However, despite her being one of the first students to have left the classroom and the brisk pace that she walked at, there was nothing she could do to stop her from being followed; as she made haste through one of the corridors leading to the main hall, a sharp whistle from nearly pierced her eardrums. She winced as she stopped in place, letting Alhazred fall on the floor as she put her hands on her ears to try and make the noise stop, which allowed for the book to be kicked a metre or so away from her by a tall, rather curvacious figure draped in arcane robes that loomed behind her. An attractive Aithrena girl who sported a slight scar beneath her left eye, with her hair braided and decorated into a ponytail which sat over her shoulder and an attitude that seemed to Clothovera as rotten and foul as shit.


 * ??? - Clothovera, eh? Your parents must have intentionally set themselves up for disappointment by calling you a name like that. Named after the Mother of Witchcraft yet you carry yourself with as much grace and pride as a begger.
 * Clothovera - H-hey! What's the big idea?! Who do you think you are?!
 * ??? - Vhalra Kasalsain; pride of the Kasalsain family of Archlore and second year student. Daughter of Ardas Kasalsain, which in other words means I am the granddaughter of one of the richest Aithrena mages this side of the Eastern Continent. In even simpler terms; your superior.
 * Clothovera - Sod off. You're not my Tutor. Leave me alone.
 * Vhalra - Or what? You'll attack me with your eyebags? Listen up, halfcast; I know you are attending here for free. You do not look like you are rich or come from a rich family, which means that the Collegium is paying for you to come here. It's utterly stupid that they were willing to pay for a halfcast witch to come here while pureblooded and talented elves like myself have to pay. Just because the Collegium thinks you're some miracle does not mean you stand equal to people like me.
 * Clothovera - Yeah? Well I don't care for what you think. Go away and leave me be, before I decide to hurt you!
 * Vhalra - Hmph. And Archtutor Granvinran thought that continuing to let humans and human-raised halfcasts into the Collegium was a good idea. Why don't you save yourself the embarassment of failing to prove your worth here and go back to Mannazia where your little party tricks will impress those apes?

Clothovera clenched her fists in anger as she glared at Vhalra, but before she could give any reply, Alhazred rose from the floor behind her. The demon hex book was engulfed in an aura of red energy as he floated over the ground, his four blood-red eyes opening to reveal his feline-like pupils, and his mouth opened to reveal his enlarged, vampiric fangs and a long forked tongue.


 * Alhazred - You dare kick me, mortal? I will drain you of your blood until you are naught but a hollowed husk!
 * Vhalra - What the... W-What the fuck?! You have a talking tome?!
 * Clothovera - ... I don't know what you're talking about, bub.
 * Alhazred - Your insolence can only be repaid with pain!

Alhazred let out a ear-piercing shriek as his eyes let out a bright shine. Out of his mouth came out what looked like the long, thin, emaciated arm of a Blood Elemental, whose gargled roars could be heard coming from the book. Not willing to challenge it, Vhalra panicked and turned, shoving Clothovera while she ran back to the classroom as cold sweat dripped from her brow. She did not say another word to the witch, her words taken by scared and truly pitiful gasps for air and release from the situation at hand. As she was out of sight, Alhazred swallowed the arm back into his mouth as his aura dissipated, and he gently floated back to Clothovera's arms, who let out a giggle as she embraced the book.


 * Clothovera - Thanks, Al.
 * Alhazred - You are welcome, my dear.
 * Clothovera - Was the gross arm necessary, though? What if there were more people watching?
 * Alhazred - Then they would also learn not to get in our way. Now, let us meet your friends.

The group had been sitting at the same bench and table they gathered at a few days before now, which was located in one of the corners of the great main hall thus out of the way for the most part and unlikely to be the centre of much attention. There were not as many students about as it was due to some still being in class and having to wait longer for class, and in fact Pyrath himself had excused himself with a toiletry break as a means to get out of class early. The Erylian was combing through his hair so as to style his pompadour while Teael looked as if she happened to be napping, her body slouched across the bench while her long, slender and pale legs were stretched across the table in a notably lazy manner. Sitting by her side was Szalvetha, who as usual was reading on her book about alchemy with an indifferent look on her face. Damon had his back leaned on a nearby wall while Heilen, with his usual toothy grin, squatted near him at the opposide side of where the Derevar was sitting.


 * Pyrath - Man, that's one thing I don't like about Pyromancy Arts. Whenever I really try to put effort into casting, my hair lights itself on fire! And that means I have to spend time styling it again! It sucks!
 * Heilen - May I say, you fire elves have it hot.
 * Pyrath - Don't you mean "rough"?
 * Szalvetha - Good thing Teael is asleep right now.
 * Pyrath - Ya know, I've been thinking about something. If Teael is sleeping here and we're all here with her... Doesn't that mean that we're all sleeping with her?
 * Damon - Dude.
 * Heilen - Wow. We didn't even ask her out.
 * Pyrath - Heh, yeah. Then again, that is Szalvetha's job. They live together, after all. I wonder who wears the pants in their relationship.
 * Szalvetha - Me.
 * Pyrath - Oh yeah? Prove it.

Szalvetha closed her book before leaning over to Pyrath. Her eyes were wide open as she stared right at him with a face of complete indifference, nearly touching him due to how close she was. The Erylian began to sweat and quiver as he attempted to stare back, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead as he was made to feel as uncomfortable as possible by her intrusion into his personal space along with the blank, soulless expression she wore as she did so. All the while, he was arching himself back, inching himself away from her only to have her continue to move in closer to him... until he eventually fell off of his seat and landed on his back.


 * Pyrath - Ouch! W-What the hell?!
 * Szalvetha - And that's how my folks solve arguments with other elves.
 * Pyrath - That's messed up, Szal. ... N-No offence.

Szalvetha simply came back to where she was sitting, opening her book to resume her reading while Heilen chuckled over the scene. At this moment, Clothovera finally arrived, and Damon looked at her with a small smile on his usually stoic face. Pyrath looked up at her as he grabbed his comb from the floor and moved to stand up and greet her.


 * Damon - Hey. What took you so long?
 * Clothovera - Some bitch called Vhalra tried to harrass me on the way.
 * Pyrath - Vhalra? ... Oh! I know that girl. She's okay once you get to know her a little more. Not so big on humans or half-elves or... well, non-elves in general, really. One of those, uh, "puritan" types.
 * Heilen - I've tried to ask her out a couple of times. It always ends the same way. "Where'd you come from" and "get the hell off of my back".
 * Pyrath - ... Anyway. She didn't hurt you, did she?
 * Clothovera - Nah. I've taken care of her.
 * Damon - Say, is that the old family book? You still got that thing with you?
 * Clothovera - Oh yes! I forgot to show Alhazred to you guys.
 * Pyrath - Alhazred? You... You gave your book a name? That's kinda sad, not gonna lie.
 * Szalvetha - ... Hm. I should have thought of that sooner.
 * Pyrath - Hey, Teael! Wake up, shithead, Clotho wants to show us something cool!

The swordmage's eyes fluttered open and moved her legs off of the table, sitting herself up and yawning while stretching her arms out. Rubbing one of her eyes, she smiled at Clothovera while shoving a hand, emphasizing on her middle finger, in Pyrath's face without even giving him a glance. Clothovera turned around to make sure there was no one else watching before showing Alhazred's cover to the group; before their eyes, his face awoke to reveal his four eyes and mouth, and he smiled at them. Damon's eyes widened as did Heilen's, while Szalvetha learned her head closer in curiosity. Teaal and Pyrath also leaned over, momentarily shoving each other as they tried to get a good look at the book.


 * Alhazred - A pleasure to meet you. And also, a pleasure to see you alive and well, master Damon.
 * Heilen - ... Hoh. I swear, someone must've drugged my drink again.
 * Szalvetha - That book just talked.
 * Pyrath - I heard of talking tomes before now, but... I've never seen one this ugly before!
 * Damon - I don't remember our family book being able to talk...
 * Clothovera - Oh, he only revealed himself a few years back. Which reminds me, how come you never warned me my brother was still alive, Al?
 * Alhazred - I was not aware. The knowledge of it was likely blocked out of my mind by .
 * Szalvetha - Now it's talking about one of the Twelve Pagans.
 * Teael - Isn't Zran Kar the one responsible for killing a load of your people, Szal?
 * Szalvetha - Yes. Zran Kar is the demon lord of all vampires.
 * Pyrath - Now I know I'm dreaming. Not only have you got a talking tome, but it was written by Zran Kar? Man, sounds like Clotho's life has been far more dramatic than yours, Damon.
 * Alhazred - We did not even get to the part where I am one of the ancient Dawn Wardens cursed into a book, originally being the wielder of the Coronaira Whip.
 * Teael - Kormacvarah... Kormacvarah... Hey, those are those old dudes that used to live next to the Aithrena and used Sun magic. I thought they were all dead by now. I mean, their bones are supposedly a part of Archlore now as a sign of respect and honour to their memory. But what do I know, eh?
 * Heilen - ... That thing's a demon.
 * Clothovera - That's a bit uncalled for.
 * Alhazred - No no, he is correct. I am a Sanguinary of Sanguine Hill in this current state. A demon as much as the other creatures who dwell that plane of existence. It is the main reason I have been dormant in our stay here, for I am unsure what the superiors of this place would do were they to find out a Sanguinary is in the hands of a student.
 * Teael - You could use this thing to rip Vhalra's head off, dude! Or burn her into a crisp! You have unlimited possibilities! And you can use it to get answers in class!
 * Alhazred - I have no intention of aiding Clothovera in cheating. As for the bully, I have already given her reasons to stay away. And perhaps a few nights worth of nightmares.
 * Damon - You showed yourself in front of her? She could tell on you.
 * Alhazred - And who would believe her? While dormant, I am as unremarkable as any old book.
 * Pyrath - So... are you like some sorta picture book? You have pictures and all that stuff inside of you? ... You got any pictures of ladies in there? O-Or guys, since Clotho is, well, a girl.
 * Alhazred - I am a near-omniscient book of hexes. I know all there is to know, as long as my mind is not blocked by Zran Kar... And yes, I have pictures in me. Illustrations help in understanding magic.
 * Pyrath - Y-Yeah, sure. U-Understanding magic. That's... That's totally what I figured you were useful for, ya know?
 * Heilen - No pics of naked dragon girls for you, Pyrath.
 * Pyrath - W-What the hell are you talking about?! How did you know about-- I mean, what makes you think I like that kinda thing, eh?! Keep talking, wise guy!
 * Heilen - I didn't, but you just confirmed it.
 * Teael - You know, it's risky showing yourself around these parts. Especially nowadays. Damon should know already, but I've been seeing more and more armed guards around the school. And... dwarves. A lot of dwarves.
 * Alhazred - It takes more than a few deiwes to put an entity like me down. And besides, as I said, when dormant, I am a book.
 * Pyrath - Why are there guards and dwarves everywhere, Damon? There a murderer on the loose or something?
 * Szalvetha - That might make things exciting for once.

Damon crossed his arms as he thought to himself.


 * Damon - I'm not quite sure. But I noticed the quests have been getting more dangerous as of late, and a lot of non-elven students have been nearly losing their lives. So the Collegium is hiring more security and outsourcing mercenaries to see if that helps.
 * Pyrath - Whoa. Ya think there's some sorta conspiracy going on? That there are people in the school wanting to kill off non-elves or something?
 * Clothovera - If there are more people like that Vhalra bitch, I'd not be surprised.
 * Damon - I'd have expected this place to be free of this kind of racism. This is the Sovereignty, not the damned Empire of Man.
 * Teael - Maybe the teachers... Nah, forget it. The Tutors couldn't possibly be involved. It'd look bad for business if they let whatever prejudices they have get in the way of study. Plus, surely they do checks on Tutors to make sure they're fit for teaching, you know?
 * Damon - Well, it'd be pretty weird if Ennea suddenly wanted to kill half-humans. We've been living together for a while now.
 * Heilen - Confirmed all Damon's fault.
 * Pyrath - Dude, she could be saving ya for last. She might be savouring ya before she goes in for the kill, wanting to see ya get scared and paranoid before she snuffs ya out.
 * Heilen - Ennea could savour me if you know what I mean.

Pyrath chuckled as he leaned against a wall with his hands in his pockets, before his eyes swiftly widened in panic and he began to sweat. Turning to his friends, he had an expression of utter fear on his face while his body began to tremble; he could barely control himself as he worriedly quivered where he stood, a chill rushing up his spine.


 * Clothovera - What's up with him?
 * Pyrath - G-Guys...
 * Heilen - Gosh, it wasn't me this time.
 * Pyrath - I don't know if any of ya noticed, but... We're all late for class!
 * Damon - ... Shit.
 * Clothovera - Aaaaahhh!!
 * Pyrath - Oh gods, oh man! Oh gods! Oh man! The teach is gonna have my head for this! Gah!

Heilen was already nowhere to be seen. Clothovera quickly closed Alhazred and put him under her arm as she ran off, while Damon used his power over the wind to increase his speed as he left. Szalvetha simply closed her book and walked away, as if ignoring the panic altogether. Teael shrugged and followed behind the Derevar, as they needed to take the same route in order to get to their classes. Pyrath, meanwhile, simply continued yelling and causing a fuss in the corner of the hall about how he was going to be late for class instead of actually going to class as he should have done; it was not just the fuss of being late for class which worried him so much, but also the fact that his hair was still not perfect and, in his eyes, he did not look anywhere near as presentable as he felt he should have been.

It did not make for a good first impression to be late on the first day of education. The students would know of this as they returned to their classrooms, where it was guaranteed that at least a few of them would receive both a firm talking to and several minutes of detention so that they may catch up on whatever learning they had unwittingly missed out on.

5/9/34: Shambles
Five Days into the New Term: Main Central Hall of the Grand Collegium

There were no lessons planned for today; preparations were to be made for the first quests of the new term and each adventure would obviously take various amounts of time to complete given the nature of individual assignments and the parties that were designated to them. It was approaching the afternoon and the group of friends that Clothovera Moirai had amassed were awaiting Ennea to grant them their assignment, for all they knew was that they had, quite fortunately, been grouped with one another into a single party rather than being split up and divided as was the case with many in the Collegium - there was no doubt that this had to be down to some intervention on part of either Damon or Ennea, or both, with the quest organizers. Teael, to prepare herself for the assignment, was found with a plate of steaming pieces of cooked chicken which she ripped and tore into relentlessly, eating in a messy and informal manner that would have been considered unbecoming for other Aithrena girls of her age while Pyrath looked on in envy, desiring to have a piece for himself although not willing to risk either stealing or sharing food with this hungry elven beast. Szalvetha had a flask in one hand, filled with a purple liquid, and a spotted mushroom on the other which she crushed on her grasp before pouring its pieces into the flask, which Clothovera watched with some curiosity. Heilen had a cup of water and watched Teael with some amusement, his face still in its typically lazy expression.


 * Heilen - We gotta watch out or Miss Ravenous Demon over here might eat us during the quest.
 * Teael - Nah, I wouldn't do that. I would not want to end up bloated and fat like you, Heilen.
 * Heilen - I'm like the thinnest guy here.
 * Teael - ... So you are. Wait, are you trying to call me fat?
 * Heilen - I'm not. You're calling yourself fat.
 * Pyrath - I dunno how ya can eat like that at a time like this. Aren't ya worried about the quest they're gonna give us? Ya heard Damon yesterday and how the quests are getting more and more dangerous with each term.
 * Szalvetha - They will not give us dangerous quests at the start.
 * Pyrath - Ya sound disappointed about that, Szal. ... And what are ya doing with that mushroom? I ain't seen a purple potion like that before.
 * Szalvetha - A potion. In the event something dangerous does happen.
 * Clothovera - That's a poisonous mushroom, isn't it?
 * Szalvetha - Yes. Spots equal poison.
 * Pyrath - ... I didn't know they let us pick poisonous mushrooms. Unless ya happen to be growing them somewhere.
 * Teael - Likely in her bedroom. She never lets anyone inside it and acts all suspicious whenever I question her about what's in it.
 * Szalvetha - Or I just pick them from the ground. You know, where mushrooms grow.
 * Teael - Where's Damon anyway? Is he with Ennea or something? I'm almost finished with my lunch and I've seen no sign of either of them anywhere.
 * Damon - We're here.

At this moment, Damon entered the room, his arms crossed behind his back. At his sides stood two figures; to his right was Ennea, who stood tall with a kind and gentle smile on her face while she had her arms folded beneath her bosom, while to his left was someone the group had not seen before - an dwarven man of old age, whose hair had left him while his beard was clearly beginning to lose its fiery colour. His wrinkled eyes, one of which was obscured by an eyepatch, glanced over the group of students and he chuckled lightly, his hands upon his hips. In spite of his apparent age, he still retained the bulk and musculature of a dwarf in his prime, and both Pyrath and Teael tilted their heads as they saw the dwarf at Damon's side.


 * Heilen - Who's the little man?
 * ??? - The "little man" is called Halvdan Tyrfing. But to you, it's Sir Halvdan, son. And I have been tasked with helping you not to die while you're all out on the field.
 * Szalvetha - Help us? Are you a student?
 * Tyrfing - Do I look like a bloody student to you, lass? No, I'm a mercenary. Apparently it's getting mighty dangerous around these parts and I've been tasked to keep you from getting seriously hurt.
 * Heilen - That's very kind of you, mister Hardass. We'll try and not throw ourselves into danger too often.
 * Clothovera - I for one am okay with it.
 * Ennea - Regarding your assignment for this week, I have been asked to give you the details by the organizers. For this week, you are to venture into the northern forests beyond the walls of Purity's Apogee and collect 30 samples of flowers known as emperor holly. You can identify it by its white berries and dark-patterned leaves. Both the leaves and the berries are important for the Tutors of the Alchemical Studies classes, so it is important you gather the right flower.
 * Szalvetha - I know the plant. My book has pictures of it.
 * Ennea - Ah good, so you will be able to correct your companions when they inevitably start picking up the wrong flowers. ... Isn't that right, Pyrath?
 * Pyrath - I-It was only once! I ain't a flower expert; I was just going by what my heart told me was right! Ya can't fault me for that, can ya?
 * Heilen - Hey, at least one person here pays attention to class!

Ennea sighed while retaining her smile and she proceeded to wrap her arm around Damon's shoulder before pulling him in close, allowing her to glance into his eyes while she maintained a firm hold on him. She was smiling, yet the tone in her voice sounded unnaturally serious for her as she spoke in a whisper to him.


 * Ennea - You had better not get them lost, you hear? Do not expect me to clean up your mess for you if you end up losing them, sweetheart.
 * Damon - Do I look irresponsible?
 * Ennea - No. But I could not resist letting your friends know who is in charge; just because you're an Adjutor does not mean you are free to not act according to protocol when trouble appears. You got that, boy?
 * Damon - ... I've been here for six years. I think I know how we work, thank you.
 * Ennea - Hehe, I'm just teasing. I trust you to not lead your friends into the mouth of danger and get them all horribly killed. And don't let Sir Halvdan stop you from having fun with your friends when you're done.
 * Tyrfing - What? You think I'm interested in getting involved in these guys' business? I'm good; they're free to do what they like so long as it does not involve putting crap in my beard or generally pestering the Twelve Hells out of me.
 * Szalvetha - Letting the goon die out there is sounding better every moment.
 * Damon - Yeah, you do that, and I get into a lot of trouble.
 * Teael - All the more reason to do it, then!
 * Damon - You shut your mouth, you glutton fool. Get up and prepare to leave.

Teael groaned as she finished off her lunch and wiped her mouth with a napkin before getting up and stretching, proceeding to pick up and strap her sheathed blade to her belt while Pyrath hungrily stared at the remains of her chicken before he got up and brought a comb out of his pocket to style his hair. Ennea eventually let go of Damon and left to attend to her other duties, although not before brushing her hand through his dark hair and making it messy as she playfully rubbed his head, and Tyrfing precautiously brought out his two dwarven battle-axes - both of which were decorated with runes and enscriptions.

-

The party had travelled by carriage as far as they could towards their destination, with the venture taking up most of the afternoon and breaching somewhat into the early evening. Much of the scenery had consisted of naught but forest, although it was not until they reached the region known as the Regal Wilds that resided on the border between the Western Forests and the Polar Regions that they were allowed to exit their means of transport and begin their search for the emperor holly that they had been assigned to find. The climate and temperature were moderately cold and breezy, with the evergreen trees growing thick and tall; the trees that the group were looking for were a far less populous evergreen species which stood at a smaller stature than the rest of the neighbouring fauna.

Due to their Aithrena heritage, Damon, Clothovera, and Teael were innately resistant to becoming lost in the forest environment, with a good sense for direction in such conditions which would allow them to find their way back to the carriage when they were done. Szalvetha opened her alchemy book for the others to take a good look at the emperor holly before they started their search. Clothovera decided to stick to Damon, as expected, while Heilen went to the exact opposite direction to the Derevar. Teael and Pyrath did not stray far from the rest of the group, as they had all been instructed to remain within a certain range of one another for the matter of safety, and Tyrfing remained with Szalvetha while he kept an ear and eye out for possible implications of danger. After an hour or so of searching, Clothovera and Damon would come across a tree bearing the emperor holly, with birds and the like perched upon its branches while white berries dangled within reach of the taller members of the party.


 * Clothovera - Ooh! Guys! We found it!

Swiftly, the group came together once again and assisted in picking the berries and leaves of the emperor holly, with just enough to make the quota for what was required of the quest; 30 samples were to be collected for alchemical study at the Collegium. As the students picked the tree clean, Tyrfing remained behind them, his eyes narrowed as he looked upon the vast forest and gripped the handles of his axes tightly in anticipation; he was not fond of this cold atmosphere and he was not oblivious to what fiends and animals resided in it. Szalvetha took the chance to take several samples of the flower to herself, while Heilen picked up some of the berries and looked at them in curiosity.


 * Heilen - Didn't know about this fruit. This edible?
 * Pyrath - Might be. Why don't ya give it a try?

The Hikamera shrugged as he took a bite out of one of the berries. While there was nothing stopping him from eating it, it was clear by the colour of the berries and the leaves that they should not be consumed by creatures not resistant to toxins. As the colouration and pigmentation had failed to stop Heilen from eating it, the berry's awful taste made it crystal clear to him that these fruits were, in fact, not considered to be edible. The young Hikamera put his tongue out in disgust before tossing the half-eaten berry over his shoulder.


 * Heilen - Bleh. Damnit, Szal, you could've stopped this.
 * Szalvetha - I could. But I didn't.
 * Pyrath - Man, that's cold, Szal.
 * Szalvetha - Get used to it.
 * Clothovera - Well, we got the flowers, so we an go back home. This went pretty well.
 * Teael - We can get back in time for supper, in that case. It will be late, but I mean, there are places in town which serve food until midnight. ... We could even try getting into a bar!
 * Heilen - There she goes about food again. Here, I got tasty berries for you.

At this moment, Damon's pointed ears twitched as he turned his eyes to the bushes and immediately put himself in front of Clothovera, surprising the young witch girl. He pointed in front of himself, and at that direction, the group could see numerous animals stalking them through the bushes and grass. Pyrath's eyes sharply glanced towards the bushes and he cracked his knuckles, his brow furrowing as he prepared himself for a confrontation while Teael laid her hand upon the handle of her blade and drew it from its sheath, its curved shape glimmering in the light of the setting sun. Tyrfing, meanwhile, approached the group with his back turned to them, his eyes locked upon the trees and underbrush as the edges of his axe blades began to spark with electricity.


 * Tyrfing - Wolves.
 * Damon - You all were on about food. Now it seems we're the meal.
 * Szalvetha - Watch out. According to the tutors, wolves hunt in packs.

Out of the bushes, the wolves begun walked at the group's direction, surrounding them. Growling, with their fur mangled and their forms emaciated, it was clear they were rabid and starving. And in such a situation, a lone group of humanoids was the perfect way to satiate them. A sly smirk crossing his lips, Pyrath reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a flask full of a reddish orange substance before he swiftly undid the top of it and brought it up to his nose to sniff it. An overpowering sense of cinnamon entered his nostrils, although it did not deter him as he took a deep breath and brought the flask to his mouth, where he proceeded to down substance within as if it were a drink even though he clearly did not enjoy the taste of it based upon the pained expression worn on his face. After throwing the flask to the ground, Pyrath clicked his fingers and a spout of flame ejected from his fingertips.


 * Pyrath - Get back, ya mangy mutts!

The wolves jumped back and growled in surprise at the fire, though it did not deter them for long as others charged at the group, intending to attack them. Damon turned to some of the animals and stomped the ground, releasing a powerful blast of wind in front of him which knocked them away - he would rather scare the animals away rather than be forced to kill them - while Clothovera begun casting her magic using the dormant Alhazred, channeling dark power on her hands. Heilen picked up the berry he had thrown away before, looked at one of the wolves and proceeded to toss it at the canine's head, though it did little but annoy it. Tyrfing wasted no time and slammed the ground with his axes, growling and snarling at the wolves in a similarly bestial manner and making as much noise as possible in order attempt intimidating them, although he was prepared to spill blood if necessary. Pyrath, watching the wolves closing in, inhaled and exhaled so as to spout a burst of flame at the ground near the wolves' feet, breathing fire in an dragonlike fashion while his eyes glimmered with magic.

Szalvetha was confronted to one wolf leaping at her, though she displayed no fear as she dodged its bites by stepping out of its range. With a swing, the Derevar kicked the wolf across the head before revealing her potion, which she quickly poured at its face. The animal begun yelping loudly in agony as steam erupted out of it, and it backed away before running off, while the alchemist girl appeared to have a small, but rather malevolent grin on her face.


 * Teael - That was not a poison potion at all!
 * Szalvetha - Hm hm hm hm. It may wake up with no eyeballs tomorrow.
 * Damon - ... Something is coming from left! And it's large!
 * Pyrath - What the... What the fuck is that thing?!

Out of the trees leaped another wolf, except it towered over not only its pack but also over the elves. Standing at nearly thrice the size of the others, it sported numerous bony spikes growing out of its back, and its eyes let out a glow of clear magical nature. It howled out at the group, which caused the smaller wolves to become more daring in their attacks. Tyrfing's eye widened momentarily as he looked upon the beast, yet he did not surrender and instead proceeded to swing his axes in all directions as the smaller wolves within the pack made an attempt at an assault, slashing and bludgeoning multiple wolves with his frenzy. Teael and Pyrath felt a cold shiver up their spines as they witnessed the fiend emerge from the shadows, leading to the Erylian to attempt casting pyromancy in order to ward it away. It was not successful.


 * Teael - ... Dire wolf!
 * Heilen - Man, and I thought those were just a thing my sis came up with to scare me in my sleep. Not that I'm gonna sleep well tonight.
 * Clothovera - It's not afraid. We need to make it so!

Clothovera channeled her magic in her hands as she then sent out a stream of dark energies at the dire wolf, causing it to yelp out in pain as it threw itself to the side in order to evade her, before the monster attempted charging the group with its huge fanged teeth. Damon turned to the giant wolf and tried sending wind at it in order to knock it back, but it appears he was not strong enough to blow away something this big. Tyrfing reeled his arm back and launched an electrically-charged axe at the beast's massive body, which led to the dwarf feeling himself being bitten across his forearm by a smaller wolf as his arm was stretched outward before he slammed the butt of his other axe across its snout. Seeing the dire wolf undeterred from its charge, Pyrath allowed a burst of searing flame to radiate outward from his body with explosive force, although he had unwittingly managed to knock Teael onto her back and set the tree they were collecting berries from alight. The explosion scared many of the smaller members of the pack away, while the dire wolf found itself floored and knocked against a nearby tree. The huge beast, however, got back to its feet as it leaped at them again, and Clothovera screamed as it jumped on top of her, flooring the young half-elf.


 * Teael - That thing's gonna kill her!
 * Pyrath - Oh man, I can't watch!
 * Damon - Clothovera!

The large wolf creature sent its jaws down at Clothovera, and the girl, in desperation, defended herself with what she had in hand: Alhazred. The dire wolf's teeth dug into the dark magic-empowered book, causing him to awaken and scream out in pain as his energies went out of control. The team found itself knocked back by a powerful shockwave of dark magic as the dire wolf was engulfed in blackened flames which ate away at its skin and flesh, reducing it to bones in an instant. Teael groaned as she was forced onto her front after having just sustained bruises from Pyrath's own explosive attack, leading to her to begin to ache across her body while Pyrath and Tyrfing were rammed against the nearby trees, leading to the Erylian to gasp out in pain while the dwarf simply stood back up and scratched his head at the sight of the dire wolf being consumed by black fire. Heilen was half-buried into the ground, his legs sticking out while Szalvetha, who was dragged backwards, passed a hand through her robes to clean herself. Damon got up and quickly got over to check on Clothovera, who had his eyes widened as she laid on the floor, her clothing charred. The dire wolf's bones crumbled into the ground as its pack quickly ran away in panic. Blood dripped out of the holes left on Alhazred, and the young witch looked at him in worry.


 * Clothovera - Alhazred? Are you okay?
 * Alhazred - Ouch... No, I am certain I am not okay...
 * Pyrath - What... W-What the hell, man? That book's bleeding!
 * Szalvetha - It's alive. Of course it'd bleed.
 * Pyrath - I thought only things with veins bleed. Does that mean that book has veins?
 * Alhazred - I am going to require blood to fix this... as well as some paper sheets...
 * Damon - Are you okay? Did it hurt you?
 * Clothovera - Uh... I'm fine. Save for the bruise of getting knocked down by a giant wolf.
 * Damon - We may have to leave the old family book out of these quests for now on.
 * Clothovera - Ngh... but I can't cast magic without it.
 * Heilen - That is the least of my worries right now, also would one of you people get me out of the ground?

Pyrath approached Heilen while scratching his head and feeling the mess that was his hair, wincing as he felt his perfect pompadour now reduced to an unsettled mess. He placed his hands firmly around Heilen's legs and pulled him from the earth, falling on his back in the process. At this point, however, they could notice the dire wolf's bones rattled as they begun levitating and reassembling themselves, slowly taking the form of a wolf again, sans flesh and skin. Clothovera's eyes widened as she screamed while Damon quickly wrapped his arms around her and brought her away from it.


 * Damon - What the hell?!
 * Teael - Whoa! Looks like somebody totally necro'd that thing back to life!
 * Alhazred - Agh... it must have been the energies channeled within me... They must have caused it to rise from the dead.

A pair of shining blue flames appeared on the wolf's eyesockets as it rose to its feet. However, instead of showing any sign of aggression, the undead animal instead sat down, looking at the group. Tyrfing ran his fingers through his beard as he looked on with curiosity at the forefront of his mind, having not witnessed such calmness from an undead beast in all of his years working as a mercenary, although it was still undead thus deserving to be put to rest in his eyes. Pyrath, meanwhile, approached the creature and spouted another flame with a click of his fingertips, wondering if the skeletal monster was afraid of it as its wolf pack was. The dire wolf responded by raising a paw defensively and leaning away from Pyrath, letting out an ethereal growl. Heilen walked in front of the creature with a lazy grin on his face as he rose a finger and poked it across the snout, with it showing little response.


 * Heilen - Well, it's definitely not sick and starving anymore. Must feel good, eh?
 * Pyrath - That thing's a spooky skeleton thing now, though. What if it's waiting for our backs to turn on it so it can eat us?
 * Heilen - Mate, it's a big dumb dog. It can't plot. You're all misjudging it a bit too much.
 * Damon - Well, what do you expect us to do?
 * Heilen - What else? We take Shambles here back to the Collegium with us.
 * Szalvetha - ... "Shambles"?
 * Heilen - Yes. I declare its name to be Shambles. Because I'm that clever.
 * Teael - Shambles, eh? ... Well, it doesn't appear to want to kill us anymore considering it isn't mauling Clotho's face off. I don't know if the teachers will allow us to keep pets in our dorm, though.
 * Damon - By Isiris, Ennea is gonna have my head over this. You're all talking about not finishing off the damn thing.
 * Heilen - Hey hey hey. Hey. Hold on your pants, big man. Give the pupper a chance. We take it with us, and the tutors decide what they want to do with it.
 * Alhazred - Non-malevolent undead exist... few in number, but they do... whatever you choose to do with the dire wolf, do hurry up... because I am seriously hurt...
 * Teael - Has any of us got any blood to spare?
 * Pyrath - What? How do ya expect any of us to give blood to a book?
 * Szalvetha - Not on hand.
 * Teael - Bah... Alright, fine.

Standing up and dusting herself off, Teael limped over to where Clothovera and Damon were and looked over the wounded cover of the ancient tome; cutting into her palm with the edge of her blade, the Aithrena squeezed blood across Alhazred's face by clenching her fist, causing her to wince as the fresh cut still hurt and sent sharp pains through her nerves. The book let out audible groans as Teael's blood made contact with him, and she could watch as it was absorbed into his being, while his own bleeding came to a halt.


 * Alhazred - Aaah, the blood of a young Aithrena... a delicacy, as Varelos says.
 * Clothovera - You didn't have to do that, I could've done it myself... but thanks.
 * Teael - Think nothing of it, I needed to be helpful somehow. But can you please get him to stop moaning like that? It's creeping me out.
 * Heilen - Heh. Come on, Shambles. Let's go home.

There was an evident stir outside the gates of the Grand Collegium, with the guards having their weapons drawn while people throughout the town rushed to move inside of their homes and other buildings for shelter where they would feel safe. Ennea and Osvernal, still awake in the late hours of the night, walked towards the gates with mixed reactions upon seeing Adjutor Damon and one of the dwarven mercenaries that had been hired to defend the students standing with a group of pupils arguing with the guardsmen positioned to protect the gate while a giant skeletal beast sat beside them, seemingly ignorant of the panic that its presence happened to be causing. Raising a palm to his face, Osvernal groaned loudly and stood in place while Ennea rushed to settle the dispute - it was far too late at night for such a commotion to be going on, as people were either trying to go about their business or sleep.


 * Guardsman - This is your last warning! You are not bringing that thing inside these walls! Step away and we will dispose of it swiftly, or we will have to bring you under arrest!
 * Heilen - Gods, you people are children. No one's touching a rib of our pupper until we see Ennea Ignaura.
 * Damon - I told you this was a bad idea!

Heilen was mounted on top of the so-called Shambles, at least until it tried scratching its neck and sent the Hikamera down into the floor. The wolf appeared ignorant to its state as a skeleton, as it retained the mannerisms of a normal dire wolf. As a guard attempted to approach the hound with his enchanted sword drawn, Pyrath thought to do nothing else but punch the guard in panic as he did not wish to see Shambles brought to harm, leading to the Erylian to suddenly be floored and restrained while he pleaded amidst loudly exclaiming his apologies. Before any more harm could be wrought between the two parties, Ennea coughed loudly to grab their attention and tapped her foot, her hands on her hips while a stern and agitated expression was worn on her usually kind face.


 * Ennea - Would somebody tell me what on Koldenwelt is going on?!
 * Clothovera - Urm... M-Miss Ignaura... I-
 * Heilen - Me. It was all Heilen Shinerun here. I claim responsibility over everything.
 * Damon - ... Well, that's a first.
 * Guardsman - Ma'am, these teenagers were thinking about bringing an unsanctioned undead animal into the interior of the school. We have right to believe that they have committed a criminal violation of the anti-necromancy pact--
 * Ennea - Good grief! I send you all to gather flowers and you come back with an undead wolf. I hope you know that unsanctioned necromancy is both a felony and a reason to be possibly suspended from classes.
 * Heilen - If you gotta suspend someone, suspend me. It was all my devious planning, etc.
 * Clothovera - N-no! No, it wasn't you, shut up! It was my fault!
 * Heilen - Stupid eyebags, I'm trying to help you out here.
 * Clothovera - No, I'm not gonna lie to her... Listen, we picked the flowers when a pack of wolves attacked... with a dire wolf with them... and then he attacked me, and bit my hex book... It unleashed its magic everywhere, and it ended up like this.
 * Heilen - Undead wolves are people too! Kind of? ... Okay, that was not very clever.

Ennea observed the skeletal remains of the dire wolf, watching its movements before approaching the creature with streaks of bright flame harnessed within her palm; she stretched her arm and planted her hand upon the skeleton's snout, waiting for its reaction, before she began to pet and stroke the skull of the giant canine as if it had fur. Her hand was warm due to the calm flame in her hand, complimenting her soft palm and gentle touch, and it did not harm the beast so much as it did warm the cold interior which was now its exterior. The sight of the flame had, at first, made the wolf attempt backing away while letting out a ghostly whine, but once it realized Ennea meant no harm, it leaned down as to allow her to continue her business. Meanwhile, Szalvetha, who appeared largely uninterested in the entire commotion, walked over to the Erylian Tutor and handed her the thirty flowers they were requested, an indifferent expression on her face.


 * Szalvetha - We did get the job done.
 * Ennea - Ah, so you did. On second thoughts, this creature appears to be of no harm to anyone even if it is undead; in fact, it seems quite docile... Hmm. Who's a good boy, hm? Who's a good boy?
 * Heilen - See, I knew you people had a heart. You at least. Unlike some others.

Heilen glared at the guardsmen, and for a moment, they could swear the Hikamera's face had gone deathly pale and his eyes were gone. The guardsmen were fazed by the split second in which they thought they had seen a ghost, yet just a moment afterward, they saw his face for what it really was. It was late and the guards were tired, simply waiting for their shift to finish so that another group could take their place. Osvernal approached the party and glanced over Shambles, watching Ennea play with and treat the skeleton as if it were a real animal in her eyes and not a cold, lifeless imitation of something that had once been alive. The Aithrena smiled - not out of any sense of warmth or joy, but out of his own amusement.


 * Osvernal - Yes, the boy is correct. You do have a heart, Ennea. More heart than this soulless beast will ever possess, that is for certain.
 * Heilen - Okay, that is downright rude. If you understood anything about necromancy, you'd know that-
 * Damon - Hold on to your tongue. Why do you care so much for this wolf?
 * Heilen - I just do, okay?! I own you no explanations!
 * Osvernal - Hahaha! Boy, are you aware of whom you are speaking to? I know all there is to know about necromancy. I can tell you that even if this creature has retained its soul after death, the soul of a mere lowly animal is infinitely outweighed by the soul of an elf like myself, or you, or Ennea. ... Granted, it takes effort to bring something of this calibre back from death and possess it as your slave. Or... "pet" as you have taken to calling it.
 * Szalvetha - The Collegium studies magical beasts. We just gave you a willing undead to experiment on.
 * Heilen - A bit more harsh than I'd put but essentially, yes.
 * Osvernal - Haha, I would suppose so. An undead dire wolf would make an absolutely wondrous attack hound, do you not think? Have it prowl the school and the grounds at night and subdue those up to... conspicuous activity.
 * Clothovera - ... We're not getting suspended, are we?
 * Osvernal - Hm, I cannot say for certain. As Ennea said, unsanctioned necromancy is considered a felony within the Sovereignty and whether or not it was but a mistake, you still resurrected and brought back a daemon of undeath--
 * Ennea - No, you are not getting suspended. And I shall be keeping this lovely specimen on the grounds to provide an example that not all undead are to be feared.
 * Heilen - Good! ... And it's not a daemon.
 * Osvernal - Hmph. Of course, an inexperienced user of light magic such as yourself would know the nature of undeath, wouldn't you?
 * Heilen - What can I say? ... Aesleith was an excellent teacher.

Heilen grinned at Osvernal, and the next time the group blinked their eyes, the Hikamera had completely disappeared from sight. Osvernal had his eyes closed upon mention of the name, an angered vein appearing on his head while his fists clenched and tightened to the point his nails drew blood from his palms. When he opened his eyes once more, it was to turn away and walk back towards the entrance of the Collegium, his voice now lowered and his tone quite evidently carrying a harsh indication of rage.


 * Osvernal - ... Goodnight, Clothovera. Damon. ... Ennea.
 * Szalvetha - Heilen just got himself into trouble, it seems... Heilen?
 * Damon - ... Where did that clown go? He was just here next to me.
 * Clothovera - That guy's weird.
 * Ennea - Do not mind him too much. He may be a bit harsh and egotistical at times, but he cares about the pride and reputation of the Collegium. I feel Heilen stepped out of line just now, so I will have to talk to him in the morning. ... Now, you lot should be going inside. It is late and there will not be any supper left if you stand around out here all night.
 * Clothovera - I was actually talking about Heilen... Don't you guys think he's, well, not normal?
 * Szalvetha - No. I don't feel.
 * Pyrath - I know I feel something; hungry. Heilen's probably ran inside, so we can catch up to him in a bit. ... Are ya gonna take care of Shambles for us, Miss Ignaura?
 * Ennea - Why, of course. I cannot let this big softy wander around the streets of Purity's Apogee unsupervised and out in the cold. He needs looking after and a good home.
 * Damon - We gonna share a home with a giant undead wolf? ... Eh. Felvinus is gonna have a field day with this.

6/9/34: They Took Alhazred!
Sixth Day into the New Term, an Hour and a Half from Midnight: Dormitory CVI, East Wing

A day had passed since the incident involving the gathering of emperor holly flowers and the accidental attainment of an undead dire wolf whose large, skeletal form resided within the living quarters of Tutor Ignaura until she had a firm idea of where she wished to permanently locate it. As it was a weekend, there were no plans for lessons and the students were free to do as they pleased - whether it involved going into town with friends and visiting the public houses - for those that were of age - or theatres, remaining behind to study or assist in menial jobs and tasks throughout the school, or simply spending time in their dormitories and enjoying the possibility of doing absolutely nothing all day. Rain had fell throughout the course of the day, leaving the idea of going outside and into the town somewhat unpleasant to a fair few, including the young Aithrena swordmage who had spent the rest of her day hanging out with her friends and had initially planned to go into town to attempt sneaking her way inside of a bar, although the rain had influenced her decision not to.

Instead, the Aithrena spent the evening and night in her dormitory, preparing a late dinner for herself and her roommates with the standard assets and resources available to the students in order to make hot food. She looked on from the cooking area into the living room, glancing at her friends while she worked towards a rather appetizing stew. Clothovera was sitting on a chair, petting her familiar Nyakik who had fallen asleep on her lap while Szalvetha was close, doing gestures to herself while maintaining a serious expression. She was trying to control her field of magic suppression, something she was taking lessons for since she joined the Collegium, but it appeared she had little success.


 * Teael - ... You know, Szal, I heard that Derevar that have trouble working with their anti-magical aura thing are quite potent. They say Yurthez had trouble controlling his when he came here and now look at him; he's one of the most dangerous Derevar to have served the Sovereignty.
 * Clothovera - To be fair, anyone wielding an artifact filled with sun magic is already a whole level above everyone else.
 * Szalvetha - If you ask me, Yurthez receives more credit than he deserves. He is a goon who wields weapons. Not a true anti-mage.
 * Teael - Oh, so elves who wield weapons are goons now, are they?
 * Szalvetha - Magic overpowers weapons. You are comparing a man who whips vampires to wizards and warlocks. Whips are not even good for killing things.
 * Teael - So I suppose that because I wield a sword I am a goon to you, am I? You know that magic enhances weapons and that most wizards do not wear armour because it disrupts their concentration, right?
 * Szalvetha - Are you a Derevar?
 * Teael - Well... no.
 * Szalvetha - Exactly. You do not go around pretending to control your aura. That takes actual anti-magical training which Yurthez never did. In fact, if you hunt magical beasts like vampires, you would want your anti-magic aura to be at its max.
 * Teael - Gee, Szal. I tried to make you feel better and you verbally punch me in the gut.
 * Szalvetha - I accept encouragement. But I do not accept being compared to charlatans.
 * Clothovera - But I've seen him in action. Rather, I actually fought by his side. He's truly, really skilled.
 * Szalvetha - His skills and mine are not the same.
 * Teael - ... Anyway, supper is almost ready. Hope you're all starving because I cooked a fair bit for all of us. If only the guys had wanted to come around and not want to do other stuff like "help Ennea out" like Damon always says, or "be men and tell the orc guy to eat shit" as Pyrath puts it.
 * Clothovera - Oh I am hungry. The food is smelling nice already.
 * Szalvetha - ... One day, when I master this power, I will feel enough to give compliments to others.

Using a spoon to bring up the contents of the cooking pot, Teael divided the stew between three bowls and proceeded to pick them up and carry them into the living room, the food steaming hot and complimented with a selection of vegetables and beef. She set the bowls onto a table set near to the far wall of the living room and took a seat, having placed smaller spoons upon the surface of the table in preparation sometime prior to serving. Clothovera gently put Nyakik on the floor as she went over to the table to eat, with Szalvetha following soon after. The two did not waste time to begin eating Teael's meal; although the food was clearly good, Teael slammed her fist against the wooden surface and groaned with a frustrated, almost distressed expression on her face as she angrily slumped in her chair.


 * Teael - Gods damn it!
 * Clothovera - What's up?
 * Teael - This shit tastes awful! No matter how much I try, I can never get it just right! The gravy is too thick, the beef is too thin, and the vegetables... Ugh, it's all wrong!
 * Clothovera - It tastes good to me. Szal?
 * Szalvetha - I do not feel. It is edible.
 * Teael - There's a difference between edible food and good food! ... I'm sorry for making you eat this crap.
 * Clothovera - I just said it tastes good.
 * Teael - Yeah, but it doesn't taste good enough. It's not... It's not "great" food, if you get what I mean. Gah, how could I screw up so badly?
 * Clothovera - I can't help you with that. My only experience with cooking is my old teacher's soups.
 * Szalvetha - I do not cook... food...

As Szalvetha finished speaking, there was a knock upon their door; at first it sounded like normal knocking, yet as moments passed, it grew to become heavy, irrational banging against the wooden front, as if someone was desperately wishing to come inside or grab the attention of the residents. The noise awoke Nyakik, who let out a displeased hiss as she slowly opened her eyes, while Teael nudged her bowl to the side and slumped forward onto the table, her hands wrapped around her horns while her elbows sat on the surface. With an exhausted and seemingly needlessly upset tone, Teael spoke to her friends.


 * Teael - Could someone get that? I don't feel like answering it. Not like this.
 * Nyakik - Go away, you vandals! How dare you wake me up this late at night?!

Clothovera was about to get up from her seat as Szalvetha raised from her chair first, walking over to the door with an expression of mild annoyance. She opened the door to look for the source of the ruckus, which as she opened the door revealed a figure familiar to them all; a tall, slender and young Aithrena draped in black and purple robes which pronounced her pale bust, her hands on her hips while she glared down at Szalvetha and sneered before looking into past the door and into the dormitory - it was Vhalra. Upon seeing Clothovera, a crooked smile crossed her purple lips and she pointed towards her, almost cackling.


 * Vhalra - You! You're in so much shit now, you little bitch!
 * Szalvetha - No.

The Derevar rose a hand and pushed Vhalra back before closing the door and locking it behind her. The gesture was returned by fervent, loud banging from the other side, with the dark mage becoming consistently more and more irritated and angered by being disallowed from having her moment of triumph over her fellow student.


 * Vhalra - L-Let me in! You can't just slam the door on someone! That's... That's rude! What the Twelve Hells are you thinking?!

Eventually, Szalvetha opened the door again. Clothovera looked over with a face of pure confusion, while the Derevar herself's expression had changed from indifference to clear irritation, a small frown forming on her face. Vhalra seemed rather exhausted, panting and gaspas she had her hands on her knees with her back arched over before standing in her proud and arrogant stance once again as she regained both her breath and her composure.


 * Szalvetha - Stop. Banging. On our door. Now.
 * Vhalra - S-Sorry, it won't happen again. ... Ahahaha! Clothovera Moirai, you are in so much shit now, you little bitch!
 * Clothovera - Gods, what do you want?! What is your problem?!
 * Vhalra - Surely you remember that day where you insulted my pride, my heritage, and my skill with your damned talking tome! The day where you showed your arrogance in the face of a true mage!
 * Clothovera - ... You mean the day you did all of that to me! And I don't have a talking tome!
 * Vhalra - Oh, really? Then what was that book you possessed which you convinced to defend you with its daemonic powers, hm?
 * Clothovera - You're delirious. My spellbook is just a book.
 * Vhalra - Liar! You cannot fool me, Moirai! And you certainly cannot fool the Tutors either!
 * Szalvetha - I think it is time for you to leave.
 * Vhalra - ... Wait, you're a Derevar. And... And you pushed me with your dirty hands! Look at them! They have gravy on them and you just put it on my robes!
 * Szalvetha - What are you gonna do? Cry to the Tutors that the meany non-Aithrena touched you inappropriately? Boo hoo. Racist.
 * Vhalra - Grr... Watch your tongue, you filthy iconoclast. I should have known that the Tutors would have organized to put all the non-purebloods together in a single dorm. A half-elf, a Derevar, and a quarter-elf.
 * Clothovera - Teael is a pureblood, you racist shit!
 * Vhalra - Is that what she told you, is it? Sure, she may look like a pureblood on the outside, but on the inside? The blood of an unwashed human barbarian runs through her veins--
 * Teael - I'm gonna shove your fucking wand so far up your ass you'll be casting your shitty spells through your mouth!

At this point, Szalvetha threw a hand at Vhalra and grabbed her by the collar of her clothing, bringing her face up to her own. Her other hand went into her robes and then emerged with a vial of deep green liquid which let out a hissing sound as bubbles formed on its surface.


 * Szalvetha - Get out. Or I am going to force-feed you a potion that makes your hair fall off. Permanently.
 * Vhalra - ... Y-You... You'd not dare...
 * Szalvetha - Do you think I am joking? Just try me.

Suddenly, the sound of a loud cough could be heard by all that came from a source that stood some distance from the door; his arms folded over his chest and with a very displeased expression on his face, Osvernal tapped his foot and approached the scene before a fight truly broke out among the students, while Ennea looked rather disappointed as she moved behind him. Vhalra swiftly pulled herself away from Szalvetha and adjusted her robes as she glanced up at Osvernal, whose eyes shimmered as she stared into them. A chill went down Clothovera's spine as she watched the Tutors arriving to the scene, but the Derevar did not appear too fazed by their presence as she glared at the Aithrena mage.


 * Szalvetha - Get this racist out of our dormitory.
 * Osvernal - Are you telling the Vice Archtutor what to do, girl? ... Useless, useless, useless! You are all old enough to understand that fighting like this is unsophisticated, unruly, and punishable by suspension! Miss Kasalsain, I am especially disappointed that you would instigate such an affair!
 * Vhalra - My... M-My apologies, sir! I don't know what came over me--
 * Osvernal - That pride of yours will be your downfall if you do not reel it in, Miss Kasalsain. You will be sorry once you allow it to lead to your suspension for harassing other students. Do not let it happen again.
 * Ennea - Good grief, what a bad start to the new term.
 * Szalvetha - My family does not support this Collegium so that me and my friends would have to hear this kind of thing. If I have to, I will take it to the Archtutor himself.
 * Vhalra - Why, you little--
 * Ennea - Ahem. I would suggest keeping your mouth closed for the time being, Miss Kasalsain. You are in enough trouble as it is. You will meet me in my office.
 * Nyakik - Indeed. Remove this horrid woman from the premises, for I tire of her voice! Before I am forced to draw blood from her legs!
 * Clothovera - Nyakik, shut up!
 * Nyakik - She woke me from my beauty sleep!
 * Ennea - ... Actually, there was something Osvernal and I wished to speak to you about, Clothovera. You are not in any trouble, but I must ask something... intrusive of you.
 * Clothovera - Huh?
 * Ennea - Vhalra alerted us that you may have a talking tome or a similar peculiar artifact in your possession... Given the circumstances which led to the creation of Shambles--
 * Osvernal - Resurrection.
 * Ennea - ... Given the circumstances which led to the resurrection of Shambles, I must ask that we be allowed to examine your "spellbook".
 * Clothovera - Urm... o-of course, Miss Ignaura. M-my spellbook is just a normal book, like any other witch's! It's this racist bitch who wants to slander me because she hates humans and my family!
 * Ennea - Clothovera.
 * Clothovera - ... S-sorry.
 * Osvernal - It does us no good simply telling us about your spellbook, Moirai. You sound as if you are hiding something. ... If you do not let us examine it, we shall be forced to take it from you.

Clothovera gulped as she rose from her seat and walked over to her desk, where Alhazred laid, dormant. She had fixed the hole left by the dire wolf attack by using blank paper, and she sheepishly handed him to Ennea, who proceeded to tilt her head and feel the cover of the book. She ran down Alhazred's spine with her the tip of her finger, a hot, burning sensation radiating from it as she did so as to attempt coaxing a reaction from him - a common method of exposing disguised talking tomes. There was no reaction, but Ennea could feel Alhazred's texture was unlike that of any normal book. It felt much like rough skin. Taking the book from her grasp, Osvernal clasped Alhazred in his palm and closed his eyes, focusing for some moments before he swiftly cut a thin scratch across the cover with his clawed finger as his eyes were seemingly gleaming with fury for but a brief moment; he felt the skin-like texture of the book and had cut it so as to see if he could draw blood from its "flesh". It did not take long for a droplet of red liquid to emerge from the cut left into the book's cover as its skin appeared to shiver slightly. Eventually, Osvernal felt a shock across his hand as a bolt of dark magic was sent at him, and Alhazred's face materialized, displaying discomfort.


 * Alhazred - Stop!
 * Osvernal - Ahah! I knew it; a talking tome! Attempting to hide from an experienced dark mage as myself, who is proficient in recognizing such magical items, was useless, useless, useless! My suspicions were confirmed!
 * Ennea - ... I offer you our apologies for such invasive treatment, but it must be done. What is your name, tome?
 * Alhazred - I am Alhazred... You know that name, do you not, Osvernal Eilenneim?

The Vice Archtutor froze for a moment, a shiver sent through his spine as Alhazred spoke. Briefly clenching his fists, Osvernal began to feel beads of sweat slowly trickle down his forehead as he was faced with this archaic artifact - a piece of ancient history. He lost his capacity to respond for the same time he felt his spine freeze, before he graced the book with a retaliatory comment.


 * Osvernal - ... Hmph. A common name among the Kormacvarah, may their souls rest in peace. There were some named "Alhazred" that were even recognized as heroes. But beyond that, I know not of any tomes named such before.
 * Alhazred - Then let me enlighten you: it means you must take your hands off of me this instant.

Hesitating for a moment, Osvernal passed the book to Ennea, his eyes widened and appearing to twitch as he glanced at Alhazred's face; a rush of differing emotions were conjuring within him at this moment, and while it was clear the others could see how disturbed he was, they did not know why. Handling Alhazred with greater care, Ennea passed her soft hands over his cover and began to heal the cut that Osvernal had dealt to him in order to bring him out of his disguise.


 * Ennea - I hope you understand, Alhazred, but students are not allowed to own tomes of power such as yourself. I sense that you are beyond what is deemed normal for the power of a spellbook based on Osvernal's expression.
 * Alhazred - I understand your position, Ennea Ignaura. I would have revealed myself willingly to you before, but there are members of your staff who are... not worthy of trust. Regardless, I should present myself properly: I am the talking tome of the Moirai family. I must thank you for taking care of Master Damon when we believed him deceased.
 * Ennea - Think nothing of it, Alhazred. I took care of Damon as if he was my own son when I found him. I am simply pleased that you understand the dilemma that comes with you having been in Clothovera's possession. ... Answer me truthfully; to what extent do you lend your powers to Clothovera's own?
 * Alhazred - I am young Clothovera's only magical catalyst. Which is why you must also understand I cannot simply part ways with her.
 * Clothovera - Y-yeah! You can't take Alhazred! I c-can't cast magic without him!
 * Ennea - Indeed, this is a very... complicated situation. But if she retains possession of you in classes and on quests, she will be incapable of defending herself in your absence if what you tell me is true. In honesty, it breaks my heart that we are advised against making exceptions for such cases as this.
 * Alhazred - I will not part with Clothovera. At least, not until several conditions are met.
 * Osvernal - Clothovera must follow the policies set by the Collegium--
 * Ennea - What are your conditions?
 * Osvernal - Gods damn it, Ennea!
 * Alhazred - Quiet. I suggest you listen well.

Alhazred's four eyes narrowed as he glared at Osvernal's direction.


 * Alhazred - You will keep me away from this man and any of his immediate subordinates at all times.
 * Ennea - May I ask why?
 * Alhazred - Ask him, not me.
 * Osvernal - ... What would I wish with a talking tome? You are mistaken if you think I'd have anything to do with you.
 * Ennea - Vice Archtutor Eilenneim is a skilled dark mage, Alhazred. He would know how to care and accomodate for you better than I would.
 * Alhazred - Your Vice Archtutor is a skilled dark something else. I doubt he would like you to know what.
 * Osvernal - The book is deluded. I know of many tomes that speak such irrational nonsense when they are discovered or at risk of separation from those they are comfortable with. I am the most qualified authority within the Grand Collegium to handle him in my possession.
 * Alhazred - Watch your tongue, creature of the night, before I decide to start singing.
 * Osvernal - ... On second consideration, you keep it, Ennea. He is clearly not comfortable enough in my presence to remain calm and safe. ... Both for himself and for others.
 * Ennea - I will meet your conditions, Alhazred. As for you, Clothovera, I will make sure that I find another catalyst for you to utilize and adapt you to casting without the need of Alhazred's assistance. ... I wish to see you capable of defending yourself.
 * Clothovera - B-but... but...
 * Alhazred - You will also not do any sort of research on me without my consent. I am a living, intelligent being, you know.
 * Ennea - I know, that is why I have been speaking to you as one. I would not be so intrusive as to invade your privacy and have you feel uncomfortable for the sake of knowledge. ... I will also arrange that Clothovera and yourself will meet at least once on a weekly basis. It would not be right of me to separate you two entirely.
 * Alhazred - Ah. A sensible statement. I believe we have reached an agreement.
 * Clothovera - N-no, please...! D-don't take Alhazred from me!
 * Alhazred - It will be better for you, Clothovera. It is time for you to learn to defend yourself without my help. In fact, next time we meet Alvinian, I will have to lecture her on why she should have done this already.

Ennea sighed with an evident sign of regret for a saddened expression made its way onto her face as she held Alhazred close to her chest and glanced down at Clothovera, her elven ears drooping while she watched as Osvernal placed a hand upon Vhalra's shoulder and led her away from the dormitory. Teael moved from the table and approached Clothovera from behind, a concerned look on her face while Ennea reluctantly started to move.


 * Ennea - I am sorry, Clothovera. I truly am. But the rules are to be abided and I cannot risk your safety... Alhazred was harmed the last time you were on a mission. What if it were to happen again?

Clothovera did not reply as she begun to weep, tears forming on her eyes while Alhazred looked at her with an expression of concern. He did not want to abandon her either, but there was no choice. Teael placed a hand on Clothovera's shoulder as she cried, unsure of what to do in order to calm her, while Ennea had to force herself to walk away or else the job would have never gotten done. There was nothing she could have done to settle the girl without it involving Alhazred's return, thus she did not try any further, even if she did feel it cold and unsympathetic. Szalvetha closed the door while Clothovera threw Teael's hand away as she ran to her bedroom, her crying becoming audible. Meanwhile, Nyakik had curlsed herself into a ball, as if refusing to look at it all any longer.


 * Teael - Damn... I don't know what to say. She's having it rough. ... I wish there was something we could do to cheer her up.
 * Szalvetha - We could grab Vhalra and kill her.
 * Teael - Yeah! ... Wait, no! Wait, I mean, that would be great but the Tutors wouldn't like it and I don't feel like getting suspended, arrested, and executed.
 * Szalvetha - Hm. Okay. We wait until after graduation then.
 * Teael - Hehe, yeah! But in the meantime, I don't know what else we could do. She's in a state and we're stuck out here being as unhelpful to her as pyromancy is to an Undine. ... You gotta potion for this kind of thing?
 * Szalvetha - No. The only cure of this is time. Leave her alone for a while. Time will do its job... Time will, however, take too long to do its job on an Aithrena, hence why I plan to give it a little push.
 * Teael - What are you thinking?
 * Szalvetha - Of all the potential ways I can kill Vhalra.

12/9/34: Flowery Dragons
Fifth Day of the Second Week of Term, Late Morning: Main Central Hall of the Grand Collegium

It had been some days since the young witch's archaic spellbook - the primary catalyst of her magic - had been taken from her possession, leaving her deprived of any means of practicing her casting. Due to this, she was beginning to gain unwanted attention in the classroom; she had been noted by her colleagues and fellow students in Osvernal's umbramancy classes that she was not being made to display her magical potential, as if Osvernal was actively avoiding her from having to demonstrate her casting. She was not approached by her classmates other than Vhalra and her small posse of other students, although no major conflicts were wrought - rather, Vhalra merely restrained herself to taking the occasional verbal shot at Clothovera when she could. A week had gone by since that night where the incident happened and contrary to what she was told, the struggle did not ease with each day that passed her, although on the brighter side of the past week, Teael had been closer to her and was working to distract her from the rather difficult time that the unfortunate witch was being put through with her efforts at cooking and attempting to play board and card games with her when she felt the time was right.

Much of the circle was gathered in the very same spot they had been meeting up in for the past two weeks, although Pyrath and Damon were notably absent; Damon was yet to arrive to give the group the briefing on their next assignment while the Erylian rich kid almost seemed to have mysteriously disappeared as none of their group had caught any trace of him. To pass the time, Teael had brought a hearty breakfast, which consisted of cooked pork, eggs, sausage, and bread, for everyone who was present at the time, with a few extra portions gracing the plate that the Aithrena's meal sat on. There was little Szalvetha could do to cheer up the mood other than scare Vhalra away whenever she appeared, and she therefore did nothing as she read from her alchemy book. Clothovera ate from one of Teael's meals in silence while Heilen, who sat by her side, appeared much more eager as he too participated in the breakfast.


 * Teael - So, ass features. Any idea where Pyrath got off to? We've not seen him all morning and his breakfast is getting cold.
 * Heilen - She's talking to you, Szal.
 * Szalvetha - No, she's not.
 * Heilen - I don't know. He's not spoken to me today.
 * Teael - Weird. You think he's busy trying to peek on girls or something? For a noble kid, he's such a crude guy.
 * Heilen - A man is crude for looking for women. Okay... You know what would cheer Clotho up? What if we hooked her up with Pyrath?
 * Clothovera - ... Eh?
 * Teael - Ooh, that'd be a great idea! He's certainly taken a shine to you, Clotho. I think you'd be great together, even if he is an egotistical, gross and occasionally stuck-up asshole.
 * Heilen - I thought we were talking about Pyrath and not you.
 * Clothovera - Guys, come on... I'm already taken.

Teael almost spluttered as she heard the words come out of Clothovera's mouth, swiftly leaning in towards her with a shocked expression on her face as she slammed her hands on the wooden table the group was sat around. She had gone from her usual casual stance to a rather inquisitive and intrusive approach, her voice unknowingly raising as she spoke.


 * Teael - Y-You are?!
 * Clothovera - Yes. I already have a boyfriend who's waiting for me outside of the Sovereignty.
 * Teael - A... A b-boyfriend?!
 * Szalvetha - Why are you so shocked? Clothovera is not that ugly.
 * Teael - Well... S-She never mentioned it before. You should tell us about him! What's he like? How old is he? What sort of job does he have? Is he rich--
 * Clothovera - C-calm down, please. You're being kinda intrusive...
 * Teael - Ah... Sorry, Clotho. I just thought that... well, I don't know what I was thinking. Pyrath will be disappointed though, that's for sure.
 * Heilen - Man, it's like I just heard the sound of jealously coming from your voice.
 * Clothovera - Still... his name is, and he's a wanderer. Before I came here, he said he wanted to travel and help the poor in need.
 * Teael - So, he's one of those types. ... You got yourself a drifter, heh. How long have you two been together?
 * Clothovera - Three years. We met earlier than that, but we had some misunderstandings. But all worked well in the end.
 * Teael - Aw, that's so... gah, it's sounds so romantic. Man, I wish I could find a partner like that. Someone who's loyal, fierce, and both a lover and a fighter. Ooh, that'd be perfect...
 * Damon - Well, you didn't tell me you had a boyfriend.

At this moment, Damon arrived to their meeting area, accompanied with Pyrath. The Erylian had his hands in his pockets, a rather muddled expression on his face, as if he was unsure of how to feel about something; outwardly, it was as if he was merely looking absent-minded and idle.


 * Heilen - What's up, hairdo? You look like something Damon's cat spit out.
 * Pyrath - Eh? ... Oh, right. What did ya just say about my hair and... all that stuff...
 * Szalvetha - Something is troubling you.
 * Pyrath - ... My brother came back from a quest last night. I went to see him in the infirmary. Two of his guys... weren't so lucky.
 * Heilen - ... Oh.
 * Clothovera - Your brother is a student too?
 * Pyrath - Fourth year. His name's Ferathis. He was on a quest to escort a caravan when he was attacked by outlaws. Strong ones. ... He was sent out on his quest two days ago and only got back here yesterday in a critical condition.
 * Damon - The Archtutor will have much to answer for. Imagine having to tell the families how their children died here.
 * Heilen - Hey. At least Ferathis is alive. Cherish what you have.
 * Teael - ... I got you breakfast if it helps take your brother's condition off your mind, Pyrath. You as well, Damon.
 * Pyrath - I'm not really hungry at all, but... Ah, what am I saying? I'm starving. Anyway, Damon's got our next quest for us. I'll eat while he explains it to ya.

Pyrath proceeded to take a seat and began to eagerly eat his breakfast, and in spite of his rich background and noble heritage, it would seem that the Erylian ate with the messy ferocity of a starving, unsophisticated savage.


 * Damon - We've been tasked to explore an unmapped part of the nearby woods. The Collegium is interested in what may exist there, as there are hints of Kormacvarah ruins in the region.
 * Teael - Kormacvarah? I didn't think we'd see anything of theirs this far north. Could be an old outpost or something.
 * Damon - Yes. We're to investigate and bring some proof of the existence of whatever may lie there. Or proof that there's nothing there.
 * Teael - ... Oh! Sorry to interrupt, but when is Clotho getting Alhazred back? She's been in a sour place ever since he was taken away from her.
 * Damon - ... I assume not until after graduation.
 * Clothovera - Ngh...!
 * Teael - But that's ages away! Two years, Damon!
 * Damon - The Tutors don't want a Sanguinary among the students.
 * Teael - Grah! What a load of bullshit! What in the Twelve Hells is Clotho supposed to do in the meantime, eh? Sit with her finger shoved up her ass while doing nothing?!
 * Damon - She needs to learn how to use magic without his help. There's nothing I can do about it.

Teael slammed the wooden table again with clenched fists, angrily cursing to herself while her left eye seemed to twitch; where she had struck the table were fresh cracks in the wood that had been dealt from the raw damage. She gritted her teeth in rage before gradually beginning to calm, her outburst passing while her yelling and cussing became displeased mumbles.


 * Damon - ... If you're done with your little outburst, prepare yourselves. We need to meet the dwarf and then leave.
 * Pyrath - Hopefully we don't come by any outlaws or criminals. I mean, it's a stroll in the woods. It cannot be so dangerous, can it?

The group had arrived at the border of the uncharted woodlands sometime afterwards, having been taken there by a carriage hired and paid for by the Collegium. Their trek into the forest was graced with the sight of sunlight seeping through the leaves and branches of the trees while the climate was stable and the environment placid, consisting largely of unassuming herbivores such as deer while the more carnivorous critters were too small or too intimidated to attack a group of tall, armed humanoids. The fresh air and the sounds of streams and birds cleared the mood that spoiled the atmosphere around the team prior to leaving the Collegium's grounds, with Teael being calmed by the opportunity to explore her natural surroundings and feel the roots of her Aithrena heritage come forward.


 * Pyrath - Man, this place is boring. It's nice, but boring.
 * Heilen - I for one welcome the fresh air and the lack of wolves.
 * Pyrath - Funny how ya appreciate the fresh air yet ya refuse to pick up any of ya stinking clothes off the floor in our dorm. We gotta wash ya laundry for ya and everything!
 * Heilen - Yes and I appreciate it immensily.
 * Teael - They probably gave us an easy quest because of what happened the last time we ventured. ... How is Shambles getting on, anyway?
 * Heilen - Can't say for certain. They're keeping him away from view. Probably because students would get scared of a giant skeleton wolf running around and all.
 * Pyrath - Ah, what a bunch of pansies. He's a big, misunderstood softy.
 * Damon - That wolf got brainwashed when you revived it. If it had retained its mind, it'd have torn you all apart.
 * Teael - I can imagine our gravestones. "Here lies Teael Sehenem: Spooked by Skeleton."
 * Szalvetha - Embarrassing.

Suddenly, the group's ears were met with the sound of something thudding against the forest floor some distance away from where they had been standing, followed by what seemed like a cross between someone whimpering intelligible words and the cries of an infant. What proceeded after that was another loud sound which was far more intimidating to the team - a bird's caw and the flapping of wings as something swooped over the trees, except it rang with the volume and ferocity of a dragon's roar. Damon immediately back up while signaling for the others to stand down, with Clothovera clinging to her older brother while Heilen quickly hid behind a nearby tree.


 * Clothovera - W-what was that?!
 * Teael - That sounds like a damned roc!
 * Tyrfing - A woodland stroll, the elves told me! A gods damned woodland stroll!
 * Szalvetha - You're here to protect us. Time to do your job.
 * Pyrath - What's that crying sound? Are there folk out here?
 * Damon - Someone's in danger.
 * Pyrath - Well, we gotta help them! We can't just sit around and not do anything about it.
 * Tyrfing - Kid, are you deaf? There's a roc flying around up there. You know, big bird that eats people? One of those. We have to put our safety first or we aren't helping anyone.
 * Szalvetha - And what are you waiting for, standing around doing nothing? Get to it.
 * Tyrfing - Don't make me feed you to it.
 * Szalvetha - Don't make me feed you to it.

Getting up from his crouched position, the elderly dwarf drew his pair of battleaxes and the group watched them ignite with electrical power that rushed through their sharp, metallic blades. Teael also followed behind him, drawing her curved longsword and letting her magic seep through its handle to creep up the blade, enhancing its capacity to both endure and deal damage while she made an effort to defend Tyrfing's flank. Rushing in the direction of the crying sounds, Pyrath made a maddened dash through the trees, jumping over rocks and logs so that he would not be held back from being able to assist whoever it was that he found targeted by the carnivorous fiend in the sky. The Derevar followed Teael with a rather unworried expression while Damon remained in the back, protecting Clothovera - who was defenseless - and Heilen - who clearly did not want anything with this roc. In a sudden moment that took the team off-guard, Tyrfing, Teael, and Szalvetha were blown off their feet by a gust of strong wind from above as the gargantuan bird came into view.

It was a monstrous creature, three times the size of a grown man while its eyes glowed with an intense and fierce white light, as if the roc's burning rage was piercing through from behind its eyeballs. Its dark claws were as sharp as obsidian blades while its beak, decorated with patterns of black, was tough enough to pierce through and snap steel armour without much effort on its part. Yet, in spite of its sheer size, its usage of aeromancy, and its raw killing power, the giant raptor was but a youth - mature rocs could rival the size of wyverns and dragons, thus its size indicated it was but a young example of its kind. As it leered over its attackers, the bird unleashed an ear-piercing screech, the light in its eyes becoming brighter with each moment. Szalvetha grit her teeth as her sensitive ears were hammered by the sound of the roc, and in retaliation, she took out a vial from under her robes, filled with acidic liquid, before throwing it at the bird, aiming for its face. The burning sensation only caused the bird to screech louder as the feathers and flesh upon its face gradually bubbled and began to melt away before the roc dived in her direction, its sharp talons readied to grasp her.


 * Tyrfing - Stay back, lass! What the bloody hell are you doing?!
 * Szalvetha - Making it feel pain.

The Derevar quickly threw herself forward into the grass, so that the roc would fly over her head rather than hit her with its talons. Indeed, her evasion led to the roc to miss its target, instead knocking a tree from its roots and causing it to collapse while the giant bird continued to screech louder. In its moment of vulnerability, Tyrfing launched one of his axes in its direction, cutting into the underside of its massive body where it became lodged in the roc's flesh; the bird spasmed and twitched as pain and electricty flowed through its nerves, grounding it for some moments. Granted the opportunity to strike, Teael's blade ran down the partially melted side of the roc's face, cutting through its left eye and leaving a deep, bloody scar. The Derevar, still on the ground, snuck away from the fight as she had done her contribution to it, instead watching the Aithrena and the dwarf have their way with the hostile bird.

Flapping its wings and moving itself backwards, in turn generating a burst of wind which knocked Teael back, the roc attempted to create distance between itself and its prey while it began to grow berserk from the utter onslaught of pain that had been afflicted unto it. Charging to engage and close the distance once again, Tyrfing leaped and held onto his remaining battleaxe with both hands before swinging it downwards onto the roc's upper beak, lodging it within the tough material as it chipped. Teael rushed to cut down the bird, both hands driving her swings, although after several moderate slashes across the bird's torso, both assailants and their weapons were thrown to the ground as the roc flew upwards, bleeding profusely, to escape from being injured any further and potentially killed.

Szalvetha got up and passed her hands through her robes to clean them as she walked over to Teael and lowered a hand to help the Aithrena stand, which was swiftly taken and repaid with a firm pat on the shoulder.


 * Teael - You alright, Szal?
 * Szalvetha - I am unhurt. You?
 * Teael - A few bumps here and there, but nothing major. What about you, old man?
 * Tyrfing -  I bloody hate rocs. That's how I lost my eye, you know. They're solitary hunters, though, so I doubt we'll have anymore encounters with them for a long while. ... There's only hate inside their souls. And the thing they hate most is each other.
 * Szalvetha - Let us go back to the others.

As the group returned to one formation once again, with Teael sheathing her blade and analyzing Clothovera and Damon for possible wounds or injuries, the team heard Pyrath call from a distance as he had moved towards where the sounds of crying had originated. Unknown to them at the time, Pyrath had been attending to the wounds of something rather unexpected, utilizing a spell of arcane healing magic in order to purify and seal its comparatively light wounds. Laid upon its side at Pyrath's knees was a reptilian creature of vivid green colours, its soft scales left doused with a bright amber substance that dripped from deep cuts and tears across its dog-sized body. Tiny wings, unfit for flight, sat upon its back while its form was decorated with buds, either closed or partially blooming, and small leaves that were illuminated with amber blood where once there had been simple green. Upon closer inspection, one would recognize the distinct draconic features this small and wounded beast boasted, yet in spite of its heritage, it was left in a state of almost absolute vulnerability.

An infantile Flora Drake, clearly left almost critically injured due the roc's attempt upon its life. The Erylian mage was almost oblivious to the amber stains that were beginning to coalesce on the front of his attire as he treated the dragon's wounds, a white light radiating outward from his hands as he held them over the more severe and crucial injuries - arcane healing. Damon and Clothovera both walked over to Pyrath and the dragon in curiosity, as neither of them had ever seen a creature like this. The witch girl's gloom expression changed rather radically once she set her eyes on it.


 * Clothovera - ... Cute!
 * Damon - What is that?
 * Heilen - A very ugly dog.
 * Teael - Damn, dude. Did no one teach you anything about dragons during your years at the Collegium? That's a Flora Drake. A baby one, at that.
 * Szalvetha - Elemental true dragons of nature and plant magic.
 * Damon - Oh. So that's what they look like. I've never seen one before.
 * Clothovera - Is it gonna be alright?
 * Pyrath - I'm... not sure. There's only so much my healing magic can do. I've cleaned out its wounds and now I'm sealing them up, but I can't account for stuff like internal bleeding...

At that, Pyrath finished fixing the externior wounds, leaving faint scars where the open injuries had once been although the bleeding had stopped. The Erylian stood up, placing his hands in his pockets as he looked down at the Flora Drake with an uncertain expression on his while his ears drooped; he was awaiting a response to indicate the infant's condition. The dragon was clearly still scared of the roc incident, as it appeared unnerved by the group's presence. It looked at them with a cautious expression in its eyes, wanting to know their true intentions. From his pocket, Pyrath pulled out a piece of food, a slice of honey cake, and clasped it lightly in his hand as he crouched down once again and extended his arm towards the Flora Drake, a slight smile upon his lips as he saw the dragon was still alive.


 * Pyrath - Hey, I ain't gonna hurt ya. Ya can trust me, pal. You hungry?

The Flora Drake cautiously approached Pyrath's hand, sniffing it before taking a small bite out of the cake. Moments after, it chomped down on it more eagerly as it enjoyed the taste of honey. As it ate, it suddenly spoke out, though the team could not understand it at all. Pyrath tilted his head, continuing to crouch in front of the dragon, while Teael folded her arms and tried to make sense out of its rather incoherent babbling - or rather, that is what the team registered its draconic tongue as.


 * Teael - Man, if only Alhazred were here. He could probably tell us what that little guy's trying to say.
 * Szalvetha - It is probably too young to speak New Common. Language barriers are never okay.
 * Clothovera - Let's take it with us!
 * Teael - ... Yeah! Ennea would love the chance to get to take care of a Flora Drake!
 * Damon - No, no she wouldn't. You already pushed an undead wolf into our home. We could, however, take the Drake with us to our destination. Perhaps there are more of its kind there.
 * Teael - Aw, come on, Damon! You don't have to be so sour about it. ... Pretty please?
 * Damon - I'm not gonna adopt every magic animal we come across.
 * Pyrath - Damon's right. This guy's probably got parents to go back to and I doubt they'd like us just up and stealing one of their kids. ... Ya ever had true dragons attack ya cities? It ain't pleasant.

Clothovera approached the Drake and lowered a hand for it, with it sniffing it before she gently pet its head. The dragon recoiled slightly at first before allowing her to continue, tilting its head for her so that she would have an easier time doing it. As Clothovera showed her affection for the dragon, it suddenly found itself lifted up into Teael's arms, carrying it and cradling it as if it were a large baby - it was surprisingly light for its size, although it was still heavier than most canines of comparable size. It would save the Drake from having to walk as the team urged one another to continue moving onward towards the suspected ruins of a Kormacvarah outpost, although given that none of them barring Clothovera had ever been in proximity of such an ancient site, none of them were entirely where to look or what to look for. As they continued onward, the Drake rose a claw and continuously pointed forward while letting out unintelligible sentences, as if signaling them it wanted to go for that direction.


 * Teael - ... I just had the best idea!
 * Heilen - Here we go.
 * Teael - I remember my parents telling me about the Kormacvarah. They used to live alongside the Flora Drakes in ancient times; some scholars even think that the Kormacvarah were linked by blood to them. If there are Kormacvarah ruins in these woodlands, perhaps there are still Flora Drakes living within them.
 * Clothovera - It seems to want to go to the direction we're going. So probably.

Teael set the Flora Drake onto its feet, stroking the back of its head as she did and stepped back to allow the dragon some space to adjust itself. She was hoping that the Drake would be able to return to whatever nest it came from and that the group would be able to follow it if there were Kormacvarah ruins to be found within the depths of this forest. The small dragon quickly begun making its way forward, looking back to the group and chirping at them to follow it. As it was not yet fully healed, and also due to its still small legs, it could not run enough for it to outpace them. The group followed the Drake, its eagerness and clear sense of direction in spite of its youth giving some confidence that the team were onto something; soon enough, their suspicions were to be proven right as the dragon eventually led them to a clearing in the forest, which in turn revealed to the group the remnants of what looked to be some form of colossal shrine, decorated with apparent religious iconography depicting both quadrupedal and bipedal draconic figures captured within etchings. The forest had reclaimed this site, with vines, trees, and flowers growing over much of the worn and archaic architecture - pools of natural water were present, set into the brick floor of the shrine, while various defensive towers and huts, all of them overgrown with flora, were present around the shrine. As the rays of the sun pierced through the treetops, it was clear that in spite of the millennia in absence of the Kormacvarah, the tiled floor and brickwork of the shrine still glimmered with golden sunlight.


 * Clothovera - ... Guys. This is it.
 * Szalvetha - Impressive.
 * Damon - You joking? This is fantastic.

At the far end of the shrine, there was a pathway, consisting once again of shimmering golden tiles, which was surrounded on its left and right by gargantuan trees. At the start of the pathway, there resided two statues, each of them having lost a significant amount of their once golden paint as time had eroded them; one was of a Kormacvarah clad in armour while grasping a whip between its hands and the other was a Flora Drake that sat in an upright posture on its hind legs, decorated with vines and flowers. Upon each of their heads sat a crown made of branches and complimented with gemstones that glimmered beneath the sun. Teael, alongside the Aithrena half-breeds, felt almost innately compelled to travel the path forward.


 * Teael - ... We should keep going. I want to see what's at the end of that path.
 * Damon - Same. Surely we can find good enough proof of our findings there.
 * Clothovera - Let's go!

Tyrfing sat aside, laying down his weapons and sitting upon the steps of the shrine in order to regain his breath as the team continued onward - it would also be advantageous for someone to remain behind and watch the local area in case of any threats. As the group ventured upon the path, they could hear the sounds of birds and insects chirping around them while they could also see that at the base of each tree that grew beside the pathway were what looked to be bones - dragon bones. Once they reached the end of the path, they came to yet another opening, and found a clearing doused in light and sided on almost all sides by trees. Some trees in particular almost seemed to touch the sky, and at a closer observation, they could see other small and infantile Flora Drakes playing within them. Some of the young dragons even rested at the edges of or within the clearing.

Fertile soil and grass decorated this clearing and sat at the very heart of it was the sight of a creature far larger and far more imposing than the baby that the group had rescued earlier that day - it was yet another Flora Drake, yet its sheer size indicated that it was perhaps beyond the natural growth of other members of its kind. Flora Drakes were not known for their size, but this particular individual, even while seemingly resting with its tail coiled around itself, was perhaps the largest for a humanoid to ever set their eyes upon. The group stepped back at the sight of the immense dragon, while the baby they had rescued quickly ran to the much larger one, calling out for it in an eager manner.


 * Clothovera - B-b-b-big...!
 * Damon - I thought Flora Drakes couldn't grow that much bigger than elves!
 * Teael - ... By Isiris! You have no idea of the implications! We... I think we just found the true home of the Flora Drakes! That one... That is Márdeirythis!
 * Szalvetha - The mother of all Flora Drakes?
 * Heilen - Don't know about you guys, but I don't wanna mess with that thing.
 * ??? - Ooh, will you not stay a while?

The great dragon at the centre of the clearing raised her head, her tail releasing from its coil while she proceeded to casually face the group as she moved from her sleeping position to one more comfortable for her; she rested on her front, with one of her forelimbs resting over the other in a rather fanciful way as she loomed over the team, her eyes radiating with a warm, soothing light of green. Her expression showed amusement at their excitement and shock of her presence, quietly giggling.


 * Clothovera - W-we don't want to bother, m-miss giant dragon. We were j-just in our way...
 * Teael - Y-Yeah, what she said. We... We were just on assignment and...
 * Márdeirythis - Oh, come now. I have no intention of harming any of you. Is it my size that intimidates you so? There are larger dragons roaming the sky at this very moment. ... You are no bother to me. All with good intents are welcome within my garden.
 * Szalvetha - The baby with us was attacked by a roc some distance away from here. We have cured its wounds with the best of our power.
 * Márdeirythis - Ah. How very fortunate. My children have a tendency for exploring beyond the nest and being... cast out by the natural order. It brings a smile to my face that young practitioners such as yourselves would go out of your way and put your short, finite lives at risk to spare my children from a cruel and unfortunate fate.
 * Damon - I guess it'd be expected to find Flora Drakes in Kormacvarah ruins. History says you were close.
 * Márdeirythis - It was the Kormacvarah that built this shrine, while all the trees were grown either from the spores left behind by wandering Flora Drakes or from the bodies of the ones who saw fit to move on from our world into the next. ... I still remember their final days as if they were yesterday. Oh, what I would do to see their faces once again...
 * Damon - We are actually on an assignment, as my friend here said. We were supposed to investigate this area for Kormacvarah ruins. But now... I don't know whether you'd want us telling everyone you live here.
 * Márdeirythis - ... Such is a dilemma. For eons, this place has stood as a final testament to the lives of the Kormacvarah and the bond shared between them and my people. ... But perhaps I must relieve my fear of your kind coming to harm this sacred place. All with good hearts are welcome, after all, and there are many throughout this world that keep light within their chests. It feels so lonely without the Kormacvarah to care for my children and the children of my children.
 * Damon - If you say so.
 * Szalvetha - We need proof of this place's existence for our Collegium. They will not be easily convinced of our claims alone.
 * Márdeirythis - Aside from the shells that encase my young, take whatever you wish from this site. Even if this place was built to commune with the spirits in mind, it is all material, thus finite. ... If it would interest you, take the crowns that sit upon the heads of the statues which lie at the start of the pathway. My treasure lies not with material possessions, after all.
 * Clothovera - Those would be perfect! Thank you.
 * Márdeirythis - I remember the very day they finished building those statues. They say that the one that depicts a Kormacvarah was built in the likeness of a great warrior-scholar. ... Alhazred, I believe his name was. The last hope for his people. Such a shame that he seemed to have simply vanished from the very face of the world... I once wished to know what fate befell him, but I have come to realize that given the cruel nature of the world, perhaps it would be best if I spared myself of that knowledge.

It was the early evening by the time the team managed to return to the Collegium. Sat within their usual spot, a table and bench at the far left corner of the main hall, was Tutor Ignaura and laid upon the wooden surface of the table was the talking spell-tome, Alhazred. She had been conversing with the book, discussing about means to teach his master how to utilize magic in his absence and their history together, before she caught sight of Damon returning with his friends. In response to his arrival, Ennea stood up from her seat and approached him before laying a hand upon his shoulder; she swiftly kissed his cheek in full view of his companions before he could do anything to stop her from embarrassing him.


 * Ennea - Welcome back!
 * Damon - ... H-hey!
 * Heilen - Can I get one too?
 * Ennea - Heh, nice try, hot shot. Anyway, how did your quest go? Did you find any ruins?
 * Szalvetha - We have found the ruins, and a grove inhabited by Flora Drakes.

Clothovera walked over to Ennea and handed her the two crowns retrieved from the statues at the ruins. Ennea examined them, glancing over the craft before returning to the table she was sat at some moments earlier and placed them upon the surface beside Alhazred. She looked back at the team and smiled towards them, before allowing Clothovera to see Alhazred residing upon the table.


 * Ennea - We have come to an agreement. You are free to have Alhazred in your possession through tonight until tomorrow afternoon, at which point, I shall regain care of him. This shall follow on a weekly basis.
 * Clothovera - ... T-thank you!
 * Alhazred - Flora Drakes, you say? I have not been with one of their kin for six thousand years.
 * Szalvetha - The Flora Drake matriarch lives in the grove we found. Márdeirythis, I think she is called.
 * Alhazred - ... Oh, that is a great find. I have never met her myself, but she is the greatest of her kind.
 * Ennea - I hope she did not mind you taking her possessions for your quest. The last thing we require is a foul-tempered ancient dragon attacking the Collegium in order to retrieve something that belongs to them.
 * Clothovera - Oh no, she's really nice. She suggested we take these with us herself.
 * Alhazred - Flora Drakes are the most benevolent and reasonable of True Dragons. I would expect nothing else.
 * Ennea - In the meantime, me and Alhazred have been in talks with one another about how to better teach you to utilize magic, Clothovera. I have been made aware that, much like your brother, you are in possession of certain brands and tattoos which cover the stretch of your body.
 * Clothovera - Uh, yes. My family tattoos.
 * Ennea - I am unsure if you are aware, but those tattoos hold innate magical power. You were never given the correct training to rely on your tattoos as a catalyst, but with some additional assistance, I am certain that you will grow to become used to using them as a means to cast your spells. These are part of the terms me and Alhazred had discussed.
 * Clothovera - Oh. I guess I could try that, but... how do I do it?
 * Ennea - Mhm, all in due time, Miss Moirai. For now, I think you deserve some rest and respite following your quest. I myself have somewhere else to be, but if you ever wish for my assistance, simply visit my office. Alhazred shall teach you the secrets of your familial tattoos, meanwhile.

With that, Ennea turned and moved to leave, taking the ancient crowns in hand with her while leaving Alhazred back in the company of Clothovera and her companions. Pyrath let out a sigh as his smile faded and he raised a hand, waving to the group as he also began to walk away in a separate direction while his voice seemed to return to the same tired and worried tone that it had been on that very same morning.


 * Pyrath - I'll catch up with ya guys later. I got stuff I gotta do too, ya know?
 * Clothovera - Bye, Pyrath.

It would be a comparatively quiet night afterwards; there would be much studying to be done for the students, alongside the personal business that one another would need to attend to, such as Pyrath checking in on his elder brother's condition, Teael cooking dinner for her roommates and attempting to make it at least passable for her standards, Damon fulfiling his Adjutorial duties, and Szalvetha and Heilen doing whatever it was they did for they always kept their business out of sight from both one another and from other people. Most importantly, however, perhaps Clothovera would finally have a chance of being successful now that she would able to learn the magical truths behind her tattoos and utilize the legacy of the Moirai Clan left within the ink written upon her skin and the blood flowing through her veins.

13/9/34: A Letter from Hachi! ♡
Sixth Day of the Second Week of Term, Late Afternoon: Dormitory CVI, East Wing

Light hid behind the clouds to cast dull and mild weather over the Olnah District, leaving the day to be rather uneventful until later tonight when students and teachers alike could enjoy the urban night life as bars and theatres showing special shows and performances were to open when the sun dipped beneath the horizon. Teael sat upon a seat as she intently locked her eyes at the centre of the dormitory, slurping from a bowl of hot soup that she held in her right hand while she refused to look away; today was the first day that Alhazred would be authorized to teach the young Clothovera how to utilize and cast her magic in absence of his presence, attempting to grant her the knowledge to draw upon the power of her familial tattoos - heirlooms left upon the flesh of the Moirai Clan which served as runes to bring forth latent, dark magicks. If the witch was to succeed in her education, she would have to learn to rely upon herself rather than leaning on her dependence for the ancient talking tome.

The sounds of Teael slurping soup were somewhat distracting, and the position that Clothovera had maintained up until this point seemed as if it was not really helping her as she first thought; she had assumed the position of the meditating lotus - or rather, she attempted to - and sat upon the hard wooden floor at the centre of the dorm. Nyakik stood between Clothovera's legs, further discomforting her while Alhazred levitated in front of them, his pages open and occasionally changing as he let out chants in the Old Tongue. Meanwhile, Szalvetha spent her time looking out of the window - she was not necessarily uncaring for Clothovera's training, but as there was nothing she could do to help, she chose to simply not interfere.


 * Clothovera - Ngh... Do you have to stay there of all places?
 * Nyakik - We must both train otherwise no progress will be made.
 * Clothovera - But do you have to stay there to do it?
 * Nyakik - Complain no further! Focus on getting this over with!
 * Clothovera - Ngh, this is not easy, you know... What with you there and the slurping sounds piercing my ears.
 * Teael - Hm? Slurping sounds? I dunno what you're talking about. I can't hear any slurping sounds.
 * Nyakik - Your slurping sounds, white-skinned woman. Stop eating like a frenzied cockatrice.
 * Teael - Man, you really gotta teach your familiar some manners, Clotho. I thought Damon's one was an asshole but now that Nyakik's here, it's like having two of him around. I'd have much rather kept it at one--
 * Alhazred - Do stay silent. You are interrupting us. That goes for you both.
 * Teael - S-Sorry, sir.
 * Alhazred - Now, Clothovera. Cleanse your mind of thoughts. Focus only on your inner strength. I will warn you now, it may physically hurt you at first, as you know the history of your tattoos. They stem from Zran Kar.
 * Clothovera - ... Y-you shouldn't have mentioned, now I'm gonna have him in mind!
 * Alhazred - Do not. Close your eyes and focus.

Clothovera's face showed unease as she closed her eyes and focused on Alhazred's words as he begun chanting once again. Moments of silence from her followed until Teael could see a faint glow coming from under the half-elf's robes - her black tattoos were glowing red. Teael leaned in, her eyes narrowing as she watched Clothovera's markings begin to illuminate with deep, bloody crimson, and she slowly eased the bowl of soup to the table beside her as she awaited to see what would happen next as the witch began to access the innate magic potential hidden within her. Even though Clothovera had only just started to tap into her latent sorcery, the Aithrena could feel a faint aura begin to gradually shape itself around the witch and her familiar, summoning the dark energies that had remained firmly locked and undisturbed - until now.

Progress appeared to be done until Clothovera begun grunting in discomfort, and suddenly opened her eyes in a yell as a bolt of dark magic was blasted out of her, which promptly started ricocheting off the walls of the room. Taken off-guard by the sudden bolt of magical energy, Teael jumped from her seat and kept her head low to the ground, curling almost into a ball so as to make herself a smaller target while the blast bounced from wall to wall and from floor to ceiling.


 * Teael - Clotho!
 * Clothovera - Aahh!

The bolt eventually bounced at Szalvetha's direction before striking the Derevar in the back, causing her to flinch in place. After a few moments of silence, she rose a hand and begun scratching her back before turning to the others, her expression not too different from the usual.


 * Szalvetha - Watch it.
 * Clothovera - Ngh...! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that! Are you hurt?
 * Szalvetha - No.
 * Teael - D-Damn, Szal... You must be pretty tough if you weren't hurt by that.
 * Szalvetha - I'm not just a Derevar. I'm a Derevar antimage. Your magic bolt felt as little more than a cat's scratch.
 * Alhazred - Urgh. You let your mind wander off.
 * Nyakik - ... She had bad memories of the family.
 * Clothovera - I couldn't help it...
 * Teael - Hey, Clotho, don't worry about it. Nobody got hurt, at least. Still... that was awesome! Whatever it was that you did, anyway.
 * Alhazred - I believe we've trained enough for a day.
 * Nyakik - Indeed, that was a strain in my energies. I must rest.
 * Szalvetha - You were sleeping until now.
 * Nyakik - I did not ask your opinion!
 * Teael - Do you always keep your familiar out like this, Clotho? Can't you do the thing where, you know... Where the familiar goes back inside you for a while?
 * Clothovera - Uh, no. I've never done anything of the sort... I didn't know that was even possible.
 * Nyakik - Why, the nerve. You do not merely put me inside someone else.

Teael shrugged as she stood up, brushing herself off before she reached a hand downwards towards Clothovera so that she may pick her up off of the floor - there was another bowl of soup left, reserved especially for her, which still steamed with heat and Teael would not wish for her friend to resort to eating cold soup. She knew beforehand that the training would be taxing, so she prepared something for Clothovera once she was finished with her session for today. The half-elf did not waste time to start eating, evidently left tired from her training session while Nyakik curled herself under a chair in order to rest. Szalvetha walked over to Alhazred and picked the book up, somewhat to his own surprise.


 * Szalvetha - Can I read you?
 * Alhazred - ... Oh, this is a bit sudden. But since you are Clothovera's friend... I suppose?
 * Szalvetha - Good. I need something new to read other than that alchemy book. Read that thrice already.
 * Teael - Szal, reading a magic book? Never thought I'd see the day.
 * Szalvetha - Alchemy is magic. And it's not like I'm completely uninterested in what magic can do.
 * Alhazred - Learning of a subject is a good way to create means to combat it later, after all.
 * Szalvetha - Honestly I'm more interested in the so-famed hexes that explode things.

Teael giggled and smiled before she reclaimed her seat, picking up her bowl of soup before slurping down whatever was left of its contents in a greedy, rather feral and unsophisticated manner. It was as she was gulping down her soup that her ears twitched at the rather peculiar sound of wings flapping near the window - a bird had landed at the windowsill, its tiny eyes peering into the dormitory as it examined the inhabitants. It was a pigeon, with feathers of various shades of grey complimented by highlights of white and black, and attached to its left foot was a small strap that was wrapped around a rolled up, folded piece of parchment. As it landed upon the windowsill, it seemed to coo as if to grab the attention of the denizens of the dormitory, as it seemed to have come with a message of some form.

Szalvetha, who was standing still, walked over to the pigeon and reached a hand as to grab the parchment on its foot. The pigeon flapped its wings erratically, flying into Szalvetha's face before it made its way inside of the dormitory and began to wildly circle around their living quarters; the idea of being grabbed by the Derevar had seemingly caused it to become wild, its actions untamed and panicked.


 * Szalvetha - ... You have got to be kidding.
 * Clothovera - Aaah! Bird!
 * ??? - Aaah! Derevar!
 * Clothovera - Huh?
 * ??? - G-Get it away!
 * Szalvetha - ... "It"? Okay, you flying rat. I'm putting you in my next brew.

The bird landed at the centre of the room, glancing at the students with widened eyes before its body began to illuminate with magical light; it was a brief sequence, with the entirety of the bird's form being engulfed with some form of magical energy before it became reshaped, transforming from the figure of a bird to that of a humanoid - an elven deiwos, it appeared, for its ears were pointy and its form was lithe and thin. As the light cleared, crouched at the centre of the room was what seemed to be a young, half-elven male, with his hair short and brown and his clothes of rather average quality, not like the expensive and fancy robes of the students and teachers that attended this school. The strap containing the parchment was still wrapped around his ankle, although he forgot it as his panicked, frenzied eyes were locked on to the Derevar that had attempted to grab ahold of him some moments prior.


 * Szalvetha - Explain yourself before I hit you with this book.
 * Alhazred - Hey!
 * ??? - N-No, don't! I'm... I'm a messenger! M-My name is Rhys! Rhys Glynleth! Ah, no, don't come closer!
 * Clothovera - Would you stop acting like my friend is some sort of monster? What's your problem?
 * Rhys - S-Sorry, I... I don't see Derevar very often and most of the ones I've met are... Wait. Clothovera Moirai?
 * Szalvetha - Most humans I have seen would like to hang elf heads on pikes.
 * Clothovera - Yes. I'm Clothovera.
 * Rhys - Ah, so I got the right room... after five tries. Ahem. I come with a message for you from some guy whose name I can't remember. Blue fur, wears an eyepatch... Eh, I'll just give this thing to you.

Rhys bent down and untied the strap around his ankle, grabbing the parchment before standing up and approaching the witch with his arm outstretched so as to hand it to her. She took the message in her hands and opened it to read it, and quickly enough, a smile grew on her face.


 * Clothovera - A letter from Hachi!
 * Rhys - Yeah, that's his name. Thought it was something like Hacho or Hochi or... eh, whatever. Said that he'd hate to lose contact with you while you're doing your studies here. You know, I used to study here myself--
 * Szalvetha - If your job is done, you can leave now.
 * Rhys - Rude.
 * Szalvetha - I'm not the rude one here.
 * Rhys - Whatever. As a matter of fact, my job here isn't done. Unfortunately. I'm a two-way messenger, which means that if Clethohera here wants to send a reply, I gotta wait around until she does.
 * Clothovera - The name is Clothovera. And before I say anything, I need to read this...

To Clothovera;

''Hope you're enjoying your stay in the Sovereignty! I heard the weather's nice in Purity's Apogee around this time of the year. I've been travelling northwest with a few friends of mine; Lagosi friends! Been roaming around between Talmyr, the Polar Lands, and the Western Forests, doing... hero stuff. Stuff that heroes do. The kind of stuff that takes heroes in order to do them. ... Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about you. I miss you. I miss the Sea Witch's stew, too, but you mostly. What I wouldn't give for some of that stew right now, it's difficult to get that kind of thing around these parts. Apparently, Smeevers aren't supposed to taste good in food. Who'd have thought, eh? ... Where was I? Ah right!''

''Hope to get a reply as soon as possible, just to know that you're alright. Tell me about any friends you made! ... You are making friends, right? And I mean friends as in true friends, not friends as in people that follow you and try to hang out with you because they like you. I mean, "like" like you. Ah, who am I kidding? I can trust you! ... But seriously, don't let those kind of people around you. Anyway, hope you stay out of trouble and are having a good time!''

Sincerely, Hachi

Clothovera chuckled to herself as she read the letter, smiling all the way. Her roommates had not seen her this happy since she encountered Damon in the first day. Teael perked a brow and tilted her head as she watched Clothovera's face light up from the message placed upon the parchment, while Rhys kept his hands in his pockets and tapped his foot in order to pass the time while he glanced around the room, his attention elsewhere.


 * Teael - So... What's it say?
 * Clothovera - He's out with friends being the hero he said he'd be. And he says he misses me... I gotta give a reply.
 * Teael - Damn, you two must be really good friends if he misses you that much.
 * Clothovera - I told you guys already, he's my boyfriend. Now give me a piece of paper and something to write with, please.

Teael's smile dropped into a look of shock and confusion, with Rhys visibly wincing at Clothovera's words while he reached into the pockets of his short-sleeved jacket before pulling out a sealed pot of ink, a quill, and a roll of parchment. He placed the objects on the table that Clothovera was sat at while Teael was left speechless, looking blankly into the air as she tried to understand what the witch had just said in front of all of them.

Dear Hachi,

''Things have been going up and down here. On one hand, they took Alhazred from me, and I'm having to learn magic from scratch again. On the other, I made a few friends, and the best of all, my brother is still alive! Turns out he was here at this Collegium all along! Would you imagine? I bet you'd like him. My two roommates are an Aithrena and a Derevar; the former really likes to cook, and the latter is rather scary, but it's clear she likes us enough to follow us around. She even scares the bullies away.''

''We ought to meet in person soon. I believe I'll have some weeks free of work in some months from now where we can plan and meet up at the capital, and I can present you Damon and the others. I really miss you. As for food, let me tell you: teacher's soups were better than the food they make here. But then again, can you really compare anyone to teacher when it comes to cooking?''

Stay safe.

Sincerely, Clothovera

With the message written, she wrapped it around itself and delivered it to Rhys alongside the writing tools she was given. He stuffed the tools back into his jacket before placing the piece of parchment into the strap upon his leg, sighing as he finally got the opportunity to leave. With a huff, the half-elf morphed back into the form of a pigeon, cooing as he looked up at the elves before he spread his wings and took flight towards the window.


 * Rhys - Normally I'd charge you for the reply, but honestly, I hate being around here enough not to bring myself to bother asking. Not having the Derevar beat me up is good enough payment, if you ask me.

Szalvetha looked at the now-transformed Rhys, and what looked like a small, malevolent grin appeared on her face as she rose Alhazred over her head, as if intending to swing the book at the pigeon. In truth, she was not aiming to hit him - scaring him was satisfying enough. Rhys squawked, making a speedy departure through the window that he had come from and flew towards the sky, the sounds of him grumbling and complaining soon fading from their elven hearing as he trekked through the skyline of Purity's Apogee. Teael was still speechless, her mouth agape as her expression showed she was having immense difficulty contemplating Clothovera's previous statement. After closing the window behind her, Szalvetha then turned to the others, her grin turning into what looked like an expression of mild confusion as she looked at Clothovera.


 * Clothovera - ... Why are you both staring at me like that?
 * Szalvetha - You said your boyfriend was named Hachi, right?
 * Clothovera - Yeah?
 * Szalvetha - And Hachi is a Lagosi.
 * Clothovera - ... Oh... Erm...
 * Teael - You're dating a beastman!?
 * Clothovera - ... H-hey... H-he's not just a beastman...
 * Teael - Dude, that's... That's... D-Do you kiss him? Like, on the mouth?
 * Szalvetha - Clothovera had sexual intercourse with a rabbit person.
 * Clothovera - H-hey, listen here! W-what makes you thing you can t-tell me who I can or not kiss?!
 * Teael - Oh, we're not going to tell you who you can love or not, but... Well. Good luck making Damon see eye to eye with you about... that.

Clothovera had her teeth clenched as she went red in a mix of anger and frustration. She got up from her seat as she glared at her roommates.


 * Clothovera - He'll have to accept it as you will. I love Hachi and he loves me back. I don't care what he looks like! And this is all really rich coming from you who were all so much about species equality until now!
 * Szalvetha - ... I do not particularly find it impressive. In a Derevar's eyes, this is about as much as one of us dating another elf.
 * Teael - W-What? Dating a Derevar isn't weird, S-Szal! ... And neither is dating a beastman, I suppose. I mean, hey, at least you both love each other. And it could be worse, too. ... Could be dating one of them filthy gnoll things.
 * Szalvetha - As long as you can stand each other and live in harmony, I am theoretically happy for you, Clotho.
 * Nyakik - None of you naked apes would fit my Clothovera regardless. Which of you can boast to have faced Simulacra? None of you, as I said.
 * Teael - Way to make us feel inadequate, Nyakik. ... Sorry, Clotho, I didn't mean what I said. I just... never met anyone who loved a beastman like that and meant it. But we're happy for you, girl! You gotta brave, caring guy looking out for you.
 * Clothovera - ... Yeah. He is all of that, and more.
 * Szalvetha - Cherish what you have. Not all have the same luck.
 * Teael - Aw, don't say that, Szal. I'm sure there's someone out there who's into you! I mean, you gotta have crushes yourself, right?
 * Szalvetha - Derevar do not love. Hence, cherish what you have.
 * Teael - ... Well, that put a shower on my bonfire. Anyway, who's up for going into town? I need to get some fresh air. I think we all do after that.
 * Clothovera - Yeah, we can do that.
 * Szalvetha - Let us. It smells like pigeon here.

6/10/34: I Hate the Ocean
Early Mehnot's Rise, 34 NA: Road to Lahlian Village, Southwestern Tropical Lands

The team composed of Clothovera, her friends and the dwarf Tyrfing had gone on their next quest on behalf of Tutor Ignaura. They were tasked to investigate a recent report of a coastal fishing village whose population had suddenly disappeared. Through the use of the portals of the Collegium, they were sent to the Tropical Lands in order to reach the village, located south to the Duskwoods. Although it was beyond official regional recognition as part of the southern stretch of the Duskwoods, the village - affectionately known as Lahlian - maintained ties with the parties that settled those accursed lands and had supplied fish, salt, and other coastal goods with the settlers, including those human denizens of the Empire in spite of the increasingly hot political and cultural tensions between the two races; the Duskwoods was thought to be a land where a greater, darker looming threat of an obscure nature brought people of all cultures together, if at least to reluctantly tolerate one another.

The group travelled by horse and carriage, with the light of the sun seeming to sit behind a wall of dark, thick clouds - rain was clearly imminent. The new month of Mehnot's Rise was greeted with consistent rain across the western half of the continent, and with the exotic and tropical nature of the region that the team travelled through, the rain was promised only to fall harder and, unfortunately, in much greater quantity. The Erylian of the group, Pyrath, sat impatiently as he frowned at the sight of rain, and while he knew fairly well that his pyromancy would be reduced in such conditions should the team encounter trouble, it was more his hair, which required an hour or so of precise, hard work to style, that the elf was concerned for. Damon and Clothovera walked under an umbrella, with the older brother carrying it and guiding his sister to the village, while Szalvetha carried something else; it looked like an umbrella, but it was in fact a large mushroom grown with alchemical products. Teael, her eyes locked onto the mushroom that Szalvetha carried around, did not seem to mind the rain as she allowed her hair to get wet without complaint.


 * Pyrath - Grr, I ain't got time for this crap. Why don't we just turn back around and say everything's fine so we can get back to the Collegium - and out of this rain - as fast as possible, eh?
 * Szalvetha - If you care so little for your grades, just go.
 * Pyrath - Hey, I care! I just don't think anything big happens around these parts outside of the Duskwoods, ya know? No Bharloron, no undead, no goblins, nothing. Nadda.
 * Damon - We'll see when we get there. If everything is alright, then fine, we go back. But if not, we have to investigate.
 * Teael - No offense, and while I agree that Pyrath's being a wuss, I don't think any of us make for great detectives. There's professionals for this kinda thing.
 * Heilen - Not with that attitude, we're not.
 * Teael - Yeah, like you know a thing about investigating. You don't even know where you leave your socks half the time.
 * Heilen - Heheheh. You'd be surprised.

Once the group arrived to Lahlian, however, it was clear something had happened. The village was home to numerous families of fishermen, their pets and their livestock. But as the students and their bodyguard arrived, they found it completely deserted - not a soul, human, elven or animal could be seen as the rain poured over their heads. Tyrfing felt something lodge itself in his chest as he heard or saw nothing of the village's residents - although it was obvious to all of them that something drastic had happened here, his age and experience granted him the benefit of knowing that such an incident as this must have been so terrifyingly awful to result in the disappearance of an entire coastal village. He instinctively reached for his sheathed axes, huffing as he stepped ahead of his younger companions and examined what remained of the site. Huts, houses, storage shelters, even the local drinking hall looked to be undamaged.

Yet, as he peered at the town, he made note of the muddy earth that became only more viscous, damp, and moist as the rain picked up weight while it fell. He could see the footprints, for there were many, each on paths erratic and seemingly unintended. He felt a chill travel through his otherwise sturdy spine, goosebumps rising across his tough exterior.


 * Tyrfing - ... This is not good.
 * Damon - The villagers did disappear... and so did everything else.
 * Heilen - ... Well, I'm gonna go and get the hell outta here, if you know what I'm saying.
 * Pyrath - What? Ya not gonna stick around and help us out? Man, you're more of a coward than I thought, Heilen!
 * Heilen - You know what cowards do? They survive things.
 * Szalvetha - The doors to the houses and establishments are all open. All of them.
 * Teael - Man, this reminds me of those myths, you know? The folktales of how entire villages disappear over the course of a single night; all the people are there one day, then nothing is left of them the next. It's... It's creepy. I thought stuff like that was just fairytales. I didn't think it actually happened.
 * Clothovera - W-what do we do?
 * Damon - Let's look inside one of the residences.
 * Tyrfing - Keep close. Whatever did this could still be around.
 * Pyrath - W-What ya trying to imply? That... That the villagers are all dead or something? Ya trying to creep us out even more, old man? Eh? T-That kinda crap ain't funny, ya know.
 * Tyrfing - Kid, you'd not believe me if I told you that I have seen stuff like this happen before. And trust my word when I say that in some cases, it's better to not find the residents if they haven't disappeared off the face of the world.

Led by the dwarf, the group approached the closest residence in order to see its interior; furniture was scattered across the rooms as the house was covered in wet footprints, and the sights of battle were clear as blood drenched the rooms, while some walls and objects appeared to have been slashed by blades of some descrption. However, there were no corpses to be seen. Teael gulped, a cold sweat travelling dripping down her face as she moved to travel upstairs to the second level to attempt finding anything of possible interest, while Pyrath gritted his teeth and hesitated to step any further into what had once been a home; without any hint of conscious thought, his hand reached for Szalvetha's while his eyes were locked onto the aftermath of what could only be assumed to be a struggle, though she was quick to take her hand away from his. On the second floor, Teael could see the furniture was also a mess as she found a child's room, though unlike on the floor below, there did not appear to be any signs of battle there.

The Aithrena quivered somewhat as she pushed open the wooden door that led into the bedroom and stepped inside, the sound of worn, archaic floorboards creaking beneath her feet and rain pattering outside filling her with a form of intensity she was not yet accustomed to - in place of trembling with excitement or twitching with anger, her body shook with dread. Her breaths became heavy while she analyzed the room - toys, some cupboards, and bed occupied this place, along with a window that looked over a portion of the rest of the town. While the acuteness of an elf's senses would usually have brought her comfort, Teael felt as if her delicate senses of hearing and touch were being so subtley toyed with as her mind began to drift while she could not help but feel drawn towards the window. For once, she felt as if her heart had moved from her chest only to gradually move up through her throat so that it may beat there.

Investigating this house brought them no clear indication of what was the cause of the disappearance of the villagers. Heilen appeared quite comfortable as he watched Szalvetha lean down and pass her finger through the now nearly dry blood on the floor, which she brought up to her eyes to inspect, while Damon approached Tyrfing, with his sister still clinging into his side.


 * Damon - You found anything?

The dwarf locked eyes with Damon; moments prior, he had been investigating the bizarre slashes and thrusting wounds left upon the walls and furniture, noting the rather jagged nature of the lacerations dealt to the house's interior. Tyrfing grasped Damon's hand and brought his palm over it, allowing the half-elf to feel something light yet quite clearly solid drop between his fingertips - small fragments and shards of what felt like rock. The dwarven warrior moved his hand away with a clear frown written on his aged face, allowing the Adjutor to gain a clear view of what it was that he had planted in his palm.


 * Tyrfing - You know what material that is, lad?
 * Damon - Hm... Stone. Weapons made of stone.
 * Tyrfing - Not just any stone, lad. That's obsidian; almost completely unrefined and crudely sharpened. Based on the marks left on the walls and furniture and how much blood there is all over the place, I'd be willing to assume that the weapons those shards came from were made with the purpose of shredding and cutting through explicitly flesh.
 * Damon - Judging by the size of the slashes, the weapons were small-sized. Obsidian daggers, perhaps.
 * Tyrfing - Clearly, whatever happened here did not go smoothly for anyone. What warriors wield daggers when going into a fight, eh? Here's a hint; they don't. Daggers are at their most useful when used for more subtle engagements; assassinations, flanking maneuvers in close quarters combat, infiltration... They're weapons meant for people who don't intend to get into a fight.
 * Damon - You said you've seen this kind of thing before. Any idea of the culprits? There's nothing useful in this house.
 * Heilen - Beyond the food.
 * Szalvetha - ... Are you eating the dead family's food?
 * Heilen - Better than leave it rotting.
 * Tyrfing - If you'd not mind, could I tell you a story? I shall only keep it brief, but it shall help you understand why I feel we've no hope left of finding these villagers alive. If they are not all already dead... then they soon shall be.
 * Clothovera - We should call Teael back down here then.
 * Heilen - Oi! You fat Aithrena skank! Get in here!
 * Szalvetha - Do not make me melt your head off, Heilen.
 * Heilen - Hey, it always works. I obviously don't mean it. She smells nice.

Tyrfing sighed as he looked at the ground, wading through the blood dried to the floor as he felt the feelings within his chest become ever more uneasy, before he looked to the group and exhaled a long, deep breath. He did not look any of them in the eye, instead looking indirectly at the results of the aftermath of the house in each of their respecive directions.


 * Tyrfing - When I was a wee dwarf, I was raised in a coastal village called Montheg, south of a hold once known as Dhagdaral. 'Twas a quiet place; inner-hold dwarves went there to relieve themselves of the stresses of urban living while the natives were involved in the exchange of fish and other goods you'd expect to get from the sea. You may not know this, but us dwarves keep the same stories of small seaside villages and towns disappearing overnight. That an entire populace can up and vanish without a trace to there whereabouts. ... That is no coincidence.
 * Clothovera - I... I don't like the sound of this...
 * Tyrfing - I am not done yet, girl. ... I was but a child at the time. While I was supposed to be tucked beneath the covers of my bed safe and soundly, I was an unruly child; on occasion, I'd keep awake to watch the stars in the sky or the waves as they crashed against the shore. Those waves... brought something to our town. Many things. Grotesque, truly bizarre things that spoke in the damned, horrid tongue of the drowned. Upon the shore they crept, in great numbers too, yet as they approached our homes, they became as silent as the still night. Into our homes they intruded, not a sound to be made as they invited themselves into our humble abodes and... helped themselves to those that lie sleeping inside.
 * Damon - And what were those things?
 * Tyrfing - ... The foulest daemons from the depths of the abyss. Fiends that wore the guise of fish, armed with crude blades that glowed with magical hues accursed and dark. They... came for us. If a dwarf were not gutted, they were incapacitated so that they may be dragged kicking and screaming beneath the waves. They'd not come for our food, for our livestock, for our fish... They came for souls. We were each made sacrifice for whatever dark god they spoke of. I survived only by abandoning my home and throwing myself within a mound of fish to mask my scent, for the stench of fish and death was what radiated from those soulless bastards; I shan't ever forget the sight of a hundred or so dwarves - all of which I once knew - being pulled by their beards into that watery blackness to never again grace the light of day. My father, my mother... countless friends...

There was a silence as Tyrfing grew quiet, his mouth agape as his sole eye pitifully glanced back the group that had heard his tale, himself beginning to tremble in his boots; the revelation that the reason why the bodies of these townsfolk may not be found was because of a watery demise would be swift to arrive, although as it dawned upon those companions who had paid attention to the dwarf's story, the sound of creaking wooden boards stirred the growing quiet. Teael, her eyes widened and her face dampened with sweat, held a disturbed look upon her expression - a strange expression to hold given that she had not accompanied the rest of the group to hear Tyrfing's tale.


 * Teael - ... Lights...
 * Heilen - Whfat you fhsay?
 * Szalvetha - ... You're stuffed in food!
 * Heilen - I eat fhen I'm sfhared.
 * Clothovera - Lights? What lights?
 * Teael - L-Lights... from the pub... A-Across the... other side of t-town...
 * Damon - Lights?... Someone might be alive!
 * Tyrfing - Let us hope.
 * Clothovera - D-do we really have to go? I g-get the feeling I know what Tyrfing is talking about...
 * Damon - We can't just let survivors behind if there are lights coming from the pub. It must be candles. Come on, guys.
 * Pyrath - It could be a trap, ya know, Damon... I don't remember seeing lights on when we got here...
 * Damon - If it's a trap then it will die.
 * Tyrfing - Famous last words, lad. Famous last words.

With this, the group left the home and made their way to the drinking hall, and they could see that indeed, a faint light was visible in its opened windows. Damon led them alongside Tyrfing, but it was clear the story the dwarf told them had left the half-elf uneasy as he wrapped an arm around Clothovera to keep her close. Even Szalvetha, who was otherwise devoid of fear, showed an expression of apprehension as they approached the pub. Teael walked close to Szalvetha, her teeth chattering and her body mildly twitching from both the cold and the evidently tense, dreadful atmosphere that had overcame them.


 * Teael - Szal...?
 * Szalvetha - Yeah?
 * Teael - C-Can... Can I stand under that... u-umbrella thing with you? It's... cold in the rain...
 * Szalvetha - If you do not mind the itchiness and other bad things that happen when you stay close to a Derevar.
 * Teael - At this point, Szal... I don't think I could feel a-anymore worse than I do right now.

Once they arrived to the doors of the pub and made their way inside, what they witnessed caused Clothovera to scream and Damon to wince back as a cold shiver went down his spine: the counter was drenched in blood and gore as an amalgamation of body parts laid on it, each limb from a different source built into a statue of corpses. It took the shape of the head and body of a man, his eyes gouged out and torso wide open so that his heart could be seen, with three pairs of arms stitched into him, one of them coming from his back and raising as to dangle over the head. Several waists were combined into one another as to increase the length, with two pairs of legs stitched into them, each leg and foot different from each other, while at the end, several limbs devoid of hands or feet were stitched into each other, creating the crude form of a tail. Through the whole "statue", bones stuck out, as if forced out of their position, which now resembled rows of spikes protruding from the flesh.

Pyrath could not restrain his bowels as he laid his eyes upon the piece of macabre art, proceeding to retch and spew forth the contents of his stomach upon the wet, muddy ground while Teael was rendered speechless, her right hand grasping Szalvetha's shoulder tightly; touching a Derevar in such a way should have dealt the elf pain, yet all she could feel as she laid her eyes on the taxidermied hybrid of the remains of the townsfolk was a clear, overpowering sense of dread and futility in the face of their plight in this village. Sweat ran down the Derevar's head as her mouth went agape at the sight of the thing, and she begun shivering in place as she tried to step back - she was not devoid of emotions completely, and even she had her limits. This was terrorizing her. Meanwhile, Heilen, who had eaten so much to try and calm himself, instead started puking into the floor violently.


 * Tyrfing - ... For Isiris' sake, lad, shut the fucking doors!
 * Clothovera - W-what the hell?! We need to get out of here!!
 * Teael - O-Oh... my gods...
 * Pyrath - Oh gods, oh gods...! They... T-They butchered them! They butchered all of them! I... I'm going back to the carriage, oh gods...
 * Damon - All of us will. We need to leave this Gods-forsaken village... right now!
 * Teael - There... There were no lights when we got here...

Damon took Clothovera and made his way out of the pub, while Heilen attempted to follow, still puking out all the food he had eaten. Szalvetha looked at Teael with an awkward expression of fear as she pulled her slightly, as if trying to tell her to leave with her. Teael was clearly fazed by what she had seen, although she soon followed Szalvetha's insistence and turned away from looking at the grim sight that was beheld to them beyond the doors of the drinking hall, while Tyrfing swiftly slammed those doors behind him so that none of them may have to look at the gift that had been prepared specially for them by those that had come before them. And as they left, Clothovera screamed again as her eyes turned to the shores.

There was someone there, staring at them. Of short stature, it was a creature of fish-like appearance and a mouth filled with sharpened teeth, carrying a dagger in a hand which it pointed at the group as they emerged from the pub. From its right eye, liquid leaked as if were tears, though the lightning strikes which illuminated the rainy sky revealed they had not the colouration of water.

It was mud.


 * Teael - W-What... What is that thing...?
 * Clothovera - M-M-Mud... M-Mudp-priest...!

The walking fish looked at the group for a few moments more before turning its back to them and laying on all fours as it ran into the water, diving into the sea and eventually disappearing from sight completely. Pyrath clenched his fists and bared his teeth, tempted to attempt charging at the daemon that had just mocked them and use his pyromancy to blow it apart, yet he was held back from doing so by Tyrfing who essentially dragged the elf back with sheer strength in spite of the Erylian's anger. Heilen dropped into the floor, huffing as he finally stopped vomiting.


 * Heilen - That thing... I felt as if my soul was being sucked out just by looking at it.
 * Teael - I have no idea what the hell is going on, but something is telling me we shouldn't get close to that thing or stick around any longer. ... I want to go home. I want to go anywhere far from here.
 * Clothovera - I-I have s-seen it before... t-the Mudpriest of the ... f-followers of d-demons... w-when you said they were f-fish-like, I just knew it was them...
 * Tyrfing - Like I said before... You should always be thankful if you never find the remains of a town like this. Because that will always be significantly worse than never finding a trace of them.
 * Damon - Let's go back to the Collegium... and tell them to never send us into this kind of quest ever again.

23/10/34: Just Desserts
Third Week of the Second Month of Term, Early Afternoon: Main Central Hall of the Grand Collegium

It had been a swift two weeks following the group's venture into the coastal regions of the Tropical Lands, with many of the first year students, including Clothovera, beginning to fully adjust to the Collegium and starting to assimilate properly into their lesson plans, regimes, and schedules; the passage of time seemed to quicken as the witch adapted to her new surroundings, although there were still some surprises left to be had as the term passed as there were still teachers she had yet to meet, lessons she had yet to be taught, and adventures ahead of her that awaited to be undertaken, although such was not all sunshine and rainbows for her classes in the Arts of Umbramancy continued to prove somewhat miserable on part of seemingly becoming ignored by her peers, if not subject to snide, rather uncomfortable off-hand remarks by her fellow students.

Nonetheless, downtime was still accessible for her, and once again she found her circle of companions gathered at the same familiar table and bench at the far side of the central atrium of the Grand Collegium's main building. As it was early afternoon, it was to be expected for Teael to be sat at the table with a platter of hot food, helping herself to her heart's content while she keenly watched as Pyrath and Damon put on a show of strength, confidence, and determination bold and true; the two young men were found to be arm wrestling, with no clear victor in sight. Clothovera watched them too as Heilen sat on one end of the table, seemingly having fallen asleep with his usual grin on his face after he finished eating, while Szalvetha spent her time reading a new book she had taken from the library.


 * Pyrath - Ngh... For a halfblood, ya sure got good stature. Ya aren't even shaking or getting unbalanced, no matter how hard I push ya...
 * Damon - You know how humans are. We're stronger than the usual elf.
 * Pyrath - Heh, I'll believe it when I see it, D. ... Hey, Szal, who do ya suppose is gonna win, eh? Ya the smart one, after all.
 * Szalvetha - Damon due to his physical training and human heritage.
 * Pyrath - Ya saying I'm not fit?
 * Szalvetha - Yes.
 * Pyrath - Bet I could beat ya in an arm wrestle!
 * Szalvetha - Of course you can. I am a girl.
 * Teael - That doesn't mean anything, Szal. I mean, look at me. I'm a girl and I can kick both their asses with my eyes closed.
 * Damon - Don't make me laugh. You'd fall over and embarrass yourself.
 * Szalvetha - You have swordsman training. I make no physical exercises. Factually, I am the weakest here, except perhaps Clothovera.
 * Clothovera - Yeah, I'm not up for hand to hand.

Teael huffed as she stood up and walked around the edge of the table, her arms resting behind her head in a rather casual manner before she took the liberty to attempt kicking Damon's legs out from underneath him while he was engaged with Pyrath, looking away in another direction as she did so in order to make her attack appear unintended. The wind mage let out a short yelp of pain as he lost his focus, allowing Pyrath to take him down in their contest. Turning a glare at Teael, Damon threw a hand at her, sending a blast of wind at the Aithrena and causing her to fall onto her rear. Pyrath, meanwhile, raised both of his arms up in celebration and clenched his fists, cheering for himself as he felt a sudden surge of pride.


 * Pyrath - Yes! Pyrath Cindraech does it again, woo! Pyrath, 1; Damon, 0!
 * Damon - Sure you do when you get help. Just like the human books say, elves only win by cheating.
 * Pyrath - ... Wow, that's kinda racist, D.
 * Damon - Teael kicked me in the damned knee.
 * Teael - You said I'd fall over and embarass myself because I'm a girl!
 * Damon - No, I said you'd fall over because I'm a more experienced fighter and mage than you. And it happened, just like that.
 * Teael - Oh, I'm so gonna kick your ass when I get off this floor, gods help you!
 * Szalvetha - Enough of this childish banter already.
 * Pyrath - What's got ya worked up, Szal? Boy trouble? I can sort that out for ya if ya like. It ain't no problem.
 * Szalvetha - I do not know why you decided to flirt with me now, Pyrath, but I am tired of you trying to measure the size of your manhoods in front of me. You all act like children.
 * Clothovera - I'm sure Teael was just joking about it.
 * Szalvetha - That is even more childish.
 * Teael - Seriously, you alright? You're more down than usual. I mean, you've not said a whole lot today, even by your standards.
 * Szalvetha - The only thing bothering me is your hostility to each other.

The group became rather quiet, unsure of what to say regarding Szalvetha's claims and statements, and time almost seemed to slow due to the awkward nature of the situation. The silence was soon broken, however, when there was a sudden chill in the air; a cold, rather unwelcome breeze was felt between them all and a familiar shiver crept down Clothovera's spine as an Aithrena, adorning blue and black scholarly robes with her snowy blonde hair braided into a tail that sat over her left shoulder, approached the circle of friends from behind. A groan came out of the half-elf as she turned around to see the arrival, a frown growing on her face.


 * Vhalra - Ah, so this is where you go when you're not in lessons. I see you've made a few friends; the rich kid from Erylianus who wants to fit in with the social outcasts, the Collegium's own running joke in student form, and... Ooh, this must be that Moirai boy.
 * Clothovera - Oh, what the hell do you want now? Are you stalking me or what?
 * Vhalra - Hmph, as if I'd waste my time being so persistent. I merely wished to see how the other side coped outside of lessons; the poorer, less fortunate, and less gifted side, that is. Not studying and wasting their own time hanging around with a bunch of other less than respectable characters.

Szalvetha closed her book and appeared ready to get up, but before she did, Damon rose from his seat and turned to face Vhalra, his eyes narrowed as he looked down on the Aithrena. Vhalra peered up at him, observing his comparatively strong features and admiring the stature and height at which the half-elf stood, and she could only wear a smile upon her dark violet lips as she found herself the subject of Damon's immediate interest.


 * Vhalra - Why, hello there, Moirai. Vhalra Kasalsain; Arts of Umbramancy, second year, and progeny of the Kasalsain noble family. You... may have heard of me, since I am excelling as Sir Eilenneim's top student this term.
 * Damon - Damon Moirai. Adjutor. Sixth year, Arts of Aeromancy. Progeny of Clotholaire Moirai. Yes, I know you. You're the one who decided to spend her time harrassing my sister.
 * Vhalra - ... Oh, so Clotho is your sister? Mhm, I thought there was some connection between you two, what with the shared surname. You know, it's a shame because... well, since you are her brother, I'd have thought to expect more of her. I hear you are a very proficient mage, after all.
 * Damon - Listen here, newbie. I'm going to warn you only once. Leave my sister and my friends alone, before you start biting more than you can chew.
 * Vhalra - Hmf. I don't think it's wise for an Adjutor to start making threats to students.
 * Damon - It isn't wise for a student to be doing misconduct, and what was it, racist statements?
 * Vhalra - Heh, I shan't tell if you won't. I feel like we may have gotten off on the wrong foot, Sir Moirai, so how about we go and clear up this little incident away from these... people. Say, in town, at a restaurant? Or maybe somewhere a little more... private, hm?
 * Clothovera - ... Are you flirting with my brother?!
 * Vhalra - Oh please, Clotho. Your brother is a grown man, he can do as he pleases. And I shall say it now that, since I come from a very high-standing family, I have a fair share of influence and sway. It'd be a great honour for someone like your brother to... mhm, spend some time with me?
 * Szalvetha - This is what you would hear from one of those "gold digger" types.
 * Vhalra - ... You dare?! I shall have you know I've no need to search for a richer man; in fact, do not think I am unaware of the absence of any nobility to the Moirai name as of the New Age! ... Hmph. All I am saying is that it would be a wise and advantageous decision for you, Sir Moirai, to settle our "dispute" someplace else.
 * Clothovera - You slut! You just wanna fuck my brother!
 * Heilen - Mmmm... w-what's this about sluts?
 * Vhalra - Hmph. I am afraid that I must ask you to control your sister, Moirai, or else she might cause a stir and embarrass both us and herself. People like ourselves do not need that kind of attention, now do we?

Damon's expression turned into a frown as he approached his head to Vhalra's. He was clearly displeased by her attitude.


 * Damon - I don't care for what family you came from. What I care is the fact you've been messing with my friends. And I don't date braindead bitches. Get out of here.
 * Vhalra - You are making a very brash decision, Moirai. If I wanted, I could have Vice-Archtutor Eilenneim deny you of what pitiful standing you have here. He'd not go against the word of a member of the Kasalsain clan because he is a smart man. I must ask that you reconsider your choice of words.
 * Damon - Parrot in my ear again once you become an Adjutor, newbie.
 * Vhalra - Hmph. A shame that there is no wisdom beneath that wonderful physique of yours... Your worth only extends as far as your looks. I suppose that is why you are still just an Adjutor.
 * Damon - You've stared plenty. Now it's my turn.

With a hand movement, Damon cast his magic under them, causing a gush of wind to blast upwards; in doing so, the wind mage caused Vhalra's clothes to be sent up as well, exposing the floral-patterned undergarments that she wore beneath her robes and causing her hair to become messy as it was blown upward with her outfit. The Aithrena shrieked and made an effort to hold down the front of her robes, although her rear was still exposed to any onlookers that had taken notice of their argument. Teael's face brightened into a look of awe as she watched the spectacle unfold, while Pyrath tilted his head at the scene and kept his hands in his pockets. Clothovera begun laughing loudly and, much to their surprise, so did Szalvetha, though her laugher was far more reserved as she watched the scene. And out of nowhere, Heilen appeared behind Vhalra, squatting on the ground as he looked directly into her exposed rear.


 * Heilen - Nice.
 * Vhalra - Aaaah! Aaaaah! S-Stop! I d-demand that you stop this instance, Moirai! T-This is indecent, this... W-Would you fucking stop already?! It's not funny!
 * Damon - Yeah well I demand you get the hell out. Right now. Before the breeze gets so strong your robes are sent to the ceiling.
 * Vhalra - I-I'll have your head for this, Moirai! You and your shitty sister's! Ngh... How an aspiring teacher could hang around with a bunch of... f-failures and rejects is beyond me!
 * Heilen - Hey, I might be a failure but boy, is the view good.

The angered Aithrena moved, swiftly departing from the area while she held her robes down as she seethed and broiled with rage, incapable of containing the excess of slurs and insults that spewed from her mouth and the incessant twitching of her left eye. Her movements had no clear direction, as if they were made out of sheer desperation, and she was swift to move out of sight of the group so that she may retain whatever dignity and pride had not been shattered into several hundred pieces by Damon's exercise of wind magic. Pyrath turned his head towards Heilen, shrugging his shoulders as him and Damon both sat down once again, with Clothovera wrapping her arms around her brother, smiling.


 * Pyrath - So? What was it like?
 * Heilen - Ten out of ten.
 * Clothovera - You silly. You didn't have to do that.
 * Damon - No one messes with my little sister. No one except me.
 * Pyrath - Heh, well, ain't this a surprise. Heilen was up at the... crack of dawn.
 * Heilen - And what a crack, let me tell you.
 * Damon - ... Well, I won't lie. She is hot. But with an attitude like that, like hell am I gonna go out with her.
 * ??? - What a show of display and professionalism that was, Damon. I am sure the Archtutor would be very happy to hear about one of his Adjutors performing a stunt like that on a student.

Standing behind the group, tapping her foot with her arms folded and a furrowed brow upon her face, was the tall, surprisingly imposing stature of Tutor Ignaura as she lightly shook her head in Damon's direction. It was clear from her expression that while she did not seem necessarily angry, she was feeling a sense of disappointment. Her presence did not seem to intimidate Damon, who merely gestured as he spoke.


 * Damon - Hey listen, I didn't wait a decade to find my sister again just to watch her being mistreated by some rich brat. I'm not gonna allow any of these five to be harrassed. And it was obvious talking was not gonna work.
 * Ennea - A noble sentiment that I laud you for, Damon, and while I am pleased that you have taken such a protective stance over your sister, was it really necessary to use your magic in such an unprofessional manner so as to expose Miss Kasalsain's undergarments to the entire Collegium?
 * Heilen - Yes.
 * Damon - I told her to back off. She decided to start spouting slurs.
 * Ennea - Gah, what am I going to do with you? You cannot rely on me to be at your side to defend you whenever you pull a stunt forever.
 * Damon - Then perhaps this Collegium needs to start doing something about its racist students, eh?
 * Szalvetha - I once suggested a program of quality control to my antimancy tutor. Good students can come in. Bad students get turned into guinea pigs. She stared at me for a bit then told me to leave, saying she did not care either way. No surprise since she is also a Derevar.
 * Ennea - Hm, yes, that certainly does sound like something Miss Novaki would say.
 * Pyrath - ... Oh, shit, guys! Look over there!
 * Ennea - Pyrath!
 * Pyrath - S-Sorry miss, but, look! It's... Miss Faemyar!
 * Clothovera - Who?

From the direction that Vhalra had ran off to emerged a much taller, far more respectable authorital figure as she made her way into the atrium, her arms folded notably beneath her chest as her amber eyes peered towards the group of students, looking straight through those that had took notice of her; Prisieth Faemyar was an Aithrena elf and a Tutor with a reputation among both her peers and many student circles, and as she strolled into the main hall with her wide hips provocatively swaying either side as she did, it was not too difficult to imagine why. Her green robes, by comparison to those worn by other Tutors, were rather questionable even by the standards of Ennea's own sense of uniform, for her clothes refused to hide neither her shoulders, hips, thighs, stomach, legs, nor arms, and it would seem that her sense of fashion was aligned to encourage attention towards her generous curves.

She wore her hair long and she decorated her face with dark greens that seemed bold upon her white, pale skin - a major contrast to Ennea's own dark skin and reddish makeup. It also became clear to Clothovera that even at first glance, she both stood taller than the Erylian Tutor and her curves were graced with being more pronounced. Both Moirais remained with their eyes locked on the new arrival while Szalvetha's eyes narrowed and she rose her book in front of her face as if to hide it. Something about this woman felt wrong to her. The Tutor approached, a warm smile on her face as she looked down at the group of students before she spoke in a sultry tone that seemed to be natural of her.


 * Prisieth - I hope that we're all getting along. It's not advised for students to be arguing with their Tutors now, is it?
 * Damon - Uhhmm.. y-yeah, of course, miss...?
 * Prisieth - Faemyar, but seeing as you're an Adjutor now, I'll let you call me Prisieth. Or... whatever you feel comfortable calling me, should it suit you.
 * Damon - Oh, I would r-respect your authority, Miss Faemyar. N-not good to be casual with your superiors.
 * Prisieth - Aw, but you are so casual with Miss Ignaura. I hope you don't feel imposed to call me by my formal title... Damon.
 * Damon - It's because... s-she's my adoptive mother, Miss.
 * Ennea - Yes, his adoptive mother. I am more to him than simply his superior.
 * Prisieth - Mhm, I suppose you are. Now I see why Damon feels it appropriate to act so unprofessionally at work, since I do not believe being so casual and informal while on the job is anymore responsible.
 * Damon - ... Hey! Hate speech against my sister and friends is what's inappropriate here.
 * Prisieth - Oh, I've no gripe with you, Damon. You were doing what you felt was right; only what was taught to you by your mother. Mhm, Vhalra could have done with being taken down a peg or two anyway, if not by you then inevitably by someone else.
 * Szalvetha - So I take she called you here.
 * Prisieth - Oh, not at all. I came here because I wished to inform you that from now on, I shall be having a hand in what assignments you all receive following the unfortunate incident at Lahlian. I could not imagine how horrifying that was for you all... Miss Ignaura, you should have known better.
 * Ennea - ... I could not have known there was any such traumatizing sights to be found there. And I will have you know that I have a hand in what missions this group receive--
 * Prisieth - Oh, you do? You may wish to speak with the Vice-Archtutor in that case. I was not made aware this group already had someone delivering assignments to them.
 * Szalvetha - It does. Ennea is this someone.
 * Ennea - No, Osvernal would have let me know if I was getting reassigned.
 * Prisieth - Maybe it slipped his mind?

Meanwhile, Heilen was squatting once again, this time behind both Ennea and Prisieth. The Hikamera grinned to himself as his eyes looked up.


 * Heilen - Boy, am I having a good day today. Needs to happen more often.
 * Prisieth - ... I'd be careful with what you are doing, Shinerun. You'd not want me to have to call you into my office for a talk, would you?
 * Heilen - Is that an invitation, because I accept.
 * Szalvetha - By Isiris, Heilen. How did you even get there?
 * Heilen - Man magic, Szal. Man magic.
 * Ennea - I do not appreciate not being informed about being reassigned. And I especially do not appreciate being told that I am responsible for Damon's irresponsible behaviour by someone who has not even met him. You've no right to question how I raised him.
 * Prisieth - You may wish to calm down, Ennea. You are going to set a bad example for my group if you--
 * Ennea - They are not your group! And don't start disrespecting formalities between us in front of them, Prisieth! I do not know who you think you are assuming that I wouldn't argue having my group assigned to you, but I am taking this to Osvernal!
 * ??? - You would do well to quiet down, Miss Ignaura.

A somewhat muffed, croacked voice was heard. And at that moment, another figure approached the group's table, one they were unfamiliar with save for Teael, who recognized him as one of her Tutors. It was a tall figure shrouded in tattered robes which magically flowed near the ground, no footsteps heard from his arrival as he seemed to levitate. A great pointed hat covered his head, while his face was obscured by a distinct mask resembling a raven's beak. In one hand, he held on a crystal ball which let out a constant, vibrant blue glow. Ennea and Prisieth both glanced at this figure, taking a step back as he had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, while Teael raised her brow in interest, having been distracted by Prisieth's presence until his arrival.


 * Teael - Sir Crowfeather?
 * ??? - Ah, greetings, dear Teael. I'm sorry to interrupt.
 * Szalvetha - Who is this... person?
 * ??? - Delmar Crowfeather, Tutor of the Arts of Cryptomancy and Venomancy, and High Plague Doctor of this Collegium.
 * Prisieth - Why hello, Sir Crowfeather. What brings you here on this fine afternoon? I was just informing these students that I would be contributing in handling their assignments from now on.
 * Delmar - Yes, we were supposed to get in contact with Miss Ignaura as to guide her to the Vice-Archtutor's office for this reason. But it seems you have already skipped that step.
 * Prisieth - Oh, I was supposed to do that? Why, I'm such a clutz on occasion, heh. My apologies, I had no intent to cause offense.
 * Delmar - Apologize to Osvernal. Both of you should see him in his office.
 * Ennea - Yeah, worry not. I'm going to see him now; there are words I need to have with him anyway beyond all this.
 * Delmar - Also, I've heard some commotion about one girl having her robes lift in front of the hall? Deary me, I would hate that happen to me.

The plague doctor begun chucking to himself, causing his hat to wobble forward and back in place. Pyrath narrowed his eyes at the plague doctor in confusion, tilting his head at the man's rather eccentric mannerisms, while Prisieth smiled back at the group of students and began to make her departure from the main hall, wasting little time in sorting the matter of group assignment out with the Vice-Archtutor.


 * Prisieth - Hope you enjoy the rest of your day, lovelies! If you need to find me, I shall be in my office. I am the head of the Arts of Floramancy classes, if it helps any of you in any way.
 * Heilen - Bye, hips.
 * Teael - S-See you later, tits-- I mean, Miss Faemyar!
 * Szalvetha - ... I do not like the looks of her.
 * Pyrath - Why's that, Szal? Jealous? If I was a girl, I know I'd be jealous of her. But don't worry, some guys are into the whole short, dark, and weird thing.
 * Damon - ... Are we talking about Szal or Clotho?
 * Pyrath - I'd say both but not while her bro's in earshot.
 * Damon - Yeah. Watch your tongue.
 * Clothovera - ...Heehee... Urm... oh! Oh. Sorry, I was... distracted. What is a plague doctor?
 * Delmar - We are a great caste of the pestilent arts. We manipulate venomancy for the purpose of combating diseases and plagues. We were originally founded many thousand years ago, when the western woods were plagued by the legendary World Spore, but nowadays, not many dare venture into the ways of the plague doctor, for it is an arduous journey.
 * Pyrath' - Tell me about the plague doctors; why do you wear the mask?
 * Delmar - It is our garb. Our uniform. It would be most dishonourable for me to not use them in duty. But in my case, I also use it to keep students from looking at my weird bits.
 * Clothovera - ... Sorry, what?
 * Delmar - You know, humans don't handle magic as well as elves do. We get deformed.
 * Clothovera - Oh, you're human... Didn't know there were human Tutors in this place.
 * Teael - Not many, but a few. Humans living in the Sovereignty don't really get to do all the big jobs that elves do, but there are still a large number of them in every district of Purity's Apogee and the elven nations.
 * Delmar - Indeed, and the Archtutor has recognized the importance of the plague doctors, so the Collegium always has one. And I have the honour of occupying the position today.
 * Pyrath - So, ya all mutated under that thing, huh? ... If I take the mask off, would ya die?
 * Delmar - It would be extremely painful.
 * Pyrath - Ya a big guy.
 * Delmar - For your eyes. And no, not all of us are that mutated... but I got the short end of the stick.
 * Teael - ... What happened to the last High Plague Doctor?
 * Delmar - He has retired. There comes a time where you need to stop.

At this moment, Delmar turned his head to Ennea, before she had the chance to walk away. The Erylian locked eyes with him, a rather agitated and frustrated expression on her face as she had her back almost fully turned.


 * Delmar - Before you leave, I did have one thing to tell you.
 * Ennea - Yes?
 * Delmar - The skeletal dire wolf you brought to us, Shambles wasn't it? We have successfully given him a body again.
 * Ennea - Oh, brilliant! I knew that I could rely on you to treat that puppy with the care he deserves. I bet he's so happy that he isn't going to be cold all the time now.
 * Clothovera - Woah, what's this? A body?
 * Delmar - Indeed. We figured the students would get scared of him, so we gave him flesh and skin once more. Granted, he is still undead, and we couldn't really remove the glowing green eyes of undeath... But he looks pretty cool now.
 * Teael - Dude, that's so fricking awesome!
 * Pyrath - Man, now I can't wait to see him again. It's been a while. I thought that the Vice-Archtutor would have had him removed or put down.
 * Delmar - With Miss Ignaura's permission, we were thinking of allowing students to interact with him during classes. Learn how to deal with undead, and perhaps let them know not all undead are hostile. I must admit, I am surprised by how tame the creature is.
 * Ennea - That would be fantastic. Heh, it also means Osvernal will have to deal with him during his Umbramancy classes and he hates animals with a passion. He cannot stand that bird he keeps around, let alone a dog.

Significantly calmed and relieved of her stress and anger, Ennea turned and made her way to the Vice-Archtutor's office in order to meet with him; she was still somewhat frustrated and eager to resolve the situation regarding Prisieth, but she was nowhere near as prepared to explode as she was beforehand. Pyrath leaned back in his seat, placing his feet up on the table so as to relax and allow himself to remember the floral pattern on Vhalra's undergarments while Teael slumped back on the bench, imagining in her head the idea of Shambles with flesh and fur restored.


 * Delmar - Now if you excuse me, I have my own affairs to attend to. Have a good day, young ones.

With this, the plague doctor turned and levitated away, as silently as he had arrived. Clothovera looked at the mysterious Tutor as he left before turning back to the table and holding on her own head, contemplating on all that had happened in that day... and how these things caused her mind to wander off.

29/10/34: Land Shark
Fourth Week of the Second Month of Term, Late Morning: Western Forests, Northwest of Purity's Apogee

The coming of Sun's Sleep was drawing close as Mehnot's Rise transitioned into its final days, with the climate becoming gradually colder across the Eastern Continent as the first signs of light snow made themselves clear in the woodlands throughout the Western Forests; while many plants and insects had vanished to await a return in Spring of the year that would follow, there were still those select few that braved the unforgiving cold - flowers graced with snowy white petals, thought to thrive and pollinate through the work of either miniscule fey or some enigmatic species of insect that somehow thrived in the darker, colder months. This flora would be the focus of the next assignment of Clothovera and her circle of friends and companions, with the petals being known to possess certain magical properties used for preservation and healing, alongside the secondary goal of possibly capturing the ones responsible for pollinating these cold-dwelling plants, whether they be faeries or butterflies.

The forest floor was damp and moist from snow that had either melted or refused to settle, causing the earth to become muddy and wet as the group sought their flowers upon a stretch of woodland that neared the border of the Western Forests with Talmyr to the far northwest; land otherwise untouched by society and civilisation, left for animals and wild fey to roam as they would please. Through thick clouds that gathered within the sky, the rays of the sun shone down upon the group of mages, and faint sounds of rushing water filled their ears as their search brought them near a stream that ran through these woods. In spite of being a flora that prospered in such dark times, they were proving somewhat difficult to find in vast quantity.

Pyrath, a denizen of the Erylian lands to the far east, found himself somewhat uncomfortable as they wandered the woods, for he was not accustomed to the extent of the cold endured by the west. Clothovera and Damon had both decided to wear extra clothing to protect themselves from the weather, though Szalvetha and Heilen wore the clothing they were usually seen in - Szalvetha for her race's natural adaptation to the cold, and Heilen for reasons the group could not fathom. Tyrfing paid no mind to the cold while Teael, due to her Aithrena heritage, wielded an adaptation to the cold equal to that possessed by Szalvetha and her kind.


 * Pyrath - Ngh, Miss Faemyar got us out here picking flowers in some cold ass, boring wood while I bet everyone else is back at the Collegium, where it's warm and dry. I'm getting mud all over my boots here; I don't want none of this stuff getting on my jacket.
 * Damon - Lots of groups had assignments for today, many of them also involving gathering. You should be thankful they chose to assign us to get flowers and not animals or anything dangerous.
 * Pyrath - What do they need flowers for, anyway? Teachers planning on doing some decorating around the school? I mean, I get these ones are supposed to be special or something like that.
 * Clothovera - Flowers are common ingredients for potions and brews. That's probably why they need them.
 * Teael - ... Aren't you in an alchemy class, Pyrath? I'd have thought you would know this kinda stuff by now without us having to tell you.
 * Pyrath - Y-Yeah, of course! ... I've just had a lot of stuff on my mind recently. Makes it hard to focus when ya gotta keep ya style game on point for the ladies back at the school and make all the guys jealous at the same time, ya know?
 * Heilen - Are we talking about you or Damon?
 * Damon - Heh.
 * Pyrath - Oh, like ya would know anything about style, Len. I don't think there's a name for a style where ya go around doing nothing all day, acting all lazy, and not caring about how ya look.
 * Heilen - It's called living without worries.
 * Tyrfing - ... You know, lads and lasses, I used to be quite a fashionable young dwarf in my day. Knew a thing or two about looking good while doing your job. Trust me, ladies love beards; the longer and hairier they are, the better, if you can take care of it. Having a beard's a lot of responsibility.
 * Heilen - For dwarves, maybe. Is it true your women also have beards?
 * Tyrfing - Mine? Well, Khargrim ladies usually shave their beards, but up in the far north, way east of here, you'll find a lot of dwarf girls wearing beards; many of them better kept and longer than those worn by men, even. Always wondered why you elf blokes don't go about growing big, bushy manes to show off your pride and earn respect like us dwarves do.
 * Szalvetha - Some elves cannot grow facial hair. Others grow it so slowly, it would take centuries to reach the size of a dwarf's beard.
 * Tyrfing - Maybe the young Erylian lad should grow a beard to keep him warm so he doesn't keep complaining whenever he's got to go outside.
 * Pyrath - What?! A beard, with this hair?! Surely ya jesting!
 * Heilen - Yes. Him with a beard would probably end up looking like a hobo.
 * Pyrath - Least I don't act like one.
 * Teael - Gah, would you pipe down, already? Has anybody spotted any sign of these damn flowers so we can get out of here and stop listening to Pyrath's bitching?
 * Damon - Yes. Find the flowers.

As the team wandered through the forest, with Pyrath grumbling beneath his breath about the cold weather being unhealthy for his hair, Clothovera could spot something from the corner of her eye; an entrance to a natural clearing of some form, marked by the presence of several small flowers that grew close to the earth, each possessing an array of petals of snowy white; hovering around these flowers were, from a distance, what looked to be a small group of tiny, dancing lights - wild fey. The witch signalled to the others to turn their attention to the clearing, where she slowly begun approaching as to not scare the fairies away. As they got closer, they could see that beyond the clearing's entrance were many more of these flowers alongside various puddles, filled by rain and melted snow, while more of these sprites danced and gathered around, appearing to not have noticed the students coming closer thus having no need to scatter.


 * Clothovera - It's so beautiful...
 * Teael - Ah, sprites... I never would have thought I would get to see them once I grew up. They seem to almost fear adults and teenagers, yet they gather in the presence of children wandering the woods by themselves... That is the lore Aithrena tie to them, anyway.
 * Heilen - Cute and all, but we'll have to scare them away if we want to get near the flowers.
 * Pyrath - Maybe we should try and capture a few in a jar so we can take them back to the Collegium; I bet Prisieth will be really impressed, then.
 * Teael - ... Are you a moron? Sprites are smart, living creatures, just like elves, dwarves, and humans; they have their own little culture and society. Putting them in a jar and taking them away from their homes would be like... I dunno, if a giant came and kidnapped you.
 * Clothovera - When you put it like that... yeah, let's leave the fairies alone.
 * Heilen - I wouldn't mind it if it were like, a lady giant.
 * Pyrath - Well, ya know, Ennea's pretty tall and she's got, like, the thighs of a giant. She's also got the--
 * Damon - Shut it.
 * Tyrfing - A giant's a giant, whether they're man or woman. At the end of the day, they both still want to eat the flesh off your bones and proceed to wear them as jewellery. Anyway, I'll show you lot how it's done; no fairies or sprites or whatever should stop you from getting your flowers.

Without a second thought, Tyrfing walked ahead of the group and waved his hands wildly at the dancing sprites, causing them to flee and scatter as he made noisy, incoherent grumbles and cleared the way for the group to collect the targets of their assignment. It was clear he had no qualms of disrupting the peaceful, tranquil atmosphere that had been thriving here, although he did not seem to actively hurt any of the small, wild faries as they swiftly vanished from the clearing. With the sprites leaving, the others walked into the clearing in order to gather the flowers for their assignment.

The dwarven warrior stepped back, uninterested in picking flowers as he watched over the clearing, eyeing the trees in case of any potential threats; though he could not put a finger on it, now that the wild sprites had moved on from the clearing, something was causing him to feel uneasy and restless. He could only hear the sounds of the stream and the wind breezing lightly through the trees, yet there was something causing him to remain cautious of the clearing. Heilen casually approached a puddle in order to gather the flowers next to it, a carefree expression on his face as no ill thought crossed his mind. With the Hikamera leaning down to collect the flora, he had failed to notice the faint, subtle ripples that disturbed the water amassed within the puddle, which only grew more frivolous upon his approach - within a matter of moments, following a loud splash from the puddle, there could be seen the visage of a long, streamlined creature that moved with the blinding speed of a bird of prey as it appeared to almost emerge from the small body of water as it shot itself towards the unsuspecting Heilen. The Hikamera's third eye opened and widened as he jumped back into the ground, letting out a yell which was easily heard across the clearing and could be heard by the others.


 * Heilen - Thing! Thing in water wants to take a snap at me!

As it leaped through the air, to those swift enough to observe it, they could tell that this beast, bizarrely, took the form of a six-foot long shark, its intimidatingly large jaws widened to attempt biting and grasping ahold of Heilen while its grey body was decorated in stripes of darker blue; most odd, however, were the three sets of bright eyes that were illuminated with an ethereal red light while its body seemed to radiate a strong, ghostly aura of blue vapour. It was clear that something of this scale should not have been capable of hiding within a foot-sized puddle to spring its ambush, nevermind the fact that a shark could never possibly be found so far from its natural habitat of the salty ocean waters. Once it came into contact with the moist, damp earth following its trap being sprung, its body vanished beneath it, leaving no trace of the dirt being moved or broken as the creature appeared to submerge itself beneath their feet. The Hikamera looked at the others, clearly startled by the incident while Damon came to his aid and helped him stand again.


 * Heilen - Okay listen, that was not cool, whoever did it.
 * Teael - Yo, was that a fucking shark?!
 * Heilen - Yeah, a shark clearly made of magic. Which of you summoned that? Like, I poke fun and joke around but I never tried to kill you folks.
 * Clothovera - I ddin't do anything! I can't even summon creatures.
 * Pyrath - Neither can I, and unless Szal managed to learn a couple of new tricks, I don't think she did it either.
 * Szalvetha - There are no ways for me to summon anything in any form.
 * Damon - None of us did that. And sharks don't live in pools like these... This means we have company.
 * Heilen - Maybe those little sprite scamps did it then.

Tyrfing drew his axes as he glanced towards the wet, damp earth, looking for any sign of the magical beast as he acted on the feeling that it was yet to leave them alone. It took him some moments to notice, but at Damon's feet, the water that had mixed into the muddy earth began to splash of its own accord without anyone having to disturb it; with tremendous force, the shark burst forth from the mud beneath Damon, appearing to not have broken the earth as it jumped into the air in an attempt to knock the half-elf and anyone standing next to him off their feet. Damon grunted as he was flung by the force of the shark's impact with him, causing Clothovera to yell in distress and Heilen to shudder as the creature reappeared so suddenly. Szalvetha immediately reached into her own robes, looking for potions to use against the creature. Shifting its powerful body in midair, the shark glared down at the incapacitated Damon and fell towards him, its mouth opening wide to reveal its powerful jaws while Teael attempted to cut the shark as it dropped, although her timing had been off and her blade proved incapable of catching it. The aeromancer looked up to the creature and opened his arms, releasing a powerful blast of wind at the shark while Clothovera begun casting her own magic - under her robes, her tattoos begun to let out a faint glow as an aura of dark magic grew around her.

While it proved difficult to initially halt in its momentous fall, the shark was eventually blown back by Damon's wind magic, flipping backwards as it submerged beneath the wet ground once again and vanishing from sight of the group minus small, consistent splashes of water and mud coming from the dirt that it had disappeared beneath. Pyrath, reaching for his potion of drake blood, mustered his pyromancy before he moved the bottle to his lips and drank; within moments, fire ignited from his hair and hands and his eyes glowed with a bright, fiery orange.


 * Pyrath - Just watch; I'll boil this loser!
 * Damon - This is no shark. It's a familiar spirit.
 * Teael - A familiar? But it's so strong and fast; I've never seen a familiar this potent before. I have only ever heard of them.
 * Damon - It's not like Felvinus or Nyakik. This is the familiar of a fully trained mage. And since it's so strong, that means this mage is around here somewhere.

From his palms, Pyrath unleashed a blast of dragon fire at the earth where this familiar had submerged, aiming to boil its watery hide with the sheer heat of his flames, although it proved too fast for the Erylian as it swiftly relocated to the side and emerged once more, this time grasping ahold of the elf's right leg within the confines of its knife-like jaws and beginning to shake its head ferociously in an effort to attempt tearing it off. Clothovera threw her hands forward, and from them came out a black stream of energy which she aimed at the shark, while from the other side, Szalvetha took out a vial of acidic liquid and tossed its contents at the creature, aiming for its eyes. The beam of dark magic caused the shark to release Pyrath's bloodied, wounded leg and staggered it for a moment, allowing the acid from the vial to come into contact with the shark's form; the area around its eyes bubbled and steamed as acid mixed with water, before it resubmerged beneath the earth.


 * Pyrath - Gah! M-My leg!
 * Teael - I don't remember hearing or seeing anyone out here other than us, Damon! If we don't find where this other mage is, at least one of us is going to die at this rate!
 * Damon - It's a water-based creature. The mage is drawing power from a body of water!
 * Heilen - We heard about assassination attempts, well damn, we're suffering one right now.
 * Tyrfing - ... The stream! The summoner is likely using the stream to draw their power from. I'll make sure to put a stop to that!
 * Clothovera - Do it quick!

From beneath Clothovera's feet, she could feel the wet, cold hide of the shark come up from beneath her as she was knocked off her feet, splaying her across its back as it "swam" in quick circles around the clearing, rearing its grotesque, tooth-filled head to eventually change its course back towards Damon, the eyes that had avoided being acidized glowing brighter with wrathful, crimson fury. The young woman screamed in fear as she clung to the familiar's back fin while Damon waved his hands to the ground; with a gush of wind, he propelled himself upwards to fly over the shark's head. Pyrath rested himself against a tree, grasping his bleeding leg as strips of flesh had been torn from it while Teael mustered the courage to face the shark once more, utilizing her arcane magic to grant herself an increase to the speed at which she moved. With graceful, elegant manoeuvres, the elven swordmage dashed at the shark and made a horizontal cutting motion with her sword, allowing the enchanted blade to cut through the familiar's watery form as if it were skin and slashing a deep cut across through the left side of its jaw.

Meanwhile, Tyrfing, with all the speed he could muster as an old dwarf, dashed for the nearby stream with the intent of locating and disposing of the mage controlling the powerful familiar in the clearing. Through the trees, the dwarf could not see anyone, and even as he passed through them, puffing and heaving from a lack of breath, his eyes did not lay themselves upon anyone standing or lying among the rocks or in the running water. It was needless to say that the veteran became confused, glancing in all directions to find a source of control for the magical shark, although he would not allow an absence of clarity to perturb him from his duty; reaching for his axes, they became engulfed with bolts of magic electricity as he approached gradually closer to the lake.


 * Tyrfing - Come out, come out, wherever you are...

Reeling his arm back, Tyrfing bothered no further with trying to catch a glimpse of their enemy, instead prefering to cut to the chase as swift as possible; with a strong throw, the dwarf launched one of his electrified axes into the stream, causing the water to react with the lightning that raidated from the runes of his weapon. Almost immediately, there was another splash of water as a figure - tall, lithe, and humanoid - leaped out from the running water with unnatural grace and perched themselves upon one of the taller rocks while the water bubbled around them with energy - a woman, with wide hips and thighs that were dressed with expensive robes of regal blue, decorated with golden symbols and patterns that emulated ocean waves, while her upper body was largely exposed and bare, exposing a generous bosom and curvy figure while a necklace, encrusted with a glowing sapphire at its centre, adorned her neck. Upon further observation, it became clear from her physiology that she was an, and she glanced down at the dwarf with an apathetic, uncaring expression upon her cold face.


 * Tyrfing - Damned sea-bitches; your apathy doesn't scare me any and neither does your pet shark! I've got you on the rocks and if you're a good girl and tell me who you are, why you're here, and who you're working for, then I might consider letting you off alive!

Tyrfing grasped his other axe tightly, raising it to point at the quiet assassin while his anger came to surface. He received no response from the undine other than the same uncaring, indifferent expression, before the mage turned and gracefully moved across the rocks; Tyrfing would not be able to approach her without moving into the water and he knew, that based on the strength of her familiar and her undine heritage, that she was a potent hydromancer. Reaching for the sapphire upon her necklace and grasping it softly with her right hand, the undine lowered her head, muttering quiet and mysterious words that Tyrfing could not hear above the sound of the water running through the stream. At the clearing where the students had gone to pick flowers, the shark-like familiar that had manifested there turned away from the group and, with Clothovera still clasping upon its fin, partially submerged beneath the wet earth as it raced towards the stream where its summoner was located.

Damon, Heilen and Szalvetha all gave chase to the shark as Clothovera continued to scream, tears coming out of her eyes as she struggled to hold onto the shark, while Teael remained behind to tend to Pyrath's wounds. Rushing through bushes and past trees, partially tearing up and muddying the witch's outfit in the process, the shark soon once again leaped from the earth as it came close to the lake and directed itself towards the undine mage; in midair, the shark's form went from material to immaterial, its body losing form as it became engulfed in light, which was then swiftly attracted towards the sapphire upon the undine's necklace and absorbed into its material, leaving the unfortunate Clothovera above the stream. Tyrfing, noticing the girl approaching the energized water, shouted a sentence in dwarven tongue in the direction of the axe that he had thrown into the water, which then discontinued discharging its magical energies. Being flung off of the shark, Clothovera fell head-first into the stream, with the rest of the students arriving quickly afterwards. Damon grit his teeth in anger as he took sight of the undine mage, while what looked like a small, devilish smile grew on Szalvetha's face. In contrast, their enemy's indifferent expression soon turned into what looked to be a saddened frown.


 * Szalvetha - An Undine... Bring her close.
 * Tyrfing - Don't get close to the water! We don't know what she's capable of!
 * Damon - Identify yourself!

Turning herself to face the group, the undine glared at the students, analyzing each of them before she eyed Clothovera emerging from beneath the surface of the stream; while the water was not strong enough to immediately carry her away, she was still in a dangerous position for as she reached for air on the surface, the undine swiftly raised an arm - in synchronicity with her movements, an arm, formed from water, burst forth from the stream and tightly wrapped a clawed, feminine hand around the half-elf's throat. Beginning to choke Clothovera, the arm slowly began to force her back into the water, following the motions of the undine's arm while she stared at the group.


 * Undine - ... Don't struggle. Let it happen, and soon, all the pain... will be washed away...
 * Damon - Clotho!!
 * Szalvetha - I am going to enjoy de-making this elemental.

Damon was about to charge at the assassin when, to the surprise of all present, Heilen suddenly appeared in front of the Undine - no one had seem him move, not even the assassin. The Hikamera's expression had changed into a mild frown as the Undine realized there were no eyes on his suddenly pale face. She stared, looking at the emptied sockets where the Hikamera's eyes should have been, while the shock of having him appear so swiftly in front of her from seemingly nowhere caused her grasp upon Clothovera's neck to momentarily release, before tightening again - this time, desperately attempting to remain ahold of the witch as the Undine was unnerved by the elf's expression, incapable of bringing herself to speak.


 * Heilen - Cursed by Death. Join it now.

The Hikamera thrust a hand forward, and the Undine found herself blasted by a tremendous ray of light which dwarfed any magic Clothovera or Damon had cast so far. The intensity of the magic was such that she could feel her insides boiling at the heat created by it. In the process, the mage was flung back, her frail body uncontrollably colliding with several trees growing from the other side of the stream before making rough contact with the ground, her body flailing like a ragdoll in the process of being launched from her position. The arm that was attempting to choke and drown Clothovera disappeared, while the undine struggled to raise herself to her feet while she regained her balance and composure; her magic was strong and, in such a wet environment, her familiar would be capable of dealing a great amount of damage, although she had already sustained more than enough harm herself.

Looking back at Heilen and the rest of his companions for some moments, the Undine, struggling to stand upright, soon turned and made an escape from the scene, eager to evade any further damage upon her person while she had the opportunity. Damon and Szalvetha both had their eyes locked at Heilen, astonished at his sudden display of power while Clothovera slowly got to her feet, coughing out water as she regained her composure. Meanwhile, Heilen turned to face his friends; his expression appeared normal, and he passed a hand over his head as if to remove sweat.


 * Heilen - Phew. That was tiring.
 * Tyrfing - Are we not going to pursue the sea-bitch? She still walks, after all, and looks to be far too dangerous for us to keep alive.
 * Damon - ... Yes, you're right. We should. But we also need to take Pyrath back to the Collegium so they can look after his wounds.
 * Tyrfing - Ah, no, you are correct, young Moirai. Young Cindraech is injured. I would advise we also check over Miss Moirai to see the extent of her own wounds.
 * Szalvetha - Before that. Explain yourself, Heilen.
 * Heilen - What now?
 * Szalvetha - What was that all about? Since when do you possess such great magic?
 * Heilen - Oh. Well... I just do. It's just a fact. But it drains me, you see? I need some sleep.

Tyrfing approached Clothovera as she made her way to land and lifted her into his arms, helping her out of the water while he looked over her; he could tell that she was certainly in a state, for her clothes were dirtied and torn and her hair was soaking wet, along with red marks upon her neck from where she had been almost choked, throttled, and drowned beneath the stream's current. From behind the group, Teael, supporting Pyrath to stand, approached them and had a curious, yet also worried, expression on her face.


 * Teael - Me and Pyrath saw a bright flash of light from the clearing and we wanted to see what it was... Did you find the enemy mage? What were they like? ... Did you kill them?
 * Szalvetha - It was Heilen. The mage was an Undine. She managed to escape.
 * Tyrfing - I am afraid I must offer you all my sincerest apologies... It was my duty to stop you from getting hurt on these assignments. It is clear from Pyrath and Clothovera's conditions that I failed that duty. ... I hope that you do not all hold it against me.
 * Damon - No, of course not. You did what you could.


 * Prisieth - My goodness, I hope that you are all alright.

It had taken some hours to return to the Collegium by carriage, with the group of students using whatever means they could to keep Pyrath's wounded leg from becoming even worse; it was fortunate that, with assistance from Szalvetha's alchemical knowledge, that the petals of the flowers they had gathered could be crushed and ground to make a fine powder or dust to sprinkle upon the Erylian's wounds, causing immense pain in the process although stopping them wound from becoming infected. Prisieth had gathered the students, barring Pyrath, in her office so that she may gain a report from them regarding their assignment. It was a moderately-sized office, with both conventional and exotic flora gathered throughout in the form of small trees and collections of flowers and bushes, with a pair of miniscule plants of foreign origin - bonsai trees - sitting upon the surface of her wooden desk as she leaned her upper body across it. Teael could not help but stare at Prisieth's low-cut clothing as she sat in her quarters, her eyes making rounds from the teacher's shoulders to her bosom.


 * Prisieth - I am so sorry that you all had to go through that. My, who'd have thought that such trouble could arise from merely picking some enchanted flowers? At least you all came back alive; I do not know how I would have been able to cope if I found out even one of you had died.
 * Szalvetha - Of course we are not alright. We suffered an assassination attempt. This is unacceptable.
 * Prisieth - I agree entirely, Miss Vairadi. I will seek a means to compensate you all for this incident and I shall ensure that we tighten our security. This problem is getting out of hand and I believe we all wish to bring the ones responsible to justice.
 * Clothovera - They should be hanged! That's what!
 * Prisieth - Still, you all did a commendable job in bring back those flowers and accomplishing your assignment under such circumstances. ... I am really proud of you all. Especially you, Mister Shinerun. You threw yourself into the line of danger to take the assassin head on... How very brave of you. Your friends are all very impressed, as am I.
 * Heilen - I'm a pretty cool dude, yes.

Suddenly, there was a knock upon the wooden door to Prisieth's office, followed by the teacher raising a hand and elegantly moving one of her fingers to magically allow the door to gently swing open for the knocker; stepping through was an Erylian man, tall and wearing a fur-trimmed jacket along with tight belts and straps across his trousers, potions and vials suspended from them while he wore a tight-fitting vest, exposing his athletically-built upper body. His hair was worn into a pompadour, much like that of Pyrath although there was a significantly longer ponytail at the back, and the elf wore ringed piercings of brass in both ears, alongside brass studs in his nose. The man glanced at Prisieth before looking to the group of students in her presence, his hands casually placed into his trouser pockets. In a low, deep voice, the elf spoke, his tone sounding rather irritated or angry to match his stern expression.

Teael looked upon the elf with some apprehension as he walked into the room, somewhat intimidated by his stature and the unforgiving look that was written onto his face, while Prisieth sat up straight in preparation for any trouble.


 * ??? - ... I was hoping I would find ya all here. I heard Pyrath ended up in the infirmary and will be spending some time there... Ya'll the people he calls his "friends", right?
 * Damon - Yes. We are his friends. And you are?
 * ??? - Ferathis Cindraech... Third year. Hmph... There's something I wanted to say to ya all now that I've found ya...

The elf moved into the office with a wide stride, standing somewhat taller than Damon as he glanced at his fellow students with a look in his eye that seemed to grow even more furious with each passing moment... Until it disappeared, replaced instead by a pleasant smile upon his lips and an amused chuckle to himself as he released the tension he placed upon his body, before outright cackling for a brief moment. Teael looked to her friends, confused and still partially worried, before Ferathis spoke once again in a much calmer, friendlier tone of voice.


 * Ferathis - I wanted to say, thanks for bringing him back safe. Sounds like ya were all attacked by the same guy who wanted to mess with me and my lot... Just glad that none of ya were killed out there. My little bro means the world to me, so I'm grateful ya all didn't abandon him back there.
 * Heilen - Oh. Here I thought you were like, angry at us. You're just a bigger version of your brother... Guess we know where the hairdo comes from now.
 * Damon - Were you also attacked by a land-moving shark?
 * Ferathis - Heh, Pyrath's a bit of a copycat; for all his talk about "style", I'm the one he steals it all from. And yeah, that sounds like the thing that attacked me alright. Big bastard that ambushed us while it was raining. ... Man, I never hoped to live to see a flying shark. Scared the shit out of me.
 * Szalvetha - The culprit is an Undine mage. The shark is her familiar. You should keep on the look out for that.
 * Ferathis - Undine, eh? Well, I suppose it makes sense why it's a shark, then. Never seen an Undine this far north before other than Mrs. Acquae. ... Anyway, ya don't have to worry about my little bro, I'll make sure he's looked after. Good luck with your classes and assignments and all that crap; if ya need me, I'll be around.
 * Heilen - Yeah, see you, Ferathis. You're cool.

With that, the Erylian man left the office, forgetting to close the door behind him. With a sigh, Prisieth gestured that the group could leave if they so wanted, allowing them to continue on with the rest of their day - studies, leisure time, the standard student activities - while Pyrath, hospitalized with a severely wounded leg, would remain in the infirmary for the coming week to heal and recuperate from his wounds. It would be a gradual and arduous process for sure, although it was not due to boredom that he wished to leave the infirmary as much as possible; it was the knowledge that him and his friends, alongside many other students, were actively being hunted and killed by forces beyond them for reasons unknown.

It was an almost traumatizing experience to be involved in an assassination attempt - let alone the target of one. As he lay in his bed, his leg bandaged and awaiting the next dosage of healing potion, the Erylian student's mind was full of thoughts of all the terrible things that were yet to await him, his companions, and the many other students of this Collegium; he would not sleep, for as that night settled in, Pyrath could not help but stare through a window and watch as rain inevitably fell from the dark sky upon the school and its grounds. As he watched it pour, the painful sensation of teeth mauling his leg came back to him.

3/11/34: Our Room Ruined
Early Sun's Sleep, 34 NA: Dormitory CVI, East Wing

A rather tiring morning and afternoon had preceded the end of the young Moirai's teachings and lessons for this day; in spite of her beginning to gain some semblance of control over her more complex and less basic supernatural powers, she was still considered to be a subpar practitioner by many of her peers and colleagues under the tutorship of the Vice-Archtutor, her dark magic shown to be child's play by comparison to those mustered by the likes of the dreaded tutor's pet, Vhalra Kasalsain, and the close group of equally vile companions it was assumed she kept as company. She thought she may as well return to her dormitory, as it would be some time before her roommates, Teael and Szalvetha, would be free from their own lessons in order to join her, Pyrath was still being treated for his wounds in the Collegium's infirmary, her brother Damon had been kept occupied by work, and, as usual, the comic Heilen was nowhere to be found whenever he could serve a possible use - that being to stave away Clothovera's tiredness and boredom.

As Clothovera made her approach to her living quarters through a rather extensive hallway, she walked past various other students - some of them she would recognize from her own classes - who paid little to no mind to her, although given how poorly her experiences had been with her classmates thus far outside of her own circle of friends, perhaps it was for the best. Among the conversations she heard as she walked past her fellow students was gossip of a minor curse afflicting the male students of the school that was designed to cause havoc upon the bowels and intestines and rumours of otherwise unremarkable objects, such as chairs and small utensils, coming to life and moving of their own accord at night; the standard type of topics that the half-elven witch had come to expect from the time she had spent here. It would be a relief to gain some peace and quiet, thus she picked up her pace as the door to her dorm came in sight.

When she came close, it became clear to her that the door had been left ajar; partially open when it should have been closed and locked when no one was present to occupy the dormitory. It was the responsibility of the students to keep their rooms locked when they left for lessons, and Clothovera had sworn that Szalvetha, the last to leave for her classes today, could not have made such an error - the Derevar was far too organized and ingrained into her routine. A sense of worry entered her mind as she thought that someone had entered their rooms uninvited, and the witch promptly opened the door and walked inside to inspect the place. She beheld the sight of her dormitory left in a state that surely neither she nor her roommates would have left it in, for the wooden furniture had been upturned with broken legs while clothes of various kinds were strewn and scattered across the floor of the dormitory in messy piles, some of them appearing to have their fabrics damaged by the work of a slashing blade. Some of these materials Clothovera could recognize as her own, others belonging to Teael, and as she looked away from the mess she could see that the door to her and the aforementioned elf's bedroom was, rather suspiciously, closed. A surprised scream came out of Clothovera as she inspected the damage, with many thoughts crossing her mind - maybe she was subpar to her peers, but did they really hate her so much to the point of doing this?

The witch opened the door to her and Teael's bedroom, wanting to see how much the ones responsible had wrecked it. As expected, more clothes and belongings were left upon the floor, and her and the Aithrena's beds had been chaotically flipped off of their legs. A few of the more personal and valuable possessions, such as jewellery and personal memoirs, were either broken or left exposed to view, although it did not take Clothovera long to realise that some of their belongings were outright missing - various undergarments, books, the letter Clothovera had received from her loving partner, and perhaps most significantly, the Aether Emerald that Clothovera had made the best of efforts to keep a secret throughout her few months at the school. The disappearance of her Emerald caused Clothovera to begin breathing audibly in panic, and it was at this point that she heard noises coming from the other room. Inspecting made her realize one of the chests on the floor was shaking, as if something was trapped inside of it, and the witch quickly grabbed its key which had been left on the floor and opened it, revealing her familiar Nyakik who also breathed loudly, though in her case was due to a lack of air.


 * Clothovera - Nyakik! What happened here? Who put you there? Who did all this?
 * Nyakik - A moment... for me to regain... my composure. In case you have not noticed... I am nearly suffocating.
 * Clothovera - They just threw everything everywhere, ripped our clothes apart and stole my Aether Emerald! I need to know!
 * Nyakik - It was... that Vhalra person who did it... with a bunch of goons.
 * Clothovera - ... That bitch!
 * Nyakik - She burst the door open somehow... started thrashing the place. I dug my claws in her legs and she trapped me in this infernal box... I could not see much from the key hole, but at one point, liquid fell from the ceiling and set her hair on fire... and she fled. I think she tried to enter... the Derevar's room but failed.

The more Nyakik spoke, the more sense she made; Vhalra had been suspiciously absent during the lunch break Osvernal had allowed them to take, which would had otherwise been the opportunity Vhalra would have looked for to pester Clothovera, and she was late on her return to class following the break's end. Opposite from where the wooden chest had been left, there was a notable burn on the wooden floor in Szalvetha's doorway, alongside some smashed glass which looked as if it could have come from a vial. A mix of sorrow and anger traveled through Clothovera's head as she kept her fists clenched and held back tears, while Nyakik finally left the chest after being allowed to breathe again. It was uncertain as to what thoughts overtook the witch's mind and even she came to question which conclusion that she came to was worse; the idea that Vhalra despised her so awfully that she would go through such lengths to spite her, or that as she was stood among a chaotic, disorderly mess that had once been her things, nobody seemed to either notice or care.

It took some minutes before Clothovera's plight was finally paid some attention to, with that attention coming in the form of a voice feminine, young, and soft, with a trace of evident concern and worry laced upon the words that came from the speaker's mouth; an Aithrena with darker blonde hair worn in a noticeable bun at the back of her head, dressed in the black robes and garb of an umbrancer-in-training which had been modified to expose her pale legs from her upper shins to her thighs while a black, partially tattered cloak seemed to flow down to the back of her knees. Among her black vestments, there were ringed piercings of silver placed within her pointed ears, and a silver pendant dangled from her neck.


 * ??? - By Isiris, what happened here? ... Are you quite alright, miss?

The girl spoke with a notable higher-class accent, typical among Aithrenan royals and nobles, and she maintained the etiquette to match. Clothovera looked at the new arrival with visible surprise, and she could tell the half-elf was struggling to keep herself from breaking into tears over what happened in her dormitory. Clotho herself recognize this person from her dark magic classes, though they had never spoken before.


 * Clothovera - V-Vhalra destroyed m-my room...!
 * ??? - Miss Kasalsain? Why ever would she do such a thing? ... Here, let me grant you some assistance.

The elf almost dashed into the room as she began to pick up the torn articles of clothing and broken belongings that had been left across the floor, although not before she flicked her wrist to turn whatever furniture that had not been broken back onto their legs through some means of magic. The Aithrena was definitely familiar to Clothovera; she sat among the upper middle row of seats and desks and was known to be a rather reputable student, her skills over the umbral witchcraft taught to the students appearing to be as natural and innate as Vhalra's own. The young half-elf would know her as Kyrieleth Morlana, who, if the rumours she had overheard were correct, came from a minor noble family of Aithrena located in the north. Both Clothovera and Nyakik appeared somewhat surprised by her unrequested aid, but neither of them complained as the half-elf got on her feet and also begun picking up the clothing scattered around.


 * Clothovera - She did because she hates me... hates me because I'm, urm, half-human...
 * Kyrieleth - Ah, I know who you are. You are Miss Moirai, who sits in the lower front row. Hmf, how immature of Miss Kasalsain to commit such a backwards act for an equally backwards reason.
 * Clothovera - She's been harrassing me since I arrived to the Collegium... Your name is Kyrieleth, right?
 * Kyrieleth - Oh, yes, that is correct. Do excuse my poor manners; I am Miss Kyrieleth Morlana of the Noble House of Morlana, First Year student, although you may call me whatever you would please. Heh, most of the boys would call me "Kyrie".
 * Clothovera - Thank you for helping me, Kyrie. No one else seemed to care for the half-destroyed dormitory...
 * Kyrieleth - Do not think it is because they do not care, Miss Moirai. To them, it is personal business they would wish not to become involved with, for in their eyes, it may harm their own reputation and standing among the student circles. ... Mhm, I personally care not for such things.
 * Clothovera - Surely helping a girl in need won't harm a reputation in any context...
 * Nyakik - No. Stop cleaning. Call your teachers here and show them what she did.
 * Kyrieleth - Ah, a wise decision, but it would not bring us fruit. As far as the tutors would be concerned, there were no witnesses to this act, thus they would be unable to pin this crime upon Miss Kasalsain.
 * Nyakik - There was one. Me. She locked me in a chest. I could have died there.
 * 'Clothovera - Uh, before you ask, the cat talks because she's my familiar. Nyakik's her name.
 * Kyrieleth - Oh, worry not, Miss Moirai. I know what a familiar is, for I have one myself. Or, more appropriately, several of them.
 * 'Clothovera - You have more than one familiar? How?

Kyrieleth smiled as she placed a hand upon her cloak and brought it forward to cover her face and body, leaving her rather piercing eyes to glance at Clothovera and Nyakik before she threw the cloak backwards; from seemingly nowhere, a great number of small, red-furred bats flew forth from where Kyrieleth stood, which, after spending a brief amount of time flying in the air and analyzing their surroundings, began to assist in cleaning up the mess. As they were small and came in such a large quantity, neither Clothovera or Nyakik could guess precisely how many of these entities there actually were.


 * Clothovera - This is... so cool!
 * Nyakik - Bats are like rats with wings. Do they also taste like rat?
 * Kyrieleth - What a silly question, Miss Nyakik. My familiars are not for eating, although they are very good for a great number of things when in large numbers. They even serve their uses when they act by themselves. ... As you may have guessed, they are not built for combat like other familiars are.
 * Clothovera - I've never heard of mages with more than one familiar before. Granted, I don't know many mages with familiars other than me and my brother Damon.
 * Kyrieleth - Ah, so Mister Moirai is your brother. Such a handsome fellow, he is, and charming when he wishes to be from what I have heard. ... Oh, do excuse me. I am sure you wish not to hear me fawn over your brother in such a crude manner.
 * Clothovera - Well, I don't particularly mind as long as the person seems nice. Which you do... The last one I saw flirting with Damon was that bitch Vhalra.
 * Kyrieleth - Ah, that is not surprising. Miss Kasalsain has a hole left within her heart in the shape of a young human, so it shocks me not that she would wish to fill it with yet another. The eldest son of one of House Kasalsain's butlers and attendants, if I do remember correctly. ... Oops. I was supposed to have kept that a secret, but, oh well...
 * Nyakik - She hates half-humans unless they have members to penetrate her, then.
 * Clothovera - Yeah! Not only does she ruin my room, she wants to fuck my brother! That bitch wants to take everything from me! She stole a very precious gem from me!
 * Kyrieleth - Hm, a precious gem, you would say? What would it happen to look like, Miss Moirai?
 * Clothovera - An emerald, which was passed down to me by my mother. I checked the bedrooms and it's gone. It means she stole it!
 * Kyrieleth - Ah, well, if you wish, I may have an attempt at finding where she happened to place it alongside the rest of your belongings, if it would suit you.
 * Clothovera - Y-you would do that?

Kyrieleth did not respond, instead placing out an arm and hand and stretching a finger for one of her bat familiars to land itself upon, hanging upside down as it did so; she brought the bat close to her face and whispered into its ear for some moments before it let go to once again assume flight. Moving her arm back down to her side, Kyrieleth watched as a small detachment of bats flew from the rest of the colony of familiars and out of the room, disappearing from sight before their master turned back to grace Clothovera with a smile upon her lips.


 * Clothovera - Wow... you're so cool. Thank you so much.
 * Kyrieleth - Oh, there is no need to thank me, Miss Moirai. I can sympathize with your plight and I would wish for you to know that there are people beyond your brother and your roommates who would wish to look after you. ... Which is why I am here, actually. I had intended to meet with you so I could tell you something.
 * Clothovera - Oh? What's this?
 * Kyrieleth - Do you recall the students Miss Myriil and Mister Rothilion from our classes? The ones who had supposedly left the Collegium to return home on account of medical complications?
 * Clothovera - Vaguely, yeah. I've never spoken to them.
 * Kyrieleth - Miss Myriil left near the end of our first month of attendance, while Mister Rothilion left sometime in the middle of last month. ... I have overheard talks between the Archtutor, Vice-Archtutor, and representatives and members of the families of both students. You will have to forgive me, for I am something of an earwig, but I had come upon some... rather interesting developments among their talks. I have also overheard the talks of some students affiliated with them.
 * Clothovera - What did you learn... and how does this concern me?
 * Kyrieleth - Miss Myriil and Mister Rothilion's friends and affiliates claim to have received no word from either of them regarding possible medical complications or even considering having to leave the Collegium. As for their families, well... The Archtutor and Vice-Archtutor informed them that they had gone missing while on assignment. Tragic incidents, of course, and entirely understandable for our tutors to cover up the fact, were it not the case that Miss Myriil and Mister Rothilion were last seen within the Collegium's walls by their peers.
 * Clothovera - ... They died here?
 * Kyrieleth - They could have. No one has seen even a mere trace of them; if they were dead, there are no bodies to account for. I would also like to point out that Miss Myriil and Mister Rothilion were either half-elven, or retained some human blood within their veins.
 * Clothovera - ... If you know so much, then let me tell you. I was attacked by an assassin a few days ago. The same assassin who attacked one of my friends's brother.
 * Kyrieleth - Ferathis Cindraech. ... I would advise extra caution from now on, Miss Moirai. It is very clear to the two of us, I would believe, that there is some highly suspicious activity perpetuating throughout this school which, if allowed to persist, may come to harm you.
 * Clothovera - Gods above... I came here to learn magic, not to get assassinated.
 * Kyrieleth - I trust you to keep this a secret; only tell those who you would believe can do the same. I would not wish to be the cause of mass hysteria and become the centre of a controversy.

The Aithrena's ears perked as she heard the sounds of footsteps approaching the dormitory; - two sets of footsteps, to be precise - and she immediately ceased the talk of assassination and sabotage in the event that the two of them could be overheard. As these two individuals made their approach through the hallway, both Kyrieleth and Clothovera could hear them conversing, the voices belonging to Teael and Szalvetha, who would have had no knowledge of the goings-on within their quarters for they had been occupied with study for much of the day. Kyrieleth swiftly withdrew her swarm of familiars, their small forms vanishing beneath her cloak while she glanced towards her new half-elven friend with unease.

Soon enough, the half-elf's roommates were upon the dormitory, with neither of them paying much attention to the fact that Clothovera had left the door ajar rather than closed but unlocked as they continued whatever conversation they were in the middle of until their eyes glanced across the room; at the sight of her clothes and personal belongings being strewn across the place, some of which being quite clearly damaged, Teael froze in place in the doorway and began to twitch, struggling to register the nature of the situation and how, or why, it had come to pass, although her silence was broken after some brief moments of thought. Meanwhile, the Derevar's eyes narrowed as she inspected the damaged surroundings, her mouth slowly becoming agape as she eyed Clothovera and Kyrieleth.


 * Teael - ... What the fuck?!
 * Szalvetha - Did you launch a dark magic bolt across the room again, Clotho?
 * Clothovera - I-it wasn't me! It was that bitch Vhalra! She broke into our room and ruined our things!
 * Teael - Vhalra did this?! Ooh, she's so dead when I next see her! I knew she was a bitch before, but this? Now I'm mad!

Instead of replying, Szalvetha remained in silence for moments before the other girls could see her face contorting into a rather unnatural frown. The Derevar rushed through the room until she faced the entrance of her own bedroom, observing the triggered trap she had laid. Teael stopped yelling as she watched Szalvetha's actions, while Kyrieleth remained quiet also, not wishing to interrupt any of the girls.


 * Szalvetha - ... That woman will disappear. That I promise you in my family's name.
 * Teael - Man, one of us must have really pissed her off. ... Oh, now I know why.
 * Nyakik - Are you dense in the forehead?
 * Teael - She's getting payback for that time Damon raised her robes in front of everyone.
 * Nyakik - I thought you were talking about the blue elf woman. I would consider her a more immediate threat.
 * Szalvetha - ... And who is this other person in our dormitory?
 * Kyrieleth - Miss Kyrieleth Morlana, of the House Morlana; First Year, Arts of Umbramancy. I attend the same study sessions and classes as Miss Moirai. ... It is a pleasure to meet you both. I was simply assisting Miss Moirai in cleaning up the mess Miss Kasalsain and her companions had caused.
 * Clothovera - Yeah, she's been helping me. Finally someone in that class who doesn't hate my guts.
 * Teael - Nice to, uh, meet you too, Kyrieleth. ... Clotho, I have to ask you something important. Did the bitch queen steal any of our stuff?
 * Clothovera - Yes. Stole our jewelry... including a very precious gem belonging to me.
 * Teael - Good. That means me and Szal can take an eye for an eye when we get payback on her. Nothing like good old-fashioned vigilante student justice.
 * Szalvetha - If by eye to eye you mean, I'm going to throw acidic brew at her eyes, yes.
 * Teael - Believe me, Szal. There are far worse ways to make her life Hell without having to kill her.
 * Szalvetha - I do not think you are taking me seriously. I am going to kill her.
 * Kyrieleth - Why settle for killing her and placing your placement at the Collegium at risk when you can simply have Miss Kasalsain suffer for the rest of the term?
 * Szalvetha - Is this Collegium really worth being placed at? I am beginning to question that. Plus I never said I would be quick.
 * Teael - Well, it's the best the Sovereignty has to offer on a multiracial and multicultural aspect. Go to learn at any of the schools or academies in the sovereign states and you lose out on that. ... Plus, it's cheaper than any of the privately-ran schools and you don't have to be a snob to get in.
 * Szalvetha - I would rather be at the College of Feiridrro in the middle of a frozen wasteland than continue to waste my time with these pale-skinned racists.
 * Clothovera - H-hey now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. We'll make through this with Kyrie's help, right?
 * Kyrieleth - ... Disregarding the comment about being a "pale-skinned racist", yes, I would be quite eager to assist in delivering to Miss Kasalsain a taste of her own medicine.
 * Szalvetha - The Aithrena have mistreated my people and my family for generations. I cannot trust any of you... except for Teael.
 * Teael - Aw, that means a lot to me, Szal. ... If you leave or get kicked out of the Collegium, it means we can't hang around anymore. So, try and tone down the crazy when we go and get a little payback of our own, alright?
 * Szalvetha - I never liked promises.
 * Teael - I'll give you creepy stuff to experiment with if you do.
 * Szalvetha - ... Hmpf. As long as it involves mushrooms.

5/11/34: Revenge!
Fifth Day of the Third Month of Term, Late Morning: Dormitory CVI

It had been but a couple of days since the incident took place; the violent, spite-driven break-in of Clothovera's living quarters and the subsequent theft of their prized belongings, such as expensive memoirs, valuable jewellery, and the precious Aether Emerald that had been passed down through the Moirai Clan for generations, its ancient, dark power awaiting to be unlocked. The weekend was a most opportune time to strategize, for the girls had no lessons to attend to and they could spend as much time in their rooms as they wished; sat at the wooden table that stood at the far side of the room, opposite the door and neighbouring the window, were Clothovera, Teael, and Szalvetha, refreshed from a fine breakfast as they sat in wait for their "special contact" to join and accompany them. In her arms, Teael held a glass jar, its lid sealed tightly as it seemed as if it was empty, yet the Aithrena seemed eager to put their vengeance into action as a devious smirk crossed her face. Clothovera too appeared eager to get back on the thief of her precious emerald, while Szalvetha read from her book - in order to find the best means to make Vhalra pay, but at the insistence of Teael, only the non-lethal ones.


 * Teael - You think Vhalra's expecting it to happen?
 * Clothovera - I bet she thinks we're too weak to do it. Arrogant bitch.
 * Teael - Too right. What do you guys plan on doing? I spent my time picking the fleas out of Shambles' fur and putting them in this here jar. Hehe, she definitely won't be sleeping alone tonight.
 * Clothovera - She tore all of our clothes, I'm planning to do the same to hers. Maybe steal some for myself while we're at it.
 * Szalvetha - I have not yet decided.
 * Teael - I think I'm gonna break her furniture while I'm at it. Hm, I wonder who else she lives with... Ah well, suppose we'll find out when she gets here. Girl's taking her sweet time.
 * Clothovera - Yeah, she's taking so long. We gotta do it while Vhalra is away.

Suddenly, there was knocking on the door; a series of four soft taps in quick succession, followed by two heavier knocks with a second's space in between them. Teael stood from her seat and approached, her elven ears perked as she reached for the doorknob to pull back and reveal the individual on the other side of the door - as if on cue, Kyrieleth stood before them, a mischievous smile upon her lips while she held a series of notes in one of her hands, and she soon glanced past Teael to look towards Clothovera and Szalvetha before making her way inside, allowing the Aithrena swordmage to shut the door behind her.


 * Szalvetha - Finally.
 * Kyrieleth - Apologies for my lateness, but I have the information that was requested of me. Details on Miss Kasalsain's schedule for today, her friendship circles, her roommates, where your belongings are being kept, her dormitory number; you name it and I will likely have it.
 * Clothovera - That's impressive! How do you even find that stuff?
 * Kyrieleth - A lady must never reveal her ways, Miss Moirai, although having a swarm of familiars that one can commune with certainly helps. Mhm, it was all quite simple really, especially considering Miss Kasalsain seems to never stop talking. ... At mid-afternoon, Miss Kasalsain and her accomplices shall be going into town to visit the local markets until late and her roommate, Miss Asherath, will have the key to their dormitory. Or rather, she would have had the key to their dormitory.
 * Clothovera - You got it, then.

Kyrieleth, her smile widening, reached a hand past the garments that covered her chest and slid her fingertips between her cleavage for a brief moment, before she pulled forth a small, rusted key that seemed to be inscribed with various arcane runes that glowed a golden light. As she held it for her friends to see, she tossed the key in Clothovera's direction, before she placed her hands upon her hips.


 * Kyrieleth - Miss Asherath should have thought to put it in a far safer, more secure place upon her person other than her back pockets.
 * Szalvetha - That is all good and all, but what I want to know is, why are you doing this? We are strangers to you.
 * Kyrieleth - Was it not Miss Kasalsain who wronged you? Why, I believe it is important those who perch upon their horses for too long are eventually required to fall off. And that aside, I see how much Miss Moirai suffers in and outside of the classroom to Miss Kasalsain and her circle. Even as a noblewoman myself, such behaviour is utterly vile.
 * Clothovera - ... You've no idea how much I appreciate you for that, you know. I gotta repay you some time.
 * Kyrieleth - Oh, worry not, Miss Moirai. All I require is to see Miss Kasalsain on the receiving end of whatever it is you have planned for her. And even if I am not there in person, you can trust me when I say that I will see it.
 * Szalvetha - You better not spy on us too.
 * Kyrieleth - Hehehe. Oh, Miss Vairadi. I would not dream of crossing you in such a manner. At least, not until I believe that you are up to interesting things, such as that time that Miss Moirai accidentally rose a dire wolf from death... Shambles is his name, is it not? Many people wonder how he ended up here, but I suppose only a few of us really know the truth, hm?
 * Clothovera - It was an accident...
 * Kyrieleth - Oh, I know, I am simply teasing. Shambles is simply adorable, so I suppose I must thank you for being responsible for his creation. Mhm, I am sure I have said too much already. I suggest doing whatever it is you wish to do before the late afternoon rolls by, otherwise you may be spotted by a hall inspector or a tutor.
 * Clothovera - Yeah, let's do this!
 * Teael - Alright! I am so pumped for this right now, you've no idea! I'm gonna break her furniture, and put fleas in her bed, and break more furniture, maybe take a shit on her floor! ... Or, maybe not. I'm getting too excited. I'm also not Heilen.
 * Szalvetha - With a comment like that, you make Heilen look normal.

Soon enough, the time had come that Vhalra Kasalsain and her roommates, the Erylian electromancer Meira Asherath and the Aithrenan aeromancer Seldanna Lorarieth, alongside the rest of her circle of friends and associates would depart from the walls of the Collegium to travel into the streets of the Olnah District in search of at least an amusing or entertaining time, leaving their living quarters vulnerable to the exploits of the girlish trio that desired to enact their retaliation. Knowing that she was in possession of the key to their dormitory, Clothovera was aware that Vhalra's roommates would have needed a spare in order to properly lock the door - a safety measure she could easily bypass with the key Kyrieleth had given her.

Teael scouted the hallways as they stood in front of the dorm's entrance, wanting to be certain that the group would not be caught entering a room that was not theirs with a key that had been stolen; if she saw anything, she would ensure that her friends knew about it, although for now she gave the thumbs up to begin breaking into the Aithrenan noble's living quarters. Clothovera walked on the tip of her feet to make as little noise as possible while Szalvetha followed them, her robes covering her legs entirely and making her lower body look almost like a shroud. Teael soon followed after them, her back turned towards the door as she kept firm eyes upon both sides of the hallway and the number of doors that neighboured and stood opposite to Vhalra's dorm, before she eventually made it past the doorway and shut the door. While the overall layout of the living quarters was not particularly different their own, the furniture was definitely of a higher quality, coming with cushions while expensive ornaments and various chests, each locked and sealed, were spread around the corners of the room. There were two separate bedrooms, alongside a bed in the main living space that, knowing Vhalra's reputation, could have been assumed to belong to her Erylian roommate while the two Aithrena claimed the bedrooms for themselves.

Standing beside the door to both its left and right were two elf-sized statues; one of an elven man and another of an elven woman, both lacking dress as they stood nude and exposed - typical of elven artistic expression in the Sovereignty - while to the far side of the room was a stone statue of a small elk. Unlike their own dormitory, each bedroom had their own personal lock, and Teael thought it sensical to begin analyzing the room in case any of the residents had left their familiars behind. Clothovera followed Teael, as she was unsure of where to start with this prank for it was the first time she had ever done something of this nature, while Szalvetha reached inside her robes and took out a thick wooden stake, staring at the statues with narrowed eyes. Teael hummed to herself as she ventured through the main space, moving towards the bedroom to the right side of the room before she casually stretched her arm and slammed her fist through the wooden plank that was a door, reaching inside in order to twist the doorknob.


 * Teael - Hey, Clotho, I just had a great idea.
 * Clothovera - Yeah?
 * Teael - How about you blast the locks off these doors?
 * Clothovera - Oh! I can try!

Clothovera stepped back and put her hands together as she begun channeling her magic, and Teael could see the faint glow of her tattoos under her robes as she sent a small jolt of dark magic at the lock, causing it to be blasted away from the door. Teael smirked as she proceeded to kick the door in now that there was no lock to protect it and entered the bedroom; as expected, there was a rather unnecessarily large bed off to the left side while a desk sat to the right, with small boxes of various sizes perched upon it and a set of drawers built into it, and a shut wardrobe stood beside it. From a quick observation, it was clear that there were more chests beneath the bed which looked to have basic locks of their own implemented upon them - it was a swift realisation that, based on the smell of the perfume in this room, that this place belonged to Vhalra. Various statuettes of a range of materials - most notably stone, brass, and gold - sat upon her desk, with a shelf holding perfumes, make-up, vials of lotions and creams, and more statuettes positioned a meter or so above it. Clothovera looked at the various vials and perfumes around her and begun taking some, putting them in her pockets before throwing her arms at the others to throw them into the ground or into the walls, a wide grin growing on her face.

Teael giggled as she undid the lid atop the jar she had placed upon her person and held it upside down, allowing the fleas that had been gathered inside of it to land upon the dark mage's pillows and bedsheets before she knelt down and violently pulled out the locked chests that had been kept beneath the bed; she gave a look to her half-elven accomplice, pointing to the locks with an eager expression. Casting more of her magic, Clothovera launched jets of darkness at the chests in order to force them open, while at the other room, Szalvetha walked up to the statue of the male and rose her stake over her head before sending it down at its nether areas, breaking them and making them fall into the ground. Before she could peer inside the chests, the sound of something thudding and smashing against the floor caught the Aithrena's attention, causing her to raise her head and look towards the door she and Clothovera had forced open.


 * Teael - You alright out there, Szal?
 * Szalvetha - Yes.
 * Teael - What was that sound?
 * Szalvetha - This statue's genitals falling into the floor.
 * Teael - Ooh, nasty. You should sculpt off the other one's tits for full effect.
 * Szalvetha - I was about to.
 * Clothovera - What's in the chest? Any sight of my emerald?
 * Teael - Let me check... Hm, dresses, robes, what looks and smells like boys' clothes... Ah, I found some of our stuff! My journal, my necklace, some of your robes... Ooh, is this it?

As she rummaged through the contents of the chests, Teael brought out what looked to be the precious artifact that Clothovera had been worrying so fervently over; unlike any other emerald she had seen before, the Aether Emerald that the Aithrena held in her grasp was dark in colour, and it clearly flowed with strong, almost overwhelming magical energies as her hand remained in contact with it. The half-elf quickly snatched it out of Teael's hand and placed it in a bracelet in her wrist, letting out a relieved sigh as it was finally returned to her owner, and evidently undamaged.


 * Teael - You know... You should try doing one of your stronger spells in here. You know, like that one time you tried it in our place and almost killed everyone.
 * Clothovera - You know that was an accident!... I don't got any spells that would help us here. They'd cause too much damage and make too much noise.
 * Teael - Well, what'd you wanna do with all this stuff?
 * Clothovera - Well, I'm taking back my stuff. As for hers... let's tear it into little pieces!
 * Teael - Now you're speaking my language, sister!

With that, the Aithrena kicked over the chests and poured all of their nemesis' clothes and belongings onto the bed and floor, before she pulled out a pair of kitchen blades from the back of her belt and tossed one to Clothovera so that they could get to work on ruining Vhalra's attire and garments; she left the half-elf to deal with the stuff she had released from the chests while she approached the wardrobe, flung open its doors, and began slashing and tugging on the articles of clothing inside. Clothovera eagerly stabbed Vhalra's clothing with the knife, also taking the opportunity to deliver slashes at her bed, which was close to her position. Meanwhile, after tearing both the breasts and the nethers of the other statue, Szalvetha took out a vial of bright liquid which she proceeded to throw at their faces. What followed was an audible hissing noise as the statues' faces begun to melt, leaving only gaping holes.


 * Teael - Hey Clotho... What's that near your foot? I think it came out of one of the chests.
 * Clothovera - Eh? Where?
 * Teael - That long, weird looking dark thing. ... Wait, that's not...

Clothovera looked at her feet to look for whatever Teael was talking about, and once realizing what it was, her eyes widened as her face went red with blush. She stepped back from the object with a clear expression of embarrassment. Teael, meanwhile, could not help but begin to laugh uncontrollably as her face contorted into a winced expression, falling back into the closest wall as she began to attempt speaking in incoherent bable due to the excessive amusement that had come to overtake her.


 * Teael - Oh, gods... I... I-I dare you to t-throw it... throw it at S-Szal!
 * Clothovera - W-what?! I d-don't wanna put my hands on... on that.
 * Teael - F-Fine, I'll do it...!

Reluctant, amidst a fit of laughter, Teael reached for the precarious object that the two of them had discovered and hovered her hand over it for some moments, struggling to bring herself to grasp ahold of it; after briefly regaining at least some of her composure, the Aithrena swiftly clasped it, ran for the bedroom door, and proceeded to throw it loosely in Szalvetha's unfortunate direction as she was occupied with defiling the statues that Vhalra and her roommates kept around their dormitory. The object collided with the Derevar's back and fell into the floor, leading her to turn her head at Teael with a glare before turning her eyes down, taking notice of the thing thrown at her. Her gaze returned to the Aithrena with narrowed eyes.


 * Szalvetha - ... What in the world?
 * Teael - Ahahaha! Hehe... Pfft, ahaha! Oh gods, your... y-your face... I fucking can't, Szal, ahahaha...!
 * Szalvetha - Yeah, very funny... Hmm... You wanna see something funny?
 * Teael - Ahahaha... O-Oh...? Hehe, g-go... go on, then...

Szalvetha leaned down and took the object in her grasp, keeping her eyes locked on Teael's as Clothovera peeked out of the door to watch what was happening. To their surprise, the Derevar opened her mouth and stuck her tongue out, slowly raising the object so that she nearly touched it. Teael's laughter gradually silenced itself as she watched Szalvetha, her mouth left agape as if in shock at what the Derevar was about to do yet she did nothing to stop or deter her from it, and instead a firm blush came over her face as her eyes could not look away from Szalvetha's own, while Clothovera put her hands on her mouth as she also watched the scene. The Derevar kept her eyes to the two of them as she faintly waved the thing near her mouth, and as it appeared she was about to touch it with her tongue, she instead threw her arm away, tossing it against the window - smashing a hole through it, the object fell out of the room and disappeared from view. Teael yelped as the glass smashed, leaping back into Clothovera before she swiftly looked back towards Szalvetha, an astounded and mildly shocked expression on her face.


 * Teael - T-That... T-That was...
 * Szalvetha - I do not appreciate you throwing that at me, Teael. Focus on our task here.
 * Teael - R-Right... W-We should focus on trashing this place as much as we possibly can before the tutors come inspecting the place. Clotho.
 * Szalvetha - Yes, they will notice you cackling like a gnoll in heat.
 * Clothovera - W-what do you mean, "Clotho"? You're the one who wanted to throw that thing at Szal!
 * Teael - I-It was you who found the thing! You dared me to t-throw it at Szal because you couldn't touch it yourself!
 * Clothovera - You dared me to do it!
 * Szalvetha - Shut up, both of you. Go thrash the rooms already.

It had been some hours since the girls had invaded Vhalra's living space; unlike the incident where Vhalra had broken into their dormitory, Clothovera and her companions had the courtesy to shut the door, even if it was left unlocked due to them returning the key they had used to get in. Teael had decided to treat the girls to a steaming hot vegetable soup as a means to round off the rather eventful, and evidently fun, day that they had, with the darkened skies beyond their windows showing that soon, in some hours, it would become time for them to rest for their day tomorrow so that they may carry on with their weekend. Lit by candles that sat across the room, Teael looked evidently tired, yet content with what the three of them had accomplished today. Clothovera eagerly drank from Teael's soup, satisfied with what she and her friends had done while Szalvetha, who was done eating, spent her time reading from one of her books.


 * Teael - ... So, tell me, Szal. How many mousetraps did you set down in there?
 * Szalvetha - Enough that they will not be able to walk straight for the next day or two.
 * Teael - Heh, surprised Vhalra could straight at all considering what we found earlier.
 * Clothovera - Not while I'm eating, please.
 * Teael - Alright, alright. ... I wonder if she's come back yet. Kyrie said she would be returning late, but this is kind of ridiculous. The school will be shutting its gates for the night soon.
 * Szalvetha - She is probably already here.
 * Teael - Oh, boy, that'll be something to look forward to; the cunt turning up at our door as we're settling down for tonight.
 * Clothovera - I just want her to try. After all she did to us... One question, though. Szal, why were you carrying a stake?
 * Szalvetha - What self-respecting Derevar would not keep a stake in handy? Who knows when a vampire might jump at you?
 * Teael - Between the three of us, I think we did far worse. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. Not our fault if that bitch tries to give it but can't take it.
 * Clothovera - Yeah. Screw her.

Their ears perked as they heard something from the far side of the room - a noise that instantly disrupted the quiet atmosphere that they had between them, making it vanish with loud, thunderous thumping against the wooden surface of the door to their dormitory. It was consistent, unrelenting, and irritatingly loud as it seemed that the one knocking on the door had little consideration or care for any of the other neighbouring living quarters, bent solely on grasping the attention of the residents of dormitory CVI. Teael looked up from her soup, before she glanced back at her companions. Clothovera's face showed apprehension as their actions were about to come back at them while Szalvetha's eyes squinted in her own equivalent of anger as she rose from her seat and walked up to the door to open it. As the Derevar opened the door, she felt a force that should have knocked her off her feet fly past her, with Teael and Clothovera both feeling - as well as seeing - a rush of dark magic enter the room from the fingertips of the one who had been bludgeoning their door; it was, as they had predicted, Vhalra Kasalsain, except her regal, expensive robes and garments had been partially torn and burned, her hair was an utter mess, and there were bruises across her limbs, upper body, and face.


 * Vhalra - What the actual fuck did you do?!

The blast failed to fell the magic-resistant Derevar, though her hat was thrown far out of her head and blew the hair from her face, revealing both of her eyes. She begun to shiver where she stood as her face contorted into a forced scowl, her teeth clenched as she glared at Vhalra. The Aithrena could feel the creeping sensation of the Derevar's antimagic field growing larger around her each second. The Aithrena twitched as she felt Szalvetha beginning to impose her antimagical nature upon her, before her wild, frenzied eyes looked past the Derevar so that she may glare in Clothovera and Teael's direction.


 * Vhalra - You... ruined my room! My dorm! You broke... and stole my shit!
 * Clothovera - You ruined my room and stole my shit, you cock-hungry slut!
 * Vhalra - If you wanted to throwdown, you should have just said, because if you're going to swing, I'll swing back much harder, you little shit! As soon as I get past your little attack dog, I'll remind you of your place--
 * Szalvetha - Shut your mouth.

Raising a hand, Szalvetha sent it at Vhalra's face as to deliver a slap across it. The Derevar's surprising strength, combined with the extent of her anger and the antimagical effect that radiated from her body, caused Vhalra to almost be knocked off her feet from the slap, although the Aithrena was swift to retaliate as she glared wildly at Szalvetha and proceeded to throw a left hook across the antimage's cheek, her teeth bared, ears raised, and her cheek left with another bruise from the slap. The Derevar stumbled back as she received the blow, and once regaining her composure, she reached a hand under her robes as she continued to glare at Vhalra.


 * Szalvetha - Teael, I can no longer uphold that promise.
 * Teael - Oh, shit.

The swordmage practically lept across the wooden table as she moved to restrain Szalvetha, her chair flying back against the wall as she did so, while Vhalra turned her gaze towards Clothovera and pointed at her, as if beckoning or challenging her, before she began to step past the doorway and into their living space. The half-elf's gaze, however, was focused elsewhere; Szalvetha struggled against Teael, focusing her antimagic field around her so that the Aithrena would let go of her as she revealed the wooden stake from her robes.


 * Szalvetha - You are a dead woman!
 * Teael - Leave it, Szal! Come on! She's not worth it! Vhalra, get your ass the fuck out of here now before she does something I'll regret!
 * Szalvetha - You antagonize my friends, then attack our residence, and then you have the audacity of coming here acting like a saint? I am going to thrust this through your eyes, you snotty swine!
 * Vhalra - That's rich coming from a mock-elf barbarian! Exactly what I'd expect of your people! Shame that not all of you can adjust to normal society like Yurthez, huh?!
 * Teael - Szal, I said leave it! Vhalra! Get! Out!
 * Szalvetha - I have had enough of you. Die.

With her anger-fueled strength, Szalvetha broke free of Teael's grasp and rushed at Vhalra's direction, with her stake in hand as she made sure she was not doing idle threats; she really wanted to stab her. Clothovera, worried over the escalation of the whole incident, could do little but cover her mouth with her hands as she watched. Vhalra stretched an arm in an attempt to muster her magic, yet, for once in her life, she found herself incapable of doing so as the cold, numbing feeling of the Derevar's antimagic field overcame her, and all that she could do was send pathetic, black tadpoles of dark magic at her murderous enemy before she was knocked to the floor, struggling beneath Szalvetha as she grasped the stake tightly above the Aithrena's twitching, distressed face.


 * Vhalra - ... G-Get off! Please! I'm... I'm sorry! I... I don't w-want to die here! I-I won't... I won't harm you again, please...!
 * Szalvetha - Indeed... you will not.
 * Clothovera - Szal! Stop!!
 * Teael - Get off her! Szal! Don't do it! She's not worth it!
 * ???' - Enough, you idiotic brats!

At this moment, before Szalvetha had the chance to attack again, an overwhelimg force hit all four of them - an aura of blue energy enveloped their bodies, with such might that it fully penetrated the Derevar's antimagic field, and all of them found themselves thrown against the walls of the dormitory, their limbs completely immobilized. Entering the room was the crow-like figure of Delmar Crowfeather, his crystal ball shining an intense light as he locked the girls against the walls. Following behind him, a severely angered expression on her otherwise warm, kind face, was Ennea Ignaura, who had her arms folded while she fiercely glared at the group of students whose chaos Delmar had just brought to a halt.


 * Delmar - Insolent, unruly children! I thought better of you than to act in such... barbaric manner!
 * Ennea - We are both very disappointed in you all. This is a school for Isiris' sake; a place of learning, yet you have taken to attempting to kill one another? ... Should I convince the Archtutor to reconsider your positions here? Because I am not convinced at all that any of you are suited for your placements here.

Using his magic, Delmar caused Vhalra to levitate in order to face him and Ennea. His body extended and leaned forward to face her, in such a manner that it almost looked like he had no bones to speak of - something not even the Erylian tutor had witnessed before.


 * Delmar - You. Invading other students' dormitories? Property damage? I thought you were meant to be the eloquent daughter of a rich family, not a petty goblin-raised buffoon!
 * Vhalra - T-They did it, too! And how am I the goblin-raised buffoon if they're still letting these... humans and false elves into the school?!
 * Delmar - You are speaking to a human, brat.
 * Vhalra - ... Oh...
 * Delmar - Your racism disgusts me. Little disgusting brat. I will see that you and your roommates speak of it face to face with the Archtutor himself.
 * Ennea - The Collegium is a multicultural institution, Miss Kasalsain; keeping it exclusive to elves is a tradition that died almost a thousand or so years ago. ... Not only does the Collegium not tolerate racism, but it also does not tolerate violence between the students, either. And do not think that any of you get of free from doing the same thing to Miss Kasalsain's dormitory as she did to your own.

The plague doctor forced Vhalra back into the wall, and this time, Clothovera and her roommates were forced to face the strange and very angered tutor as he continued to rant.


 * Delmar - And you. Repeating the brat's mistakes instead of looking for the tutors to solve the matter? What do you think this is, ? You stand around civilized beings, you idiotic children. I am most displeased with you, Teael, for I have great reason to believe this was all your idea.
 * Teael - ... Y-Yes, sir. It was... all my idea. I dragged C-Clotho and Szal into this... instead of doing the right thing, sir... It's not their fault...
 * Delmar - And you, Vairadi... You are just like your mother, are you not? Assaulting other students? Your family does this every time. Where were you all raised, in a pit filled with cockatrices? Do you do all it takes to not functional like normal members of society? Do you know what happens when a student draws another's blood? It makes me want to do it to them next. Teach them manners.
 * Ennea - ... I think that's quite enough, Delmar. You're beginning to scare them more than you need to.
 * Delmar - I am hardly done with them... I will escort them to the Archtutor. And he will decide what fate they deserve...
 * Ennea - I said, that's enough, Delmar. The students can pay a visit to the Archtutor first thing in the morning, as I doubt Selsor would appreciate having to deal with them at this hour.

The plague doctor's voice suddenly took a sudden turn as it grew deeper in tone, and heavy, hissing breaths came from his mask.


 * Delmar - Do not order me, Ennea Ignaura... Fine. Let them enjoy the night... for tomorrow they face judgement.

With this, the girls found themselves free of the arcane mage's bondage and fell to the floor. Clothovera found herself unable to stand as she let out heavy breaths, while Szalvetha fell almost paralyzed, her eyes wide open from feeling her antimagic suppressed like child's play by the much more powerful tutor. Teael laid face down against the floor as she was released from the tutor's magical grasp, her body stiff and largely incapable of movement as she felt aching pains across her torso, while Vhalra slumped against the wall, struggling to regain both her breath and her composure amidst the doctor's rather aggressive and unprecedented scorn. The crow-like form of the tutor then levitated backwards, leaving the dormitory and disappearing amidst the corridors. Ennea's angered expression soon vanished, replaced instead by a look of disappointment as she shook her head, and when she spoke, her voice was far more reserved and calm than it was before;


 * Ennea - You are all very bright, young students and it would be a shame if the Archtutor had to rescind any of your placements here. Minds and talents like yours are what the Collegium strives for... Please try not to throw it all away like this.
 * Nyakik - No talent is greater than mine. You would do well to remember that!

Without them noticing, Nyakik had appeared, and Vhalra could feel the cat pressing and flexing her claws against her leg. The student yelped as she felt the feline clawing at her leg, desiring to attempt kicking out or standing up to get away, but could only bring herself to attempt shuffling away.


 * Nyakik - This is for locking me in a chest!
 * Ennea - No! Bad cat! Bad cat! Shoo!

Throwing a hand, Ennea launched a sphere of wind in Nyakik's direction, aiming to throw her away from the downed Aithrena, sending her rolling backwards into the same chest that had trapped her before. Vhalra glanced at the trio of roommates that she had provoked and held a very different expression on her face from all those other times she had encountered them; instead of a pompous smile, an indifferent frown, or a disgusted scowl, the Aithrena's face held only shock and fear, with her eyes widening as they caught Szalvetha in their sights.

8/11/34: Dragon Horse
Second Week of the Third Month of Term, Early Morning: Main Central Hall of the Grand Collegium

The sound of rain lightly pattering against the windows of the colossal academy brought no comfort to any of the girls' ears, even if it did break the awkward quiet of the great atrium as other students, tired and dreading the week of study ahead of them, shuffled to their classes like sleep-deprived, exhausted zombies. The girls had been taken out of their scheduled classes in response to the incident that had occured over the weekend between themselves and Vhalra - deemed an utterly atrocious example of scholarly behaviour - and both parties involved had been given an additional assignment to complete for the month; although the details of their task was not yet known to them, they were aware that, implied through the Archtutor's choice words when they had been taken to meet with him some days prior, this assignment would be particularly challenging, reserved usually for higher-grade students.

For an elf as optimistic as Archtutor Selsor Granvinran, it had been made as clear as crystal to Clothovera, Teael, Szalvetha, and Vhalra that he was not to be crossed or trifled with; although he had not resorted to methods as extreme as those exercised by Tutor Delmar Crowfeather in regards to putting the message across, and was generally far less inclined to bellow and yell, he knew how to place a heavy sense of regret into the girls' hearts. All four of those involved had been given not just an additional outdoors assignment to complete, but also extra lessons to attend at the weekends for the next fortnight, meaning that Clothovera and Vhalra would be seeing much more of Osvernal than either of them appreciated. What was perhaps far more discouraging, however, was the fact that those friends in Clothovera's circle who were not involved in the incident were still to come with them to complete this difficult assignment - it was undoubtable that Pyrath and Heilen would not appreciate having to be made to suffer for a breach of school rules that neither of them committed. Teael, both tired, hungry, and feeling beneath the weather due to having to face Delmar's class the day before, sat with her body slouched forward, her head resting on the table as she attempted not to doze off back into a slumber. Clothovera had her hands together and her head lowered to the ground while Szalvetha sat in a corner, her hat covering her face. She had spoken very little since the tutors' appearance in their dormitory.

Heilen spent his time with his arms crossed as they waited for Damon's arrival, though his expression appeared more sarcastic than worried over their apparent hard task to come. Pyrath sat with his arms folded, a grumpy expression on his face as he pouted and kept his brow lowered, and it was clear that he was unsatisfied with how he happened to be looking this morning; although to the group he looked no different, with his hair styled to a point as it usually was, something was quite clearly off with the Erylia.


 * Heilen - You guys screwed up. Like, thanks a lot. Now we gotta do the pretty difficult thing instead of the mildly difficult one.
 * Pyrath - It's an additional task. It means we're doing both this month.
 * Heilen - Oh. Well, damn. You guys really screwed up then. Heilen's gonna die of over exertion tonight.
 * Teael - Oh, shut up. You weren't there when we found out Vhalra trashed our place, so you wouldn't understand.
 * Heilen - Maybe I was. Maybe I watched the entire thing unfold. You wouldn't know.
 * Teael - Oh, please. Maybe you were watching us, or maybe you were sat at the back of the luxomancy class, napping your ass off without a care in the world like usual.
 * Heilen - Hell, I'm lazy but I do know how to multitask. Fantastic job stabbing the statue in the crotch, Szal.
 * Szalvetha - Whatever.
 * Pyrath - Good job almost getting yaself a hanging sentence as well. Are ya nuts, Szal? What the Hell were ya thinking? Sometimes I dunno if the whole "cold, crazy bitch" thing is an act or if it's real. ... If ya weren't gonna be hanged, ya were likely gonna be put in some crazy home. I hear it's happened before here.
 * Szalvetha - Better than waste more of my time in here.
 * Pyrath - ... Ya alright, Clotho? Sorry that these two dragged ya into this mess.
 * Clothovera - I was responsible for it. It all happened because that bitch hates me in particular. And I wasn't dragged, I did it out of my own will.
 * Pyrath - Ya took the fall for these clowns? Man, ya got more guts than I thought. Ya a nice girl, Clotho, and I don't like seeing nice girls getting stepped on. It's ya first year here, so ya shouldn't have to make it hard for yaself.
 * Clothovera - All three of us heard more than we wanted from the Archtutor. And knowing our luck, I bet Vhalra got out scot free.
 * Szalvetha - Of course she did. She is Aithrenan.
 * Pyrath - More like she's a noble. Teael's Aithrenan and she's still gotta pay.
 * Szalvetha - I am a noble. The tutors as a whole despise my presence.
 * Pyrath - Ya don't make it easy for them not to. ... There's definitely something fishy going on here, though. What do ya think, Len? Think it's just us going crazy or that there's some kinda conspiracy going on?
 * Heilen - You forgot that one day where we literally suffered an assassination attempt?
 * Szalvetha - Aithrenan tutors trying to get rid of me, I bet.
 * Pyrath - I... kinda blocked that out from my mind. My leg still hurts just thinking about that damn shark thing. ... Oh, there's D over there. And he's brought Hot Legs with him.
 * Heilen - Neat.

At the far side of the grand atrium, the group could see Damon in the company of the tall, graceful, and beautifully elegant Prisieth, who walked a mere few steps behind the half-elf as she glanced over the group of students that had been awaiting their arrival. Her hips swayed as she walked, perhaps intending to appear almost inappropriately suggestive, and she smiled as she caught Pyrath and Heilen looking at her from the table the group had sat at. Szalvetha frowned under her hat and looked away from the tutor while Clothovera only glanced at her from an angle, too saddened to pay attention to her movements. Damon already had given his two cents on the girls's actions days before, and by the look on his face, he did not intend to do it again as he appeared relatively calm. Pyrath's grumpy expression vanished as his morning seemed to brighten with every step that the Aithrenan tutor took, unwittingly nodding to himself as he tracked the teacher's movements while she moved with Damon to meet with him and the rest of his friend circle.


 * Pyrath - Legs so hot, ya could cook eggs on them.
 * Heilen - Legs so big, I could sleep on them.
 * Teael - Oh, great, they're acting like monkeys again. At first sight of a woman, they stop thinking with their heads and start thinking with their tails.
 * Damon - I see you're all gathered already. That'll speed things up.
 * Prisieth - Indeed, although that depends on if your friends are paying attention, Damon. None of them look at all ready to even start the day, let alone go on a quest to hunt-- Oh, silly me. You're the one in charge.
 * Clothovera - Hunt? We're gonna hunt something?
 * Damon - Yes. How many of you have heard of a creature called a kirin?
 * Teael - I'm a city chick, so the name's not one I'm too familiar with.
 * Heilen - That sounds like some weird dish.
 * Pyrath - Ain't that some kinda thunder horse?
 * Damon - Close. A kirin is a dragon-horse hybrid with powers of lightning. They're an endangered species, so the Collegium wants to start a breeding program. We need to capture one alive, while Vhalra and her mates will capture another.
 * Pyrath - So Vhalra didn't get off easy, then. First bit of good news I've heard all day.
 * Damon - And the last. A kirin is an exceptionally dangerous creature. Books say they are children of the s, so that show tell you how powerful their magic is.
 * Teael - ... Looks like we're gonna die after all. The Archtutor must be more pissed off than I thought.
 * Damon - Yeah. This is something reserved for people like Pyrath's brother. Higher class students. So I suggest you prepare yourselves accordingly. Pyrath, Szal, you should make brews to incapacitate the kirin and knock it out, because we want it alive. The less wounds, the better... and if it does die, then goodbye Collegium to you folks.
 * Pyrath - Let it escape, we lose. Let it die, we lose. Looks like the girls landed us in a lot of hot water. ... Oh well, with any luck, Vhalra will end up cocking things up for herself.
 * Heilen - Hot water, among other hot things.
 * Prisieth - Hm? Did someone say my name?
 * Heilen - Heh. I might have.
 * Clothovera - Ngh... This is gonna be a rough day.

The group, now accompanied by Halvdan Tyrfing, was directed to the last reported location of a kirin female, far south to Purity's Apogee. It was an area of dense forest and ruined constructions, perhaps the ruins of a long abandoned settlement, which would serve as a perfect hiding spot for a creature as elusive as a kirin. Their orders were to capture it alive, and preferebly with no heavy blood-drawing wounds. Failure to achieve such would definitely mean the end of the education life of the three girls, and a stern yelling to the boys who got drawn into it. The rain continued to pour, with black clouds darkening the sky above their heads; the onset of a storm, which would be perfect weather for those drawn to the magic schools of water and lightning to channel and enhance their abilities to optimal capacity.

The dwarven mercenary carried with him equipment that would lend itself useful to keeping the kirin restrained and incapacitated, such as nets and rope, and would handle the means of transporting the kirin once it had been weakened and caught. He hummed to himself, seeming to not mind the stormy weather as it rolled in, and it would seem that, for once, the dwarf actually appeared to not be taken by a grumpy or foul mood unlike the rest of his company. Pyrath kept his arms folded as he patrolled the area with his friends, torn between keeping an eye open for any sight of the magical beast and keeping himself warm beneath the falling rain, while Teael seemed to grow more bored and impatient as time past. Szalvetha used an enlarged mushroom as an umbrella to protect herself from the rain, while Clothovera stood next to Damon, the two of them looking for any signs of the kirin's presence as they ventured deeper into the woods.


 * Damon - We're looking for a creature that looks like an unicorn, but is covered in scales. At least, that's what Prisieth says they look like. I've never seen a kirin myself.
 * Tyrfing - Aye, she's right. By the Hammer, I'd hate to be in your shoes if your teachers are making you hunt kirin. I know a couple of dwarves who ended up gored on their pointy end.
 * Clothovera - Encouraging.
 * Tyrfing - Ah, you'll be fine. You're elves, you can move out of the way faster than us. You know, they say the kirin are the sons and daughters of the Lightning Drakes, but I think that's all a load of bullshit. I mean, how can a horse-dragon-thing turn into a Lightning Drake, eh?
 * Heilen - I don't like that idea either. It implies horses and dragons doing the nasty.
 * Tyrfing - Prince Hathgar - that is, the First Heir to the Khargrim Realm - came up here a long while back, before any of you were twinkles in your mothers' eyes. Met a particular Lightning Drake, apparently; the Storm King himself, he insists.
 * Damon - There. Footprints.

Pointing down, Damon showed to the group footprints of an animal. While they expected them to be shaped like the hooves of a horse, instead they resembled more the feet of a reptile, with three clearly clawed toes. Tyrfing appraoched the tracks, crouching onto a knee so he could move his hand towards where the creature's foot had been embedded into the wet earth; static electricity sparked into vision as the dwarf's hand waved over the footprints, causing him to nod before he looked back at Damon and stood, wiping some of the dirt off of his trousers.


 * Tyrfing - We're on the right track.
 * Clothovera - How are we gonna tackle this thing? If it's half-dragon then it won't give up easily.
 * Pyrath - Well, ya know... I gotta couple of drakeblood potions on me. It'd be a half-dragon against a quarter-dragon with friends.
 * Clothovera - You talk about dragons but I still don't get what you have with them.

Pyrath chuckled as he reached a hand to his belt and pulled forth a vial that contained a crimson red elixir, its liquid contents seeming to glow a faint, fiery orange at its center; shaking the vial and swiftly removing the cork that kept the liquid inside from spilling, the Erylian tipped his head back and ingested its contents, drinking the steaming substance as it seemed to boil following Pyrath shaking it. It took some moments for any hint of change to occur, although soon, Clothovera could watch as Pyrath's body seemed to tense up, with the elf groaning as the red scales protruded and emerged across his forehead and cheeks and a pair of curved, draconic horns grew from the temples of his head. The student's shoulders and forearms were soon overcome with the same red scales that grew from his face, and his hands and feet became wretched, almost daemonic claws while his anatomy shifted and changed, becoming slightly taller and his muscles becoming more toned and prominent. Clothovera was visibly fascinated as she watched Pyrath transform into a draconic humanoid, while Damon and Heilen's expressions did not change - they were already used to this transformation on the basis of being his roommates.


 * Clothovera - Wow! You're like... a dragon elf!
 * Heilen - Imagine dragons and elves doing the nasty. Pyrath's the result.
 * Pyrath - Ya face is the result. ... Hehe, glad to know that somebody is impressed. Ya think this is cool, though? Ya gotta see what my bro can do.

Continuing their path, following the footprints on the ground, the group would walk for several minutes more, with no sign of the kirin being any closer than before. Eventually, as they reached a more clear part of the forest, flanked by toppled buildings, their target's trail suddenly came to a halt, as if the kirin had suddenly disappeared. Tyrfing instinctively reached for his axes, although he had to force himself to instead draw a shield that had been placed upon his back; a buckler crafted with cold iron, designed to resist offensive magical effects. Pyrath sniffed the air for the kirin's scent before he lept for the trees, aiming to gain both a vantage point and an additional means of tracking their target, while Teael moved her hand to reach for a lasso.

From his position, Pyrath was the first to see it. A bolt of lighting fell from the stormy clouds, colliding with the top of one of the toppled buildings, and out of it appeared the kirin. It indeed looked like an unicorn, with a horse build and a large spiral horn on its forehead, but it differed by its scaled hide and the flowing hair spread across its face, looking almost like a beard. It looked down at the group with its piercing, reptilian eyes as sparks of lightning came out of its body. Embers of fire materialised around the Erylian's hands and eyes, a look of concern forming on his face as he witnessed the might and power of the kirin with his own eyes. Even in his 'quarterdrake state', as he would have put it, the alchemist still felt intimidated by the magical beast's presence.


 * Pyrath - ... Look out! At the top of the ruins!

The group heard Pyrath's warning as the kirin immediately leaped from the ruins, leaving a trail of lightning behind as it fell into the grass with a thud. Clothovera and Damon both stepped back at the sight of the imposing horse-like creature while Szalvetha reached inside her robes to look for the sleeping potions she had prepared. Teael spun the lasso she held in clockwork rotations, glaring at the kirin as a quiet set in around them, disturbed only by the rain and the sound of crashing thunder. Pyrath watched from above, his draconic eyes analysing the situation and the many ways it could have unfolded, while Tyrfing had been occupied loading his crossbow with bolts enchanted with stamina-afflicting magic.

The kirin glared at the intruders before letting out a sound which sounded like a combined horse's neigh and a reptile's growl as lightning sparked in its horn, and from it, it begun casting magic as bolts of electricity were launched at the group's direction. Damon created a shield of wind around himself while Clothovera begun channeling her own energies, while Szalvetha merely stepped to the side to evade the attack. Moving swift on her feet to the right, Teael split off from the bulk of the group to avoid being struck by the kirin's power and threw her lasso, aiming for the beast's neck so that she might have some capability of controlling its movements while Tyrfing desperately raised his buckler, which dispelled the electricity that came with a blow but the dwarf nonetheless found himself floored by the mere force and strength of the dragon-beast's attack. As the lasso wrapped itself around the kirin's neck, the creature begun jumping in place, growing enraged as it tried to get the rope off of itself. Szalvetha took out a vial filled with green liquid before tossing it to Teael's direction.


 * Szalvetha - Drink this.

Although she struggled to focus on the vial's trajectory due to the kirin's resistance, the Aithrena nonetheless caught it and removed the cork that sealed it with her teeth, before chugging the contents down her throat in a swift, desperate manner which caused her to cough and splutter - both from the speed at which the liquid travelled through her and its raw, horrid taste. Within moments, the Aithrena found herself empowered by an almost overwhelming force as she felt her muscles grow larger and her strength grow exponentially greater - it was a potion of strength, used to amplify the target's physical prowess. Using two hands to attempt to dominate the kirin with the rope, Teael nonetheless struggled to remain on her feet as she felt herself being dragged by the magical beast's struggling, although she continued to hold and remain firm. In its distracted state, Pyrath jumped down, proceeding to aim for the kirin's back with his arms stretched wide so that he may grapple with the horselike creature and assist in exhausting its energy.


 * Pyrath - Gotcha!
 * Heilen - Wew, Damon. Teael's got better abs than you now.
 * Teael - And more balls than you, Len!
 * Heilen - Probably yes.

The kirin swung its head from side to side, trying to shake Pyrath off of its back before it charged its horn with lightning once again, aiming it downwards as it begun a charge at Teael's direction, once again leaving a trail of lightning behind it as it ran at an impressive speed. The Aithrena dropped the rope, not wishing to end up on the receiving end of a speeding, fully-charged kirin horn and rolled once more to her right, while Pyrath yelled and screamed as he continued to wrestle with the beast as it charged and felt jolts of electricity come into contact with his body. Missing the Aithrena, the kirin turned around to charge again, but as it did, Damon sent out a blast of wind at the creature which knocked it to its side, sending it and Pyrath to the ground. Taking the opportunity, Szalvetha approached the horse-dragon as it tried to get up and threw the contents of the sleeping potion at its face, causing it to recoil back and growl out in rage and confusion.


 * Pyrath - Get back!

As he saw the kirin becoming significantly more enraged, Pyrath quickly got to his feet and used his own enhanced, draconic physiology to throw himself at Szalvetha, knocking her to the ground with himself on top of her - essentially shielding her from the kirin as it grew more panicked and maddened with each passing moment. Taken by surprise by the sudden physical contact, the Derevar responded by shoving a hand against Pyrath's face to try and keep him away from her. Regaining his footing, Tyrfing launched several enchanted bolts from his crossbow, aiming to down the beast now that the Derevar had exposed it to her sleeping concoction. The kirin got to its feet and turned to the dwarf as his bolts penetrated its scaley hide, and they could see the creature was stumbling on its feet as it grew drowsy. Clothovera channeled her magic and sent out a bolt of darkness aimed at the beast's head, hitting and sending it into the floor again, this time going unconscious as the electricity around it begun dying out.

Tyrfing threw a net to Damon, gesturing to the fallen kirin with a nod of his head, and reloaded his crossbow so that, as he approached the draconic horse, he could keep it raised and prepared in the event that it required another shot to its tough rear. Meanwhile, Pyrath struggled to get himself off of Szalvetha, instead falling next to her as he felt the energies gained from his alchemical solution of drakeblood beginning to swiftly fade away, causing his horns and scales to gradually regress back inside of his body and his anatomy to return to its original elven state. Using the net, Damon immobilized the kirin as it continued to sleep, wiping sweat and rain off of his head once he was done.


 * Damon - That's that, then.
 * Teael - ... Fuck. That. Never again.
 * Clothovera - You think the Collegium is gonna tame it? It looks beautiful. I wish we could watch it from a safe distance.
 * Tyrfing - Give it time. The Collegium wants them so they can breed them, so I'm assuming that they'll have some use for their offspring. Creatures like these can never truly be domesticated, though.
 * Szalvetha - Seems like I got the potion of strength right. How are you feeling, Teael?
 * Teael - I feel... Great! Man, all that hard work I put into this body and you can double that by just drinking a potion? That's incredible.
 * Szalvetha - It only lasts for a couple of minutes, though.
 * Teael - I could break a guy in two... with my bare hands!

Szalvetha approached her empowered friend as she spoke, and out of the sudden, she rose her index finger and passed it through her stomach, as if to feel her muscles. Teael froze, looking down as Szalvetha slid her finger over her musculature and becoming speechless as she felt the Derevar's surprisingly soft skin come into contact with her own. The Aithrena did not resist, too speechless to say anything against it, and in truth, not particularly disliking the act either.


 * Szalvetha - Hmm. Could still use some improvements, though.
 * Teael - ... I-Improvements? Like what?
 * Szalvetha - Better ingredients for greater strength... Oh, did I make you uncomfortable? I was reducing my antimagic aura as much as I could.
 * Teael - I... Y-You're quite alright. You did a good job, I can barely even feel it.
 * 'Heilen - Man, what are you gals doing over there? We gotta haul this thing back home.
 * Szalvetha - Ask someone with big muscles. Like Tyrfing or Damon. Or Teael for the next couple of minutes.
 * Teael - Yeah! Someone with big muscles, like me! ... What's up with Pyrath?
 * Szalvetha - What about him?
 * Teael - Look at him. It's like he's fallen asleep, the lazy git.

Now reverted from his draconic form, the Erylian was unconscious; a combination of having to exert so much strength, the early morning start that he was not adjusted to, and the sudden exposure to Szalvetha's antimagic field without it being suppressed had forced him out of his enhanced, augmented state. Teael shrugged and sighed as she lifted the elf over her should and grabbed ahold of the net that Damon and Tyrfing had trapped the kirin inside of, dragging it with the use of her own alchemically charged physical power as if it was no problem for her.

Rays of sunlight beamed through the windows of the elven school, the storm having passed so that the Sun may part through what was left of the remaining clouds. The moods of the students present at the Collegium had significantly raised from what they were in the early hours of the morning, as they had been given the time required to wake up and focus; as Clothovera's group had been assigned to complete a high-tier mission, none of them were required to rejoin their classes for the remainder of the day, the girls' punishment having since been served. Deciding to soak up the rays that glimmered down upon them, the group sat outside instead of within the confines of the atrium, residing at a wooden table that was accompanied by a pair of benches crafted from the same materials; they were away from the other students that attended the Collegium, including Vhalra, who was most likely recuperating from how own assignment if she had since returned.

The kirin they had acquired was taken off their hands by several guardsmen that were under the school's employ, while Tutor Prisieth had come outside to meet with the group so that she could personally assess their progress and how the assignment played out. Beneath the hot rays, the Aithrenan teacher seemed to wear less clothes, and while she exposed much of her upper and lower body with her robes, she still sported the colours of the school of magic that she taught - floral greens and snowy whites. She sat among the group, sitting in between Damon and Pyrath on one of the wooden benches while she rested her arms casually on the table, her back arched forward. Damon could not help but glance at the scantily dressed tutor, while Heilen picked on his teeth with a toothpick as he stood up. Clothovera's expression appeared much more optimistic than before, though Szalvetha's remained unchanged as they were once again in Prisieth's presence.


 * Prisieth - I can tell you now that you have all made the Archtutor extremely impressed. Even Osvernal will be caught by surprise when I inform him that two of his students have succeeded in capturing and retrieving a pair of mature kirin. Heh, then again, I had confidence that you would succeed. I'm tracking your progress, after all.
 * Heilen - I did it all by myself. I deserve a cougar's reward.
 * Damon - You did nothing at all, you lazy ass. You just stood there looking dumb like you do every quest.
 * Heilen - It's called "emotional support", Damon.
 * Clothovera - Regardless, that should show the Archtutor we are worth keeping.
 * Prisieth - Mhm, I'll tell you all a secret... Selsor had no intention of getting rid of you. Any of you. He told you he would if you failed, but he says it only as incentive for you to perform harder and really test your boundaries. ... I am delighted to be able to guide such wonderful students.
 * Szalvetha - That is a lie. You just say that to make us feel better about ourselves.
 * Heilen - Hey. Don't piss on our parade, Szal.
 * Prisieth - Oh, Szalvetha. Why would I lie to you when you should all be feeling good about yourselves anyway? I mean, you are all so talented, and today has served as a testament to that.
 * Damon - Yeah. My sister and her friends are blockheads, but they are good people on the inside.
 * Prisieth - Mhm, you're not too bad either, Damon. And, based on what the girls in my classes say, you're not bad on the outside either. ... I can see why they talk about you so fondly.
 * Damon - O-oh, Miss Faemyar... Is this an appropriate thing to say to an Adjutor?
 * Prisieth - We're all adults here, Damon. No need to keep with the formalities, but, I shan't lie to you... I like that about you. You're committed and work hard. A lucky catch, they'd say.
 * Pyrath - ... Look, D's gone red in the face.
 * Damon - Damn it...

Damon could not hide the blush that grew on his face from Prisieth's words and presence. Clothovera tilted her head with some amusement at the sight of her older brother growing flustered, which was a rare sight to say the least. Pyrath chuckled at the sight of Damon's embarrassment, although it swiftly quietened when he watched Prisieth lean in towards Damon and heard her speak in a more hushed, quietened tone, like a loud, sultry whisper into the half-elf's ears.


 * Prisieth - How would you like to... be my Adjutor on some days, hm? I could always do with some assistance of my own, and it's not just menial things that Ennea and Osvernal have you doing, either...
 * Damon - ... I'm sure I can spare some days to you, Prisieth.
 * Teael - Man... Wish I was an Adjutor. Or took floramancy classes... I'm just stuck with Delmar.

At this moment, audible footsteps were heard coming from inside the Collegium and approaching their location, eventually revealing itself: it was the giant wolf Shambles, who sniffed the air before turning to the group and quickly running to their direction, waving his tail with his tongue sticking out of his mouth. Teael and Pyrath turned as the great canine ran towards them, and as neither of them had seen Shambles' form prior to now, they swiftly jumped out from their seats, with the Erylian tripping over himself and falling flat onto his face while Teael ran some meters away. Heilen chuckled at the sight of the two trying to escape as he approached the wolf and begun stroking his neck. Shambles had been given a body again as told by Delmar, his former snow white fur replaced by a charchoal black, and his eyes letting out an eerie green glow.


 * Heilen - You guys. It's just big old Shambles.
 * Clothovera - Yickes... he looks awesome!
 * Pyrath - That's... Whoa. I barely even recognise him. Ya right, Clotho; he does look awesome!
 * Teael - I'd still be careful, since he can probably fit your entire body in his mouth and use it like a chew toy.
 * Heilen - Nah, Shambles knows us. He wouldn't eat us, would it? Who's the big dumb dire wolf? You are.
 * Szalvetha - Our world is a strange one.
 * Prisieth - What a beautiful canine... Its fur looks so soft and well-groomed. I can tell that Delmar did a really good job on giving him a new look. C'mere, boy...

Prisieth stood and approached Shambles, reaching a hand so as to try and stroke the undead wolf's ears and get a good feel of his fur, as it seemed that she liked animals such as these along with the rest of the group. However, Shambles did not allow her to touch him - he barred his teeth and growled as she approached, much to Heilen's confusion as he raised an eyebrow at the scene.


 * Heilen - Hey. Bad dog. Don't do that to the nice cougar lady.
 * Prisieth - Hmf... Needs some more discipline, I see. Fortunate that I am so forgiving, as some other tutors would not stand for such behaviour. Worry not; those predatory instincts will go away soon enough.
 * Heilen - Yeah, sorry about that. You go back to your house at the necromancy class. Shoo.

Patting Shambles in the side, Heilen pointed to the exit before the wolf stood up and ran off. Prisieth observed her hand, clenching her fist for a moment as she swiftly pushed the incident out of her mind and set her arm back at her side. Exhaling a deep breath, the elf turned to the group of students and smiled at them, her ears twitching as she did while she folded her arms.


 * Prisieth - I had best be going. I've a full day of lessons ahead of me and as much as I would simply adore to sit out here and chatter the afternoon away, I've unfortunately got priorities and matters to attend to. I'll be seeing you all later... Damon.
 * Damon - See you quite soon, Miss.

Before the tutor walked away to follow the great canine inside, she raised the index and middle fingers of her right hand to her face and blew a kiss in the boys' direction, proceeding to turn and depart from the scene with a rather amused giggle; she walked in that same suggestive, mesmerising manner as she always did, at which Teael could not help but contently stare, while Pyrath, noticing Damon also observing the tutor's departure, made a ring with his thumb and index finger and crudely inserted the index of his other hand into the space in back and forth motions. The half-elf begun giggling while Heilen repeatedly bumped his shoulder, as if congratulating him while Clothovera watched the whole scene unsure of what to think. Meanwhile, Szalvetha's glare remained the same as she watched the tutor disappear from view, before she spoke again.


 * Szalvetha - That woman is no good. They say animals can smell the scent of evil... and I am willing to believe it.

11/11/34: Teael's Test
Second Week of the Third Month of Term, Mid Morning: Arts of Arcanomancy and Arcane Study

The eyes around the classroom watched intently as the young, Hikameran magus analyzed the targets that had been set ahead of her, her fingers twitching as she conjured the essence of arcane magic into her palm and envisioned the necessary movements, stance, and insistence that she would have to undertake in order to accomplish the goal that her tutor had set for her; at the far side of the room, a chamber of brick walls that housed wooden desks, tables, and seats which were all dimly lit by a soft blue tinge of light coming from an unknown source, a set of of three beams stood with glass bottles, emptied of their contents, resting upon the surface of their flat tops. Carved and crafted from logs into ornate and decorative stands as typical of elven woodwork, they each stood at the height of the average human adult and showed deep etchings into their bodies which glowed with an ethereal white light - a means to enhance their natural resistance in the case of magical misfire on part of the students. The Hikamera stood near the entrance to the room, as far away from the beams as she could have possible gone, while her colleagues and peers had moved to the sides and corners of the class in order to evade the possibility of getting struck by her arcane evocations.

Stood with her right side facing the beams ahead of her, her test had finished with several quick swipes of her arms; a horizontal movement of her right arm followed by her changing the angle at which she faced the beams to her left side so she could follow up with a swipe of her left arm, before assuming the stance she had used prior in order to conclude with another manoeuver from her right, with each attack causing her purple robes to blow backwards. While the magic she had evoked could not have been seen by normal eyes, she had utilised the power of pure kinetic force, mustered through arcanomancy, to send a trio of invisble, formless attacks at the glass bottle targets perched atop the magic-resistant wooden stands - although she had only successfully managed to strike two, shattering their bodies into shards and fragments, while leaving her third attack to miss and strike the wall behind the one that had remained untouched.

Broken glass laid at the feet of the wooden beams and a small array of claps from her classmates, including a somewhat disinterested Teael who stood near the back of the crowd of students, signified that she had scored a reasonable result for a first-year student. The tutor floated next to the Hikamera in order to inspect her performance - the plague doctor Delmar Crowfeather, who was a master of both the pestilent and the arcane arts - and the students could see the crystal ball he always carried glow a faint blue color as the shattered glass left by the girl's attack rose into the air before combining itself back into whole, but cracked, bottles.


 * Delmar - Your aim has improved. But it is not yet perfect... Nonetheless, a good show.
 * Hikamera - T-Thank you, sir. It's kind of scary to think that there are mages out there who can hit moving targets with these attacks at long range...
 * Delmar - A smart arcane wizard will not attack a moving target. They will stop the target in its tracks with the power of his essence alone. Now, return to your seat, so I may call the next student.

The Hikamera nodded and walked back to her station, which, so as to provide a clear aim for the students and to avoid sustaining damage from these tests, had been temporarily relocated to one side of the room. Teael sighed as she knew that there were few students left for her tutor to select from, with herself possessing the chance to become the next candidate to attempt to gain a perfect score, although the events from earlier in the week combined with the fresh memory of the dormitory incident had eaten away at her enthusiasm to show her prowess and skill in front of her classmates. A scroll floated in front of the plague doctor, which had his list of students, and he read it for several moments before slowly turning his head to his class. His emotionless crow-like visage made it impossible to tell exactly how he felt, though the students closer to him could hear a hiss coming from the sides of his mask if only for a split moment.


 * Delmar - Next is... Teael Sehenem.
 * Teael - Perfect... Let's get this over with.

The Aithrena stood from her seat and approached the two wooden doors that lead into the room, turning her back to them while she faced the beams that stood opposite to them and briefly eyed them. Assuming a stance similar to the Hikamera, shifting the right side of her body towards her targets, Teael raised an arm and swiftly made a horizontal swipe from her left shoulder to straight ahead of herself; unlike the previous student, she did not need multiple arm manoeuvers to evoke her three invisible missiles of magic, which struck each of the glass bottles and shattered them to broken pieces, before continuing to dent the wall that stood behind them with the force and power behind her attack. She stood upright and lowered her arm back down to her side, huffing and briefly furrowing her brow with some surprise as she did not expect truly to complete the task in such a manner on the first attempt. The tutor, however, tilted his beak from side to side disapprovingly.


 * Delmar - Impulsive girl. Acting before I could speak. That was not your test.
 * Teael - ... I don't see any other targets in the room, sir. And besides, I scored all three on the first go. You can't fault me for that, can you?
 * Delmar - Be quiet... and listen...

The plague doctor's crystal ball shone more intensily as furniture around the two of them begun floating back, as to give them more space. He floated near the young Aithrena slowly and ominously as he stared into her eyes, causing her to take a single step back and frown as she eyed her tutor with some apprehension.


 * Delmar - I have a... different test for you.
 * Teael - ... And what would that be, sir?
 * Delmar - Following your... misconduct... I must be assured you are truly worth tutoring. I must be assured you deserve a place in this Collegium. And breaking glass will not do. Where is your blade?
 * Teael - My... blade? It's at my desk. ... What will I need it for?
 * Delmar - For your test. Equip your blade.

The students around the room began to chatter between themselves as they watched Teael and Delmar converse, his mannerisms and the implications in his words causing a chill to crawl up their spines and become both curious and concerned about what the tutor had in mind for his pupil. Not questioning his demand, Teael glanced towards her desk and raised her left arm so as to open her palm and, without words, call her sheathed blade to her person while it had been perched next to her seat. It flew swiftly through the air into her possession and she placed the fingers of her right hand upon the hilt, drawing the curved sword and twirling it a few times before letting its blade rest and point idly towards the floor as she looked up at Delmar.


 * Delmar - I always believed you had great potential. But your behavior has put this judgement into question. Now, you shall prove me your skill in both the arcane and swordfighting arts. From that, me and the Vice Archtutor will know if you truly have a place here.
 * Teael - So, you're asking me to fight you... What are you going to use? I've never seen you walk around with a sword before.
 * Delmar' - I am not asking you to fight me. What I want from you... is simpler than that. I want you to strike me. One strike will do.
 * Teael - Strike you? ... I dunno, I don't want to end up accidentally killing one of my teachers... Now that would look bad on my record.
 * Delmar - You think of me as a fool? You think I did not prepare myself for this? I know what I am doing. And you will do as I say... or your test is an automatic fail.
 * Teael - Sheesh, fine. But don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because you're my teach. You're asking me for my best and I'm gonna give you my best, so don't complain if I end up hurting you.
 * Delmar - Your talk shows disrespect and overconfidence. Now, be quiet... and prove me wrong.

Teael dropped the sheath to her feet and swiftly placed both hands upon her sword before moving to attempt delivering a diagonal cut aimed for the plague doctor's torso, moving and shifting her body with elven grace as she twirled herself around to gather momentum and brought the blade upon where Delmar stood. However, her blow was deflected by a barrier of blue energy which became visible once she approached the tutor - it shielded all of his front, with her attack dealing no apparent damage to it. His crystal ball shone as he threw his hand forward, causing Teael to be blown backwards by a blast of invisible force. The Aithrena held her sword ahead of her as she attempted to endure the blast, although while she was not knocked off her feet, she was sent a metre or so away from Delmar's position. Glancing up at him, Teael growled and slowly slid one of her hands over the metallic edge of her sword, causing it to glimmer with blue magic as she enchanted it in response to seeing the arcane shield that her tutor had conjured.


 * Teael - Should've known this wasn't gonna be easy.
 * Delmar - Yes. Use your magic. I am your arcane tutor, not your fencing tutor.
 * Teael - Kinda wish Szal was here to give me one of her strength boosts... Hmph. Screw that, I can get through this with my own magic. Potentias!

With that, Teael removed a hand from her sword and clenched her fist, allowing arcane magic to burst from her hand momentarily before her veins were briefly overcome with a white, enchanted light before returning to normal; although not as potent as the alchemical solutions that Szalvetha would use to enhance her powers, Teael's spell had increased both her strength and her dexterity to a significant degree. Glancing back at her tutor, she leaped ahead and brought her sword upon the arcane shield ahead of him once more with a downward diagonal slash, before following up with various vertical, horizontal, and diagonal attacks with her increased speed. She could see vibrant cuts being left on the barrier as she struck it with her magically-enhanced blade, but before she could attack again, Delmar brought his free hand inside his robes before revealing his own weapon; a long rapier, its blade apparently decorated with strange, twisted crystals of deep blue colouration that appeared to almost grow out its surface, something not usually done to swords of any kind. He swung it at the student's direction, striking at her own sword and causing a powerful blast of arcane energies to blow her back yet again. Teael had been caught unprepared, causing her to roll backwards and almost collide with a wall before she managed to stop herself and analyse the situation that Delmar had placed her in. She huffed once more, before a faint smile overcame her face - her tutor had proven himself a challenge for her.

Without another word, she dashed ahead again, this time aiming to flank Delmar and try to attack his blind spot although she remained cautious of the long, fierce, and honestly bizarre sword that he wielded; it seemed that, unsurprising given his experience, he could channel his arcane spells through his blows. Her attempts to flank the plague doctor were met with him parrying her attacks with his rapier with flawless precision. None of the students had ever witnessed this weapon in his possession, even less thought a wizard who appeared to always move around by floating even used a melee weapon at all. During openings, Delmar thrust his sword at Teael; purposely missing, as he his intention was not to harm her, but to increase the pressure of the battle. She was forced back multiple times, either through his spells or of her own accord, and they would switch between defense and offense as their battle proceeded, with the rest of the class watching wide-eyed and in utter silence at the spectacle that unfolded before them. As Teael got close to Delmar once again to push him into defensive manoeuvers, she removed a hand from the hilt of her blade and made a quick swiping motion from left to right to launch a trio of forceful magic blasts in her tutor's direction so that she may catch him off-guard, before her hand reassumed its previous position. The blows collided with his barrier, causing chunks of it to dematerialize though Delmar himself appeared unimpressed, as his experience made maintaining such a shield trivial at best.


 * Delmar - Your blows are weak. Show me the strength and endurance of the human blood that runs through your veins.

As the words left his mouth, eyes across the room darted towards Teael, with some of the students covering their mouths in shock while others became increasingly uncertain of what was to happen next; Teael's smile had vanished, replaced for a moment by an expression of confusion as she registered his words, before an angered scowl made its way upon her lips and her eyes narrowed as the grip she had upon her sword increased and began to make her hands sore. She bore her teeth in a furious, almost feral manner, and she began to breath heavier than she did before.


 * Teael - ... What did you just say?!
 * Delmar - What? Are you ashamed that a human just mentioned your own human heritage? I am your tutor. I know who your family is.

She moved in again, driven by her fury that her tutor had mentioned what others would call a "flaw" in her blood; she was a quarter-human, a status that had caused her much distress and trouble within her rather purist family, and to have mention of it so casually thrown around had caused her to become enraged. Her strikes became empowered by her anger at the cost of their grace, causing greater damage to Delmar's shield with each blow that made it past his rapier - or rather, that he allowed to pass his rapier. The tutor was puzzled by her apparent rage - as a human, he had no reason to think being human was a flaw - and responded to her aggression by using his magic to defend himself as he could. As the battle dragged on, however, the old mage begun growing tired, with his shield becoming smaller as Teael's blows left large cuts through it. In spite of her furious state, Teael had not entirely lost track of conscious thought, and had in fact used a combination of her dexterity and insistence on pushing an offensive so that she could have her back towards the entrance of the classroom while Delmar's faced the opposite side.

Parrying a blow from his sword, Teael allowed her hand to slip from the hilt of her own weapon and stretch out ahead of her, glowing faintly with blue light, before she quickly withdrew it back towards herself with a swift movement flick of her wrist, a manoeuver of her elbow, and the shifting of her body so that her left side would face Delmar; nobody had seen the fragmented glass of the bottles that Teael had shattered earlier begin to radiate with the same magical light that radiated from her hand as they were suddenly pulled from the floor and sent flying in the direction of Delmar's back while his attention, waning from his tiredness, was kept on the Aithrenan student. As the glass collided with the distracted tutor, he was left surprised by the event, not having predicted her to think of such. A gasp came out of him as his shield vanished, leaving him vulnerable. Wielding her sword with two hands once more, Teael danced and twirled her body into a circle before leaping from the floor, her maddened eyes glancing down at Delmar before she brought her blade down upon him, enhanced by her magical strength and the joint momentum gained from her increased speed and her dance-like build-up.

What followed was a loud screech coming from the tutor as Teael struck him; a gush of blood was sent into the Aithrena's face as she hit him across the left eye, causing the plague doctor to recoil back and hold a hand over the wound as it bled a dark red blood. His pained screams were almost inhuman in tone, perhaps because of the mask that muffed his voice. It took the Aithrena some moments to realise what it was that she had done before she dropped her sword and rushed to his aid, a shocked and worried expression coming over her as she began to apologise and observe the extent of the damage she had dealt to Delmar's mask and face - she had been intending to strike his upper body, but in her anger, she had instead brought her blade across his head. Her classmates had stood up from their seats, equally shocked and concerned as they heard and saw their arcane tutor yelling in clear agony.


 * Teael - O-Oh gods, M-Mister Crowfeather, sir, I... I-I didn't mean to do that! I'm... I-I'm so sorry!

Delmar did not respond to Teael's words as he rose his crystal ball over his head, and before their eyes, the plague doctor was enveloped by a brilliant shell of solid magic, which remained static on the floor. They could not see him through it, but could hear his voice as he grunted in agony for several moments more until eventually going silent. Teael fell to her knees, a hand over her mouth as she attempted to register what had just happened and how she had managed to perhaps severely injure her tutor in her rage. Feelings of guilt and regret began to make themselves evident as her panicked eyes began to glisten with the essence of tears, while she repeatedly spoke her thoughts aloud; "what have I done?"

Minutes would pass until Delmar showed signs of still being inside the shell he had created as it slowly disappeared, revealing the plague doctor once again; the blood had vanished entirely as, through the cut left by Teael's blow, they could see a small part of his skin and one of his eyes - his sclera was blue like his crystal ball, and his skin was gray and wrinkled. The wound left by the Aithrena had seemingly disappeared altogether. Several of the students breathed sighs of relief as they watched Delmar emerge from his cocoon, whilst others, such as Teael, were captivated by the grotesque sight of the exposed part of his face that he had kept hidden beneath his beaked mask, although the Aithrene did make an effort to look away in shame some moments after she caught sight of his mutated and aged human form.


 * Teael - ... I-I'm sorry, sir...
 * Delmar - I am... impressed by your thought process. Congratulations, Teael. You have passed my test.
 * Teael - W-What...? ... A-Are you alright, sir? I... I broke your mask and... and...
 * Delmar - And sliced my eye into gore. But what kind of plague doctor does not know how to heal wounds? A terrible one.
 * Teael - ... So you're not mad at me?
 * Delmar - Well, I expected you to strike my arms, or torso. Not my face. That hurt. A lot.
 * Teael - I'll be honest, sir, I... I didn't know exactly where my sword was going. I was too caught up in the heat of it all.
 * Delmar - Impulsive girl. You will not reach your full potential with such behavior. But nonetheless... you are worth keeping. Just as long as you don't misconduct again.
 * Teael - Oh, d-don't worry, sir. I'm all over that now. ... I learned my lesson the first time you used your magic on me.
 * Delmar - I hope so. You are one of my best students. I would hate to be forced to dismiss you from this class.
 * Teael - ... That means a lot to me, sir. I hope that I get to keep improving beneath you; I wanna know how to do the stuff you did with your sword back then. What's up with that thing, anyway?
 * Delmar - Oh, this blade? Don't worry. You will learn what it does, as will everyone else, later on during our classes...

Teael smiled and stood, grasping her blade before she called her dropped sheath to her hand so that she may put her sword back to rest. With a nod, Teael took the initiative to return to her seat, as it was not quite lunch time just yet and she knew Delmar to be the sort not to let go of students so early simply because of an incident or injury. A weight lifted from her shoulders, the Aithrena rested her sheathed blade next to her chair, and she watched as her tutor would inevitably call for the next student to try his test - even if a significant portion of the glass that made up the bottles he was using were now bloodied and scattered across the floor.

Once Delmar moved away from his spot to conduct the next test, Teael could spot something she had not noticed before; a large, black feather, like that of a crow or raven but of considerable greater size, laid on the ground. The tutor had turned back to it before quickly laying down to grab it and hide it in his robes. She observed his strange behaviour with a tilted head and furrowed brow, but, given his age, experience, and the name he carried, she would simply come to assume that the feather had come from some roc, griffin, or other avian beast and had been kept upon his person as either a trophy or a familial heirloom - granted that he was a busy and enigmatic man, and that she had just afflicted upon him a potentially grave wound prior to him healing himself, she thought against her inquisitive nature and pushed the thought of the large, black feather and his connection to it to the back of her mind, where, amidst thoughts of food and meeting up with her companions, it would eventually become forgotten.

12/11/34: More Problems
Second Week of the Third Month of Term, Late Afternoon: Arts of Alchemy

A cold sun loomed over the arcane academy, its light providing little to no warmth as the Winter season had made its claim over the land, and many students and adjutors alike had been given the opportunity to work alongside their tutors in order to contribute to the preparations for a significant end-of-term festival; a form of premature celebration for the coming of the new year and the onset of the season, as well as a reward for the students' dedication to their schoolwork and education - Szalvetha Vairadi, the most recent progeny of the infamous yet valued Vairadi bloodline, was not one of the students chosen to assist in these preparations. Although she was considered a dedicated worker and perhaps the top of both of her respective classes among her fellow students, the recent incident, still fresh in the minds of those involved, had deprived her of opportunity to help and become a part of a greater community effort, as well as perhaps condemning any hope of even attending the event, although such depended on her behaviour from then on.

As penance for her involvement in the incident, as well as her outwardly extreme and harmful behaviour, the Derevar alchemist had been, like her roommates, given mandatory lessons to attend on weekends, where both her performance and her behaviour may be monitored on a more personal level by their tutors. While it had been long and uncomfortable in the absence of other students, leaving her alchemical teacher to suffer having to keep the entirety of their focus on her company whilst she sat through his incessant pedantry and insistence on repeating the rules of the Collegium to her between bouts of useful and relevant information, her lesson soon came to an end and she would be given permission to leave and go about her business, although not without more work to do so as to eat further into her leisure time.

The hallways and corridors of the school were largely quiet and empty, with most students either roaming the town beyond the Collegium's walls or keeping to their dormitories, leaving Szalvetha to wander by herself as the doors to her classroom shut behind her. With her books under her arm, the Derevar begun walking to make her way back to her dormitory. She was never a woman of many words, but ever since the incident days before, she had become even quieter and wore an almost permanent expression of distaste in her eyes. Out of the girl trio, she had taken Tutor Crowfeather's magical intervention the worst. She did not get far before her patience was tested once again, for as she walked the most direct path to her quarters, she was soon alerted by the sudden touch of a piece of paper, crumpled into a small ball, colliding with the tip of one of her pointed ears from behind - an action that seemed to be so perfectly aimed in her mind that she seemed to know from the start that it was intentional. Her eyes narrowed under her hat, but she ignored it as she continued to make her way out of there, not in the mood of dealing with whoever was trying to provoke her.

Once more, a crudely rounded ball of paper came into contact with her ear, and although such was a measly and almost pathetic attempt to get a rise from her, it was when her hat was blown from her head from a sudden burst of force from behind - an arcane shot - that she knew that this week was about to get worse. She stopped in her tracks, her grip on her books tightening as she grew increasingly irritated, her head turning to the source of the bolt. Stood some distance from her was the culprit that she sought; a young Aithrenan male adorning brown robes and a collar brimmed with dark fur, a sly smirk on his face that, along with a rather evident lack of facial or head hair, made him appear impishly malign. At his sides were a small collection of colleagues from various elven races, each with amusement or disgust in their eyes as they were drawn to Szalvetha. The bald student chuckled, his laugh as irritating as his face, and he squatted whilst keeping his eyes on his target.


 * ??? - Now, what's that look for? I was only grabbing your attention, sweetheart.

Szalvetha's own expression showed disgust as she eyed the Aithrena, both for what he was and for his lack of hair as she walked over to her hat in order to pick it up from the ground. She refused to give any response to him as she turned back and begun walking out again. He raised an arm, pointing a finger towards her before flicking his wrist and sending another small burst of arcane force in her direction, aiming for the books carried under her arm, while he chuckled at her insistence on taking the stance of ignorance. This time, however, he witnessed his bolt vanish before it could hit them - Szalvetha's anti-magical field enveloped her in order to protect her from his provocations. The Aithrena's smirk lowered into an irritated frown, groaning as he saw his arcane shot fizzle away into nothingness before his eyes whilst the Derevar need not even pay attention to him.


 * ??? - Well, you're a fun one, aren't you? What, do I need to trash your room and wear a wig to get a rise out of you? Deary me, I only want to talk.
 * Szalvetha - Leave me alone.
 * ??? - Or what, darling? You'll try and put a stake through my eye?

The Aithrena stood, rolling his shoulders as he assumed an upright posture tp stretch his spine before slightly skulking, his hands reaching into his pockets as he watched Szalvetha with a deceptive amount of analyses, mentally documenting her every reaction and move. The Derevar's eyes narrowed as she heard his words, causing her expression to show even more displeasure - it was evident her actions and that of her friends had become widely known, most definitely Vhalra's fault.


 * ??? - I'm afraid that your type doesn't belong here, sweetheart. Anathemas of magic, in a magic school? Perhaps I'd see more reason behind it if they were easier to control. Most of you are like... wild dogs; your barbarism's not been bred out of you entirely just yet.
 * Szalvetha - Not my problem. Leave me be.
 * ??? - The tutors keep your kind around these parts because they're trying to appear more open and appealing to foreigners... They're trying not to tell themselves that it was a bad idea to let untamed savages roam their halls. That they can adapt and change to be like the rest of us while they're putting others at risk.
 * Szalvetha - Your racist remarks do not impress me.
 * ??? - You think you're tough because you can drain basic magic away, sweetheart? From what I've heard, it didn't help you much when Crowfeather stopped you from killing Princess. Heh, I'm afraid that, for others' sakes, this can't end nicely.

The Aithrena swiftly drew one of his hands from his pockets and let a thin, small metallic object - a basic knife - dance between his fingertips while he eyed Szalvetha, before peering across the nearby hallways and corridors. He took a step towards the Derevar, his ears pricked as then clasped the blade tightly in his palm, as if ready and prepared to cause damage as the implications of his intent glimmered in his green eyes. The sight of the knife did not appear to faze the Derevar, largely due to her own lack of fear.


 * Szalvetha - And what are you gonna do with that? Kill me? You Aithrenan racists do not have the guts.
 * ??? - Kill you? Hehehe... No way, sweetheart. I don't need to kill you to get rid of you.

With that, the Aithrena stepped forward again and, without a second thought, rammed the end of the blade into his own side with an agile manoeuver of his arm; although the cut did not appear to be deep, thus not anywhere near fatal, blood still spat from the wound that he had given himself whilst he winced from the pain. He fell to a knee, grasping the handle of the blade in a seemingly desparate and agonized manner, before looking up to leer towards Szalvetha with another wide, ill-mannered grin. The Derevar's expression showed some surprise as she realized what he was truly doing; trying to incriminate her. Her disgust for the Aithrena man was apparent as her face turned into a frown, though she realized there was little she could do about it.


 * Szalvetha - ... Good. That way, I will never have to see you again, scumbag.
 * ??? - Hehehe... So cold and careless, you are. If you think there's any happy ending for you after this, well, you might want to reconsider before you get disappointed.
 * Szalvetha - Whatever.

The Aithrena's chuckles soon became yells and pleas, whining as he clasped the handle of the knife and acted in fear of Szalvetha, pretending to cry as if he had been attacked and wounded to a far greater extent than he actually was. Some of his colleagues rushed to aid him, their disgusted or bemused expressions changing to appear fearful or angered towards the Derevar alchemist, all of them exclaiming and pretending to panic so as to put on a convincing bluff for whoever would witness them. Szalvetha, meanwhile, ignored the commotion as she turned around and begun walking away, uncaring for what was happening. Considering all she had gone through recently, in her mind, she could not care less.

Amidst the sounds of the crowd gathered around the devilish Aithrena, there was a sudden, very convincing thud, as if something had struck the ground behind Szalvetha with a notable amount of force. The pretend concerns of the Aithrena's colleagues soon shifted to become more genuine, their panic seemingly justified while the bald mage's whines and pleas grew intense and increasingly real; it was not long before Szalvetha saw several of the sinister baldy's friends rush away from the scene, stumbling as they struggled to get away fast enough. The sight of the thugs leaving the scene confused the Derevar, who could not understand how this would help in their plan against her. She turned her head back to check on the bald thug's location, curious over what happened. Standing before them was the sight of a tall Erylian man, tribal markings and tattoos decorating his arms whilst he glanced down at the insidious Aithrena, closed fists dressed in fingerless gloves; she recognised this individual from her visit Prisieth's office, the third-year student Ferathis Cyndraech, elder brother to Pyrath and a far more advanced and well-practiced alchemist than the two of them.

The Aithrena cowered on the floor at Ferathis' feet, the lower half of his face splattered with his blood while several of his teeth could be seen on the old, worn tiles of the hallway and his expression showed a nearly satisfying concoction of fear and shock. Szalvetha was taken by surprise as she took sight of Ferathis, turning her whole body to the scene as to watch it transpire. The Erylian grasped the Aithrena by his collar, raising him off the ground before his friends attempted to step in, only to be either shoved, punched, or warded away as he used his free hand to conjure a sphere of lively, potent flames. With his clasp on the cowardly mage secured, Ferathis leaned in, very clearly enraged and irritated.


 * ??? - P-Please, I d-don't... D-Don't punch me in the face! Please, not the face again!
 * Ferathis - What's the big idea, eh? Ya think it's big and clever to pick on a girl who ain't even looked at ya the wrong way before like ya tough shit? Eh?!
 * ??? - She's a D-Derevar, she looks at e-everyone the w-wrong way-- Ah! P-Please, no!

Ferathis tightened his grip and curled his hand into a ball, the flames reducing themselves to mere embers in an instant before his fist once again made contact with the bald mage's face, causing his nose to distort further and a second, smaller collection of teeth to be projected out from his mouth. It would be wrong to say Szalvetha did not take enjoyment out of the bald elf's suffering, but she approached the two of them and spoke out to Ferathis.


 * Szalvetha - Let him go. All you are gonna get is trouble with the tutors.
 * Ferathis - The tutors respect me more than they do this piece of rookie shit. Ain't that right, pal, eh? Ya just a piece of shit, ain't ya?
 * ??? - P-Please... D-Don't hurt me again...! I-I'm sorry!
 * Szalvetha - ... Heh. Heh. Heh.
 * Ferathis - Hey lil' lady, ya wanna take a give this guy a little something too? Nobody's gonna tell anyone, ain't that right, boys?

The surrounding students who had not fled nodded, scared out of their wits as Ferathis kept the baldy in his grasp and handled him around as if he was nothing - which, as an Aithrena, there would be some truth towards due to his lithe, elegant body.


 * Szalvetha - Thanks, but I am not willing to lower myself to his level. I have enough problems regarding... violence.
 * Ferathis - I heard about that; ya ain't gotta worry lil' lady, I ain't holding it against ya. If I weren't such a kind gentleman, I'd probably smack Vhalra around a couple of times too.
 * Szalvetha - You did not have to do this, really... but... thank you.
 * Ferathis - Well, ya brought my lil' bro back in roughly one piece, so I kinda owe it to ya and ya friends. Besides, Baldy here is already on my shit list and I can't stand seeing lil' ladies like yaself getting shit that ya don't deserve.
 * Baldy - D-Don't call me that--
 * Ferathis - Shut up!
 * Szalvetha - I will not forget this. Now, if you do not mind, I need to get back to my dormitory. I have much homework to do.
 * Ferathis - If ya or ya friends ever need anything, just ask Pyrath to come and get me. I'll sort out whoever's bothering ya, especially if Baldy decides to step outta line again.
 * Baldy - I-I said I was s-sorry!
 * Ferathis - Sorry, who?
 * Baldy - S-Sorry, boss!

Szalvetha nodded to the older Erylia elf as she turned back on her track and left the scene, her mind slightly more clear as she watched the elf thug get his just desserts for his treatment towards her. If only all of them received it, she thought, perhaps she would not dislike the Collegium as much as she currently did. Ferathis would continue putting "Baldy" back in his place for the next few minutes, both to convince him not to pester Szalvetha or any of her companions from this point onward lest he face a beating even more severe than now and to entertain himself as he took great pride and satisfaction from protecting the more unfortunate students that attended the school; he did not fear the wrath of his teachers for disfiguring the Aithrena's face, for he would, in his own words, "heal the shit out of him later" before sending him on his way.

Whilst Szalvetha found herself tangling with thugs and miscreants, elsewhere, another individual with major involvement in the dormitory incident sat outside beneath the chilling light of the sun, perched upon a bench near a portion of the wall that encased the grounds of the Collegium; Vhalra sat with her head low with no company beside her, her eyes locked upon the earth as she casually and half-consciously manoeuvered her fingetips in subtle ways to play with several small, arcane lights that manifested around one of her hands in order to occupy herself. Bizarrely, she sought no trouble, perhaps due to having to face the harsh, merciless words of criticism and judgement from the teacher that she admired and looked up to the most - Vice Archtutor Eilenneim - throughout her mandatory weekend session with him.

Although she shared the session with Clothovera, the current object of her spite and hatred, she had not spent the time or had taken any opportunities to trade blows, physical or verbal, with her. Instead, she remained quiet and restrained, as if ignorant to Clothovera's presence, until it was time for them to leave and part ways to go about their business. She was given additional work to complete, as did most students who faulted the rules of the Collegium, yet she felt no immediate sense of urgency to actually open her books and proceed with completing them. In fact, she was so out of touch with her surroundings and the people within them that she had not noticed the presence of Adjutor Moirai outside of the Collegium's main building, presumably to attain some fresh air while he was allowed a break from working and assisting people, both student and tutor, around the premises. He had his back against a wall as he watched the sky, ignorant to Vhalra's presence as he had his eyes turned to the clouds.

Vhalra soon grew bored of her light show, cancelling her conjurations as she stood to her feet and, with a heavy breath, move to return to her dormitory - or at least, elsewhere that would provide her warmth while keeping her away from others. It was when she raised her head that she saw Damon bathing in cold light, causing her to contemplate relocating at all in case he would see her; would he say anything if he noticed her, and if he did, what would he have to say to her? Such questions ran themselves over and over inside of Vhalra's head while she steeled herself and moved ahead, finding it worth the risk if it meant that she would not have to suffer outside in the cold any longer now that she caught her own breath of fresh air. It was inconvenient that he had perched himself near the entrance of the building, and while she feared an awkward encounter, she was nonetheless a potent and confident mage who need not pay heed to whatever those inferior to her had to say - even if she did not happen to look the part, as her hair had became slightly unkempt and the little makeup she wore could not hide the bags she had developed beneath her eyes.

She raised her shoulders in a tense, instinctive motion as she walked past Damon, resisting the urge to glance towards him in case it appeared that she had acknowledged his presence or accidentally made eye contact with him, although it seemed that she, as was typical of her, underestimated the perception and awareness of his surroundings he possessed and trained upon - necessary skills for an Adjutor. As she walked past him, Damon's eyes turned to her and watched her for a couple of moments before the half-elf turned his gaze back to the sky. He had little interest in Vhalra's presence, especially due to the way she treated his younger sister. She had been successful in evading any possible comments he could have made, yet deep down, she knew that he had taken notice of her. It did not sit comfortably with her that he would silently judge her, and whilst she attempted to simply move on, she felt compelled to stop where she stood and look over her shoulder back towards him. It was a moment of weakness perhaps, a result of her ego, a lack of sleep, and an onset of mild paranoia, but she felt it necessary to challenge the half-elf.


 * Vhalra - ... You're not going to say anything?
 * Damon - ... Uh? What do you want?
 * Vhalra - The dormitory incident. She told you about it, didn't she?
 * Damon - What do you think?
 * Vhalra - So, why didn't you say anything? No sly remark, no distasteful comment, nothing. Don't you want to make me feel shitty about what happened?
 * Damon - It's not my problem and I've got better things to worry about. All I've got to say is, stay away from my sister.
 * Vhalra - ... I did not intend for it to escalate. I am unsure what came over me. ... I am not trying to buy your sympathy, but... I am sorry.
 * Damon - I'm not the one you should be apologizing to, miss elven supremacist.
 * Vhalra - There we go, I knew you could not go without saying anything. ... Osvernal thinks very little of me now. I am no longer his prized student. ... The only thing that I can feel proud of, I've taken away from myself. And neither Clothovera or her friends would give me the opportunity to make amends.
 * Damon - What in the twelve hells did you expect? You should've thought of all this before treating people like crap. I don't approve of what Clotho and the girls did, but I approve even less of what you did.
 * Vhalra - To tell you the truth, Damon, I'm... I can feel her aura. The magic that gathers and coalesces around her as she casts and studies, and... I felt as if I needed to do something. Something to keep her from outdoing me and taking away my only reason feel accomplished or... or to feel like I mean something to other people. And it was a selfish, crude, and utterly stupid thing of me to do.
 * ??? - The rich, accomplished girl overcome by jealousy over the poor, young one. It's like poetry, is it not?

On Damon's shoulder emerged a floating set of fangs, curled into a grin. Moments after, they were replaced by a black cat-like creature, who sat on the Adjutor's shoulder while giving Vhalra a sly look; Felvinus, Damon's familiar and Nyakik's 'brother'. Vhalra eyed the familiar, unnerved by its presence and sudden manifestation, and she could not help but wonder for how long the feline had been watching her and listening to her talk.


 * Felvinus - Locked my sister in a chest, did you? I wonder how you would feel in her place. Locked in a little space. Little air to breathe. No one to get you out...
 * Damon - How long have you been here?
 * Felvinus - Oh, dear Damon. You know me. I have eyes everywhere, all the time. Always watching over you...
 * Vhalra - ... I do not know to say, familiar. I can tell you that you are correct in that if you were to seal me away and throw away the key, no one would come looking for me. It is not a fantastic feeling, truth be told.
 * Damon - You're not gonna accomplish anything by trying to make me feel sad for you, gal. If you want to make amends, then do so with the people you've wronged.
 * Vhalra - I've said before, Damon, that I can't. They'd not let me anywhere near them; the quarter-elf... I mean, Teael, and Szalvetha would cut me to ribbons before I got the chance to do so. ... I need your help.
 * Damon - Start by not calling Teael a "quarter-elf".
 * Vhalra - Force of habit. ... I've a feeling you are not taking me seriously.
 * Damon - You don't exactly have a good record under your belt.
 * Felvinus - We are willing to listen... if you are willing to speak.
 * Vhalra - ... Yeah, alright. Fuck it. I need your help because I have nothing else left and the only way I can attempt some reprieve and rest at night is by forging amends with Clothovera and her company. I have become a joke because of all of this and I cannot think of any possible resolution to this that ends well that does not involve you.
 * Felvinus - Perhaps you deserve to be a joke, purrrr... Perhaps we should all laugh at you.
 * Damon - So it's all about you then. I should've guessed. Go find someone else to be your lackey.
 * Vhalra - I... No! Isn't it your job to try and keep the peace and help people?
 * Damon - You're a disturbance to my friends' peace. And you're just interested in feeling better about yourself. You don't care whether the conflict between you and my sister is really resolved at all.
 * Vhalra - Way to be a dick. ... You know, this is all your fault that this happened in the first place. When you thought it'd be funny to raise my robes in front of everyone.
 * Felvinus - She would shift the blame to us now! This girl is a funny one indeed. We all deserve to laugh at her...
 * Damon - Treat my sister like shit? Get shit in return. Don't blame me for your racism.

Vhalra groaned, crossing her arms as she grew frustrated; it was true that she put her own issues before those of the people she had hurt and she would rather find a resolution to those than the conflict she had initially started with Clothovera, although if it took making amends with them to put herself at ease, then such would be the lengths she would be prepared to go through. Pouting and attempting to challenge Damon again, instead of a retort, she raised a sleeve to her face and groaned, her eyes glistening with the mild wetness of tears, beginning to lose her cool and composure in front of the Adjutor.


 * Vhalra - ... It is useless, isn't it? Even when I attempt to put things to rest, I cannot do it right. I know... I have been a bitch and a stupid cunt to you, your sister, your friends... and you deserve to hate me for all of that... I have absolutely ruined any chance of redeeming myself and... and feeling like I am worth something to other people and... The only thing I have ever been good for is just... magic and looking fancy... I am tired of just being nothing to people, but, m-maybe I deserve that, like you said...
 * Damon - ... I did get yelled at for the whole robe thing. I suppose it was kind of rash, thinking about it.
 * Felvinus - Damon? The girl appears to be leaking.
 * Damon - ... Are you crying?
 * Vhalra - N-No...
 * Damon - Hey, come on. Not in a place like this.
 * Vhalra - I... I c-can't help it... I-If you do not want t-to help me... then I'll go elsewhere and... and just... get fucking m-murdered by Szalvetha or go missing like the o-other students... or something...
 * Damon - Hey! I didn't say that! I don't want people getting hurt!
 * Felvinus - A most unpleasing scenario, this is becoming.
 * Vhalra - I-It's true, though. ... Students are going missing... their f-families do not know where they a-are and... the Archtutor's d-denying everything... With no friends around and n-nobody to miss me, I'll l-likely end up next, wherever they're g-going...

Damon's expression showed worry as Vhalra lost her composure in front of him. While he disapproved of her behavior, he did not want her to say such things, or begin crying and potentially attract a crowd. The half-elf got properly on his feet and put arms forward, clasping on the Aithrena's shoulders as to keep her in place as he stared into her eyes.


 * Damon - Calm down! ... Please!
 * Vhalra - ... W-What?
 * Damon - ... If what you say is true, and you truly admit your flaws... I am willing to help you. But only if this involves more than you doing it for your own sake.
 * Vhalra - I... Y-You're being serious? I-I f-feel like you're... p-pulling my leg here...
 * Damon - I don't want my sister or my friends harassed. And I don't want people getting into trouble with one another anymore in general. But I need to know, are you serious? If this is just a play to satisfy your own needs, then you can forget any chance of me helping you.
 * Felvinus - We can make you a functional member of society, perhaps! Just perhaps...
 * Vhalra - ... A-Alright. I never m-meant for it to g-get this bad, I just... I can, and will, m-make it up to y-you and your sister... and all of her f-friends... E-Everything I've done, I'll...
 * Damon - I hope so. Now please, stop crying.
 * Felvinus - I imagine most are willing to change themselves when they are facing death in the eyes, purrr... but I doubt you'll have to worry about that again. The dear Derevar psycho will not be staying much longer.
 * Vhalra - ... T-That's not a nice thing to call her. I thought y-you were her friend...?
 * Felvinus - Damon's friends are not necessarily my own.
 * Damon - Stop saying these things about Szal, Felvinus. This is not the first time either.
 * Felvinus - The signs are there, dear Damon. Your murderous Derevar friend will abandon this place soon.
 * Vhalra - Gods... I-It looks like I am not the only one who needs some help...
 * Felvinus - Purrr... I don't think that one can be helped.
 * Damon - Felvinus!
 * Felvinus - Oh, okay then. You want to be fed lies so you can keep being happy. Not my problem...

Vhalra could not help but faintly chuckle at hearing Damon and his familiar converse with one another as she wiped her face with her sleeve; once, she had been perhaps one of the most popular students of the Collegium and a rising star in the world of sorcery and magic, yet now, due to a combination of her own actions and the humiliation that came with being assaulted by what puritans would call an "unruly savage", she stood alone, with no "friends" to stand beside her - the reasons for her friendships had since been liquidated along with her aspiring reputation. But, perhaps with the help of her new ally, she could learn to cope, or adapt, or, although it was a stretch, change entirely to form a better, different person than who she was as she stood now - an emotional wreck deprived of her gold status and a hollow shell of a woman whose life, up until this point, had been designed around her talents, heritage, and looks rather than the rotten, cold, fruitless core that rested deep within her.

18/11/34: It Called Me Stupid!
Third Week of the Second Month of Term, Early Afternoon: Main Central Hall of the Grand Collegium

Miserable clouds of gray had come to grace the sky, the celestial light of the world's sun shying behind them whilst the business and affairs of the Collegium persisted without it; some of the students and tutors eagerly awaited the snow that would inevitably fall in the coming months, whilst others dreaded such due to the harsh and unforgiving cold of Winter and the discomfort that came with it. Even in the absence of snow, the chill of the season kept the likes of Pyrath unsettled and dolorous, his eastern descent and his Erylian heritage causing him to not be particularly adapted to the wintry months in colder territories such as that of Purity's Apogee and the Verdant Kingdom of the Aithrena, as shown by a scarf and a set of longer gloves he wore while he sat among his friends in the atrium of the Grand Collegium's main building. He kept his usually open jacket closed and sat boredly whilst he leaned an elbow across the table he and his friends were sat around, while Teael, naturally adapted to the colder climate of the Western Forests thus showing little need of insulated clothing as of yet, rested her legs upon the table's surface and sat with her head back, seemingly half-asleep from remaining in the same spot for so long a period of time. Szalvetha, who belonged to the most cold-adapted species in the group, wore the same wardrobe as always while Clothovera too wore gloves as well as a fur coat in order to protect herself from the weather. Strangely, despite coming from the far east, Heilen appeared to ignore the cold completely as he wore the same shirt and pants as always.

They were awaiting Damon's arrival, for he would have been carrying the details of their latest assignment as always, yet it would seem that their Adjutor happened to be late to rendezvous with them today - over an hour had come to pass since the agreed upon time for briefing, leaving most of them sorely impatient in his rather irregular absence. There had been a dreary silence between them for some time, lasting until the Erylian mage slammed his gloved fist upon the table, shocking Teael out from her dazed state, and angrily growled whilst gritting his teeth together agitatedly.


 * Pyrath - Grr, what's taking him so long?! I'm freezing my ass off waiting in this place! I wanna get this quest done so I can hang in my room, where it's warm!
 * Heilen - When I say I want to do that, everyone gets peeved.
 * Pyrath - Yeah but ya always wanna hang in our room, hot or cold, rain or shine. And when I say "hang", I don't mean sitting in bed all afternoon and sleeping the day away.
 * Teael - You ever wake me up like that again Pyrath and I'll hang you from a coatrack by your neck. ... I haven't seen Damon since early afternoon yesterday, though. Maybe he's gone missing.
 * Clothovera - Don't say that! He'll be here soon, I know it.
 * Pyrath - He wasn't in our dorm when I woke up, either. Looks like he spent the night somewhere else. ... I mean, he's usually up and about before me or Len wake up, but I don't remember him coming back to our dorm last night.

At this moment, a yawn was heard as Damon finally walked in, carrying the scroll he was usually given which would instruct them of their next assignment; it was clear he had little sleep as his hair and clothes were messy, the darkened bags under his eyes were more prominent and a visible red mark could be seen on his neck, almost looking like a bite mark. Pyrath tilted his head as he saw the unkempt state that his friend was in, confused as to how he had become so messy and where he had been throughout the rest of the day, while Teael looked over the young man and analyzed him, swiftly taking notice of the mark on his neck, yet remaining quiet as their Erylian friend spoke up.


 * Pyrath - So the vampire rises from its tomb at last! Where've ya been?! Ya made us all shiver our balls off-- I mean, we were getting a little worried about ya and started wondering if ya were alright.
 * Damon - Should've put more clothes then, stupid. I was out... with a girlfriend.
 * Pyrath - ... And ya didn't tell us?!
 * Damon - Evidently no, I didn't.
 * Heilen - Heck, Damon. You look like you got ran over by a train. Or your "girlfriend" had her way with you.
 * Damon - Regardless. I've got our assignment here. The scouts of a nearby village reported s lurking outside their walls. Prisieth wants us to investigate.
 * Teael - ... You're not gonna tell us more about this new girl?
 * Damon - No.
 * Clothovera - B-but why not? I need to know if I approve of her!
 * Damon - It was a one night thing. No point delving into it.
 * Teael - You know, maybe Damon doesn't want to tell us... because she's actually a vampire!

On her seat, Szalvetha narrowed her eyes for a moment before returning to the book she was reading. Teael pointed forwards and emphasized the mark on the Adjutor's neck, bringing it to attention for those who had not yet seen it or considered it particularly significant, causing Pyrath to panic momentarily and take a cautious step away from Damon.


 * Damon - Eh? ... Oh. It's just a love bite. She was friskier than I expected.
 * Pyrath - A... A v-vampire love bite, I bet! Ya wake up in the a-afternoon, when there's no sun out... Ya one of them blood suckers, ain't ya?!
 * Damon - No. Don't be an idiot.
 * Teael - Prove to us you're not a vampire and then maybe we'll stop pestering you about it.
 * Damon - I don't have to prove anything to you. You're the ones wasting time when we have to get moving.
 * Teael - That's exactly what a vampire would say, hehe.
 * Damon - Do you want the tutors mad at you again?
 * Teael - ... Yeah guys, stop teasing Damon about his love bite! We've spent enough time hanging around and doing nothing already.
 * Clothovera - Urm... what's a Varkorian goblin?
 * Heilen - They're these little stupid goblins who live in this part of the world. You can tell them apart from other goblins because they're blue and like screaming all the time.
 * Pyrath - Yeah, I remember we caught one that was sneaking around in the courtyard once. Gave it a good few kicks before handing it over to the tutors. Man, Ennea was pissed that day.
 * Damon - Come on. Tyrfing is waiting.

It would not take long for the party to arrive to the village of Thoreik, and it took them even less to find the warnings given by the scouts were true; outside the main entrance were many sets of small footsteps, created by goblins who were scouting the area during the night. Varkorian goblins were not considered a threat by the Sovereignty, who did not skip the opportunity to let the students of the Collegium take care of the annoyance rather than have to deploy troops to do it instead. Whilst they were otherwise a meager nuisance that rarely, if ever, attacked larger and more populated areas, they could prove damaging for food storage during the Winter months, for their kind did not practice their own forms of agriculture and instead relied upon theivery, hunting, and raiding to support themselves - practices that could doom villages if enough of their food and resources were stolen over the course of the season. It was not just the prints of the mischievous fiends but also the leftover stench that was noticed by the group as they parted from the elven carriage that had delivered them here.

Tyrfing, a dwarf of his years, had hunted and exterminated many goblin tribes throughout his time and had grown to learn how to track and locate the meddlesome bastards, yet he remained near the back of the group so as to keep watch of the students and observe as they figured out how to track goblins for themselves. Teael knelt onto a single knee and sniffed the tracks, before glancing around the area to try and perceive where they led to and where they had come from.


 * Tyrfing - Miss Moirai, perhaps now would be a good time to try and learn how to track goblins, eh? I've heard some impressive things about you, yet I can't believe you've never ran into any of the little blighters.
 * Clothovera - I've never really met a goblin of any sort before... Closest I've ever seen was a kobold years ago.
 * Tyrfing - ... You met a kobold? Hmph. I'd not trust any of their lot if I was you, lass. Kobolds mean nothing but trouble.
 * Clothovera - That kobold was servant of... Urm, you know what? It's not important.
 * Szalvetha - These creatures are careless. They have left their marks all over the area. All it takes is following them.
 * Tyrfing - Just keep in mind that goblins can be crafty buggers if you're not careful. Would you kids like to lead the way?
 * Heilen - I'm sure Teael or Pyrath would love to do that.
 * Teael - Only if it means I get to dunk your fat head in goblin shit when we get there.

Teael drew her blade and clasped it in both hands before begrudgingly walking ahead of the group, while Pyrath walked alongside Damon and could not help but stare at the red mark that had been dealt to his neck; he had not seen the half-elf with any girls that either of them would think were worth a single wild night alone with and thought that he must have been too busy with his duties as an apprentice and preparing the upcoming festival to pursue any girls as of the moment, thus the Erylian was left both baffled and rather curious. The Aithrena swordswoman could quickly see the footprints across the dirt, allowing her to lead the team in their search for the goblin intruders.

After about ten minutes of walking, venturing into the dense bushes which neighboured the village of Thoreik, Teael could spot what looked like tents in the distance, and the smell of smoke - from a campfire - was quick to reach her nose. Pyrath stepped forward, holding a vial containing a bubbling, orange substance consisting of an explosive formula in his hand as he observed the tents, before reeling his arm back and launching it into the distance, aiming for near where the settlers had established their campfire so that it may give them a good shock. What followed were many high-pitched screams as goblinoids begun running in circles across the camp, as if afraid of the sudden explosion. The goblins were found.


 * Teael - Pyrath, you idiot! We could have snuck up to them and dealt with them without a problem!
 * Pyrath - Hey, ya can't say it's not funny watching those guys run around and scream like that.
 * Goblin - Greeeh! Kill fire tosser!

Charging at the group's direction, many goblins took up arms by grabbing wooden spears, which they intended to thrust into the enemies attacking them. With one wave of his hand, Damon sent a gush of wind which sent part of the goblins high into the air, causing them to either get stuck on trees or disappear from sight completely. Pyrath launched another vial of explosive alchemical formula into the goblin swarm, either knocking them off their feet or setting them on fire, if not both. Teael merely hung back, awaiting any goblin that got too close to the group so that she could swiftly dispose of it with her blade. Meanwhile, Clothovera channeled her magic and sent shocks of darkness at the creatures, sending them to the ground, their combined attacks causing them to start panicking as the team made their way into their base - a ragtag barricade of tents and wooden logs with a few campfires in the middle.


 * Damon - Go back to your swamp and we may not kill you.
 * Goblin - Ghreek! Sssssstupid hyumans!
 * Pyrath - Ya ain't welcome around these parts, so get hopping or we'll make ya hop, ya all understand? The kind folks in the next village over don't wanna have to deal with ya shit.
 * Goblin - Bleh! Call warchief! Get warchief here!

Some goblins begun to run off into the bushes while the others kept their ground, grabbing their spears and throwing them at the students. Teael was swift to intercept, cutting apart any spears thrown in her direction with her blade while Tyrfing swung his axes in multiple directions, sending harsh volts of electrical magic towards the goblins. Pyrath merely flicked fireballs in their direction, not too concerned with them posing any threat to him as he burned the wooden spear that came his way with little effort.

The goblins fell to the ground, who had yet to suffer any scratches from their weak and disorganized defense. Though their confidence was challenged when heavy footsteps were heard coming out of the bushes, which caused the goblins to step back, as if to give space for something as it approached. Pyrath's ears perked as he looked towards the bushes, before confidently smirking and taking a step forward while opening his arms, a basic fireball conjured in each of his palms. Teael, on the other hand, was somewhat more cautious and took a step back, glancing towards Szalvetha and gesturing towards the Derevar's belt so as to imply to ready a strength potion.


 * Pyrath - What's this, eh? More goblins? Come on, we'll take them easy.

Emerging from the bushes was one goblin, clad in leather armor and wearing a helm made out of the skull of a dead elk. Though he was not the source of the steps; his mount was. Before the young elven students was a massive lizard, twice the length of a horse and with frills coming out of each side of its tooth-filled head. Pyrath's cocky smirk lowered into a frown as he laid his eyes upon the gargantuan creature, before moving to throw his basic fireballs in its directions while Teael began to panic, unsure of how to approach the great beast or whether she would even get the opportunity to do so at all. Tyrfing grumbled under his breath in dwarven tongue, cursing in expletives unheard of before by the students' young, elven ears while he moved to try and oppose the great lizard that had burst from the bushes. The fireballs collided with the creature's head and caused it to reel back, as if growing enraged as its rider kept it in place.


 * Pyrath - W-What in the Twelve Hells is that?!
 * Goblin - Ghhr! I, Chieftain Gretchbite! Leader of Varkorian band! This, my steed! And you, our lunch!
 * Heilen - Man, this place is more terrifying than I knew.
 * Gretchbite - Ghhre! We kill you! Then eat you! Then eat village! You stupid for coming here! Sssstupid hyumans!
 * Clothovera - ... I'm not a human! I'm an elf!
 * Gretchbite - Bhrah! Elfs is just hyumans with stick legs!
 * Teael - E-Exactly, we got stick legs! Stick legs that have no meat on them; just skin and bone! Doesn't sound very appetizing, right?
 * Gretchbite - Ghhreh! Yes! We make bone sticks off your bone sticks! Make pants off your face!
 * Heilen - Gross.

Gretchbite revealed a spear of his own, its tip made of copper rather than wood, and he sent his giant lizard mount to charge at the students, the massive creature hissing as its claws dug into the dirt at every step. Clothovera yelled as she and Damon jumped out of the way, while Szalvetha tossed a potion of strength to Teael, her expression showing her own equivalent of worry. As Teael moved to leap out of the beast's way, she grasped ahold of the potion and held it close as she hit the floor, rolling to her side so as to garner more distance from the great reptilian beast. Pyrath was knocked to the floor, rolling backwards uncontrollably from the strength of the lizard's body colliding into his own and causing him to become staggered and disorientated, while Tyrfing managed to grab ahold of the giant lizard's tail as it charged and attempted to grapple it so he could try to get a clear, clean blow with one of his axes. As the dwarf took hold, the lizard turned its head back and begun swinging its tail from side to side to try and get him to let go, while Gretchbite thrust his spear into the ground, trying to impale Pyrath with it.


 * Gretchbite - Grrheeehehehe! Die die, hyumans!
 * Tyrfing - Oh, bollocks--

Tyrfing was launched off of his feet and away from the lizard's tail as it defended itself, overwhelming him with its sheer strength and causing the dwarf to be knocked into one of the nearby goblin huts, which proceeded to collapse on top of the old warrior and incapacitate him from the fight. Pyrath yelled as the copper head of the spear pierced into his shoulder, causing him to return back to reality and proceed to try running away from the mounted goblin chieftain. At the sight of her friends retreating or dashing for protection, Teael swiftly lifted the open flask of Szalvetha's potion to her lips and leaned her had back, allowing the substance to fall into the back of her throat and take swift effect; her elven muscles bulged and veins appeared to swell across her body, the formula enhancing her physical prowess while she laid eyes angrily on the giant lizard.


 * Teael - Grr... Why don't you pick on someone your own size?!

Pyrath only barely got out of the way as the lizard attempting scratching him with his enormous claws, and the beast turned its attention to Teael, sticking its forked tongue out as Gretchbite let out a gleeful giggle at the sight of the elf challenging him.


 * Gretchbite - Ghrh! Does ssssstupid white boy want to die first?
 * Teael - How about you come over here and find out... pipsqueak!

The goblin directed his steed, who charged at the Aithrena woman with its frills extended, revealing its red and yellow markings. As Teael ran to grapple with the giant mount, it could be noticed that her movements were slower and somewhat cumbersome, as if her muscular mass caused her to slow somewhat and afflicted her general athleticism and dexterity; while she had become stronger, the elixir had compromised her speed and agility, showing its evident flaws and imperfections that would soon need to be corrected. Placing her sword back into its sheath, Teael proceeded to reel back an arm and throw a rather astounding punch towards the goblin's beast, who shrieked and staggered back as her fist collided with its thick skull. The goblin frowned and growled audibly as he rose his spear, intending to deliver a stab to Teael, all while he failed to notice Clothovera channeling her dark magic in the distance until she fired a bolt of energy, striking the goblin across the head and sending him flying off of the lizard's back.


 * Pyrath - N-Nice shot, Clotho!
 * Clothovera - Hee hee, thanks!
 * Gretchbite - Ngaaaahhh!!

Teael continued to wrestle with the goblin's mount, pitching her extremely enhanced physical strength against its own natural bulk and power, causing the lizard to be distracted whilst its rider collapsed to the ground; all factors considered, their match up was fairly even, although Teael was now deprived of her dexterity as she grappled and fought with the animal. As she hammered its body with blows, the lizard eventually realized its rider was no longer on its back, and out of the sudden, it hissed out and widened its eyes as if struck by panic, stepping away from Teael before running at the direction of the other goblins, chomping down at one of them as it started killing them itself. The Aithrena yelled in victory and threw up her arms as she saw her opponent surrender and retreat, pumping her fist excitedly into the air while howling. Szalvetha, her face stoic as usual, rose her hands and delivered quick claps to Teael as she cheered herself, while Gretchbite kicked his legs as he got back on his feet.


 * Teael - Yeah, boy! Grand State-Collegium Girls' Boxing Team, represent!
 * Gretchbite - Grrooow! Ssstupids ruined everything! Gretchbite will be back with more goblin! And Gretchbite will eat you!
 * Pyrath - Sure ya will, bud.

Pyrath proceeded to kick the goblin from behind, holding a hand over his shoulder while a faint, green light came from the palm of his hand - minor healing magic, which he used to cure and seal small and bothersome afflictions and wounds rather than major or severe injuries. Gretchbite fell on his stomach, growling and retching in anger as he crawled into the bushes he came from, disappearing from view. As the goblin retreated to the wilderness from whence it came, Teael approached Clothovera with a smile and gave her a friendly slap on the back, chuckling as they watched the chieftain run from them in fear and anger. Though due to her increased strength, the half-elf was nearly thrown off her feet.


 * Teael - That was a nice bolt you shot, Clotho. You're really getting the hang of casting magic by yourself.
 * Clothovera - W-watch the super strength! ... But thanks.
 * Damon - Time to warn the villagers and go back home. That wasn't so bad.
 * Pyrath - Speak for yaself! Ya ain't the one who got a spear stuck into his shoulder!
 * Damon - You'll walk it off. Heck, you already are.
 * Tyrfing - You also aren't the one who got thrown into a bloody hut, now were you?!

Approaching them from the abandoned settlement was the dwarven warrior, who groaned and winced as he limped his way towards the students, a hand placed on his back; although dwarves were renowned for their tenacity and endurance, Tyrfing was a veteran dwarf beyond his prime, meaning that his age kept him from being as tough as his younger brethren. However, he did not keep the group waiting long as he hurried himself to them, even if doing so did cause the pain to bite stronger.


 * Damon - If you're hurt then the doctors back home can take care of it. Come on, let's head out.
 * Pyrath - Sounds like D's in a rush to meet with his girlfriend again.
 * Damon - Would you rather stay here in the stinky goblin tents?
 * Pyrath - No, man, I'd rather be in bed with ya girl.
 * Damon - I bet you would.
 * Clothovera - Stop this crap talk.

The return journey did not cost the group much time, although it did cost Damon much of his patience as Teael and Pyrath would refuse to to stop bringing up this mysterious partner that the half-elf had apparently laid with the night before, from guesses to who it could have been to rather absurd suggestions that Damon had been seduced by a vampire or had somehow experimented with himself. The talk did not stop as the carriage they had taken to return to the Collegium came to a stop at a street near the academy's gates, allowing the group to take a short walk to the entrance of the school, past the armed warriors that protected the gates and wall, and stroll up the brickwork path that led to the main building. The skies had turned a darker grey and the weather grew colder as they walked through the courtyard, with Teael looking upwards for any sign of snowfall while Tyrfing, still clasping his back, paced himself behind the group.

As they made their trek towards the Collegium's central building, they could see that perched upon one of the wooden benches that was aligned to one side of the pathway was a familiar figure, dressed in dark robes that were modified to show her upper shins and thighs, as well as her shoulders, and sporting a black cape; the girls would almost instantly recognise her as Kyrieleth Morlana, the Aithrenan girl who had assisted them in repaying the crooked Vhalra with her own volatile, sour medicine, and as they strolled up the path, she merely sat peacefully upon the bench, stroking one of her bat familiars behind its ears while it rested upon her lap.

As she took notice of her, Clothovera waved to Kyrieleth as the group approached, as she was in their way to the entrance of the Collegium and would have to get past her to progress. Kyrieleth's face beamed as she noticed Clothovera and her friends approaching and she waved back, smiling at them rather pleasantly while the bat that sat on her knees squeaked quietly as she returned to tickling and stroking it.


 * Kyrieleth - Ah, Miss Moirai and friends! How wonderful to see all you again! ... Or rather, how wonderful for you all to see me again, hehe.
 * Damon - Who's this?
 * Clothovera - This is Kyrie. We met before the dormitory fiasco.
 * Kyrieleth - It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Moirai. I have heard many good things about you from around the school. I have even heard some of the tutors praise you.
 * Damon - Yeah, I've been here for a while.
 * Kyrieleth - Ooh, I wanted to say; are any of you aware that another student has gone missing over the course of the last few days?
 * Clothovera - Oh? Who?
 * Kyrieleth - Miss Lilitha Stonecreek; second year student, Arts of Geomancy, was last seen near late evening, three days ago, in the hallway just outside of her dormitory. Supposedly, she claimed to have been invited to meet with Vice-Archtutor Eilenneim and have a talk regarding some tithes to the school that her family had failed to pay.
 * Szalvetha - Her race?
 * Kyrieleth - Human.
 * Szalvetha - Of course.
 * Damon - Hell, they're acting inside the walls then. Some weeks ago, we were attacked by an assassin. Erylian boy here nearly lost his leg.
 * Pyrath - Yeah, and a bit before that, my big bro got attacked by the same gal. Wiped out almost all of his squad like they were nothing.
 * Szalvetha - Human disappeared because she failed to meet the Aithrenan Vice-Archtutor's demands.
 * Kyrieleth - In most circumstances, Miss Vairadi, a student whose family fails to pay the Collegium its monthly tithe, or fails to pay the tithe themselves, is sent back to their homelands - whether they are Aithrena or otherwise.
 * Szalvetha - Being sent home is one thing. Disappearing in the middle of the Collegium is another completely different. She is probably dead.
 * Kyrieleth - Indeed, such is worrysome, especially for the other first years. However, surely you cannot hold a grudge for all Aithrena for the malign intentions or bad attitude of a select number of them, Miss Vairadi?
 * Szalvetha - The Aithrena enslaved my people. I hold a grudge just like humans do. And they hate us for it. This is all an Aithrena ploy, it is as clear as day. The Vice-Archtutor hired the undine to kill all non-Aithrena. She attacked Ferathis because he's Erylian. And she attacked us because we're all non-pureblood Aithrenas.
 * Kyrieleth - I certainly do not hold a grudge towards you or your people however, Miss Vairadi. And I am very certain that Tutor Faemyar feels the same sentiments as I do. Is that not correct, Mister Moirai?
 * Damon - Excuse me?

Damon could feel Kyrieleth looking up at him from the bench, continuing to stroke one of her familiars while she continued to show that same pleasant smile she wore when the conversation started; he could not help but feel as if she knew something that she was not supposed to. In fact, Clothovera could even confirm that the girl knew far too much than what was good for her, although what piece of information she might have been referencing to was unknown to any of them but herself.


 * Szalvetha - What you think matters very little when my people is still treated like rubbish in this society. The only Aithrena I can trust is Teael. She understands me.
 * Teael - And I let Szal test her stuff on me. She's awesome at making buffs and poison elixirs.
 * Heilen - Yes, like that time you drank one of her potions without knowing and your nose stretched to twice its size.
 * Teael - Hey, disrespect Szal and I'll stretch your nose to twice its size with my bare hands, buster.
 * Heilen - Nah, I'd not do that. Too scared of her to try.
 * Kyrieleth - Well, I would simply advise everyone to remain cautious. ... Never go anywhere alone, even within the Collegium's walls. The tutors will not announce that the students are missing because they do not wish to cause hysteria and upset the peace.
 * Szalvetha - Of course they will not. They are doing nothing about it. They are probably involved.
 * Pyrath - Since when did ya start becoming such a big conspiracist, Szal?
 * Szalvetha - I was always like this. I merely did not open my mind before.
 * Kyrieleth - ... I fear Miss Vairadi might be correct. There are forces walking amongst us that wish to cause us harm and we must all take caution to disallow ourselves from becoming their next victims. I would hate to see any of you disappear.
 * Damon - Just don't imply Ennea is involved. She's many things but she ain't no assassin.
 * Szalvetha - Maybe she is not. But the others may be. I am keeping my eyes open.
 * Kyrieleth - ... Ooh! I am afraid I must depart! I have scheduled a meeting with some friends and I would hate to be late! Miss Moirai, would you like to be my "plus one"? We were planning on having tea at one of the restaurants in town and I am sure they would love to meet other first years.
 * Clothovera - Sure! That sounds fun!

Kyrieleth stood, allowing the bat familiar to move from her lap and fly around her before hiding within the interior of her dark, tattered cape. She grasped ahold of the half-elf girl's hand and gave a polite bow of her head to her companions before walking at a rather brisk pace in the direction where Clothovera had just come from, moving towards the streets once again. Pyrath scratched the back of his head as he watched Kyrieleth, somewhat befuddled by her mannerisms and her rather extreme depth of knowledge into the goings-on of the school in spite of her being a fresh, first year student.


 * Pyrath - Man, that girl's bizarre. And smarter than most of us, as well.
 * Damon - Better to have someone aware of what's going on than more people ignoring the whole issue.
 * Teael - ... Did you have a meeting with Prisieth yesterday? Because I thought I heard Kyrie bring her up to you.
 * Damon - I did. She needed help with some stuff.
 * Pyrath - ... What kinda stuff, D?
 * Damon - Adjutor stuff. I don't stop to tell you every favor I've ever done for Ennea, do I?
 * Pyrath - Ya used to before throwing ya wind at me and telling me to stop that one time when I asked if ya did any other kinda "favors" for her.
 * Damon - Because you're an idiot. Ennea's my mother.
 * Pyrath - And don't ya think that she's a total MIL--
 * Damon - Shut up.

22/11/34: Being Normal For Once
Fourth Week of the Second Month of Term, Early Afternoon: Central Mess Hall of the Grand Collegium

The heat of warmth radiating from freshly cooked and prepared food radiated throughout the sizeable chamber, the sight of grey, miserable skies through the large paned windows going unnoticed as students and adjutors alike found themselves focused on the dishes they had served themselves; the scent of fried potatoes and cooked ham, served alongside sides of mushrooms, a variety of delicious greenery, and steaming gravy, had been enough to convince many of the students to remain in the mess hall for their food rather than resorting to the various restaurants and cafes scattered throughout the Olnah District - including the likes of Clothovera and her small magical posse. The growing cold of the season was nowhere to be found as Teael swiftly and noisily consumed her meal, eager to eat following a long morning of arcane practice under Delmar's wing, while Clothovera and Szalvetha both ate their food in a far more reserved manner, as was typical of the trio. Damon and Heilen were already done and spent their time merely sat down, resting from their meals as Pyrath only just began to eat, having arrived to lunch late following a brief, voluntary session of cleaning up after a rather messy incident during his and Szalvetha's alchemical lesson.


 * Heilen - Nothing like a good lunch to remind you that... uh... you gotta have good lunch.
 * Pyrath - ... Ya secretly Captain Obvious or something?
 * Heilen - Yes. Captain Obvious to the rescue, etc.
 * Teael - Heh, well, I need this after the day I've been having. Delmar's been giving me weird looks ever since that incident where I slashed him in the face... Or at least, I feel like he's giving me weird looks. Hard to tell with that mask.
 * Damon - How did you manage to fuck up that badly anyway?
 * Teael - He brought up the whole... human... thing. And I got pissed off.
 * Heilen - You got mad at a human for talking about humans. Nice.
 * Teael - Hey, don't know if you noticed, but there's a big difference between Delmar and who... Well, between Delmar and Imperial scum.
 * Clothovera - I've met Imperials. Most of them were crazy or murderous. Or both.
 * Szalvetha - Humans act like they do for their own reasons. You are insensitive and egotistic to them. I do not blame them for it.
 * Pyrath - Only Imperials I've met are those Aynachian guys and they don't seem too bad, so I'm not too biased against them. Can't quite understand why Imperials and elves don't just work together when a lotta bad things exist in this world worse than any of them. All a load of petty crap from what I hear.
 * Heilen - People are stupid and don't realize until you got demons or goblins or dragons in your footsteps. Then they're all "we need to work together!".
 * Teael - Hmph, trust you eastern guys to stick up for them. Sure, the Aynachians are fine, but that's cus they still got some elven values with them and follow Isiris. Mannazians and Alhassans are what you get when you leave Imperials to their own devices.
 * Damon - Mannazians and Alhassans are trash. Aynachians are okay. Manorians too, I guess, our family comes from those. Saphronians, too far away for me to know.
 * Pyrath - Barring D and C, have any of ya actually met Imperials before? Sure, there's some massive scum among them but I'm sure not all of them are bad. Bro taught me that there's always a little bit of good in even the worst of people.
 * Heilen - Never left Purity's Apogee, so nope.
 * Szalvetha - I have not.
 * Teael - ... If you don't mind, I'd like to talk about something else. I don't wanna get mad today when it's so close to the festival.
 * Heilen - Okay then. We can talk about something else. Like, I've heard those guys invented something called a magnet. Freaking magnets, how do they work?

As Heilen spoke, another plate was sat upon the table as an arm stretched over the Hikamera's shoulder from behind, carrying steaming hot food coated in the thick, wet goodness of chicken gravy; Pyrath moved his seat to the side as another chair was slotted between him and Heilen, with the tall, athletic and handsome figure of Ferathis Cyndraech inserting himself at the group's table, a smile as warm as the dish he was about to eat worn upon his face as he looked over the group.


 * Heilen - Excuse me... Oh. It's Pyrath's bigger self. You got lost on the way to the big kid table?
 * Ferathis - Well, I heard ya youngsters talking about some pretty big stuff. Heh, nah, I decided I wanted to hang a bit more with bro's friends since ya all seem like cool folk.
 * Damon - Well, hello then. Welcome to the little group.
 * Szalvetha - It is... good, to see you again.
 * Pyrath - Hear that, bro? They like ya already.
 * Ferathis - I hope so, I didn't beat up that snot-nosed baldy for nothing. ... Hehe, ah, it's all cool if ya still find me strange, lil' lady.
 * Szalvetha - We have you beaten on the "strange" part by a fairly high margin.
 * Heilen - Yeah, people call me a weirdo all the time.
 * Damon - You can disappear without a trace whenever we're not looking. Of course you're a weirdo.
 * Ferathis - Oh, that reminds me. Ya guys heard about that Prisieth chick and how she's apparently been sleeping around the joint? It's just rumours for now, but damn, I need to figure out how to make it on her list.
 * Clothovera - Prisieth is the tutor who gives us our assignments. As for that... did you see the way she walks and dresses? I'm not surprised.
 * Teael - ... You implying that ancient noble Aithrenan ceremonial dress code begs for sexual attention?
 * Clothovera - Yes. She shows off her hips to everyone as she walks in.
 * Teael - Alright, good, cus I lied; that's not noble Aithrenan ceremonial dress code. She just dresses like a whore. ... A sexy whore, at that, though.
 * Heilen - You into women now, Teael?

The young Aithrenan warrior's face grew distinctively red as a shocked and flustered expression overcame her, her pointed ears perking upwards while her eyes widened; she spluttered and coughed as Heilen's comment had caught her off-guard whilst she was in the middle of eating several pieces of fried potato.


 * Teael - S-Shut up, Len, you know I'm not! A woman can compliment another woman without it being sexual, you know?!
 * Damon - I'm sure whoever it is who got her is having the time of their lives. I mean, did you look at her? Woman's out of this world.
 * Ferathis - Damn straight, bro. Heh, hopefully when I'm done with this course and start my training as an adjutor, then I can get a go on her magic ride, know what I'm saying?
 * Szalvetha - You are all foolish. That woman is putting you all around her fingers. She has an evil aura in her.
 * Ferathis - Hey, evil can be sexy too. I mean, that undine that took a shot at me didn't look half bad herself.
 * Pyrath - Eh, come on, bro, don't even joke about that.
 * Heilen - She did when I nearly turned her into steam.
 * Teael - Yeah, that was weird. Tell us more about that, Len, and why you don't do that more often. You could've saved our asses a lot of work.
 * Heilen - That'd tire me out, though. That little feat wasn't easy to do.
 * Ferathis - Hey, if ya focused a little more on not being a lazy git, perhaps ya could've been joining me and my squad out on assignments.
 * Heilen - Nah. Too much hard work.
 * Damon - What are you assigned to do? I've not had the chance to be with older students for a while.

The Erylian cracked a smirk as he glanced towards Damon, shoving a heap of potato, ham, and vegetables into his mouth before reaching for a wooden cup at his side to assist washing his food down with several gulps of water. After swallowing, Ferathis sat up and rolled his shoulders, before looking over each member of the group with a rather confident smile - one that was eerily similar to the one that appeared on Pyrath's face whenever he became arrogant and cocky.


 * Ferathis - Well, us big boys get to fight bigger, nastier beasties and monsters, as well as... other mages and sorcerers. Ones not recognised by the authority of the Esoteric Order who end up posing a threat or have gone rogue. We're usually working under an actual Magister when we do that kinda stuff, but it's exciting nonetheless.
 * Clothovera - Fighting other mages? Sounds dangerous.
 * Ferathis - Why do ya think they don't let ya youngsters deal with them? We also deal with other stuff, like bandits, occultists, and things that I don't think I'm even allowed to talk about... Things like the Merkan and small Idkin infestations, for instance.
 * Damon - ... We came across the Merkan once. Wasn't pretty.
 * Pyrath - Yeah, those things are messed up. I'm convinced they ain't even born of Isiris like other beastfolk are; Isiris wouldn't want anything to do with those things, right?
 * Damon - True that. Who are your squad?
 * Ferathis - We gotta undine chick called Rania Typhosara, a half-orc geomancer we like to call Maul, and a Niaka golemancer called Xerakion. We did have a couple of other guys, a Derevar antimage and an Erylian aeromancer, but they... Well, I believe bro told ya the story.
 * Szalvetha - He did.
 * Clothovera - We're sorry.
 * Ferathis - Ah, don't be. It ain't ya fault that we got ambushed that day. ... Oh, and we had a dwarf monk guy with us too. Can't quite remember his name, but the assassin took care of him first before moving onto our antimage. He was some kinda electromancer or something.
 * Clothovera - Shouldn't dwarves be associated with the earth? I've met two dwarves too and they also used lightning magic. One of them was even a monk.
 * Heilen - Plus the axedwarf we got giving us backup uses lightning axes so, one more for the gallery.
 * Ferathis - Nah, lady. Ya see, we were all thinking the same thing and when we approached him about it, he told us that they use lightning because it's gotta lot of history for them. They can use earth, fire, and other kinds of magic just fine, but lightning is the magic used by their god; the Thunderous Hammer, Thun-something or other. Kinda like how we Erylians can use other kinds of magic, but fire is the most important to us.
 * Heilen - I'm humoured by the thought of a dwarf pyromancer. A little angry man running after you with a beard made of fire. Plus he'd drink alcohol and explode.
 * Pyrath - Bro, that sounds both awesome and terrifying. Imagine Tyrfing, but with fire everywhere.
 * Clothovera - I wouldn't want to get on his bad side. Well, I don't now, he's intimidating enough as it is.
 * Ferathis - I've heard a couple of things about Tyrfing, actually. Our monk friend was kind enough to tell us a couple of stories about their past before they ended up working for the Collegium. He's an interesting guy, to say the least.
 * Clothovera - How so?
 * Ferathis - ... Have any of ya ever heard of a race of dwarves called the ?

Pyrath lifted his head from his lunch, having been partially chewing his food as he listened to his brother and his friends talk among themselves until the former allowed the word to escape from his lips; "Duergar". The younger Erylian looked somewhat unnerved as the conversation seemed to take a turn, a cold shiver travelling up his spine as he became somewhat uneasy and discomforted, even if his elder sibling spoke of them without any such fear or paranoia. In fact, the older magus had even began lowering his voice and hushing his tone, leaning in as he spoke to grasp the group's attention.


 * Pyrath - ... That's just folklore, right, bro? Ya know, the kinda stuff moms and dads in the south tell their kids to make them behave and stuff.
 * Damon - I've heard the word, but never any details.
 * Pyrath - The Duergar are dark dwarves; according to our lore, they live under the earth and work for dark, evil fae, who they made pacts with in exchange for power... They say that if kids in the southern villages don't behave and lead dark paths, the Duergar will come up from the ground, attracted by their bad deeds, and take them to work as slaves underground, where Duergar are supposed to be the least of ya worries... It's just fairytales, right?
 * Ferathis - ... According to the monk that worked as our support, he was present when Tyrfing and a battalion of other dwarves tried to claim territory from them in the underground and free some of the slaves they'd taken. When they saw the state of their slaves and servants, the monk said that Tyrfing no longer felt any pity for the cursed fate their dark cousins suffered. ... That he felt they all deserved to die for the things he'd seen.
 * Damon - So. He killed Duergar.
 * Ferathis - That and apparently, Tyrfing was involved in hunting down a couple of cults in the dwarf lands. Cults dedicated to some of the more evil and spooky members of the Twelve Pagans.
 * Clothovera - You mean like the ?
 * Damon - Don't even mention that scum. They're the whole reason I thought you were dead all these years.
 * Pyrath - Man, Tyrfing's gone through some scary shit then... I can't even imagine what I'd do in his shoes if I was supposed to fight those Eclipse Cult guys or the Duergar. I've heard some pretty terrifying stuff about both of them.
 * Clothovera - Yeah? Well, you might not believe it, but I've seen their leader in person. He's as terrifying as you'd expect.
 * Heilen - You're right. I don't believe it.
 * Teael - That's the creepy skeleton dude, right? I've heard Delmar mention him in class, saying that we should all be prepared in case we ever chance an encounter with him. He was talking about strong historical spellcasters and Tibias came up as an example.
 * Clothovera - Yeah. An evil skeletal mage. He tried to kill a Colossus and summoned one of the Twelve Pagans in the east until we stopped him!
 * Heilen - Sure. Next you'll say you also killed the Adversary.
 * Clothovera - Ngh, shut up! It's true!

As Ferathis finished his lunch, he finished off what was left of the contents of his wooden cup and stood up from his seat before wiping his mouth with a handkerchief he had been keeping in one of the pockets on his coat. Pyrath did not take too long to finish after him, having been enthralled in their conversation and only partially focused on eating, while Teael had long since been done with her food and stood up as well; time seemed to have passed swiftly as they had spoken, the hour or so they were allowed for their break soon to come to an end which meant that the students, both young and older, had their next set of classes before they were finished for the day in the next three or so hours.

As they stood and prepared to depart for each of their respective lessons, the older Erylian placed a hand on Pyrath's shoulder and shook him in a brotherly manner, with the younger sibling returning a casual, soft punch to his brother's shoulder before he turned to look to Szalvetha, placing his hands in the pockets of his trousers and leaning back somewhat while assuming a more upright posture - assumedly, this was to make himself look bigger and smarter in front of her.


 * Pyrath - By the way, Szal; I cleaned up ya little mess in the classroom. What were ya trying to make in there, a stink bomb or something?
 * Szalvetha - All was going well until you decided to butt in and mix elixirs you were not supposed to.
 * Pyrath - Hey, the tutor said to experiment, so I did. He never said anything about not mixing each other's given ingredients.
 * Szalvetha - Now I will never learn what Teael looks like with her hair grown in the shape of a mushroom cap.
 * Teael - ... E-Excuse me?
 * Szalvetha - Nothing.

25-26/11/34: [No Name Given]
Fourth Week of the Second Month of Term, Post-Midnight: Northwest Olnah

Another end to another week of classroom study, another cause to make merry so as to mildly celebrate the coming approach of the end of the term and for students to congratulate themselves on their work throughout the days prior. Tutors, adjutors, and pupils alike danced, laughed, and drank beneath a night sky lit by dim stars, their celestial light overwhelmed by the glow of candles dotted and scattered across street corners, paths, and walkways to serve as guides for those that would have been lost within the darkness otherwise. The onset of the weekend brought out cheer and happiness for many across the Olnah District, not just the Collegium, and such times allowed the students who came from realms and lands beyond Purity's Apogee to integrate with the urban culture of the elven metropolis - public houses, theatres, and sports arenas hosting late evening tournaments were open for all who could afford it. The last weekend of the month was perhaps the busiest, and in turn most profitable, times for towns throughout Purity's Apogee, with the Olnah District being included among the louder and more exciting places within the city to party and celebrate.

In light of the recent stresses of schoolwork placed upon their shoulders by their tutors and the revelation that times were growing more dangerous not only for them, but for the other students and tutors around them, the close circle of friends and companions that surrounded Clothovera Moirai had, at Teael's suggestion and insistence, decided to participate in the nightlife of the district so that they could be at least briefly distracted and find some leisure and enjoyment to break up the arduous flow of their academic lives. There was much throughout the town for them to enjoy and it would perhaps be Clothovera's first experience of urban nightly entertainment whilst being in the company of friends and people that she was at least somewhat familiar with to keep her safe. Teael, an urbanite herself, held no qualms with, after several visits to more moderate and conventional establishments through the night, guiding the comparatively meek Clothovera, with Szalvetha in tow, to a somewhat infamous place known as the Scattered Blossom - a rather large public house that combined the most significant aspects of a tavern while offering the entertainment and services of a regulated brothel, allowing for drinks to be had while both men and women could enjoy watching the performances of exotic dancers beneath blinking, somewhat disorientating magical lights of various colours.

The night wore on as it was to be expected; as the time reached an hour to midnight, the boys had decided to take Pyrath back to their quarters at the Collegium following a rather messy incident on the street just outside of the establishment, with the Erylian becoming perhaps too intoxicated than what was reasonably acceptable for him as shown by the remains of his earlier lunch which rested in a putrid puddle on the side of the pavement. The girls, however, had remained at the site on Teael's insistence that they would not be too far behind them once they had finished their drinks and were finished with watching whatever exotic dance she had been drawn to - before inevitably buying her friends another round of whatever liquor they wished for to fill their livers. It was clear to Clothovera, and already known by Szalvetha, that Teael seemed to love the taste of rum and ale as much as she did the social aspect of sharing the night with her friends and had forgotten to pace herself somewhere along the line. Perhaps luckily for her, both of her friends happened to be teetotalers, which helped them as they made their way back to the Collegium, far later than they were supposed to.

The Aithrena swayed as she walked, or rather attempted to walk, in the company of her friends and she groaned and winced as she clasped her stomach, feeling the necessity for perhaps a snack or at least something to tide her over until dawn, which drew her attention away from the empty streets and the lack of people to walk them for they had either already returned to their living quarters or remained inside whatever tavern, brothel, or other public establishment they had taken to. Teael rested an arm loosely around Szalvetha, her hair scruffy and sweat faintly running down her face, the Derevar's expression showing annoyance over having to carry her friend like she was doing, while Clothovera had a carefree expression herself, having enjoyed the night more than she thought she would.


 * Teael - Urgh... Y-You don't need to carry me, Szal... I'm a big girl, I can carry myself, you know...
 * Szalvetha - I let go of you, you will fall on your face where you stand.
 * Teael - Oh yeah...? S-Since when did you become a seer, eh? ... Look, I'll be f-fine... I just need the fresh air t-to clear my senses is all...
 * Szalvetha - Keep quiet. Your breath smells terrible.
 * Clothovera - We're not gonna get in trouble for going home so late at night, are we?
 * Teael - Not... strictly in t-trouble... But you'll get some d-disapproving glares from the... from the gate guards... D-Don't mind them, they're a miserable lot... So long as we h-have our wings, we'll be fine...
 * ??? - Is it not a little too late for... little girls to walk about the night?

A voice was heard speaking to the girls, despite the streets being devoid of life other than themselves. Teael swiftly stood to attention, albeit unsteadily, and reached for a blade that was not present on her person - they were not allowed to carry their weapons into public establishments without licenses and permission, thus she had left her elven curved sword at her dormitory. When she could feel there was no sheath to grasp, she instead flung her right arm to her side and, with some difficulty due to her intoxicated state, managed to conjure an almost entirely invisible construct consisting of arcane, kinetic force which had been shaped into the rough, basic form of a straight-edged blade. Szalvetha looked around for the source of the voice before Clothovera let out a surprised yell as she pointed upwards, over to a nearby tree; hanging from one of its branches was an elven male, his filthy clothes tattered and his face and body malnourished, indicating clear poverty. But what was most distinct was that he was hanging with his feet, looking at the girls while upside down.


 * ??? - A trio of young ladies walking alone in the dark? You are bound to attract trouble...
 * Teael - W-Who's that?! Who's there?! Is that you, Len?! I-I'll... I'm gonna kick your ass!
 * Clothovera - W-what do you want? ... W-why are you on that tree like that?
 * ??? - I am hungry. I need something to eat.
 * Teael - Ngh... W-We ain't got anything to feed you, pal, so... so get lost! B-Before I make you... e-eat my magic!

The man allowed himself to fall off the tree, spinning in midair and landing on his feet in a thud as his face was illuminated by the nearby candles, revealing it was no mere elf speaking to them; his face was deformed, looking like a mix of elven and bat, and his fangs were very large as he bared them at the girls. Teael, in her drunken stupor, could not accurately make out the features of the man herself other than that he was astoundingly ugly and was making his way towards them, causing her to scowl and unevenly sway while she raised her force-blade as she tried to prepare a combat stance.


 * Teael - B-Back off, asshole... It's three against one!
 * Szalvetha - ... You have got to be kidding me.
 * Clothovera - V-v-v-vampire!!
 * Vampire - I have not fed from anything but rats for three weeks... I must feed on warm, young blood... or I will go berserk... so be nice girls... and stand still!
 * Teael - Clotho, S-Szal, g-get... Get the hell out of here!
 * Szalvetha - Are you stupid? You can barely walk!
 * Teael - I-Isiris gave you l-legs for a reason, u-use them! ... Mine aren't working great r-right now...

Teael shuffled forward as she kept her blade of force raised, trying to eye the starved, bloodthirsty vampire that had emerged from the darkness before them and attempted to predict his next course of action so that she could try to counter it - her legs quivering all the while as she could not even walk in a straight line anymore. The vampire threw his hands outwards, causing his fingernails to extend into immense claws as a pair of horns grew from his head and a long, pointed tail emerged from his back. He let out a feral roar as he stepped forward, displaying he was not even an elven vampire - it was a pureblood.

As Teael shuffled, Clothovera and Szalvetha refused to leave the scene as they did not want their intoxicated friend alone with such a dangerous creature. The dark witch begun channeling her magic while the Derevar reached inside her robes, looking for the stake she always carried specifically for if this kind of event happened. As the pureblood transformed to reveal his true state, the Aithrenan sword-mage dashed forward with her arms raised and attempted to bring down the force blade onto the vampire in a diagonal swing slashing downwards, yelling angrily and incoherently as she did so while adrenaline mixed with the alcohol that flowed through her blood. The creature, however, used his claws to parry her blows with ease as her clumsy attacks were easily read. Once he saw an opening, the vampire threw a hand forward and grabbed Teael by her neck with a tight grip, opening his mouth and plunging his fangs into the Aithrena, who could feel her blood quickly flowing through her as he sucked it out of her. The adrenaline combined with the ethanol caused Teael to not immediately sense the pain of the vampire's jaws piercing through her pale, soft flesh, yet she struggled as she found herself incapable of moving from her current position due to the fiend's vice-like grip and the supernatural strength behind his attacks.


 * Teael - Y-You creep...!

Some moments after, however, the vampire threw Teael into the ground as he stepped back, coughing out loudly and spitting some of the blood he had sucked onto the ground. Teael's intoxicated form collapsed almost like a ragdoll, grunting loudly as slight cracks appeared in the stone brickwork of the street where she had made impact.


 * Vampire - Blah! Blegh! ... It's like I bit into a dwarf's booze barrel! Disgusting drunk! I hate feeding on drunks! Your blood is pure alcohol!
 * Teael - Ehehe... Hehe, w-what's the matter... T-Too much girl here for you? C-Can't stomach a... a little drink...? ... Ehehe, lightweight...
 * Vampire - I'll just have to drain your friends instead... The little dark mage looks especially ripe.
 * Clothovera - Ngh!

Clothovera channeled her magic and launched a blast of dark energies at the vampire as he begun walking at her direction, the creature withstanding the blow as if it were nothing - as a race born of dark magic, it really was nothing to him. Teael, while grounded, swung her arms wildly and aimed to cut the vampire's ankles with her arcane force-blade as he walked past her floored body. However, the pureblood just walked past her and continued his path, not noticing Szalvetha attempting to flank him as she had her wooden stake in hand. The Derevar then charged the vampire, disgust visible in her expression for encountering such a creature, though her loud steps alerted the pureblood of her presence as he turned to the side and threw his claws at her, stopping her on her tracks. The close range also allowed the vampire to realize she was Derevar - a race with poisonous blood to vampires, among many other things - and his expression turned into an angered snarl as he sent another blow. Szalvetha let out a scream as the vampire's claws thrust into her stomach.


 * Teael - S-Szal! ... H-Hold on, Szal, I'm... I'm c-coming for you!
 * Vampire - Am I so unfortunate that I cannot find anything to feed on but bums and filthy Derevar scum?!

The pureblood forced his claws inside the Derevar, causing her to wince and groan in agony until he threw her into the ground, blood pouring from her mouth and wounds. Crawling across the floor, her body bruised and her breathing heavy and panicked, the Aithrena attempted to stand to her feet, eventually culminating in her managing to kneel on one knee, and threw out her right arm with her index and middle fingers pointed at the fiendish parasite in the fashion of a gun; flicking her wrist, a concentrated blast of arcane force was propelled in his direction like a bullet from her fingertips, and while she would have preferred to strike his head, she could only manage aiming for his upper body. Even then, the pureblood's supernatural resilience allowed him to resist the force without difficulty, and he begun pacing towards Clothovera, who fell to the floor in fear as the creature appeared to grow enraged as the girls presented themselves unfit for him to feed on.


 * ??? - Stop it! Stop this at once!

Clothovera could feel her pointed ears perk as another voice rang through the darkness, unseen yet clearly heard, and this time it sounded strangely familiar to her. Before the hungry vampire could register the voice himself, perhaps lost in his own fit of lust for sustenance, he found himself under attack once again, although this time he felt harm come unto him and was not anywhere near as resistant to it as he was to Clothovera and Teael's previous attacks; digging and biting into the flesh and muscles of his extremities and his body were the gnashing teeth of what seemed to be a swarm of small, blood red, winged creatures that, upon closer inspection, Clothovera could recognise as bats. Not merely any normal bats, however, but bats that each radiated with a dark, inherently magic aura - much like a mage's familiar - while they impeded the pureblood's path to claim the young witch girl's blood for his own. The vampire growled as the swarm stopped him on his tracks, swinging his claws to take the bats out of the air and attempting to bite and crush them between his monstrous jaws.

Leaping forth from the dark and into the candlelight was a figure, clearly effeminate in build, whose body was adorned with dark robes and a black, tattered cape while standing not much shorter than Teael, with no clear sign of a weapon on her person other than her open palms - tensed fingers which were tipped with long, sharp claws of their own, far more refined and well-kept than those sported by the feral pureblood. As she almost danced into action, her cape flowing like a set of wings at her back, Kyrieleth swiped a clawed hand at the vampire's face while her swarm of familiars flew around and subjugated her target, leaving him distracted and open for attack.


 * Clothovera - ... Kyrie?
 * Kyrieleth - Miss Moirai, Miss Vairadi needs your assistance! Swiftly! Worry not for me, as I have the situation under my control!

The vampire roared as the Aithrena's apparent claws left marks across his face, which he retaliated by sending his own claws at her, each thrice longer and sharper than her own as he appeared even more infuriated than before. Although he held more range than she did, Kyrieleth proved faster and more calculated, as her mind was not filled with the insatiable drive for blood as his was and she was not intoxicated like Teael; as the two of them found themselves exchanging clawed blows with one another, the half-elven youth could observe as protrusions began to emerge from the Aithrena's head, growing into terrible, daemonic horns while from beneath her cape, a set of additional, limb-like appendages seemed to sprout and grow from her spine before quickly evolving into what she could assume to be a pair of batlike wings. Incidentally, as her clothes became scratched and ruined by the vampire's clawed strikes, Clothovera could also see Kyrieleth's bust seem to grow somewhat in proportion and her skin shifted to become far more pale. The half-elf froze in place as she watched the transformation take place, while the pureblood vampire's eyes widened as he realized what he was attacking, and he immediately took steps back as he looked at what was definitely not an Aithrena.


 * Vampire - ... What?
 * Kyrieleth - You have become frenzied in your bloodlust! I suggest you calm yourself before I am forced to put you to rest!
 * Vampire - ... Kyrieleth? Is that you?
 * Kyrieleth - ... I was wondering what had happened to my dear brother... And I find you starving and frenzied in the streets like an animal. ... I am surprised you can even recognise me, since your sense of smell seems to have failed you. ... Aliester.
 * Aliester - ... By our father's fangs, what have I done? I drew my claws to one of my sisters... I am so sorry, Kyrieleth.

The succubus sighed, moving out of her combat stance so that she could stand upright while she glanced towards the malnourished vampire that she had just saved Clothovera and her friends from; she strolled towards him, raising an arm before slashing the flesh across her wrist with one of the protruded claws upon her other hand to allow her blood to pour forth. She lowered her arm and gestured with a leer for her vampiric sibling to indulge himself upon her wound, before she turned to glance to the scene of the attack Aliester had just committed, looking over each of her companions with a worried expression. As the Vurdalak near desperately fed on his sister's blood, Clothovera was still on the ground, now having her finger pointed at Kyrieleth as she shivered.


 * Clothovera - Y-y-you're a vampire too!!
 * Kyrieleth - ... Miss Vairadi will bleed out if you do not bandage her wounds, Miss Moirai.
 * Clothovera - I... You can't expect me to carry her all the way to the Collegium by myself! Teael is... is also down!
 * Kyrieleth - I will help you take Miss Vairadi and Miss Sehenem back to the Collegium, but if Miss Vairadi's wounds are not covered swiftly, she will be dead by the time we manage to bring her back. ... Here, use this.

With her free hand, Kyrieleth removed her black cape from her back and held it out with a stretched arm while she wore a face of genuine concern and worry, hurrying Clothovera to take the article of clothing so that she could stop the bleeding from Szalvetha's wounds - wounds that could not be healed with magic, only with time and appropriate medical treatment and care. Meanwhile, the drunken Teael could barely realise what was going on as she babbled and tried to comfort the injured Derevar, shaking her so as to keep her conscious and awake. Clothovera rushed over to Szalvetha, who appeared to attempt to crawl away from the scene, leaving a trail of blood behind her until she no longer had the energies to do, her visible eye twitching as it darted from side to side in agony.


 * Aliester - Why did you help these elves, Kyrieleth? Are they your own cattle?
 * Kyrieleth - Did your thirst go to your head? They are my friends, brother; not cattle. ... You are such a smart and cunning man, yet you can be such a fool at times.
 * Aliester - I wouldn't know, I didn't even know you lived here. I came to this place looking for an easy way to settle up and find nourishment... but these elves are annoyingly paranoid since the war.
 * Clothovera - E-excuse me, can we not talk about the fact you're a vampire in the Collegium?!
 * Kyrieleth - ... Of course, Miss Moirai. I am not a member of House Morlana as I said I was, but rather, I am the daughter of Count and his bride, . I do not attend to Collegium with intent to cause harm, you must trust me when I say this, Miss Moirai; I am simply here to learn the arts of sorcery and magic, as you and your friends are.
 * Clothovera - H-how can I trust you? Y-you've been hiding this until now!
 * Aliester - Listen to my sister. I could have killed her moments ago. She put her life at risk for you.
 * Kyrieleth - Calm yourself, brother. ... If I had wanted to, Miss Moirai, I could have taken you and drained you dry long ago. And I could have easily finished off your friends after my brother had incapacitated them. It was never my intention to harm anyone, for the sake of feeding or otherwise. ... I am here because the Clan wishes to learn more of the lives of those we victimized during the war and how we can coexist peacefully with them. Efforts which my brother here has greatly harmed, it would appear.
 * Aliester - I was not sent here for any reason. I came here because I was starving. I cannot survive solely on rats, Kyrieleth.
 * Kyrieleth - If has survived for millennia off the blood of mere animals, then so can we, Aliester. ... I know it is difficult to cope with change when we have thrived off mortal blood for so long, but it is necessary that we better ourselves and adapt for a changing world.
 * Aliester - Dragostea is a shameless Derevar shagger. I care little for what she does or for her opinion. Father did not stop feeding on intelligent blood and nor do I intend to.
 * Clothovera - C-can't you help me with this? Do some vampire spell to make Szal better?
 * Aliester - Healing a Derevar with magic is about as easy as thrusting rusty nails into your eyes.
 * Kyrieleth - ... As Aliester has so inelegantly put, no, I am afraid I am not a capable enough sorcerer to heal Miss Vairadi reliably with my magic. Derevar physiology outright rejects most forms of magical treatment, thus their wounds must be tended to with more conventional means.
 * Aliester - Hm. The least I can do is help you get your girlfriend to wherever it is you live. The name "Moirai" rings a bell now that I think about it... Perhaps devouring you could make Father upset.

Approaching the fallen Derevar and kneeling beside Clothovera, Kyrieleth began wrapping her disrobed cape like a bandage across Szalvetha's wounds after having brought out a container filled with alcohol to cleanse the injuries of infection from Aliester's dirty, bloodied claws while the Vurdalak, who changed his shape into that of a proper elf once again, put the drunken Teael over his shoulder to carry her. As she tended to Szalvetha's wounds and cleaned up the blood that had soaked her mouth and clothes, Kyrieleth glanced towards Clothovera and exhaled deeply before speaking in a quieter, hushed tone.


 * Kyrieleth - ... I am sorry that I had deceived you, Miss Moirai. But you musn't tell anyone of this, else I will be hunted and likely tortured by Fangbane for information on the Clan's agendas. ... I am hoping we can remain friends in spite of this.
 * Clothovera - Listen, just... just help me out with them and we'll be cool. I don't mind you being a vampire. I mind your family trying to eat me.
 * Szalvetha - Nnnnh... g-get... g-get away... f-from me...
 * Kyrieleth - Ssh, Miss Vairadi... You need to save what is left of your strength. Miss Moirai, worry not about Aliester's behaviour, for I shall make sure that he does not lash out at anymore of this town's populace. Is that not right, Aliester?
 * Aliester - I could move to Mosocia and feed on lamias instead. No one likes them anyway.
 * Kyrieleth - Do be serious, brother; you could not tolerate an alcoholic's blood. Imagine trying to feed from blood with gods know whatever toxins flowing through it. You are, as Miss Sehenem would say, a lightweight.
 * Aliester - I guess. How much did this girl drink? I swear, it was like I was draining a dwarf, minus the hair. And the bad smell.
 * Kyrieleth - More than enough. Come on, Miss Moirai; I will carry Miss Vairadi back to the Collegium. She should be fine until she receives proper medical attention by the apothecaries of the school.
 * Clothovera - Alright...


 * Damon - You're a what?

The group was scattered throughout the boys' dormitory, with Pyrath resting in his bed as he appeared somewhat pale from the sickly night and morning he had suffered through, while Kyrieleth, standing tall and lithe at the centre of the room with her horns and additional protrusions and appendages out for all to see, seemed somewhat tired as black bags had manifested beneath her eyes; it could not be denied that she was far more appealing to the eye in her true, demonic shape, yet there was still an eerie resemblance to her elven identity that could not be shaken off. Damon, Clothovera and Heilen sat around the succubus as she revealed himself to them, the former's expression showing some concern over the implications of a vampire living among the students.


 * Heilen - Oh shit, a boner.
 * Kyrieleth - M-Mister Shinerun, please!
 * Pyrath - N-No way there's a... a succubus living with us. ... If ya a succubus, then why haven't ya tried tempting any of us yet?
 * Kyrieleth - C-Can we please not talk about my sex life? I believe what I do behind closed doors is not entirely your business.
 * Heilen - You'd expect a succubus to be devoid of shame. That's a first... well. Literally a first. You're the first succubus I've ever met.
 * Damon - Listen, I appreciate you stepping in to save my sister and our friends, but I worry over how many more vampires may also exist in the Collegium. How many more of you are hidden among us?
 * Kyrieleth - ... As far as I know, there is at least one hidden among the upper echelons of the Collegium, yet I cannot be certain who they are. What I can tell you is that they must be an exceptionally strong vampire, perhaps verging on the status of elder, if they are capable of disguising themselves from purebloods such as myself.
 * Heilen - I'd say Prisieth is a succubus but she's such a shameless whore-looking woman, the obviousness inverts itself.
 * Kyrieleth - Can you confirm that Miss Faemyar is not a succubus, Mister Moirai?
 * Damon - Well. I wouldn't know. I'm not the only adjutor who serves her, and she seems pretty normal to me. Could pretend to be one, but isn't one.
 * Kyrieleth - In that case, we are at a loss. As far as we know, the suspect could be anyone, ranging from Mister Eilenneim, to Miss Ignaura, to Mister Crowfeather, to Miss Acquae, among various others.
 * Clothovera - I hope Szal is okay... I've not heard of her since last night.
 * Kyrieleth - I am still dreadfully sorry for what happened. It was unfortunate that I could not arrive on the scene sooner to prevent my brother from injuring Miss Vairadi. At least no one was killed.
 * Heilen - And we learned you're a sex demon. That means there's no problem in saying how hot you are, because you like that kinda thing.
 * Kyrieleth - Excuse me, but you must be a fool to think that all succubi are exactly alike. I may yet enjoy fulfiling my sexual urges on occasion as the rest of the women in my family do, but I prefer to know a person further than their exterior before I... My apologies, it is unimportant.

Suddenly, each of their ears stood on end as the sound of the dormitory's wooden door colliding with the wall alerted the entirety of the group, with Kyrieleth swiftly changing back into her elven form, although in her panic, she had forgotten to hide her tail or reduce the size of her bust, as well as make herself shorter. Standing in the middle of the doorway was Teael, exhausted and sweating while bruises of various sizes were present across her pale body, who proceeded to try to speak between heavy breaths.


 * Clothovera - Teael? What happened?
 * Teael - Szal... It's... It's about S-Szal...
 * Damon - What about her? Speak already.
 * Teael - H-Her room... Her stuff is gone...! A-And she's not in the i-infirmary either!
 * Clothovera - Gone? What do you mean gone?
 * Teael - It's... It's like she packed up and left! G-Grabbed her bags and decided to h-hit the road!
 * Clothovera - What?!
 * Heilen - Oooh, this ain't good.
 * Damon - Ah, shit. Felvinus!

The adjutor's familiar manifested himself, laying upon a table close to where they were sitting.


 * Felvinus - I warned you this was going to happen...
 * Damon - Shut up and go find Szal! Now!
 * Felvinus - On my way, purrr...

The cat-like familiar disappeared, save for his fanged mouth which remained visible and seemingly floating in the air. A couple of seconds passed until the rest of Felvinus reappeared before their eyes.


 * Felvinus - At the gates. She is carrying luggage and is making her way out.
 * Kyrieleth - Ooh, so you are capable of reconnaissance as well. What an interesting familiar...
 * Clothovera - There's no time to discuss this! We need to hurry and get Szal! What is she thinking?!
 * Teael - Ngh, I can't run properly today, I feel too sore and in pain... Clotho, you'll need to go and stop her!
 * Damon - Like hell she's going alone. Heilen, Pyrath, get your asses up. Teael, you're coming with me. Kyrie, you'd better follow us.
 * Pyrath - Urgh, but D, I ain't feeling too good... There might still be some junk in me and if I run it'll come up again...
 * Damon - Is this how little you care for Szal?
 * Pyrath - ... Alright, alright, I'll tag along... But if I puke again, it's ya fault, D... Come on, Len, better do what the boss says.
 * Heilen - I'm already there, you just don't know it yet.
 * Kyrieleth - I am unsure if it would be wise for me to come along with you all. Derevar and vampires are sworn enemies and I am most likely one of Miss Vairadi's core reasons for her departure.
 * Clothovera - Ngh... Alright, we'll go without you. Come on, guys!

Damon rushed over to Teael, grabbing the Aithrena and putting her over his shoulder as he made a dash outside the room, followed by Clothovera. Pyrath moved out of the bed and lazily began putting some clothes on so as to not chill outside in the cold climate, struggling to function properly in his sickened and nauseated state, while Kyrieleth's face contorted into an expression of sorrow and guilt; she had indeed not intended to bring harm upon her fellow students, yet it seemed to be written in the nature of vampirekind to struggle to find coexistence with the mortal lifeforms they feasted on.

Outside, Szalvetha struggled to carry her luggage, containing her clothes and alchemical materials due to her wounds still hurting; she had left the apothecary far earlier than she was meant to, though this did not appear to bother her. Only once Heilen suddenly appeared before her eyes did she stop, flinching in some surprise as Damon, Clothovera and Teael emerged behind her, the adjutor using his wind magic to float and 'surf' across the air in order to gain speed. Teael, meanwhile, used her arcane magic to temporarily enhance her speed and dexterity, allowing her to travel somewhat on par with Damon as she dashed on foot in Szalvetha's direction before she made the decision to leap and jump ahead. Before the Derevar could have stopped her, she found herself knocked to the ground on her back while Teael pinned her down and rested on top of her, having tackled the alchemist off her feet in order to prevent her from taking another step. Szalvetha let out a pained scream due to her injuries colliding with the ground while Damon put Clothovera onto the ground, allowing her to run over to the two girls as he followed.


 * Teael - W-What are you, crazy?!
 * Szalvetha - Get off of me, you are hurting me!
 * Teael - You're hurting me by trying to leave us behind!
 * Clothovera - Yeah! What are you thinking?!
 * Szalvetha - I am going home. I have had enough of this place.
 * Teael - But what about your education? ... What about us, Szal? You can't just leave your friends behind like this.
 * Szalvetha - I have no future here. I have had enough of insensitive tutors, racist students and... vampires living among us. You should understand me.
 * Teael - If it weren't for Kyrie, we'd all be dead right now! She might be a vampire, but she's got no interest in harming you or anyone else here. ... We have to deal with all of this stuff too, Szal.
 * Szalvetha - Do not compare yourself to me. You do not know what it's like to be one of my kind. You think half-breeds have it bad? If it were not for vampires, my people would not have been massacred by the thousands and we would still be living in our home lands. You can ask me to endure Aithrenan oppression, but do not ask me to respect a vampire. They are scum and exist solely to prey on others and butcher my people.
 * Teael - We're not asking you to respect Kyrie or act friendly to her... We're asking that you don't leave us. You're vital to us Szal and you're one of our strongest members. ... You're also one of my best friends here. You make me feel safe... and you're always there when I'm in need, or to calm me down if I get too wound up...
 * Szalvetha - I... I hoped you would understand...
 * Damon - This is not what you want, Szal. You know, deep down, your place is here, with us. Your friends.
 * Heilen - Would be a damn boring Collegium without our favorite Derevar to torment the bullies and make crazy mushroom potions.
 * Teael - We do understand, Szal... There are times we all want to just give up and quit when we feel that the going gets too tough. Times where we want to just go home and... hide ourselves from the rest of the world. ... But that's a coward's way of dealing with their problems! Only cowards hide away their emotions and tell no one while wallowing and moving away from everyone! And the Szalvetha Vairadi that I know wouldn't take being called a coward!

Szalvetha looked up to Teael while the others loomed over the two, and they could see the Derevar's expression changing as tears begun running down from her eyes, with her letting out faint weeps as she wrapped her arms around Teael in an embrace. The Aithrena seemed shocked for a moment, from the start feeling uncertain as to whether she would be able to convince Szalvetha, an otherwise emotionless and stubborn individual, to think otherwise, but as she felt the chilling, discomforting cold of the alchemist's embrace, Teael could not help but smile and reciprocated the gesture, her face brimming with a red blush while she struggled to hold back tears of her own. The two of them then felt the weight of Clothovera wrapping her arms around both, followed by Damon and Heilen who begun piling up on top of the two, much to the chagrin of Szalvetha who felt her wounds pressed by their combined weight.


 * Teael - H-Hey, hey, hey! T-This is our hug!
 * Clothovera - Yes! Our hug!
 * Damon - Hey, this little family is a bit bigger than just the two of you.

As the group piled on top of Szalvetha and Teael, Pyrath approached in a hurry from behind, panting and sweating as he exhaustedly watched the combined embrace occuring before his eyes. With not much else to do, as it seemed his friends had been successful in subduing Szalvetha from her course of departure, the Erylian pyromancer simply threw himself on top of the group while Teael grew increasingly agitated from the weight that was being forced on top of her.


 * Pyrath - I don't even know what we're doing, but I figured I'd join in anyway. I don't like feeling left out.
 * Szalvetha - Y-you all are crushing my stomach!
 * Teael - Grr! Len, stop being a stupid fatty and get off!
 * Heilen - But I wanna express my affection like everyone else. Also, I'm not the fat Aithrena of the group.
 * Teael - Don't talk about Clotho like that, that's rude!
 * Clothovera - ... Huh?
 * Damon - Man, you people are stupid. That's why I like you all.
 * Pyrath - Takes stupid to know stupid, right D?
 * Damon - Suppose so. Come on, Szalvetha should go back to the apothecary before she does anymore stupid things to herself.
 * Szalvetha - Yes, do get off of me.
 * Pyrath - Man, I feel tired... I might just, ya know... stay here a while... and rest my eyes a little bit...
 * Szalvetha - If you value your hair, get off of me.
 * Pyrath - Zzz... Zzz...
 * Heilen - Welp.
 * Szalvetha - Damnit, Teael. This is all your fault... Thank you.
 * Teael - H-Hey... It's no problem, Szal, I... I just wanted to do what I felt was right... You're my friend, and if you left I couldn't ever replace you... Thank you for sticking around. ... Now can everyone else fuck off?!
 * Heilen - No.

4/12/34: A Massacre...
First Week of the Last Month of Term, Mid-Evening: Hall of Ceremonies

The orange light of a setting sun glimmered through the large, vast glass windows that loomed over the hall, bathing both student and teacher in a warm, comforting glow as the celebrations that had been prepared and accounted for a month in advance came to splendid fruition. A large space had been cleared to allow the organisers to install a stage, upon which was performed the music and dance of a renowned, inner-city troupe of bards whose tales and stories, composed in the form of elegant songs, were met with praise as they reached the ears of many of the attendees, while tables, benches, and seats had been laid out en mass across the floor to seat many of the party-goers, with tables and stands carrying food and drink placed at the corners and edges of the room - whilst there were servants to act as waiters and waitresses present, some of which being adjutors-in-training, attendees were still allowed to stand and select whatever it was that they wished to dine on. The coming and going of the years was considered to be a festive and celebratory time by the many of the elven cultures that composed the Sovereignty, thus the Collegium, and many of the towns and districts throughout Purity's Apogee, reflected this attitude with organised parties and social gatherings of the poor, the rich, the old, and the young.

The Hall of Ceremonies was rarely open, for it was to be used only in times of significant religious or social celebration, as well as events such as remembrance, the coming and going of the four seasons, and the opening and closing of school terms. Walls and pillars built from exquisite marble, windows paned with stained glass, and decorative, painted tiles serving as a floor were the most notable aspects of the room that gave new students, such as Clothovera, that it was a place of much importance and was expected to be treated with care, respect, and love, for it was a place where the boundaries between race, social standing, age, sex, and clan was supposed to fall away in the face of a greater understanding and appreciation for the world. As Erylian fire-dancers swayed, tapped, and strutted to the sounds of Hikameran strings and epic Aithrenan ballads, the young witch girl found herself sat at a rounded wooden table positioned to the left side of the room, surrounded by a group consisting not only of her close circle of friends, but also the likes of Ferathis Cyndraech and Tutor Ennea Ignaura, while upon neighbouring tables could be seen the forms of the passive vampire Kyrieleth Dalverat, once again under the guise of a member of the northern Morlana family, and a group that looked to have once been familiar with the strangely distant Vhalra Kasalsain, who had not appeared to show her face at the gathering. Over the distance, the giant undead wolf Shambles was also present and appeared to have been turned into his own little attraction for the students, as he laid down and allowed them to go over and either pat him or feed him treats.

Clothovera had not seen a gathering of so many people since her enrollment into the Grand Collegium, with the amount of tutors and students gathered into a single place almost astonishing her whilst hot and pleasantly cooked food - spit-roasted pork, black pudding, roasted swan, and boars' heads, each served with a side of vegetables and lathered with sauces - sat in front of her for her and her companions to dine upon. Perhaps one unfortunate effect of her teetotal lifestyle was that she could not bring herself to drink the wine, cider, and ale that her friends had been served, barring Szalvetha who also shared the same abstinence from alchohol, although to compensate she and her Derevar friend drank from cups filled with a rather fruity, non-alcoholic punch. Encouraged by the festive atmosphere, the half-elf girl saw Pyrath, Ferathis, and Teael attempt, rather inelegantly, to down their drinks faster than one another while Ennea watched them with a mildly amused smile on her face.


 * Szalvetha - I am not carrying you back home again. You can drown in alcohol and get your stomach gutted by yourself.
 * Teael - Ah, calm down, Szal, I'll be fine. It's a celebration; not any regular piss up. Besides, we're actually in the Collegium and not on the other side of the district this time.
 * Clothovera - I don't see the appeal of drink. It messes with your head and makes you do stupid things.
 * Heilen - We're all stupid here. Some more stupid than others. I don't care either way since I don't get drunk.
 * Pyrath - I thought ya drank like the rest of us?
 * Heilen - I drink all I want. But I don't get drunk like you people. You never noticed because you're always too drunk to notice.
 * Ferathis - It's a shame that they don't serve Erylian flaming beverages here. Heh, ya haven't drank a true beverage until ya've been able to set it on fire beforehand to give it more flavour.
 * Heilen - Sounds dangerous and stupid. Fits you Erylian types.
 * Damon - I gotta say, though, they really upped their game this year. It's the sixth celebration I participate in, and it seems one of the best yet.
 * Ennea - That's because Selsor... Excuse me; Archtutor Granvinran was partially in charge of setting it up this year. Archtutor Eigeyem was not so fond of large celebrations as he was for more quiet contemplation and far more... puritan methods.
 * Heilen - That guy was trash. I miss it when Aesleith organized the parties. She knew how to get stuff done.
 * Ennea - Ah, Aesleith. If only she could see you now, Heilen. ... I think she'd be proud of you for how far you have come. Mhm, I also imagine that she would be delighted to find that Clothovera, another descendant of Witch Clotholaire herself, is attending her school alongside her brother.
 * Clothovera - Hehe, thanks Miss Ennea.
 * Szalvetha - I would just like to say, I am glad it is you sitting next to us right now, Miss Ignaura, and not that Prisieth woman. I cannot stand her.
 * Ennea - Yes, well, I had arranged with Osvernal beforehand about seating arrangements. Him and Prisieth are also helping Archtutor Granvinran with his celebration speech right now as far as I am aware, so they shan't be joining us for a while.
 * Heilen - Szal's just jealous she ain't got the whole big godly matriarch figure going like she and you do.
 * Damon - Oi. Watch the trash that comes out of your mouth.
 * Ennea - Oh? Mister Shinerun complimenting me is "trash" to you is it, Damon? Mhm, why, you never pay me any compliments around your friends.
 * Damon - I'm not gonna let this twitch "flirt" with you. And you're my mom. What do you expect me to say?
 * Ennea - That perhaps I really am an attractive, matriarchal figure in your life, hm? Is that not what a mother is to you?
 * Damon - You're my mom. Calling you that would be weird.
 * Clothovera - Hey, at least Ennea is a nice-looking woman. My mom's a bird beastwoman with a huge beak.
 * Teael - Isn't your boyfriend also a beastman?
 * Damon - ... What?
 * Clothovera - S-shut up, Teael! Not now!
 * Teael - O-Oh, right! Silly me! N-Not boyfriend, I meant, best friend! Yeah, like, best friend outside of this place!
 * Heilen - Regardless. I volunteer to be Ennea's new son who calls her nice things.
 * Damon - Don't make me punch you in front of the crowd.
 * Ennea - Damon, don't be so crude and mean towards your little brother.
 * Damon - Oh, come on.
 * Ferathis - What's a lil bro if ya can't have some fun with them, eh? That reminds me, Pyrath and I are planning on hosting a New Year party at our place over the break if any of ya wanna come along. Food, drink, music, the works.
 * Pyrath - Bro's friends are gonna be there, but I'd like to bring mine along with me as well. Hopefully the neighbours don't start complaining about the noise, but eh, who cares about neighbours when it's New Year's?
 * Szalvetha - Better than spending the New Year at my home. My family does not make parties. And my sisters would terrorize you all night.
 * Teael - You never told us much about your family, Szal. Up until now, I was thinking you were an only kid.
 * Szalvetha - I have a pair of younger twin sisters. They want to be alchemists like me, but they are too young for education. So you got a pair of young kids running around the mansion throwing poisonous vials everywhere.
 * Heilen - Hold on. You live in a mansion?
 * Szalvetha - I thought you knew.
 * Clothovera - Oh, we should visit everybody's homes during the college break! It'd be fun!
 * Heilen - Sure, but not mine. I don't live with my parents anymore, so to speak.
 * Pyrath - Me and big bro also don't live with our folks. We're actually renting a place in the district, though I don't get to use it much since I have a dorm here. Our home is actually all the way east, south of Polehndoth.
 * Ennea - Indeed. I happened to be raised in the same orphanage that your mother was when she was a child. It warms my heart knowing that I am working with her sons. She was very much like a younger sister to me.
 * Clothovera - You're an orphan, Miss Ennea?
 * Ennea - That I am. I was a mere seven years old when I was orphaned. ... My parents were poor and could not afford to keep me, so they placed me in an orphanage where they knew I would be looked after. And that is where I met and befriended Pyrath and Ferathis' dear mother. ... Aesleith and Osvernal also share an orphaned past, you know.

The tutor took a deep sip of her wine while she looked over the students, eyeing each of them at the mention of the two Aithrena; Clothovera only knew of Aesleith by name and her overall impression of Osvernal was that of a rather arrogant, boisterous, and pretentious elitist - a stark contrast to the brief glimpses of insight she had gained into the character of this "Aesleith" figure that her friends and teachers spoke of so fondly. Teael stopped chewing the chunk of pork she had shoved into her mouth at the mention of Osvernal's past, curiously glancing back towards Ennea while Pyrath and Ferathis halted their drinks in surprise. It was clear to the half-elf witch that in spite of Osvernal's looming presence over the Collegium and his position of authority, almost no one among the students knew much of him and his background.


 * Ennea - I am aware that Osvernal is not considered very... popular. But there are reasons as to why he behaves the way he does and I am convinced that he is not malign or aggressive by nature. Aesleith had always reprimanded him whenever he behaved in such an irritating and contemptible way as he does now. ... In fact, I was one of the few that Aesleith told about her and Osvernal's background prior to her passing.
 * Clothovera - Who exactly is this Aesleith?
 * 'Ennea - Before Archtutor Granvinran, there was the elderly Archtutor Eigeyem. And before Eigeyem, who died sometime ago, there was Archtutor Eilenneim. Aesleith Eilenneim, Osvernal's elder sister, who was known for her empathy for others, her kindness, and her open mind which allowed the school to continue taking on non-elven students and those that come from lower class families. She served as a tutor of the Arts of Umbramancy prior to her attaining the position of Archtutor of the Grand Collegium and was very popular among both tutors and students.
 * Heilen - I was training to be her personal adjutor.
 * Ennea - Yes, Aesleith and Heilen worked together for sometime outside of his classes to further some form of magical research that Aesleith was undertaking for the High Mage of the Esoteric Order - the master of all magical authority within Purity's Apogee and the lands of the Sovereignty. ... As far as we know, her research involved testing and studying to determine whether light and dark magic could be influenced to be wielded together in tandem without destroying or reacting negatively to one another. She selected Heilen for her tests because both herself and him were born prodigies of dark and light magic respectively.
 * Heilen - This is kind of an uncomfortable subject. Can we talk about something else?
 * Ennea - ... Alright, Heilen. I must apologise if I had said too much. I understand that the topic of Aesleith and your time with her is rather difficult for you to discuss. That aside, Osvernal, while not as adept from birth as Aesleith, was also a potent caster of dark magic, yet they were born in poverty and had to fight and struggle to get to where they did, facing abuse for their bastard nature and their poor heritage... Which is why Aesleith worked to secure a far more diverse and open future for the Collegium once she became the Archtutor.
 * Szalvetha - When is the speech happening?
 * Ennea - ... Deary me, I lost track of the time. It was supposed to have started two minutes or so ago. It is unlike the Archtutor to be late, especially with Osvernal and Prisieth assisting him.
 * Damon - Maybe he's nervous or something.
 * Ennea - Do excuse me, I think I might try and have words with him. I hope that he is feeling well enough to deliver the speech, I know it would mean much to him.
 * Clothovera - That's fair enough.

Finishing off what remained of her wine, Ennea stood and was swift to depart from the table as she moved towards the entrance of the Hall of Ceremonies, a rather concerned look on her face as she did so while Teael swallowed another mouthful of meat, her head turning to look towards Heilen with Ennea's words of his status as a "child prodigy" still fresh in all of their minds. Pyrath leaned in close to Heilen, eyeing him with suspicion as the whole table seemed to quiet down now that Ennea had gone to check the Archtutor's status. The Hikamera did not look back as he just held on his head, his expression showing some discomfort while Clothovera, Damon and Szalvetha decided to just continue their meals while they waited for Ennea's return.


 * Teael - ... So, Heilen... You're a prodigy, huh?
 * Heilen - Don't wanna talk about it. Another day.
 * Pyrath - Are ya alright? Ya acting pretty quick about things. ... Ya gotta headache or something?
 * Heilen - Aesleith was a good friend of mine. I don't like to remember she died. Don't wanna talk about it.

It as at that moment that each of those who sat around the table felt something rather bizarre, something that none of them could have expected while they sat within the Hall of Ceremonies, dining on expensive food and drink while bathing in the orange illumination of a setting sun beyond the horizon as its light shined through the glass window panes and listening to an elven troupe sing and dance stories and tales of ancient lore and culture. Upon their foreheads, Clothovera and her friends could feel the odd sensation of something small and wet having fell on them - a drip, or a raindrop. The witch girl passed a hand over her head to inspect the liquid which fell upon it, her expression showing confusion as she started looking around. There was only a brief pause until she felt another drip fall into her palm, and before she could determine a pattern or specific location for the source, she felt several more drops of water fall upon her and the table she sat at. It was only when she laid her eyes upon the cloth that dressed the table and saw wet markings continue to appear on the material that she could really put an explanation to what she felt was happening - rain, yet it was undoubtable that the roof and ceiling of the Hall of Ceremonies, a place so well maintained, could not have had a leak.


 * Clothovera - ... Uh, is it raining or what? Is there a leak in the roof?
 * Szalvetha - The weather is sunny outside.
 * Damon - Is this water coming down from the ceiling?
 * Ferathis - ... Guys... W-What the fuck is happening...

As the group turned their heads upwards, the truthful revelation was swift to strike them; above their heads, manifesting just below the ceiling of the Hall of Ceremonies, was what appeared to be a shifting, dark mass of clouds, with rainwater soon falling far more quickly and chaotically than it had been just moments before. It was an absurd situation, and at such a special and important event, it would have taken perhaps an especially reckless, yet capable, hydromancer to have pulled such a prank on the attendees. Clothovera looked up to the mass in confusion, not understanding its purpose or why someone would put such a thing there, while one of the tutors, the undine hydromancer Riomara Acquae, looked up to the strange manifestation while scratching her head.


 * Riomara - Is that supposed to be part of the show?

The elven troupe stopped playing, joining the tutors and students in observing the rather strange spell that had been cast - it was clear that they had just about as much knowledge of the situation as the rest of those in the hall. Many students and tutors felt a chill travel up their spines as they heard the clouds above their heads seem to growl while the water within them fell, causing the hall to become wet and damp as a result; Ferathis ignited his hand as he stood up from his seat, causing Pyrath to look up towards him with concern only to see his brother's brow lowered and his eyes quick and narrowed, his movements almost anxious as he walked away from the group.


 * Pyrath - W-What... What is it, bro?
 * Ferathis - ... Ya need to go. ... All of ya. Now.
 * Damon - Why? What is that?
 * Ferathis - It's her... It's her! She's here!

Riomara grew annoyed over the rain which fell over the festivities and rose her arms as to cast her magic, so that she could dispell whatever it was that loomed over them. However, as she was in the middle of casting her counter, she became quickly troubled when the sound of shocked and frightened screaming met her watery ears and tables and chairs were knocked off their feet as student, adjutor, and tutor moved with haste from their positions. They had become scared and panicked when their eyes met with the red, glowing lights that served as eyes for the gargantuan, carnivorous beast that flew down from the clouds through the rainfall and buried its sharp, jagged teeth into several unsuspecting and nervous students; a great shark, its entire form composed of water that radiated with an ethereal mist, had materialised in the Hall of Ceremonies, a place packed densely with people unprepared for conflict. The sight of the creature caused Clothovera to scream while Damon almost instinctively wrapped an arm around his sister to lift her off her seat and carry her to safety once they realized what it meant; their old enemy, the assassin who attempted against their lives, was here.


 * Riomara - Evacuate the hall! Now!! We have a rogue magical beast attacking the students!

When the order was given, the party-goers made their attempt to flee, although the beast was swift and unrelenting as it quickly ensured that it would not allow any of its prey to leave its hunting ground alive. Once it flew back towards the clouds, from its mouth came a feral roar and a jet blast of water concentrated into an attackin akin to a magical beam; students and tutors that had attempted to escape found their bodies bisected as the magical shark's beam attack cut through their robes and flesh like a knife through butter, causing blood to merge with the falling rain while the familiar wildly and chaotically dived several more times to bloody its jaws with the insides of its frightened, horrified victims, all the while moving fast and unpredictably enough to evade attacks made against it from afar. Teael's eyes were wide with fear as she struggled to manifest a weapon of arcane force while Pyrath could only frantically pant, conjuring balls of fire in his palms which were dampened and suppressed by the falling rain. Szalvetha got up from her seat and begun following Damon as he carried Clothovera under his arm away from the shark and the carnage it was causing. Meanwhile, Heilen appeared to be gone altogether.


 * Damon - We need to find Ennea and get the fuck out of here!
 * Ferathis - She said she was gonna go and talk to the Archtutor... D, we can't get out while this bastard's still flying around. Hide under a table and wait a while.
 * Clothovera - The shark is flying! Flying through the rain! A flying shark!!
 * Szalvetha - I hope you know what you are suggesting, Ferathis.
 * Pyrath - Y-Yeah, bro. I-If we hide, we can w-wait for it to leave. It'll think that it's eaten us already, or that we escaped, right...?
 * Ferathis - ... Pyrath, I need ya to do me a favour. A big favour. ... I want ya to run when ya get the chance. Run and don't go looking for the assassin. ... D, I need ya to take everyone outside as soon as I stop this thing. Don't let Pyrath do anything stupid.
 * Pyrath - S-Stop it? ... B-Bro, ya'll be turned into lunch meat! We can hide and wait to survive, ya don't need to try and fight it!
 * Damon - The hell are you thinking? You stand no chance against the thing.
 * Ferathis - Ya wanted to see what kinda things the big kids do, D... Let me show ya.
 * Damon - Idiot, I am already graduated. I know what big kids do. And I know you're gonna die if you try and take that thing by yourself.
 * Ferathis - ... At best, I can keep it busy. And if I can keep it busy, ya and the other tutors and adjutors can get the students outside. If this thing is so strong right now, its master is in the building. ... It's a distraction while she goes in for the real kill.
 * Clothovera - ... The Archtutor!
 * Pyrath - B-Bro... No, Ferathis, I ain't gonna let ya do this! N-No! If ya do this, ya'll... Ya'll die! Ya can live if ya just hide with us!
 * Szalvetha - Yes. I would rather you not throw your life away trying to play hero.
 * Ferathis - Yeah... Yeah, ya right. Get under the table and we'll hide and wait it out. When it's gone, then we'll make a run for outside.
 * Damon - Screw that. I'm not leaving without Ennea.
 * Ferathis - Osvernal and Prisieth are with the Archtutor; Ennea will be fine for now. ... Gotta remain calm, D. She'd want ya to not endanger yaself.
 * Damon - Grrr...

Teael was the first to duck and hide beneath one of the tables, not wishing to remain in the open any longer as the flying shark continued to ravage the hall and reap bloody carnage, while Pyrath was apprehensive about Ferathis confessing that he would hide with them and wait for the terrifying ordeal to end as he slowly crouched to hide. They were followed by Szalvetha and an apprehensive Damon, who worried over Ennea's safety as she was presumably at the vicinity of the assassin. As the last of them moved under the table, covered by a bloodied, wet tablecloth, to hide from the magical beast, they were swift to realise that Ferathis had not yet come to hide with them and was instead still standing out in the open; following this, their eyes were met with a bright, searing light and the table was rocked as it seemed a small explosion had seemed to occur, with the temperature around them rising and their ears being graced with what Pyrath recognised to be Ferathis' wild, angered yelling, yet distorted by some form of magic. Standing in the centre of the Hall of Ceremonies was Ferathis, his body covered in what seemed to be red scales while a long, serpentine tail stretched out from his posterior and a set of large, draconic wings stretched and flapped as the Erylian adjusted to the sudden transformation and stretched, his fiery eyes locked on to the flying magical beast as he clenched his clawed, blazing fists in anger and desperation.


 * Damon - Gods damnit, he's gonna do it.
 * Pyrath - B-Bro, stop! D-Don't do it!
 * Ferathis - ... D. Get everyone out of here. I'm not gonna let anyone else die today if I can help it... Grr, Pyrath! Whatever ya do, don't be stupid and chase after that assassin! Ya gotta whole life to lead and I don't want ya to kick the bucket for a long time coming...!
 * Pyrath - Y-Ya idiot! Ya... Ya gonna die! Bro, please, stop! D-Don't... Don't do it! I... I don't wanna lose ya... I don't... I... I l-love you, bro...
 * Ferathis - ... I love ya too, Pyrath. ... Be good to ya friends for me, look after them... Give mom my love when you see her. ... Time to man up.

In an instant, from above the Erylian's brow, a set of great, black curved horns erupted forth, each radiating with boiling steam while the elf took a step forward, his body generating heat far greater than that which Pyrath could muster in his own draconic, quarterdrake form - Ferathis was a step or so above Pyrath, the draconic blood rushing through his veins far more potent and far greater than what his younger sibling was adjusted to. The shark soon laid its glowing, evil eyes upon Ferathis as he moved to challenge it, with the surviving tutors and students rushing away as the beast became distracted; it charged through the rain, its jaws wide as Ferathis proceeded to use his enhanced strength and magical power to hold open the fiend's mouth with his two arms and stop it in its tracks after being moved back some distance. The elf grunted and ached as he struggled to keep the beast's attention, with the giant familiar in turn growling and roaring as it made an effort to try and bite down on its next morsal, which proved to be oddly resistant.

While Ferathis kept the giant shark occupied, Damon dragged the others away from its sight and snuck up to the exit, instructing other students stilll in the vicinity to escape as the enemy was distracted. Meanwhile, a loud howl was heard as from the side, the massive Shambles leaped at the shark and dug his teeth into its throat, throwing it into the floor and out of Ferathis' hands in the process. The floor, along with the tables and chairs that were not immediately destroyed, were upturned and launched across the room in all directions while students and tutors escaped the hall, although Ferathis had refused to exit and he continued to fiercely combat the shark so that it would not attempt an escape or to harm anyone else that needed to evacuate. Teael had joined those survivors that Damon assisted in rushing outside, running through the atrium with untold speed, followed by Szalvetha and the half-elf adjutor, who still held his sister under his arm, refusing to let go. In the midst of the large crowd of evacuees, however, the group had easily lost sight of Pyrath, who seemed slip out of any of their sights while his brother valiantly fought the assassin's chaotic familiar - or at least, he did, up until the desperate, pained screams of an Erylian elf echoed throughout the hallways and corridors, accompanied by the sickening sound of bone crunching and wet flesh being torn apart. It was when those sounds began and swiftly ceased some moments afterwards that everyone knew not to look back.


 * Damon - Pyrath? Pyrath! Where'd you go?!
 * Teael - Isn't Pyrath with you?!
 * Szalvetha - ... He went back to go after the assassin despite what his brother said.
 * Teael - Ngh...! That idiot! We gotta go after him before he gets himself killed!
 * Damon - Gods damn that undine whore! Why is this happening?!
 * Teael - W-What... What do we do, Damon? ... I don't wanna leave Pyrath behind, but... I don't want to die following after him. ... We need you to make a decision!
 * Damon - Fucking... Gods damn it all. We go back and we save Pyrath's ass. Then we get the hell out of here. I would rather lose one friend over two.

The sounds of terror and fright that was carried upon the pained, horrified screams of the escaping students crawled relentlessly through the pyromancer's ears, accompanied by the hideous, bestial roars of the great familiar that had been commanded to cause havoc and bloodshed by its cold, uncaring master; tears glistened down the boy's cheeks as he made his way through the hallways towards the office of the Archtutor, all sense of self-preservation and desperation pushed aside to make way for an insatiable, burning rage that drove him forth, as if he had grown ignorant to the last and utterly final words his brother had to share with him in the face of his own anger. His body trembled in ire as he dashed, fiery embers radiating from his magical aura while draconic scale gradually grew from his soft skin to guard select parts of his body.


 * Pyrath - Damn you... I ain't gonna let bro die for nothing... I'll kill ya! ... I'll kill ya!

As the Erylian student's semi-draconic visage took form, his gloves and boots tearing while the nails of his toes and fingers grew to become hooked, black claws, smoke and steam flowed at his feet with each step he took - a product of his growing, heated aura enhanced by the fiery drakeblood pumping through his system, coming to fuse and work in tandem with adrenaline, which in turn distorted his perception and his senses somewhat although it granted him the benefit of augmented speed and enhanced strength in return. The styled pompadour that sat atop his head soon burst into flames, becoming wild as Pyrath had since thrown caution and care to the wind following having to suffer the sound of Ferathis' cold and violent demise, and embers swiftly became an untamed blaze as he neared his destination while his murderous intent fuelled his confidence and certainty that he, a pyromancer-in-training enhanced with a special alchemical formula, could lay waste to an adept, emotionless assassin-mage of presumably decades of experience.

His suspicions of the assassin's location were confirmed once he saw that the two heavy wooden doors which sat in the entranceway to the Archtutor's office had been parted and left wide open, while his nostrils widened when his partially draconic senses picked up the scent of blood - elven blood, precisely - which caused him to continue to push forth and lay his eyes upon the gruesome sight was to behold him. Even as he neared his destination and moved closer into the killing zone of the assassin, neither his heart or his motivation wavered, as if incapable of experiencing the cold, crippling fear of encountering an ancient, renowned apex predator from the perspective of its wounded and crippled prey. As he placed a hand upon the wooden frame of the doorway, seething growls escaping from between his bared and gritted teeth, his eyes, ignited with inner fire, laid themselves upon a bloody scene of an evident struggle; the office was ornate and decorated with expensive pieces of furniture, including a wide desk, its surface cracked and bloodied, made of dark wood which sat at the far end of the room opposite the entrance, various bookshelves and wooden cupboards, and several statues of elven figures which lined the outskirts and corners of the office.

A red rug adorned with complex, regal patterns was rolled over the tiled floor, upon which laid the forms of two dwarven warriors fitted in armour and equipped with battleaxes and three elves, each dressed in scholarly robes of varying styles befitting their positions and backgrounds - Ennea Ignaura sat with her body splayed out and barely conscious at the base of one of the nude, marble statues, while Osvernal Eilenneim seemed to be pinned beneath a fallen bookshelf as he gasped for breath through bloodied lips. Some distance from his desk, left upon his back, was the body of Archtutor Selsor Granvinran, a perfectly circular hole reaching through his forehead to the back of his skull while the undine assassin glared down at him, an arm partially stretched and a finger extended which appeared to point at the fatal wound that had been afflicted upon him. Upon the wall behind the Archtutor's desk was a collection of framed paintings and graphs, the imagery stained with blood and soaked with water, while the dwarven bodyguards that had been charged with Selsor's protection lay dead beneath them and filled with the very same perfect holes. The sight of the undine caused Pyrath to momentarily freeze, the brief instance of doubt arising from within as his eyes met the scene she had caused, while the light, fine robes that the undine seemed to flow without a breeze as she stood menacingly over the Archtutor's fresh corpse, a cold expression devoid of empathy or regret written upon her beautiful face.

It was when the Erylian took a bold step into the office that the undine's gaze turned towards him and away from the fallen Archtutor, and he could see that she was absent of clothing upon her upper body aside from a necklace fitted with a moderately-sized sapphire, drawing his attention briefly to her tempting, lithe shape and plentiful bust. However, he was uninterested in her for her body, having become far too engulfed in his rage to appreciate her almost divine figure, and instead clenched his fists while the fire in his blood boiled. He was met with a detached, chilling stare from the assassin's half-closed eyes while she shifted her body to face him entirely.


 * Undine - ... My mission is done. ... Turn around and leave this place if you wish to depart with possession of your life... I've no qualms with disposing of you in an instant should you stand in my way--
 * Pyrath - Shut up! ... Ya don't scare me! Ya can't scare me! B-Bro might be dead... but I ain't gonna let that stop me from boiling ya alive until ya nothing anymore! Ya killed my bro... so I'll kill ya for him!
 * Undine - ... Do not feel enraged. This... brother that you speak of died for a cause... He, along with many others, died so I could complete my mission. A minor sacrifice for something greater... He was given a purpose and he died to fulfil it.
 * Pyrath - A... cause? A cause?! Ya used him! And ya used so many others to... to complete a fucking mission?!
 * Undine - I am done talking. ... You were given the opportunity to turn away and live... Now, you have forced me to... part you from the bonds of life. ... Worry not, for I will make it swift... and you shall come to rest quickly.

The Erylian's eyes flared with magical power as he took another step forward, his footprints scorching into the material of the rug while steam arose from where he stood; in his aggressive, rage-driven state, he had failed to notice the intricacies and details of his surroundings, such as the opened bottle of wine which sat upon the surface of the Archtutor's desk, the contents of which began to shift and move, gradually attaining speed as it whirled and spun beyond his attention. Through the use of the assassin's mastery of water and various other liquid substances, the glass soon shattered as its contents seemed to wildly explode, sending fragments of sharp, broken glass into the side of Pyrath's face as he made his approach towards his target and causing him to yelp and scream while shards pierced deep into his flesh, with one larger piece, accompanied by several smaller slivers, having buried itself into his left eye. The undine, unfazed by the pain she subjected upon the student, stepped away from the Archtutor's corpse and raised an arm, pointing the index finger of her hand in Pyrath's direction while she seemed to mutter an incantation beneath her breath; from her fingertip, a burst of water was conjured forth, concentrated into a precise beam which would have torn tore the Erylian's throat like a blade had he not moved to crouch and roll to the side, leaving only a bloody graze upon the side of his neck.

The confidence and certainty he had attained in his anger began to fall apart once Pyrath took note of the dent in the brick wall that the assassin's spell had made when he evaded it. The flaming aura that surrounded the pyromancer began to falter as his ire soon gave way to a deep, cutting sensation of fear in the face of such a powerful foe - he was but an ant beneath the foot of an apathetic and uncaring goddess. Blood spat from the light wound dealt to his neck and Pyrath watched as the assassin took several more steps forward, her chilling gaze piercing through him while he stood crouched and struggling to right himself, barely able to lift a knee while every move he made dealt only another ounce of sharp pain across his body. Amidst the blood that ran down his face, the undine could see more tears welling up from the boy's eyes - a contrast to the strong, aggressive persona he had assumed just moments prior, although it surprised her only slightly when the Erylian mage fought through the agony of the glass that dug into his face and moved to swipe and slash at her with outstretched claws draped in fire magic. As desperation set in and he began to grasp the reality of the situation, Pyrath began to realise that the glass that had been set into his face started to melt as it was exposed to the fire and heat that he surrounded himself with, and he winced while the undine evaded each of his attacks with light, elegant steps through natural dexterity.


 * Pyrath - S-Stop moving! L-Let... Let me get at ya! Bro... B-Bro died for a s-shitty conspiracy! W-What has he ever done... to d-deserve to die, eh?! W-What has any of us done?! ... A-Answer me!
 * Undine - ... Stop. You are only prolonging the inevitable... You should not fight, for you will only meet your end painfully... and slowly. If you continue to resist... I will not restrain the extent of my power against you any longer. ... I will wash your pain away, boy... and return you to Isiris...
 * Pyrath - Y-Ya won't... even tell me the cause ya k-killed him for...! Grr... B-Bro... Ferathis... I... I-I should've listened to ya... I-I'm scared, bro... H-Help me...

Pyrath set a hand against the surface of the wooden desk, straining his body in an attempt to continue standing while another wound had been punctured into his body by the undine's advanced techniques - a hole that ran through the side of his left hip, puncturing through flesh, muscle, and bone and causing the elf to lose his footing. It only took a brief incapacitation for the lad's vulnerability to be exploited by his far superior opponent, for as his strength drained from his body, the undine assassin closed the distance between them and gazed coldly into his eyes while she loomed over him, like a predator about to pounce upon its prey. A pair of cold, wet hands firmly grasped his cheeks and his face was brought forward, forcing him to leer into the undine's gaze while she leaned towards him, invading his personal space with little regard for his attempts to struggle and resist her.


 * Undine - ... You will die quietly... Close your eyes and do not fight me further, else you will draw out your end...
 * Pyrath - F-Fuck... you... Fuck you, f-fuck you, fuck you...! D-Don't... Don't touch me...! G-Get off...! D-Don't... Don't...

His whimpering pleas of aggression were silenced when her lips touched his, yet it was not an intimate or warm kiss, but uncomfortable and cold as it was absent of passion, lust, or any other mortal feelings that would have driven her to kiss him. Instead, while she stared discomfortingly into his soul in their embrace, her body pushed against his own, Pyrath could slowly feel himself becoming drained of something, something that gave him the energy he needed to fight or struggle against her assault - his life force, perhaps, or maybe his blood through which his life force ran. As the kiss went on, his body becoming incapable of resisting her while she removed a hand from his face and wrapped her arm around his torso, it was only on the brief flickers of consciousness that Pyrath realised that it was the very air from his lungs that seemed to be pulled out from him, sucked through his body and depriving him of his ability to breath; the Erylian's teary eyes struggled to remain open as he felt his body become cold, the heat from his alchemical enhancement having vanished only to leave a defenseless mage.

It was the last words of his brother Ferathis that rang through his head as he felt his life slowly crawling into a silent, empty darkness, while the last thing he would be bound to see was the unfeeling, stoic glare of his murderer. Yet, moments from death, he felt his body collide with the tiled floor as the undine eased her grasp upon him - had she thought him dead before his soul had abandoned his body entirely? Gasping for breath, he looked up to see the undine glancing down at him, before she turned her head further downwards to observe her feet, with the Erylian forcing himself to look where her cold gaze had travelled; neither of them had expected to see the undine's feet and shins, dressed with boots, become coated in a notable layer of frost and ice which merged into the floor, keeping her stood in her place while she contemplated what had happened. She leered back in Pyrath's direction, her frown forming into a faint scowl.


 * Undine - ... I told you not to fight me, else you would only bring... more suffering onto yourself...
 * ??? - He's not the one doing the fighting.

Slowly, the undine lifted her head to turn her gaze towards the open doors to find her sight met with the appearance of another elven mage, one that Pyrath knew he was familiar with even in his weak, disorientated state. Standing in the doorway of the Archtutor's office, mixed emotions spread across her face, stood the young noble Vhalra Kasalsain, her eyes firmly set on the undine assassin after having acknowledged the corpse of the Archtutor and the unconscious, wounded tutors that were left discarded across the office. Conjured in her hand were what seemed to be a series of small icicles clasped between her fingers, each of them radiating with a chilling, white aura typical of cryomancy, and she rose her arm up to her chest as she stared down the undine assassin, only briefly looking away to observe Pyrath's state. The Erylian was alive and barely conscious, although it seemed that he was significantly drained of energy and willpower to persist in fighting.

In response to Vhalra's sudden intervention, the undine too slowly rose an arm, a finger outstretched while she glared at the student, appearing to be unfazed by her presence and attack other than the slight shift in a gloomy stare into a grimacing leer. The ice and frost that had manifested around the undine's lower legs began to spread, crawling upwards to her knees which continued to inhibit her movement further although it appeared that was not attempting to dispell or resist the magic - with the liquid constitution of the undine, composed purely of magic and water rather than flesh and bone, she was physically incapable of resisting.


 * Undine - ... You should not be here.
 * Vhalra - I thought I heard a commotion coming from across the school. From the look of things, perhaps it was for the best that I decided against showing my face at the Hall of Ceremonies. ... Whatever your goal was, I shan't let you escape the consequences.

The Aithrena took a step forward, her brow lowered with an angered flare in her eyes, and she rose her other hand to conjure another set of miniature icicles in the gaps between her fingers while cautiously analyzing the undine's movements; although she had frozen her legs and feet, her upper body was still in motion and she still had control of her arms and hands allowing her to continue to cast potent magic. The two women glared at one another from either side of the room, observing one another in silence as Vhalra managed to continue staving off the nerves that would otherwise have caused her to turn and run - if she had done so, Pyrath and the tutors that managed to survive the initial assault would surely be dead by now. In spite of her fear in the face of death, it was her responsibility to save these people, for if she refused to do so, then no one else would be able to reach them in time. Minutes seemed to pass between them, with Vhalra stalling time so that perhaps another tutor, or maybe even Clothovera and her friends, could arrive and assist in putting an end to the situation.

However, the tension soon came to an abrupt end as the two of them heard the sounds of quick, heavy footsteps approaching the office from across the hallway outside; a group of people, based on how many sets of feet each of them could hear between them, which urged the two mages to draw their attacks. The undine was the faster of the two, puncturing a hole between Vhalra's neck and shoulder with her jet blast of water, altho, although she had been aiming for the Aithrena's throat and would have succeeded had she not dove to her right in anticipation of the assassin's spell. In retaliation, Vhalra threw her arms out as she threw her body to the ground and launched the icicles in the direction of the undine, and while her aim had been significantly afflicted by the wound she had sustained alongside the movement she undertook, several of the projectiles found themselves lodged into the assassin's body - three of the six icicles that the Aithrena threw struck their mark, with one piercing into the undine's fraised forearm, another striking her left side, and the last having grazed her cheek. A quiet snarl left the undine's lips as a cold chill started to overcome her, the wounds she had garnered from Vhalra's icicles beginning to gradually exude a layer of frost outwards, similar to that coating her legs, which froze in place the parts of her body that had been struck.

Vhalra panted as she laid on the floor, gasping heavy, pained breaths as she felt a hole, roughly the size of the surface of her thumb, running through her upper torso and allowing blood to seep through without interruption. The pain, combined with her shortage of breath, kept her from standing up to face the undine again, as she also used her hand to attempt to cover the puncture wound that had been inflicted near her shoulder and halt the bleeding, although it soon became evident to her that she had only frozen one arm of the assassin as they began to raise the only limb that had not been left throzen by the Aithrena's attack. Sweat ran down her face while she watched the undine's hand curl all fingers but her index, leaving it pointing towards her as the assassin coldly began to take aim.


 * Vhalra - B-Bitch... I-I don't... I don't w-want to die...

The undine gritted her teeth as the numbing pain of Vhalra's cryomancy continued to slowly spread, although it did little to stop her from beginning to mutter words under her cold breath while she pointed her deathly index finger at the vulnerable Aithrena, this time aiming for the girl's chest. The student closed her eyes as the undine finished her incantation, yet it took her some time to feel the pain of the shot - in fact, the pain never actually arrived, for as the undine was about to unleash her wrath upon Vhalra, she found herself incapable of preventing Pyrath, now risen and his composure regained, from sending a fiery, clenched fist into the side of her vulnerable head and knocking her attack off-course. Instead of Vhalra's lungs or heart, the jet blast of water struck the wall behind her, leaving a hole through it while the assassin was floored by the Erylian's retaliatory attack, with parts of her legs and arm shattering into icy fragments upon contact with the ground as Pyrath stood over her, triumphant of his brief recovery as he had healed at least a small percentage of the damage he had taken with the minor amounts of healing magic that he had access to.

At this time, Damon made his way into the room, carrying the now-dizzied Clothovera under his arm while quickly followed by Szalvetha and Heilen, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere next to the wounded Erylian. The last to enter the room was Teael, who had managed to swiftly retrieve her blade so that she could challenge the assassin should she had to, although she proceeded to freeze in place as she saw the state of the tutors and the students that had already faced the extent of the assassin's magical prowess. Vhalra's face almost lit up with an expression of awe as she watched the group enter the office, while Pyrath seemed almost ignorant to their presence as he approached the fallen undine, reaching down to grasp ahold of the necklace around her neck before tearing it away and throwing it across the length of the room. His body shook and trembled as he loomed over her, a concoction of bitter fury, agonizing pain, and desperation for survival flowing through him as he once more delivered a punch to the assassin's face, swinging with a left hook.


 * Damon - You fucking idiot! What did you do?! Look at you!
 * Clothovera - Ngh... ngh... Damon, let go of me... I feel sick of all the waving around...
 * Pyrath - S-She killed... She killed my bro... M-My bro died for... for a fucking conspiracy... All those people... were just sacrifices for... for a distraction...! I... I-I won't let it happen... I can't...!
 * Damon - You almost let it happen to you! You think we would like you dead? You think Ferathis would have wanted you to throw your life away after he sacrificed his to get us to safety? You idiot!
 * Heilen - Hey, to be fair. Seems Pyrath's got the situation under control at the moment. And seems he's got some help from our favorite hag.
 * Szalvetha - Yes, what is she doing here?
 * Vhalra - I... Urgh, I came here because I heard all the noise... I didn't go to the party, I wasn't there when whatever happened took place... I came down from my dorm to check what was going on and... I heard a commotion coming from the Archtutor's office. ... I saved Pyrath from... from getting himself killed, I think you'll find...
 * Damon - Huh. Well... We got you to thank for the idiot not joining the poor people down at the hall then.
 * Heilen - Yeah, that place at the moment is a mix of gore, a giant shark and a giant wolf dunking out at each other. Not a good place to be.
 * Clothovera - W-what about... the tutors?
 * Damon - Ennea?

At the base of one of the statues lined up against the right side of the office, Ennea began to stir and clasped ahold of her head, clearly bleeding from several slashing wounds across her body before she looked upward to see the group of students crowded into the office. Amidst pants of excruciating pain and the occasional tremble and whimper, the tutor could not help but smile as she saw Damon and his companions stand before her, before attempting to try and stand upright in her injured state. At the other side of the room, Osvernal remained quiet, kept pinned and trapped beneath the bookshelf that had fallen on top of him and he appeared to only be partially aware of what was happening around him, fading in and out of consciousness.


 * Clothovera - What... what are we gonna do about her?
 * Heilen - Well, Pyrath seems to want to punch her head off. But she's done pretty bad things. Killing a bunch of people and walking around with her boobs showing. I heard Imperials got this thing called a brazen bull.
 * Szalvetha - ... I would not recommend offing the assassin so soon.
 * Pyrath - M-My bro... F-Ferathis... He's... He's dead. He's... He's not gonna come back, is he...? He... He never got to go home, n-never got to become a... a tutor, let alone an adjutor or... H-He's gone. ... A-And she... she took him away from me! S-She doesn't deserve to live after w-what she's done to us! What... W-What she's done to him!
 * Szalvetha - No. You are wrong. She did not do anything to you. Like you said, she is part of the conspiracy. Her employers killed Ferathis and massacred our Hall of Ceremonies. Killing her will not bring a closure to this. We must know who she works for.
 * Heilen - Well, that makes sense. Don't count on me to make decisions, eh?

Gritting his bloodied teeth, Pyrath fell to his knees and began to place his palms upon the undine's cheeks, still shaking with unrelenting rage as the fire in his eyes began to ignite once more. Steam started to arise from the elf's hands as he squeezed the undine's head, his clawed nails burying themselves into her watery flesh while the group could see that the the undine assassin began to wince and cringe; Pyrath, in his anger, was beginning to boil her head with the furious, burning heat of his inner fire, conjuring in his palms the power to avenge his brother and all those lives she had taken while his ears ignored the reasoning offered to him by his friends. Teael watched the scene in shock, for she had never seen Pyrath so infuriated before, and it disturbed her somewhat that he would go to such lengths to force another being to suffer such a horrid and harrowing punishment. Clothovera and Damon too appeared almost intimidated by what their friend, someone they knew as generally very jovial, was doing to the assassin, while Szalvetha frowned in annoyance and walked up to them instead.

Both Pyrath and the undine assassin could feel the Derevar's antimagical aura crawling under their skin as Szalvetha grabbed the Erylian's hair and tugged it back forcefully, leaning forward as to glare at him with one of her eyes while the other remained hidden from view as usual.


 * Szalvetha - I said. No.
 * Pyrath - F-Fuck you, Szal...! Y-You don't know how it feels...! Y-You've never lost family... You've never cared for anyone o-other than yourself...! You c-can't! ... F-Ferathis is gone and he's never gonna come back... The least I can do... is avenge him...!
 * Szalvetha - No. Fuck you, Erylian. You will avenge no one. The one behind Ferathis's death will remain unpunished and it will all be your fault. Kill the undine, and I will kill you myself.
 * Pyrath - I'd... like to see you try...
 * Szalvetha - ... So do I. It was a joke.
 * Heilen - Seriously. Next time, leave the jokes to me. You're terrible at this.

Raising a hand, Szalvetha revealed a vial containing a light blue liquid; if Pyrath was not blinded by rage as he was, he would easily identify it as a sleeping potion, which the Derevar forced into his mouth as she kept his head tugged upwards by pulling on his hair. Although it took some moments to perform its function, the sleeping potion soon soothed the pain and anger that boiled within the Erylian and fell backwards as exhaustion and tiredness came over him, incapable of remaining conscious any longer. The group could now see the full extent of the damage that had been dealt to him during his fight with the assassin - shards of glass lodged into the right side of his face, including his eye, and two puncturing wounds afflicted by the undine's jet spell, one in his hip and the other having grazed the side of his neck. It was clear that blood loss happened to be one of the factors which had made Szalvetha's sleeping potion work faster than it usually would have done, outright skipping the drowziness phase.


 * Szalvetha - Once they get that glass out of his head, remind me to slap him until he cries.
 * Heilen - Will do, ma'am.
 * Szalvetha - As for the hitman on the ground. She should be taken to Fangbane. No one can extract information out of a prisoner in the Sovereignty like Fangbane.
 * Vhalra - ... The Archtutor's dead... Looks to me that the undine succeeded in her mission, regardless of what either of us did to stop her...
 * Damon - At least the bitch's stopped. And she's gonna tell us who hired her to do this if she values her hide.
 * Teael - ... W-What do we do now...? ... A lot of people are dead, including Ferathis and the Archtutor. ... What's going to happen? H-How do we know it's over...?
 * Heilen - Well, we don't. All we can do is get Boobies outta our Collegium and preferebly guarded by at least ten rabies-infested dogs. I can't resurrect the dead but I can heal people, so there's that. Not gonna heal Pyrath, though, he needs to think about what he's done.
 * Vhalra - D-Don't... Don't you value your friend's safety? He... He saved me from getting killed, just as I saved him. And he's the one that... took down the assassin in the end.
 * Heilen - He clearly didn't value ours. He didn't value yours either. He just wanted to attack the assassin, damned if you were here, damned if you weren't.
 * Clothovera - Ngh... I feel nauseated by all this...
 * Vhalra - Yes, well, speak for yourself... You're not the one with the fucking hole in your body, fortunately...
 * Heilen - Sheesh, gal. Get over yourself already.

Thrusting a hand forward, Heilen's entire arm was suddenly engulfed by a powerful light as he touched Vhalra's side, and in a matter of seconds, the Aithrena saw her wounds closing at an incredibly accelerated rate. Surprisingly, the light magic that was channeled through her also ceased any pain or ache, a skill that was usually common among advanced spellcasters and the like, yet Heilen was still a student and not much older than any of the rest of the group. She soon brought herself to stand, glancing away from the group as she rubbed where her wound had been with a hand, her body tensing up somewhat as the revelation of all that had occured tonight began to set in for her.


 * Vhalra - ... Is everyone else alright?
 * Damon - After what we watched happening, no. Definitely not. I just hope the shark's gone now that its master is down.
 * Heilen - Wakey wakey, lazy bones.

The Hikamera had moved to do the same almost miraculous healing spell on Ennea and Osvernal, while Szalvetha kept a close eye on the undine, overwhelming her with her antimagical aura so that she would not attempt to move from her spot. While Ennea seemed to heal as efficiently as Vhalra had when Heilen performed his advanced healing magic on her, Osvernal howled as the Hikamera laid a hand on him, practically throwing the wooden bookshelf off of him and shoving the student away after moving onto his feet by his own accord, although he did tremble and stumble somewhat as he did so. His clothes torn and ripped with the same slashing wounds afflicted upon Ennea, the Vice Archtutor regained his composure shortly after analyzing the group in his presence and stood upright, calming himself while glancing over to the corpse of the late Archtutor.


 * Heilen - Heheheh. Seems like Osvee here is the afraid of needles type of guy.
 * Osvernal - Grr... I shall be fine, thank you. I am far more accustomed to dark magic healing than I am to the techniques of the light. ... I see that you have all subdued the damned bitch.
 * Szalvetha - I have recommended handing her over to Fangbane to find out who her superiors are.
 * Ennea - A clever idea, Szalvetha. Now that she has been subjugated and incapacitated, she is no longer any of our business for the time being... I would still see to it that she is reprimanded for her crimes against our establishment, however.
 * Szalvetha - Fangbane can also take care of that.
 * Heilen - Brazen bull...
 * Szalvetha - They can use the brazen bull if you suggest it.
 * Heilen - Neat.
 * Damon - So... I guess we're gonna spend the New Year preparing burials this year.
 * Osvernal - ... What happened, Moirai? How many others are dead?
 * Damon - Can't say I could stop to count, but... I'd guess about 40 to 50 died at the Hall of Ceremonies, including both students and tutors.
 * Osvernal - This was no assassination... This was a terrorist attack. They struck with intent to not only deprive the Collegium of its leadership, but also to drive fear into the public. ... Grr... I shall have those that would oppose the sanctity of my dear sister's Collegium punished and driven through the streets by their entrails...
 * Heilen - That's gonna be a lot of upset families to warn, eh? Should also take the opportunity to do something about those disappearances, eh?
 * Osvernal - ... Disappearances? Whatever are you talking about?
 * Heilen - Come on, now. Don't pretend you don't know about students going missing.
 * Osvernal - How did you ascertain that information? ... Who told you?
 * Heilen - You knew, did you? Got all defensive on me.
 * Osvernal - ... Yes, I knew. And I am not the only one. The upper echelons of the Collegium's ranks are aware of the regular disappearances of the students and we are seeking to put a stop to it. The reason we had not informed the students or the families of the missing individuals is that we wished not to cause mass hysteria or a public outcry while we run our investigations. But that should not be information that you are able to grasp ahold of.
 * Heilen - But I do. And I hope you don't think you can hide the fact a flying shark killed 50 people today from their family members. Just imagine what Aesleith would think.
 * Osvernal - My sister does not need her reputation tarnished! ... But you are correct, Shinerun. We cannot ignore what has happened this day. Now that Archtutor Granvinran is dead, the responsibility falls onto me to maintain our Collegium and secure its safety and reputation. I never would have thought the day would arrive that I would inherit my sister's pride and work...
 * Heilen - Yeah well, make her proud. She's still watching you.
 * Damon - Uh, if you excuse us, I think it's best if we returned to our dormitories... or something. Don't go to the Hall unless you got a strong stomach.
 * Clothovera - Which I don't, ngh.
 * Osvernal - I would strongly suggest packing your things and leaving the Collegium until the New Year has come to pass. I cannot expect my students to remain here following such a tragic occurence; the school is unsafe for them as of now. I assume you all have places to stay outside of your dormitories.
 * Heilen - Not really but I can make do.
 * Szalvetha - I came here to study, not to have my life threatened. The next term better have extra security.
 * Clothovera - Makes me wish I was back home with Teacher. Over there, all I had to worry about was seagulls crapping in the windows.