Magical Teacher Professor Landry! - Chapter 1: Just a Normal School

[Teal Mage]

Hanging in the east, the mid-morning sun cast pale rays down on the collection of gray stone structures that composed the main campus of the Amaranth Institute for the Gifted. Pristine walkways of light gray concrete, large enough for several students to walk side-by-side without bumping into one another, ran throughout the school's grounds, connecting the school's many scattered faculties together in a surprisingly orderly network of pale stone.

Neatly arranged hedges of red, white, pink and orange flowering plants flanked many of the school's pathways, their bright, warm colors showing vividly in contrast to both the muted stone of the buildings, and rich green leaves that surrounded them. Frail looking trees bordered the remaining paths, their thin trunks rising no more than nine feet. Though small, the miniature tree's branches were covered with lush green leaves, offering patches of shade for those who passed beneath their shadows. While it was nearing the end of summer, blossoms of muted pinks, whites and pale purple appeared among the foliage of the trees in a handful of places; perhaps those would develop into fruit as the year went on.

Arranged among of this were a collection of shallow concrete canals, each nearly as wide as the main pathways. Cut into the grounds in a neat grid work pattern, these streams worked their ways throughout the campus, feeding the school's many ornate fountains and reflecting pools with a constant supply of clear and sparkling liquid. Decorative bridges spanned the points where the waterways intersected and overran the main stone walkways of the school, their thin metal beaten into graceful arcs and sided with low guard rails. Only where the channels encountered the campus' few remaining old growth trees, many of which towered over the school's actual buildings, did they deviate from their neat pattern, arcing into shallow circular pools around the massive trees, before branching out again and returning to their prearranged patterns.

Any space left was coated in a coat of lush green grass, newly trimmed in preparation for this, the first day of classes in the Amaranth Institute for the Gifted.

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Through the bank of windows on the east wall, sunlight flooded into the stone corridor, painting its pale tile floor and the handful of students moving through it in shades of color muting white. Flimsy sliding doors of light colored wood were set into the opposite wall, spaced apart both widely and evenly. A handful of students moved through the light filled hall, some of their paces so quick they might as well have been running, others moving with lazy fascination, their heads turning left and right, seemingly in awe of their surroundings.

Truly, this was a normal school.

Dressed casually in jeans and white full-sleeved shirt, one student in particular moved at an even pace down the hall. Emblazoned with bright yellow stars, her white runners tapped lightly against the marble-eqsue floor while she silently mouthed the room numbers inscribed on the doors she passed. Held before her was a sheet of white paper, a map of this particular school building, which the young brunette glanced down at periodically. Eventually, she came to a stop before one of the doors.

Room Q-111, She read, hazel eyes flicking from the map to the plain black symbols on the door itself. The girl frowned, brushing a stray lock of her rich brown hair away from her face, it looks like all the other doors in this place. She shrugged, causing her bright orange backpack to shift its position on her shoulder, Whatever. Without a second thought, she reached forward, grasped the door's handle, and slid it to the side.

The room she found herself in was floored in a non-descript gray carpet, walled in off-white stone and had a blackboard set into its front most-wall. In front of the blackboard, and several steps forward from where she now stood, was a large desk made of a dark brown wood which she assumed belonged to the teacher. Across from the larger desk, several smaller ones were arranged on a series for five gradually rising tiers, seven to a ledge, each evenly spaced. From above, white lights set into the ceiling supplied the room with cool, clear, illumination.

None of this drew her attention though.

Sitting hunched over behind the teacher's desk was a figure completely covered in a pitch black, deeply hooded, cloak. Alabaster fingertips peaked out of the robe's long and billowy sleeves, wrapped tightly around the metal of a gold banded dark purple fountain pen. The creature guided the pen slowly through a series of elegant loops, trialing deep blue ink over the paper spread before it. Wisps of deep black light seemed to steam off of the bent teacher's robes, filling the air around it with a strange, and heavy, aura of gloom.

Perhaps it was taking attendance.

"Ex-excuse me." The girl stated, shakily.

Slowly, the cowled head raised itself from the desk, then swung itself toward the brown haired girl in the doorway. A chill ran down the girl's spin as the teacher's eyes fell on her. Icy gold light bleed from the two glowing orbs set deep inside the being's hood, showing up bright in contrast to the shadows that surrounded them and obscured the rest of its face.

Throat suddenly dry, she swallowed. "I-Is this Prof-professor Landry's class?"

Focused on the girl, the glowing eyes narrowed to slits. Slowly, very slowly, the teacher nodded once. One of its robed arms raised itself ponderously, before lazily stretching it out to the side and extending a bony white finger toward the desks at the far side of the room.

"Uhm," the girl murmured, doing a double take from the teacher, to the desks, "right."

Feeling the teacher's glowing eyes on her back, she followed the finger's direction and moved toward the back of the room. One short flight of stairs and a handful of steps later, she slipped into the middle desk in the second row, stowing her backpack beneath her chair.

Her eyes went back to the cloaked teacher, but she was already back to writing in her slow, careful, loops. I heard Professor Landry was eccentric, The girl thought, frowning, but a Halloween costume? She shrugged, idly reaching up to touch the heavy yellow gemstone that hung around her neck, Well, whatever.

Surely, this would be a normal class.

[krogothwolf]

Dean was lounging in the back of class sitting lazily and idly playing with his sunglasses. God school was always such a bore. He would much rather be goofing around with Filia then be stuck in class again. The poor girl was stuck under the school again. Though it was the best place for her, he was pretty sure it'd be hard to explain how she could go through walls even if she looked like a Great Dane right now. He then looked at the watch to check the time.

"Ack, this class is empty right now, guess I got here a bit earlier." He mumbled to himself "Wonder what me new roommate's gonna be like."

He then thought of all the possibilities going through his head. A uncultured country bumpkin, a uptight rich boy, a quiet shy one, a crazy sports player, a beautiful hot chick. Though the likely hood of that happening was slim to none, a young boy can dream can't he? He then heard a noise and looked up as a new girl entered the class.

"Lassie, ye be in the right place fer sure." Dean said, speaking up to her, with a very distinct Scottish blur."Ye dinna have ta look so lost and confused though. This class'll be dull like all tha others."

He then put his feet on the desk and leaned back.

"Ye new here lassie?" He asked her, "Name's Dean William Hunter, ye can ask me fer help if ya please."

He then began to idly play with his sunglasses again waiting for the others to show up.

[Dracorion]

... What the hell?

-----------------------
Earlier today, Jackson Hall had arrived to Amaranth High. He'd learned that he'd be rooming with someone called Dean Hunter, who he was not looking forward to meeting. It was going to be an awkward time in the dormroom, but his parents couldn't afford a private room for him nor did they think he should be any more secluded. He'd signed up for the Social Club, which he was positively dreading. He wanted to work on his socializing problem, and he was always one to learn new things the hard way. He didn't learn to swim by playing in the shallow end, he'd dived straight into the deep end. But he just knew him being in the Social Club was going to be a disaster.

He was a little intimidated as he made his way through the grounds. They were huge! Elegant, was the word that came to mind. He'd never quite seen anything like this, even during his brief stint with the Selwyns, who were rich. Their huge manor home was barely as big as one of the faculty buildings here. He found himself worrying about what would happen if he so much as bent a blade of grass or scuffed the walkways with his shoes.

He shook it off and made his way to Building Q. He was supposed to go to the first floor, room eleven. He moved slowly, taking everything in. He had finally arrived at Building Q and started looking for room eleven on the first floor. Sunlight filtered through the windows as he made his way through the hallways, counting the room numbers. He passed people by on the hallways and wondered who was a human or a parahuman, perhaps even hoped to see an aura lighting up.

That was another thing. Outside, Amaranth looked like a regular, albeit extremely high-class, school. The truth, however? Some of the students, Jack hadn't been told how many, and he wasn't even sure anybody knew, were part of that secret world of magic. Some of them were much like regular humans. Their powers were instinctual and usually very subtle. Few of them, if any, would even be aware that there was anything special about them. Other students, like Jack, were Parahumans. They were just like humans, except they had had some training with their powers, so they could control them to a degree.

Amaranth was a place where children from the magical world could attend a normal school and still have a small amount of freedom with their magic. Jack's homeroom teacher was Professor Landry, and his first class was with her now. It was supposed to be all magical children there, so no need to worry about freaking anybody out. Though he wasn't quite sure what to expect, if Professor Landry was half as eccentric as people made her out to be.

"Aha." Jack muttered as he found room eleven. He raised his hand to slide the door open, but stopped just short. He had gulped down his hesitance, slid the door open and stepped into the classroom.

--------------------
And now... in the present...

Seriously, what the hell?

The figure sitting in the teacher's desk was completely covered in a black hooded cloak. He couldn't even see her face. He assumed it was a she because Professor Landry was supposed to be a woman. The hooded figure lifted her head to stare at him, and Jack realized that he'd been standing in the doorway too long. Jack felt goosebumps as her piercing eyes stared at him. She pointed at the desks, and Jack could feel her staring at him as he made his way there. Screw it, he wasn't afraid of this shadowy creature. He sat himself down in the fifth seat of the fourth row, that is, the side opposite the door.

He didn't think it was possible before, but it seemed Professor Landry was actually crazier than the stories he'd heard about her.

[Steel Shadow]

Diana Elaine Tear woke at dawn. This was unfortunate for her room-mate Sarah. Diana had never quite gotten over the habit of singing in the shower, just like she had never quite learnt how to carry a tune. Over the past few days the girls had been learning to adjust to one another, but this quirk was by far Sarah (a natural noon riser)'s biggest challenge. Maybe thicker pillows were in order, she wondered sleepily as she tried to bury her blonde haired head in her bed. And adjoining bathrooms had sounded so convenient in the brochure.

"KONYA WA HURRICANE!!!" The words rang out through the bathroom door (It was 3 inches thick, how could her singing be that loud?) and Sarah gave up.

"Coffee. Need coffee..." She groaned as she sat up and shoved her blanket aside, fumbling for her dressing gown.


10 minuets later she still hadn't fully woken up when Diana bounced into the kitchen area, towels still wrapped around her body and hair, water dripping everywhere. She dived at Sarah.

"Coffee!!!"

Half awake or no, Sarah's reactions were top notch. She lifted her mug above her head, out of the red head's reach, and used her other hand to push her away.

"Ohhhh no. No coffee for you. You're bad enough without it Di."

"Saaaaraaahhh! No faaaaaiiiiir!!!" Di wailed, arms making grabby motions for the treasured cup.

"Nope, this is a no Diana area. Go get dressed."

"Mean!" Di pouted, then turned with a 'humph', holding her towel tight and stomping back to their room.

She was back a quarter of an hour later, by which time Sarah had re-hidden the coffee behind the sardine cans, and had fixed herself some cereal.

She swept in, still brushing her hair, and began rummaging in the cupboards. She had exchanged her towel for a pair of black jeans and a loose blue T-shirt with a cola logo over her stomach. As she picked through the boxes her free hand put the brush aside and tied her dull red hair into a pony tail. Like always, a sturdy looking camera bag hung from her shoulder. "Hm, is today a coco-pops day or a shreddies day?"

Sarah munched on her corn flakes. "Today's your first day, right?”

“Yup.” Di apparently made up her mind and she pulled a box down from the shelf, grabbing a bowl and moving towards the milk Sarah had left out. “Dull day.”

“Dull?”

Di shrugged. “It'll be an introduction. A run over. Just a 'here's what you'll learn here' thing. No actual teaching, no real camera work, no good directing techniques, no deadlines, no scripts, yadda yadda... Meh. Just one of those things everyone sleeps through. Boooring.” She sat down at the table next to Sarah and began to eat.

“You can at least go see what they have in store before you make up your mind about it.”

Diana sighed and shook her head, before reaching into her bag and pulling out her camera. It was a shiny thing, with dozens of buttons across it, each marked with strange tiny pictograms which presumably indicated their function, but were more likely to drive an unprepared camera man insane trying to divine their meaning. Luckily, Di was a girl, and had read the instruction manual. She flicked several switches and the camera whirred to life, a small red light shining to show it was recording.

With a casual flick of her hair, Di turned the camera to face her, holding it steady with a practiced hand. Unnoticed to either girl present, a light breeze began to flow through the room from nowhere, lifting a few stray strands of red hair and making them flutter prettily, as well as ruffling the loose T-shirt.

“Morning fans! So, today we finally begin my first week here at Amaranth Institute! I'm so excited, how about you?

“So, Today's the day I'll be off to meet my classmates, and see just what this place has to offer me! And we'll all see if this place really deserves it's reputation, wont we? I guess I'll also be meeting one or two teachers, but I have a feeling they wont be giving me anything interesting to shoot, so instead I'll be focusing on my fellow students! They're bound to be interesting, right?

“Hey hey, trust me! I'll keep you entertained! Tell 'em Sarah!” The camera angled slightly to focus on the surprised blonde, still with a spoon in her mouth. She stared at the camera owlishly for a moment before swallowing and tightening her dressing gown.

“Weren't you just saying you were going to be bored out of your skull?”

“That was before I decided to focus on my fellow academics!” Di gave a cheery smile and winked at the camera.

“God damnit how can you be this energetic without any coffee...” Sarah muttered. Di ignored her.

“So, hopefully next time I'll have some fun little interviews for you! I'll see you there!” She flicked off the camera. “You need to improve on your on-screen persona, y'know? Ah well, you can work on it.” And then she tore into her breakfast.

“Not got much choice, as long as you've got that damned camera,” Sarah grumbled, returning to her cereal.

“Exactly!”

---

Something that would later be described as a red and white blur moved through the building. Diana had gotten up early. She had eaten well. Her white jackey had been where she'd left it. She had set out on time. Everything was going to plan.

Then she arrived at the actual school, and the urge to take a few shots with her camera had overcome her. A few had turned into a lot, and now she was down two memory sticks, and whatever lead she'd had over the clock was quickly disappearing.

“Room Q-111, room Q-111!!! Arrrgh, where is ittttt!!!”

She was a little stressed about the matter. But, before to long... “THERE!” She checked her watch as she skidded to a halt. “NOT LATE!”

Taking several deep breaths to calm herself, Diana strode forwards and slipped through the door, and then stopped dead. That was a costume right? Had to be a costume... Of course it was a costume! What else could it be?

Blinking slightly, Di part turned and sidled over to the desks, taking the 3rd one in the 3rd row, and glanced about to make sure she was in the right class. Since everyone else seemed somewhat confused or annoyed, she assumed she was.

Her hand automatically went for her camera. This might be more interesting than she'd thought...

[Menarker]

Jin slouched lazily over his desk, as the teacher seemed to drone about her silent writing, perhaps an attendence sheet. The teacher was dressed in quite a sharp contrast to the rest of the student and the faculties it seemed, but that hardly bothered him. If anything, Jin himself was one of the weird ones, living in the school as if he was one of the faculties himself. He kept much to himself not out of any particular disdain for anyone, but more so for a lack of comprehension and eagerness in these beings.

The djinn had arrived much the same pace as half the class, not too early and not late, but early enough to lay claim to his desired seat in the second last row from the back and second from the wall opposite the door that led in the room. Hopefully, this spot would bring as little attention to himself as possible.

He sighed as he wondered if the arrangements he made to safeguard himself would be effective. The class and school himself didn't interest him terribly. It just happened to be his birthplace and his home. His new dorm-room was at least a nice comfortable upgrade from his lamp, which he taken great pains to hide. Hopefully, none would be able to find it.

[Astral Harmony]

Astarte Whitewrap was bright-eyed and fully alert. This morning's little adventure had pushed all the sleepiness out of her mind...or lack thereof.

-----

When Astarte had woken that morning, she found it impossible to open her sarcophagus. She felt that her strength had not lessened since last night when she retired to her slumber, so that meant that something in the storage room for where her sarcophagus was placed had fallen or shifted somehow, pinning the sarcophagus shut. Astarte was about to actually start crying, thinking that she was going to be late for her first day of actual classes when her friend Linda shoved the obstruction aside.

Apparently, the months of being stored away had caused a large stack of boxes to become unstable and finally topple. But it was just some boxes. What the hell else did they store down here?

Linda was fresh from the shower, and naked once again. It was sort of a morning ritual for Astarte to examine Linda's body for signs of degradation. Linda was a zombie, after all. Once Astarte gave Linda a thumbs up, they both got dressed. Astarte and Linda had ordered some school uniforms from Japan. It was weird, an egyptian mummy and a western zombie wearing seifuku, but the girls couldn't resist. The red and pink uniforms were so cute. And Astarte and Linda, despite their true natures, filled them out really well.

-----

After Astarte and Linda wished each other a good day, they separated, Astarte to get to Professor Landry's class while Linda went to a different class. Astarte's seat was the fourth seat in the third row, right behind this one girl to whom Astarte had never met. Astarte decided not to bother her. She seemed kind of weirded out by what the professor was wearing and figured a woman wearing a schoolgirl uniform and wrapped in bandages would only make her more nervous.

[Bard The 5th LW]

'Oh no oh no oh no,' these were the thoughts rushing through Sean Castevet's mind as he got up from his bed. Why hadn't his alarm gone off? Oh well, no time to think about that now. Kicking his hockey gear out of the way, Sean pulled a light-blue Collared shirt from his dresser. The dress code said nothing about a tie, so he decided to skip that step to save time. He found a pair of khakis as well. Got a brush his teeth now...

---

During the brief time he had been residing at Amaranth, like a day or two, Sean was preoccupied with exploring the large and complicated School grounds. He had made some attempts to see the other students attending, but he didn't see any that looked odd.

He recalled his dad's words to him before he left.

"Don't talk about it, look for it, or listen for it. If you do, then act like you didn't unless its a danger."

Sean was still curious however. He knew his cousin Nicholas was probably on campus, but he wanted to know just how many other people who were aware of the 'supernatural' were around. None that he managed to see gave anything away. Sean himself was fairly normal as well. He was really pale, but that could be overlooked. He was told that he was really cold to, but he doubted people would really find that out easily.

He was usually an organized and punctual guy, but this place was overwhelming. He tried to keep track of to many factors, and he forgot to set his alarm properly. That was how he got into this conundrum. He also didn't even see his roommate, but that was really minor on his priorities. He supposed it had to be someone who liked the cold though, because the AC was heavy in there.

As Sean ran through the halls, he noticed that no one else seemed to be in a hurry. What? He turned his head and looked at a clock hanging on the wall. ...his watch was ahead. Ridiculously ahead. Sean mentally kicked himself for that mistake and took the moment to alight his watch with the clock on the wall. He gave a brief sigh of relief and walked the rest of the way. Room Q111 he believed.

Due to his rush, he was a bit ahead of schedule when he got to Room Q111, perfect. He wasn't quite ready to see the Grim Reaper at the teacher's desk though.

"Don't talk about it, look for it, or listen for it. If you do, then act like you didn't unless its a danger."

With his dad's words of advice in mind, Sean did his bast to act calm as he took a seat, although he could feel goose bumps on his back. How was that even possible? He decided he would be less conspicuous if he took a seat somewhere towards the center. He saw that the middle seat in the third row was occupied by a girl in bandages, a burn victim? Oh well. He walked up the steps to the second row and took his seat one row below and to the left of her. (second row 3rd seat to the right)

[Overcast]

John Helenski had been up for about two hours now. He was the kind of guy who scheduled his life so he could wake up well rested and take his time getting ready for whatever he had to do that day. He would drag himself slowly out of bed and shamble on in an easygoing and somewhat lazy pace as he washed, ate, dressed, and took in a bit of the morning news.

His new roommate wasn't quite so organized.

Jay had just hopped out of bed about five minutes ago going from almost dead sleep to full, heart racing awareness in under a second. The blood rushing from his head going from prone to standing he stumbled hurriedly toward his dresser looking at the alarm clock he'd put on top. According to the damn thing(which he had forgotten to set) he didn't have a lot of time to get ready. He had enough, but he certainly had no time for the news. He pulled random bits of clothing from his dresser, stuffed an eggo in the microwave and stuffed it down his gullet gulping OJ to keep from choking; rushed into the shower and came out hopping into a pair of jeans, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth, and eyes glued to his watch.

To be honest half the fun of having Jay as a roommate was seeing the ritual, he had been much the same during their orientation and John felt like this was way better than watching the news. He looked over Jay's class schedule a moment, sure that his roommate would be frantically trying to remember where he was going in just a moment after he got done rinsing out his mouth and noted the teacher with an amused grin.

Professor Landry, baseball Jay was sure in for one hell of a school year. He wouldn't warn him though, he was keen to just seeing the look on his face when he got back from that first day. The instructor enjoyed first impressions that let you know exactly the kind of atmosphere you were entering. John could only imagine what was in store for him.

"Hey John!"

"Building Q, room 111, the first one is the floor you are on."

"I would hug you right now if I weren't still undressed and sure that fucking Akins would walk in and call shenanigans on us."

In no time flat Jay was out the door, feet in a pair of green plaid chuck taylors, legs in jeans, body in a striped baseball jersey, backpack slung across his back and hair stuffed under a baseball cap. Giving a quick wave before the door closed and dashing down the halls to get out the door to a bright new day.

The campus was beautiful, the air was clean, the pathways were relatively uncrowded, the large trees majestic, the small trees well organized, the grass green. It was a big difference from the city, and the change of scenery really made this idea of his time here being a new beginning that much more prominent. He felt alive running through the campus, but he had to pay attention because he was easily distracted by things like this and missing his building could be the balance between being early or late.

He found his way there, and took off his hat. Used to schools having no hat rules, and no running in the hallway rules. He just assumed that was the case here. He stared at his watch as he walked quickly to the room. According to the little clock he wasn't late which gave him a grin because it always hurt to make such an effort to get ready and still end up tardy. He walked through the door and turned to get a front row seat and caught sight of the shroud of death.

"SHIT!"

He flinched hard and lost his balance, tripping and falling backward onto his bag. Lying there a moment it took him a second to reevaluate the image that had put him here, when he finally had enough room in his head to say anything it was pretty simple,

"...that's Professor Landry isn't it."

[DanteFalcon]

Andy walked into the classroom just a few minutes before class was supposed to start, sitting at the desk closest to the door and noticing the very grim reaper like teacher. Certainly an interesting development. He leaned forward on his desk, watching Professor Landry and trying to read him....her..... It as if he was playing poker. He wasn't completely focused on it, more intrigued to see if he could interpret anything from the small amount of information he had and its body posture. This was extremely difficult without any context or even any good way to determine its gender.

Without any new information he scanned the rest of the classroom briefly before taking out his deck of cards, removing them from their case and shuffling absentmindedly. If the teacher had nothing better to do than play mind games with its students then this class could be very interesting or extremely dull. Hopefully the former or he'd get quite sick of this new school rather quickly.

At least his parents had shelled out enough to get him a private room. He didn't have to worry about following some other students rules and could "organize" it by his own standards. Which admittedly were much lower than many other people could stand. His mother included.

As the time ran short he stopped his shuffling and glanced at the bottom of the deck before placing it away, smiling slightly at the irony as he replaced the deck in its case and back in his pocket and musing to himself.

"The two of clubs is always first..."

[Krylo]

The door slid open one last time just a second before first bell went off, and in stepped an immaculately dressed young man in straight black slacks and a white dress shirt with skin nearly as pale as the shirt. If this were a fictional universe created for teen girls one would almost expect him to sparkle, if not for the palpable lack of angst.

He stood still for just a moment, waiting for the bell to stop before reaching down to offer a hand to Mr. Miles, whom had fallen on his back mere moments before.

"Well, either that or it's the corporeal avatar of death," the young man answered with a slight smirk and an obvious, but unobtrusive, irish accent, "And if that's the case you'd be better off not being caught on your back, eh?"

[Arhra]

It's hot.

Johanna wondered if summer would ever end as she walked along the stone corridor, a white, slim girl dressed in a pale grey hoodie and dark blue jeans. The insulation served a simple purpose: keeping the heat out.

She found room Q111 and opened the door.

The class was about half full. The front row of seats was completely empty so far, as it always would try to be. The Grim Reaper was sitting at the teacher's desk.

My melting day can't possibly be now. the jotun thought to herself, feeling a little light headed.

So instead this must be the Professor of Love and Fightiology. She hadn't ever realised so much death was involved.

In case of the embrassing chance of the inevitable end of all things just marking the roll while waiting for Professor Landry to appear, Jo declined to introduce herself and took a seat in the middle row. Slipping her shoulder bag off her shoulder and placing it on her desk, she opened it up and popped the lid on a thermos-like canister. She slipped a pale hand inside and pulled out a flavoured ice lozenge and popped it in her mouth. It was lemony and incredibly delicious as she sucked on it.

Turning to her left, she offered one to the red-headed girl holding a camera sitting at the desk next to her.

[Overcast]

Jay looked up to the nice guy offering him a hand, and gave him a nice grin to match his smirk. He reached up and took his hand and if this were a fictional universe made for teen girls you might see cherry blossoms in the background,

"If it is Death I'm pretty much entirely screwed, stuck on my back or not."

He pulled himself up and didn't let go, distancing himself enough to make it a handshake,

"Jay Miles, feel like being my default choice when the typical classroom partner activity comes up? You get a seat next to mine, its a sweet deal."

[krogothwolf]

Dean looked around as more people filed into class. No one looked overly interesting. Man he had hoped that there would be some decent people in the class. He did find it amusing with everyone's reactions to the grim reaper dressed teacher. Personally, he had seen crazier shit then that already, and having a Dragon tends to dull your surprise meter a tiny bit to these kinds of things. He shrugged his shoulders and sat down in the back row behind the red haired kid.

"Ya dinnat mind if I sit back here do ye?" He asked the kid before plopping down in the seat.

He stuffed his bag rather forcibly under his desk and then looked around the class once more. Stretching out he leaned back in his seat and looked around. He figured he should be able to get some decent sleep back here. Putting his hands behind his head he relaxed and waited for things to get interesting. Or to fall asleep if things got boring.

[Teal Mage]

"Lassie, ye be in the right place fer sure." Thickly accented, the voice came from the row behind the hazel eyed girl. "Ye dinna have ta look so lost and confused though. This class'll be dull like all tha others."

"Really?" Brown hair swaying, the young girl turned back to regard the speaker with a sceptical look, "Because last time I checked, normal teachers don't wear Halloween Costumes in September."

The young man, hazel eyed and brown haired himself, seemed to dismiss the observation. "Ye new here lassie?" He asked, leaning back and setting his feet on the desk in front of him. "Name's Dean William Hunter, ye can ask me fer help if ya please."

"I don't think you'll need to worry about me." She replied, equally dismissive, turning back to the front, "'s just school."

Her words seemed to have bored Dean, because he left shortly after, taking a seat next to one of the other students. The girl shrugged, expression turning disinterested again. More students were finding their way into the room - class would probably start soon. All I need to do is wait. She reflected, rolling her pendant between her thumb and forefinger.

She did try not too look too confused when a girl covered in bandages sat in front of her though.

* * * *

A few minutes later.

"...that's Professor Landry isn't it." Lying prone on his backpack, Jay Miles didn't seem too enthusiastic about this observation.

"Well," behind the baseball jersey clad boy, the slim and well-dressed form of Dalbhach Nuada appeared in the classroom's doorway, "either that or it's the corporeal avatar of death," the raven haired boy offered a smirk, along with his hand, to Jay, "And if that's the case you'd be better off not being caught on your back, eh?"

Jay smiled, gratefully taking the other boy's hand, "If it is Death I'm pretty much entirely screwed, stuck on my back or not." He admitted, pulling himself to his feet with Dalbhach's help, but not immediately releasing the Fae's hand. "Jay Miles," The dark haired baseball player started to shake Dalbhach's hand, "feel like being my default choice when the typical classroom partner activity comes up?" The young man's grin seemed to widen, "You get a seat next to mine, it's a sweet deal."

A sudden voice cut off any reply Dalbhach could have made.

"Students!"

A muffled boom sounded from the front of the room. White light flared from beneath the teacher's desk, blindingly bright. Smoke billowed up from the floor, thick grey tendrils of it enveloping the dark form of Professor Landry and obscuring the cloaked teacher from sight in an instant. Soon, the smoke stretched from floor to ceiling, forming a dense and impenetrable cloud of chaotic motion at the room's front.

Silver flashed in a line from the cloud's center. The pillar of smoke exploded from the inside out, releasing a powerful gust of ash filled wind into the classroom, stinging eyes and whipping hair and clothes wildly. A sharp thud burst from the top of Professor Landry's desk, as the tip of an axe-blade was driven into the varnished surface. Fragments of wood flew from the point of impact, landing soundlessly at the feet of an auburn haired woman, suddenly standing on the teacher's desk.

"Students!" She repeated, swinging the heavy silver form of an ornate double sided battle axe toward Dalhach and Jay, "There will be no gay overtures in my class-" a line of thick green liquid sprayed from the blade of her axe, splattering on the classroom's carpet a few paces from the teacher's desk, "-until role is taken!"

Her free hand moved up to her face, pushing the thin rimmed pair of glasses she wore back into place. "Now, take you seats." She murmured, gesturing vaguely toward the mass of desks on the opposite side of the room.

From beneath the teacher's desk, a long, green, and slimy looking tendril extended.

Long white lab coat billowing around her, the bespectacled woman stepped off her desk. The sharp tip of her high heeled black shoe fell neatly on the mysterious green tentacle as she landed lightly. The heavy battle axe, which was covered in a strange slime-like substance, thudded to the carpet moments after.

"Students," she began again, seemingly oblivious to the thrashing of the squishy tendril under her toe, "I must apologize for my lateness." The woman bowed elegantly from the waist, allowing the handle of her axe to slip from her fingers. "I will be your teacher for the year," she continued, straightening, "my name is-" her fingers ran through her long auburn hair, glittering sparks filling the air around her, "-Professor Rebecca Landry."

Professor Landry stepped forward, releasing her squishy prisoner. Despite its new freedom, the tentacle merely lay there in a slowly spreading pool of green slime, a large hole in its tip.

The auburn haired woman clenched a hand before her breast, "I'm sure you are all burning with questions right now." She stated, voice suddenly thick with emotion, "But you must hold to them!" Professor Landry declared, throwing her hand to the side, "For only in the absence of knowledge is the mind truly sharp!"

"And as your teacher!" She stabbed a finger toward the mysteriously unnamed brown haired girl in the fourth row, "It is my duty to make your minds strong and your hearts stronger still!" Her hand flashed toward one of the pockets of her lab coat. "But first!" She reached in!

…and pulled out a squawking black bird?

"Oh!" Professor Landry's dark eyes widened with surprise. "Class," she gestured to the bird, which was struggling to escape her grip, "this is a bird I found on the way to class. I have decided to make him our class pet." Her eyes grew sad as she regarded the crow, "I fear it has broken its wings, as it will not fly." Expression growing noticeably brighter, she returned her attention to her students, "I have decided to name him Feathers and nurse him back to health! It shall be such fun."

Professor Landry turned back to her desk and set the crow down on it. True to the auburn haired teacher's word, the bird did not fly away; it merely turned a pair of hate-filled bird eyes on its self-appointed captor.

Behind the bird, the dark cloaked form of the Grim Reaper continued her (?) writing.

Such dedication!

"Now then," Professor Landry reached into the pocket on the opposite side of her cloak, "it is time for role call!" With a flourish, Rebecca drew a sheet of paper free from her white coat. Her bespectacled eyes flickered critically from the names written on the short list, to the students waiting in their desks, then back again.

Slowly, her eyes narrowed. "There are students absent." Professor Landry murmured softly, straightening her glasses again. This time, they flashed ominously before her eyes. "I will need to investigate this later."

Outside the classroom, thunder rolled.

"Take notes Students," Professor Landry continued, suddenly disturbingly calm, "all absent students will need an excellent reason for not being present. If such a reason can not be provided, there will be-" the auburn haired woman paused, a slow smile spreading over her lips. "-Consequences."

In the room's ceiling, a light bulb exploded.

"Of course," the smile on Professor Landry's face turned cheerfully bright, "as you are all my beloved students, none of you would even think of doing something as reprehensible as skipping class!" A merry laugh escaped from the Professor's lips. "But, getting back to role call." She stated, raising the index finger of her free hand.

"Students, when I call upon you to speak," The woman stated conversationally, "I reques-No," Professor Landry clenched her hand, "I demand you tell me of your passions!" Her hand flew to the side in an adamant gesture, "Tell me of who you are! Of what -" Her bespectacled eyes narrowed, "or who - you love! Of your hidden talents!" The woman threw her hands up, finally releasing the attendance sheet from her grip, "But whatever you speak of, do it with passionate love!" Her eyes glittered with inner fire as she gestured toward the back wall, "For only with love can we conquer the world!"

Behind her, a flash of iridescent blue light exploded over the blackboard.

"Now, you!" Her finger flashed toward one of the students, "Speak or die!"

At her feet, the silver blade of Professor Landry's battle-axe glinted ominously.

D-did she really mean it?

[IHateMakingNames]

Late late late late late late late late.

Michael ran through the school grounds, trying to not be too late for his first class. Certain things had halted his progress to class this morning.

----

Earlier in the morning, Michael had woken up on time and eaten a good breakfast. He was fully prepared to start his new school life at Amaranth Institute for the Gifted. Filled with a nutritious breakfast to get his mind and body started for the day, Michael was calmly strolling through the school grounds, doodling in his notebook he was going to use for his first class. He only stopped when something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Behind one of the school buildings, a mountain lion was staring Michael down.

Michael couldn't contain his surprise at seeing the mountain lion, and accidentally tossed his notebook at another student. "Sorry about that." He said to the student as he picked up his notebook. Michael didn't really care how the other student took this, as he turned to check on the mountain lion, who was now gone.

There was an oddly friendly mountain lion back home that Michael had been feeding spare meat from his house. Could this be the same mountain lion? Did it really follow Michael to school? Michael had to know, so he darted out to the back of the school building where he saw the wild cat. He hadn't really planned it out, and was not ready to be pounced on by a puma once he rounded the corner.

Amidst the panicking, Michael realized he wasn't being mauled, and promptly calmed down. The cougar gently got off of Michael and settled down nearby. Is he... sitting? The wild cat took the usual sitting position you expect from a pet waiting for food. Unsure of what to do, Michael talked to the beast.

"Uh, hey. I don't have any food. I can't really get spare meat around here. Maybe if-" Michael was cut off by loud growling. The mountain lion seemed to be understanding what Michael said, and disliked the lack of food. "But I can go get some!" Terrified again, Michael immediately ran off to the nearest source of food.

At a nearby cafeteria, breakfast was still being served. Michael rushed in and got a large plate of sausage and bacon. Other students gave him some odd looks, but Michael hadn't even noticed. He didn't even notice the staff yelling at him as he left without payment and stealing a plate.

The cougar seemed happy with his plate of breakfast meats, and was gladly chomping down on them. Michael sat and watched, partly out of fear and waiting for the wild animal's approval, and partly because he was just interested. He was sitting right next to a mountain lion, this was cool to him. The mountain lion finished it's breakfast, gave what could only be considered an approval nod, then ran off into the distance.

Michael watched until he couldn't see the cougar anymore. Then he remembered that he was at school, and class had started. Then he started to run.


---

Michael heard some booming from the direction of his class, and thunder despite the clear weather. While odd, he was late, and needed to get to class. He ran up to the door, calmed down, and slowly entered. Maybe the class hadn't started, or maybe he could slip in. Instead he saw a death looking teacher, a grim reaper like entity writing on the blackboard, a crow, a dead tentacle on the floor, a battle axe, an axe wound on the teacher's desk, ooze on the ground, smoke floating around the classroom, and terrified students. Michael quickly closed the door and walked away from the class. He could miss this first day.

[Overcast]

If it had taken him about ten seconds to get his mind around that grim reaper thing he was obviously dumbfounded now. At first it was the group of events itself because he had taken it all at face value, thinking everything that just happened was caused by her having some kind of power. So his first general suspicion was that he was about to enter his first term of Love and Fightiology being taught by a witch. Then of course he shook off that thought because that was just silly, magic and witches don't exist and he was stupid for thinking that at all.

Though if he were thinking of this rationally he actually had to speculate over the forethought and preparation it must have taken for her to do all of this...aside from the crow. He could imagine that was probably just something impulsive she decided to add to the repertoire of odd events. He swore that she either did this every year(which considering the craftsmanship of that desk had to be self funded) or she was just a genius of some sort that may have missed her calling in local theater.

Finally past the initial shock in hindsight he caught that gay overtones thing, and that she was in fact pointing at him to speak or die. He had been tempting fate for about half a minute there so he tried to make up for it by being almost as theatrical as she was, which without the special effects might be a little difficult. First off get the most important part of role call out of the way,

"I am Jay Miles."

His name he looked around trying to figure out what to do next, he didn't have that long or he would ruin the flow of the dialogue. At least that was what Akins had told him with the whole drama thing. He decided jumping onto a desk was a good move, and he took one at the front like he had initially planned when he first walked in,

"My past ain't worth a damn for more than the reason I'm here. I came to Amaranth to get a new lease on my life. To get away from all that crazy shit that held me down before."

He pulled on his cap, eyes shrouded beneath the bill. He hadn't fallen off the desk yet so that was good, but he had cursed in his monologue so he might have to make that part of his character so that some of that passion that the Professor loved so might be able to save him being given a thorough talking to about bad language,

"I only got one passion worth talkin about. The only real thing I kept from my past besides frequent swearing. That passion is baseball."

He saw a bat lying on the desk he'd picked, how serendipitous! This would go perfect with this part of his speech. He reached down and laid the thing on his shoulder head held down like he was readying himself to step up to the plate,

"The American pastime and my ticket to this beautiful school. I hit cleanup just about anywhere I go, able to make a ball fly like nobody my size should be able to."

Which was true, he was a bit short to be hitting cleanup. Most of the guys who cleared bases were Babe Ruth fat, steroids fat, an ectomorph, or made of muscle. Still no one could deny just how well he hit when he was swinging for the fences,

"It was my entire life in my old home, the only thing that kept me sane. The only way I could get by. The thing that kept my grades up and made sure I never joined a gang. Though I came here to get more. More knowledge and passions I never knew I had."

He pointed the bat Professor Landry's way, eyes shining beneath the ball cap. His heart beating fast, he might like drama club because this whole thing was rather fun,

"I'm counting on you to help me there Miss Landry! And I know you won't disappoint."

Annnnnd scene. He jumped off the desk and landed pretty well, laying the bat back where it was for whatever evil plans he was sure the Professor had for the thing, took his cap back off because he was still pretty sure there was a rule for that. He could swear he was forgetting something. Eh, it probably wasn't important.

[Astral Harmony]

Astarte was rather taken aback by the theatrical performance of Professor Landry. Sure, this was a school for the gifted, but did she have to flaunt her gifts so much.

Still, best to go with the flow. Astarte was both embarrassed and excited at the prospect of actually going through with this. But for some reason, when Professor Landry's axe pointed towards her, Astarte felt a surge of inspiration. She exited her chair, then hopped right on top of her desk and, with the cutest spin and pose she was capable of, pumped her right fist into the air and then made a two-fingered salute with a wink that no one could actually see because the eye she winked with was covered in bandages. But with her pink seifuku, she was sure she still gave off the opinion of being really cute, bandages and all.

"I am Astarte Whitewrap!" Astarte introduced herself with all the cheerfulness she could muster this early in the morning, which was actually quite a lot. Astarte was a morning person."I'm a transfer student all the way from Egypt. I probably would've stayed there, but something told me I had a greater destiny than what I would ever find out in the sands."

She skillfully neglected to manage that it was the disembodied spirit of her own mother that steered her towards the Amaranth Institute for the Gifted.

"I haven't really explored my own actual passions and I don't have anyone I love yet, but I'm really interested in wrestling and I'm eager to try out just about anything once."

Astarte hopped down from the desk, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. "Ah. Sorry about that. I guess Professor Landry's enthusiasm is contagious? Anyways, I'm really happy being here and I'm looking forward to the rest of the time that I'll spend here."

Truth be told, she really did like Professor Landry's attitude. If all the professors were like this, Astarte was already starting to consider working her as a professor herself.

[krogothwolf]

He was still slightly miffed that the new girl didn't even give him his name, and he had thought she was a little cute after all.

Then the teacher made her entrance. What a display, what a flashy display. Dean really couldn't help but laugh at it. This Professor Landry was more then likely insane, but at least that might keep things slightly interesting, and was that a battle axe? Did she really carry a bird in her pocket? He wondered if Filia had anything to do with the Injured bird when he took her out for her run this morning, he figured she probably didn't, she wouldn't have let it live if she had after all.

Then came her flashy and over dramatic demand for introductions with a threat of death if you didn't speak. Really? A death threat? It felt like he was back home again with his rider teachers, they always threatened death to you during training...of course that was because you probably could die from the training, it had happened before.

The first kid to introduce themselves was Jay a baseball playing kid who seemed to enjoy brown nosing. Dean just shook his head at that.

Then was a girl named Astarte? He sort of chuckled when he heard that name. All he could think of at that was the Adeptus Astartes. Damn Space Marines...He wondered if that had anything do with her name? He felt sorry for if it did.

Then she pointed at him. Guess it was his turn.

"Name be Dean William Hunter." He said with his thick blur as he stood up, "I be from Scotland if ye cannat tell from me accent. Love me er, dog Filia she's a lovely little lassie she is, and Hockey, a real man's sport were ye really test yer strength against another. Not really much else ta say noo. Ye know, force of arm's would conquer the world better'n love. Next thing Ye'll be saying is only the power o' song can unite the world in love."

He then sat back down and leaned back in his chair again. This is going to be a long day.

[Dracorion]

Jackson could barely repress his laughs from the second Professor Landry made her appearance. So apparently she wasn't the Grim Reaper sitting on the desk, and she was crazier than all the stories he'd heard. He was a horrible student for it and he really shouldn't want to laugh but hell, Professor Landry just didn't make it possible to keep a straight face, though he managed to keep his mirth concealed as simple a smile.

Then her show finished and she demanded the students introduce themselves one by one, under penalty of death. Dammit all, if the teacher was allowed to show off then so was he. He took a moment to figure out the basic idea what he would do, letting a few people introduce themselves first. Once he'd decided on the stunts he'd pull, he waited the person that was talking to finish (who was coincidentally, Jack's new roommate, not that he noticed), then he stood up from his chair and jumped on top of the table, no longer aware of the fact that there were other people in the room.

"My name is Jackson Hall!" He bellowed to the heavens. It was actually the ceiling, but Jack wasn't really in the classroom right now. His coat tail flapped behind him as if lifted by a breeze, despite the fact that there were no windows in the classroom. "Student Extraordinaire!"

"Professor Rebecca Landry!" He pointed his finger dramatically at the teacher. "I can kick ass at just about anything! Baseball, basketball, tennis, magic tricks, card tricks, drawing, reading, experimenting, or just plain old literal ass kicking," That was something of an overstatement. "take your pick! Sky's the limit!" He raised his pointed finger at the sky.

Then, he raised both his arms, and closed his eyes, concentrating. Jack didn't feel anything. He just opened his eyes, and then one instant he was standing on a desk in the second row, and the next he was standing on a desk in the first row. This sudden transportation threw his senses off. The classroom went out of focus, his coat stopped billowing and Jack swayed on the spot while his senses caught up. When the disorientation passed, he turned around, coat flapping again, now facing the rest of the students. "And you, my fellow students, I am very pleased to meet you all. Let's all have fun in our first year learning Love and Fightiology!" He bowed deeply.

Smiling, Jack jumped off the desk and sat down in the fifth seat of the first row, right in front of the one he used to occupy in the second row.

He was still smiling for about five seconds, and then it hit him.

AUGH WHAT HAVE I DONE

[Bard The 5th LW]

Sean nearly fell out of his chair when Proffesor Landry appearified with the Axe and Tentacle. What the Hell? The students were requested to be secretive, but the teachers could go about teleporting into a class-room after squid hunting? ...did that thing even belong to a squid!? Sean had read some books by this Lovecraft guy once, and tendrils were a recurring theme in some of those...

And the Grim Reaper was standing in the background taking names down! That wasn't forboding at all!

'Alright, calm down Sean,' the boy told himself in his thoughts. 'Just deal with it.' He stood back and listened to their introductions. A fellow hockey player? That was neat. But the Egyptian Girl, her name was Whitewrap? Was that a pun? She was from Egypt to! He felt kind of sorry for the unfortunate circumstances she was in. But putting it into consideration, there was also a chance she actually was a mummy. Although his father had never told him anything about the undead, so he wouldn't know.

A death threat! WHAT THE HELL! He pondered asking Dad if hew went through something similar. "Well," he said a bit nervously, after the fellow before him finished, "my name is Sean Castevet, I'm from Ontario. I was born in Japan, but me and my dad left a few months after I was born. My father Paul was an alumni here. I play Hockey and also like to swim, and I suppose I'm willing to try new things that this school presents as well. I look forward to getting to know my fellow classmates, barring a heart-attack from the teacher."

He hoped that last comment wasn't going to be the end of him.

[Menarker]

Jinn arched his eye in a peculiar fashion with Professor Landry's explosive appearance, although the careless ease in her mannerism, the neglect of witnessing a battleaxe and a tentacle and the sheer act of suprise upon practically conjuring a spiteful bird from her pocket intrigued the genie. Was she utterly unaware of the supernatural occurances around her or was she so exposed to this magic that everything could be disregarded as commonplace? An unexpected bird in her pocket shocked her more than explosions and a previously unexisting weapon impacting her desk, and it didn't look like she noticed the axe or the THING she impaled with her heel. For a moment, Jinn humored the notion that she might very well have innate magic similar to his own limited conjuration abilities.

Soon enough, her finger laid upon his finger and he stood up with a more or less grim expression, passion more or less lacking from his voice. He had practically only been born recently. He had little in ways of experience or anything to feel inspired about.

"I'm Jinn. I came from a tiny little place that doesn't even have a name, but then I was called here by a teacher for a project of sort and I ended up staying here long term. If I had anything worthwhile about myself, I guess it would be that I have a talent for cars. Not much else though."

He then sat himself back down as discretly as possible, not desiring to share the scant few little things that remained to know about himself.

[Krylo]

Dalbhach had covered his face with an arm at the blast of ash filled air, and then brushed himself off before watching the proceedings with an arched eyebrow and a smirk of bemused amazement from a leaning position against the wall by the door. He had seen stranger things in his centuries of life, he was certain, though he couldn't quite recall any at the moment, and he certainly hadn't been expecting such on the first day of his 'are you ready to hide your magical nature' test.

Though, now that he thought of it, he couldn't be certain she hadn't just used props and pyrotechnics amongst other things. He hadn't seen an aura--though that might have been obscured by the smoke. Things were still in the air for Ms. Landry, it seemed.

Though they were less so for some other students, whom partook of such silliness as teleporting about the room. Dal was sure there were a few students less used to magic who were trying to figure out how he had placed the mirrors or trap doors or whatever else he had just used. Of course, Dalbhach could see the pretty blue truth of the matter glowing about Jackson's body... and wondered silently how many other students could do the same.

Though he didn't have much time to ponder that as the 'finger of doom' landed upon him, and with it the expectations that followed.

"Well," Dalbhach replied to the finger as he stood up and walked toward the desks--only now feeling comfortable interrupting 'the show' with his movement, "to be quite honest, I'm tempted to keep my mouth shut and see how serious ya are about this 'facing death' bit, but," he paused for a moment as if considering things, "on the other hand, I figure either you meant a duel to the death or Mr. Grim there," he said gesturing toward the cloaked figure still standing nearby, "is the detention teacher."

"Now, in case a, I feel the first hour of the first day is just far too soon for duels to the death. Why the laws of theatrics practically demand we wait until the third act for the climatic showdown, and I'm certain, all things considered," he said with a grin and a slight wave of his hand toward the front of the room, "that the rules of theatrics will become quite important in this class. In case b, on the other hand, I'd simply be terribly disappointed, and so, I have decided to divulge of myself the information you have requested, my dear teacher."

At this point he was standing near Jay's desk, and he took a slight bow, "My name is Dalbhach Nuada, though I realize it can be a bit of a mouthful, so you, and," he stopped just long enough to turn to the students and take another quick bow and say, "You, of course, can," before turning back to the professor, "Can call my Dal."

"AND, as for my passions, well, I've been told I'm a skilled fencer, and I'll be lookin' forward to seeing how well I stand up to the, I'm certain, highly skilled fencing club of this prestigious university." Again he stopped, as though remembering something suddenly, before taking a step back and putting a hand on Jay's shoulder, "Ah yes, and one final bit of important information, I have to regretfully inform Mr. Miles that I like women. Though, I've no particular problem with being his partner..." he trailed off for just a second before adding, "For classroom activities of course."

And with that he spun about and slid into the desk behind Jay.

[Riin Whitewind]

With a stream of bubbles, a happy sigh flowed from Sao's lips. Another tug, and the waterlogged bracken clogging one of her larger fountains loosened, allowing her to gather it into her arms. The itch behind her eyes faded as water rushed to fill the pump. She swam toward the surface with a powerful kick, depositing the branches on the granite lip. Behind her, the fountain gurgled back into life, throwing joyous sprays of water to glitter in the morning air.

Hauling herself out of the fountain, Sao threw the dripping treeboughs onto the nearest clipping pile waiting to be turned into mulch. Returning to her stashed clothes, she dressed quickly, suddenly conscious of the swiftly rising sun. Being late for her first class would look badly on her sponsor, not to mention herself.

---

The door to room Q111 opened with a muted click, quiet in the wake of Professor Landry's theatrics. The Professor's emotion-laden declarations could have been heard from several rooms away - as could a few inspired students. Sao entered without fanfare, picking a seat behind a boy playing cards at his desk. In a swirl of green skirt, she seated herself and waited for the current orrator to finish.

The woman stood as the Professor's finger descended upon her, inwardly flinching at the accusatory digit. "My apologies for my tardiness, Professor. One of the central fountains had stopped working, and I was instrumental in its repair." Despite her nervousness, her voice was clear, and carried easily to the far corners of the room. "My name is Sao Opallios. I have two loves, equally balanced on the plates of my life." She wondered if the scale metaphor was apt, but pressed on. "One is song - I sing soprano, and will be joining your Institute's chorale club when they open to new members."

"Barring scheduling conflicts, I will also be joining this institute's swimming sports team." Her eyes lit up, suddenly emphasising their brilliance. "I have been swimming all my life, and have yet to find someone with better form than I in the water." Pride, not yet justifiable, filled her voice. "I look forward to the day when I meet the person who does." Her challenge laid, Sao mimicked Dalbhach's bow, then took her seat once more.

[Steel Shadow]

The camera panned across the room recording each and every introduction, Diana's hand holding it as steady as a tripod. 'So, these are my classmates' she thought silently. 'Um... Is this normal? For university? These people are all so... so... so interesting!!!' A small manic grin made itself known on her face, and she wiped away a small trail of drool. 'My heart is on fire, and my instincts are never wrong! I'll be able to make a ton of films with these guys!' And then the Professor was pointing in her direction.

This would be a challenge.

"Here, hold this. Be sure to record it all!" Diana said to the girl who had given her the ice lozenge, handing her the camera carefully. "Break it and they will never find your screaming corpse." Her last sentence didn't really come across as sound from her lips, but as a feeling of promise that struck the heart and mind like a sledge hammer.

Di, like several students before her, felt compelled to stand on her desk. With a light jump and a well aimed kick, she flipped gracefully in a somersault and landed in a crouch, already pointing forwards. "My name is Diana Elaine Tear! My passions are Directing, filming, scripting, and editing!" She cried, standing without moving a muscle above her waist. "One day I will be the biggest Director in Hollywood. Bollywood, and the rest of the world!" Her left arm dropped back to her side while her right suddenly jumped up to take it's place, her pointer finger swinging around the room.

"On tvtropes I am the Director Detective, responsible for the creation of over 50 unique and successful tropes and at least one index!" Now she turned towards the left wall and took a step forwards, no longer on her desk, but on Astarte's. Some might have found this rude. Di didn't seem to notice.

"My web page and video log can be found at www.Directortear.com, where you can find my past works and my fan forum for feedback! Please visit when you have time!"

Another desk jump, this time to the desk between Sean and Jackson. "In short, I demand two things! One, that you get your autographs now while I'm here, because I'll be way to busy when I'm older! And two, that all of you agree to allow me to film you for my projects!" She gave the entire class a determined look, before smiling sweetly. "It's nice to meet you all! I look forward to working with you!"

Her arms swung around behind her back where her hands clasped each other, and she turned once again and skipped back to her own desk (Across Sean's this time. un/fortunatly she was wearing jeans, so no panty shot resulted) like an innocent schoolgirl, settling back into her seat with a little twirl and holding out her hand for her camera back.

[DanteFalcon]

Andy stood up slowly when the finger descended on him, trying to decide what all to say while divining the purpose of the grim reaper figure in the background and all the other odd effects with Professor Landry's appearance. If anything she most certainly knew her special effects and how to make an entrance, though how that related to "Love and "Fightiology"" whatever the latter term meant, was completely unknown. Still he wasn't out to find out just why she had a giant axe, let alone if she knew how to use it.

"My full name is Bartholomew Andrews the Fourth. However I hate my full name and would prefer to be known as Andy. My largest passion in life is card games such as Poker, Blackjack, Texas Hold-Em and the like. I do tend to keep myself in shape with running and have been known to play board games like Chess once in a while as well. I will of course play with anyone in the class though as a fair warning I am rather good at them though I rarely play for stakes. Otherwise I'm sure you'll be able to find me reading or doing homework in my dorm.

With that he sat down quietly, looking subdued and shaking his head to clear it. He can't remember any teacher asking for his name and his hobbies in such a direct manner before. Then again this teacher seemed that she'd be very unique indeed.

And what was up with that grim reaper person behind her anyway?

[Arhra]

Diana had handed over her precious camera along with dire threats if anything was to happen to it and then stood on her desk and launched into an introduction. Jo wrestled with the unfamiliar contorls of the device and panned after after her.

I like her. the jotun decided.

Jo's turn. The pale, hoodie clad girl rose to her feet. She stood motionless.

Silence.

"I have no interest in ordinary humans." she began, tossing her head disdainfully. "This is a world of mysteries and adventure for those who dare to find them. Those who are content with an ordinary life, they hold no interest for me." she looked over her classmates with coal black eyes. "Do not shrink back."

"What I love are replicas, cloudy days and mysteries. What I hope for are deeds of renown without peer." Jo waved her arms vaguely, outlining activities of vast and nebulous scope. "I am Jo. Johanna Imirsdotter. Please make me pleased to meet you."

[Teal Mage]

Outside Room Q-111

After a brief encounter with cafeteria staff, a plate of pork and one hungry mountain lion, a panicked Michael Jones hurriedly ran down one of building Q's many nearly identical stone hallways. Steps guided by the mysterious sounds of Professor Landry's instruction, the young man soon found himself face-to-face with the Q-111 sliding door. Taking a moment to calm his nerves, the (mostly) brunet boy opened the door.

The Professor had an axe!

He quickly shut it.

A moment later, a suspiciously quiet Michael was striding back the way he'd come. Sunny windows, closed doors, and one green clad, hazel eyed, young woman passed him as he tried to put as much distance between himself and the apparent axe wielding sociopath in his class room.

Sneakers making faint tapping sounds, the young brunet soon found himself approaching one of the building’s handful of exits, a pair of double-glass-doors set into the structure’s east wall. He had nearly reached it when a new sound reached his ears, footsteps, coming from one of the stone halls that intersected in front of the doors he was moving toward.

The tip of a shined and lacquered black boot was the first thing to appear from around the corner. A woman, at least six feet tall, followed in its wake. Pale blond tresses flowing in her wake, the woman's movements were so smooth; she seemed to float from the branching hallway. Catching sight of Michael out of the corner of her cream colored eyes, she turned toward him, a curious expression on her elegant face.

"Young man," She began, voice carrying a thick accent - Transylvanian perhaps? - "Vhat are you doing in zee hallway?" It was a rhetorical question, as she continued without awaiting a response. A pale hand raised itself to her bright red lips, seemingly in thought, "Vhere you perhaps lost?" A smile crept slowly crept across her lips, "I could, perhaps, assist you in locating your homeroom? I do vork here."

Something strange seemed to flicker around the edges of Michael's vision as she smiled. Was it pale yellow? It was gone too quickly to identify it.

She suddenly frowned. "Boy." Her hand lowered itself to hover before her ample bosom. A clear gloss of nail polish seemed to cover the long nails decorating it, as it glinted brightly in the sunlight of the hallway, "Vere you avare of zhe," The blond paused, brows knitting as she frantically sought the right words. When did begin again, her effort at pronouncing the words correctly was obvious, "How you say, 'large yellow cat,' behind you?"

True to her words, a large mountain lion had taken up a position behind Michael. Something about the way it held itself low to the ground, muscles tense, the low growl raising from its throat, and the wary look in its feline eyes as it regarded the blond, said that it was not pleased.

The blond woman, despite her momentary linguistic confusion, did not seem terribly perturbed by the appearance of the puma. Her pale yellow eyes rested on the cat's amber ones, entirely calm, despite the threat the creature posed.

It was a staring contest?!




* * * * * *

Inside Room Q-111

Sometime during the introductions, Professor Landry had recollected her axe and begun to pace back and forth at the room's front. Her high heels elegantly skirted the mysteriously steaming puddles of green goo left by an equally mysterious (and now mostly dissolved) tentacle that had appeared from beneath her desk. From the burn marks on her axe's blade, it appeared that whatever the slime was, it was not safe to touch.

As her last student's introduction ended, the auburn haired Professor slowly halted herself, coming to a stop at the dead center of the room's front. Light reflected brightly off the woman's glasses, completely obscuring her eyes, as she turned toward her class.

"Students." Behind shining glasses, Professor Landry's expression was somber. "I regret to inform you that some of you have a terrible, horrible, disease." Her breath caught, and she quickly averted her gaze, bringing her free hand up to her face, "I promised myself I wouldn't cry." She dabbed at her face with her coat's sleeve. "Students." She sniffed, "So-some of you are-are-"

"Boring."

Above the class, a pair of light bulbs exploded.

A broken sob escaped the woman's lips, and her fingers slipped from the handle of her axe. The silvery weapon plummeted heavily to the ground, a lound concussion erupting from it as it struck the carpeted floor.

"But!" Eyes suddenly visible and glistening with unshed tears, the Professor's finger snapped again toward Dean Hunter, "Even worse! There is an unbeliever in our midst!" Her hand pulled back, fingers clenching to a white knuckled fist. "You, Mr. Hunter, are wrong!" She threw her arm out to the side in an adamant gesture. "The power of love and friendship, when united by the force of song, is the greatest weapon on the planet!" Eyes flashing, the Professor's fearsome finger snapped toward the brown haired youth again, "Not even the devastating life ending power of the atom bomb can stand against it!"

"And you!" Professor Landry whirled toward the pale, hoodie clad, form of Johanna Imirsdotter. "Miss Imirsdotter!" Her finger was once again pointed at the Jotun, "Your attitude exemplifies that of which I will try to beat into you students this year!" The Professor's hand pulled back, so it hovered beside her face, "But!" Her index finger extended upward slowly, "There is one thing wrong with it. You see," Rebecca Landry gestured expansively to the whole room, "everyone - Humans, Time Travelers, Martians, Espers and Sliders included - possess the potential to transcend all boundaries of time and space!"

"The secret dear children!" Professor Landry swept her arm through the arm before her, the black flames of her passion almost visible as a raging inferno around her white coat, "Is love!" Her gaze slid toward Jackson Hall momentarily, bespectacled eyes watching the dark haired boy carefully.

Then, she smiled fondly at him.

"Students!" Suddenly, the Professor's fearsome finger was pointed at the ceiling. "In my class, you will learn the secrets of love and so much more!"

Outside the room, thunder rumbled again.

"For, as a licensed Professor of Love and Fightiology," the auburn haired woman went on, "I will show you the truth of this world!" Her arm cut through the air decisively, "Life is a constant battle! And this class, this class is a training field for the war that is life!" The Professor's eyes flashed, "And in the war to come, retreat is only an option when the power of your passionate love is defeated!"

"Do you know what that means students!?"

Eyes shut, the Professor waited quietly. Her stance, arms spread wide before her as if she was invoking some strange supernatural force, seemed to imply that she was awaiting a response from her students.

But was any one brave enough to speak?

[Krylo]

"Well," Dalbach started with nearly no hesitation, still slouching in in his seat, "I do hate retreatin', so I suppose that means that, if we're to take your premise at face value, we'll just have to find something to love so passionately that it can never be defeated."

Stopping for a moment, he straightened up to look around himself at the other students in the room before adding, "I don't suppose I have any volunteers?" before slouching down into his seat once more, seemingly returning to a passive state.

Though, before anyone else could ship in, he waved his hand toward the desk in front of him, continuing as an afterthought, "Other than Jay, that is."

[Bard The 5th LW]

Sean's eye twitched a little. Between hammy introductions, girl jumping over him, and that one guy so blatantly teleporting, he was beggining to have doubts.

He continued to observe Professor Landry's theatrics. Was she flaring an Aura? A disease? Boring? Upon reflection and comparison, Sean supposed he was boring compared to the rest. THEY WERE BATSHIT INSANE! Love and Fightiology? Sean was beginning to have some doubts. Did Dad send him to some asylum?

The possibly homosexual guy stood up, apparently having the balls to answer. He was curious now. She threatened to kill them over introductions, what would happen depending on someone's answer? He supposed he may as well answer, no such thing as a dumb question right? So maybe answers couldn't be dumb.

"I don't think any of us know the meaning," Sean said, "I don't think 'Love and Fightiology' are anything you can really have prior knowledge of. The point to the class is to learn the supposed meaning."

[Menarker]

Jin looked toward Dalbach with disinterest as he spoke. It's not like he was wrong. If anything, he believed in was very right. He just didn't know what he was doing in this particular class of all possible classes he could have been assigned. That and the excessive nature of their instructor was rather off-putting. Still, for some peculiar reason, a thought came to mind of what to say. He could easily mention it in passing in the "interest" of being viewed as a participant for marks, even if he knew that whatever he would say would be empty words.

"I agree with him... although I feel that it is more of a process than just a end result. Presumably, passion is a signal that enables us to know what it is we love. So I imagine that if we ever lose our passion, then retreat is respectable because we shouldn't resign ourselves to..." Jin hestiated briefly, as if stumbling over the word "die" although he didn't know why... "defeat, because of the possibility that a new passion might be discovered. Better that than to fight or... FOR something we do not love."

Jin shook his head as he stuttered. He was a genie. An outdated concept such as death seemed rather quaint to the immortal. So why did he felt like the word must come out of his mouth?

[Dracorion]

GODDAMNIT you just made a fool of yourself now they're going to want to talk to you oh God oh God.

Pull yourself together man! You're not this crazy!

Oh, right.

Slightly less nervous now, Jackson looked up to see that the introductions had finished. Professor Landry continued being awesome, and a smile found its way into his face. He saw her aura flare up, and since she didn't seem to be using her abilities he had to assume she was just really into her speech. The interesting part was that it was completely black. And then there was the really interesting part. Then, she looked at him and his smile vanished faster than he just did when he teleported during his introduction.

Aw crap, she's gonna bite your head off for blatantly misusing your abilities. Or maybe chop it off.

Then she smiled at him, and Jack smiled back as a sudden wave of relief washed over him. Just like when he teleported, his smile came back.

Then Professor Landry asked a question. An important question. And Jackson was drawing blanks. It was easy to be flashy and dramatic, but love? Love was not something he was good at. He'd been with the Carters for two years now, but could he say he loved them? He didn't know. And that made him feel like crap, after everything the Carters had done for him.

It didn't help that the rest of the students were using up all the good stuff while he was still thinking.

Slowly, Jackson stood up, and when he spoke his voice was quiet, and it held a note of worry. "If your love can be defeated, is it really love in the first place? Or does it just mean you're not passionate enough? But if it's your true love, how can you not be passionate?" It was an honest question. He sat back down, deep in thought now.

[Overcast]

After his introduction Jay hadn't seemed too spectacular, letting the others go on with their introductions and enjoy their theatrics just as much as he did. Though at some point it all went wrong, all the good spirits and faith in love and fightiology dashed by the scraping noise of one boy. His name, Dean William Hunter. The sound of his accent was like nails on the chalkboard of his mind, peeling away his psyche by its very presence in such a way that every word seemed to drain a bit more of his soul until he was a barren husk.

Saved only by being reminded that there was a sneaking suspicion in the class that he and Dalbach were up to something. Something rainbow colored and sweet. Though not real. The seconds he had lost due to the assault of thick accent came rushing back to him, the details hitting him all at once like the moment Miss Landry arrived to push him forward in his own mad hypothesis.

Though he had a gag to keep up first,

"If the last few seconds with Dal have taught me anything Jack, it is that when truly passionate love arrives. You feel it. Right in here."

He pounded on his chest, sniffing softly as he wiped away a tear that didn't exist before moving on,

"What we've been told is love is the most powerful force in the universe, that the heart thumping goodness is the secret to unreasonable power, beyond time and space even. So I can guess that retreat is NEVER an option, for such passionate love can NEVER be defeated."

The theatrics were starting again, this was such great fun he could barely stand it.

[IHateMakingNames]

Michael had decided to go take a nap till his next class. Normally on the first day of class teachers had the students go around and say their name and interests, or play some sort of ice breaker game. This teacher was using an axe and had all sorts of other props nearby. The ice breaker games were usually stupid, but even though he didn't know what they were doing, Michael decided he didn't need to be a part of this unusually obscure and assumed awkward and unfunny one. He would just go in the next day when things were settled. People get lost the first day of school, and this place was huge, so he'd have an excuse.

Then an attractive woman with an ample breast approached him. Unlike most highschool boys, Michael refrained from staring. He had a good memory and mental pictures. The image of her figure was in his mind, and he could continue to enjoy it while making eye contact. Through her thick accent, he figured she was a teacher trying to help. As he planned to tomorrow, he figured he'd use the lost excuse to not get in trouble. Whether he would make up a class in another building so he could just leave, or say his actual class, was a decision he did not get to make. The foreign beauty brought up the issue of a mountain cat being behind Michael.

Michael's response could be what you call a calm surprise. He was used to the mountain lion from back home, and he had already encountered it on campus, so the fact that it was there didn't shock him. How the lion got past the doors did not bother him either, since he didn't have time to contemplate that. Michael was more focused on how his cougar was staring down the new cougar, prepared to pounce.

With a confused reaction, Michael stepped between the puma and the bosomy teacher. "Hey, hey, calm down..." Michael said as soothingly as he could to the mountain lion. It was at this moment that he realized not only was the mountain lion indoors, but it was also in an attack mode, and he was now talking to it in front of a teacher who was surprisingly calm about it. Michael "knew" this wild cat, but why wasn't the teacher screaming as any normal person would in this situation?

Regardless, Michael did not want the mountain lion to pounce, and assumed it would not leap onto him. "If you go back now I'll make sure to bring you some good meat later." He said, trying to bargain with the mountain lion. Michael decided to not worry about what the teacher would think about this situation, and attempt to prevent a mauling instead.

[Astral Harmony]

Astarte leaned back in her seat, not sure what to make of being called "boring". True, she lived a pretty basic life of the adolescent girl rebelling against her parents.

Up until her death. That changed her attitude.

Astarte analyzed herself. True, looking at herself, she wasn't particularly interesting by any stretch of the term. There were plenty of pretty girls like herself in the academy, and even though she was the only one she saw with mummy wrappings, that didn't really mean much.

She sighed, and believed in Professor Landry's assessment. She didn't know much about love or fightiology. Was love and fightiology really what separated boring people from those who stood out? Astarte wasn't sure, but Professor Landry seemed to think so. Was she making a biased opinion? Astarte didn't think so, and it wasn't like she had any other plans. Besides, it was worth a shot to see just what the professor could do for her.

Astarte's gaze sharpened and she nodded in affirmation. Her fists were clenched. Yes. She was going to master love and fightiology. She was going to break free of her boring existence. She promised to put her best effort forward.

[krogothwolf]

"That's a load of hogwash an ye know it!" Dean yelled as he stood up from his desk and slammed his hands down on it hard. "The power of love cannae stop a bullet, and it cannae stop a fist from breaking a head open. Yer title doesn't even make sense. Love and Fightology? Ye cannae love the enemy as ye fight em, ye must hate the enemy so ye dinnae show em any mercy. For if ye show the enemy mercy they will be able to exploit it and defeat ye!"

Dean then bent down and rummaged through his bag for a minute before coming up with a mini wooden hockey stick that he had stuffed away in it. He looked it over and then grinned.

"Ye see this wee hockey stick? It's one o me favourite things but if I do this." He then raised the hockey stick and smashed it against the desk, breaking it in half. "Ye see, even me love for this wee toy is nothing when compared to strength! Ye should know that true power is strength not love and songs! For ye can conquer anyone with the power to crush em! Love and Songs! I think ye have watched to much anime!"

He then stopped for a minute and starred at his now broken stick and the frowned.

"well shet, I really liked this now ye've gone and made me break it."

He then sat back down staring at his once favourite mini stick.

[DanteFalcon]

Andy waited for a few moments after Dean's outburst to add a bit to the quite.....extravagant rant. The boy may have a few anger problems if that's how he reacted to someone making up a lecture on the spot about absolutely nothing of consequence. He'd hate to see the kid get into an actual argument. Note to self: Don't argue with the hockey guy.

"I have to agree with my classmate there though a bit less enthusiastically. You ask us what we love and we've told you, however not once has my love of cards suddenly replaced a poor hand with a better one. Love itself is intangible and isn't capable of changing reality for what it is. So, Professor Landry I tend to believe that you are delusional, drunk or high on drugs."

The whole statement was delivered very flat, his face giving away nothing of the ridicule that his statement indicated he felt nor was it insulting. More like he was giving a lecture or stating the facts than actually calling someone out on bullshit.

He then realized that the teacher had a very large axe and calling her out in such a fashion was, quite possibly, the stupidest move he'd made in quite a while.

[Arhra]

At this moment of realisation, there came a whispering of something slidding on carpet and then a tapping on Andy's left shoulder.

Jo had risen from her chair to leaned over her desk in the row diagonally behind Andy. The pale girl was stretched diagonally forward with her stomach flat on her desk to make the distance, propped up on one elbow to support her torso.

Her face was calm but very serious, coal-black eyes fixed on Andy intently.

Making sure she had his attention, Jo communicated without words, trusting her heart to make things clear and putting all her energy towards overcoming the distance between them.

That is to say, she slapped him.

Expressionless, she straightened and sat back in her chair, looking at the front of the classroom once more.

[Riin Whitewind]

"That wasn't necessary." Reproach filled the swimmer's voice as she stood, crossing the short span that separated her desk and Andy's. Cool fingers tilted his chin to the side, examining his swiftly-reddening cheek.

"From either of you." She added. Was there a hint of green aura, flickering to light? Sao lightly tapped the worst of the swelling, then dropped his chin dismissively. "You'll be fine." His cheek still felt a little cold, but that wasn't odd, right? The Undine folded her arms, leveling her somewhat unsettling gaze at the card player.

"You may not respect her, but Professor," the last syllable was stressed, as if he simply needed reminding of her title, "Landry is a member of the Institute's faculty. If you have a greivance, take it up in private or talk to the Head." Without waiting for a reply of any kind, she spun on her heel to face Johanna.

"You do not have the right to strike another student, no matter your opinion of them." She lifted a tan arm at 'them', gesturing towards Andy with a sharp, almost angry motion.

"This is a classroom, not an arena. Please excercise a little more self-control in the future." Whether she was talking to Professor Landry, Andy, or Johanna at that point was unclear. Maybe it was all three.

Her skirt flared around her ankles as she returned to her seat, crystalline eyes sweeping the room. She hadn't meant to make a splash, but apparently this was a drama class.

[krogothwolf]

Dean started howling with laughter when he saw Jo? was it, slap Andy without even saying a word. This class might not be as boring as it seemed. Then another girl, what was her name again? It started with an S didn't it? Blast he couldn't remember at all. But still the whole thing was hilarious.

He still couldn't believe that fool used magic earlier. Here he had been told to be completely discrete about using magic and then that guy goes and uses it blatantly. Poor Filia is stuck in the basement due to those restrictions and some fool is showing off. The insanity of it all!

"What are ye talkin about lassie?" Dean asked the girl as she sat back down, pointing at her and then the professor with his broken hockey stick. "The Professor there makes a giant spectacle as she enters the room, armed with a durn battle axe of all things. Goes off on some crazy speech about love and then goes 'Speak or Die' to all of us. I dinnae think of anything else to call this class bu an Arena. It's even called Love and Fightology! Ye cannae be thinkin slappin a student around is a bad thing when the name has Fight in it."

He then tapped this stick against his shoulder as he looked at the girl again. what was her damn name again? Blast it all why couldn't he remember.

"Now, since this class has the whole love in it's name, ye also cannae be talkin about self control either cause everyone knows self control and clear thinking go out the window when love gets involved. Besides she only slapped him for sayin our esteemed professor there is a drugged up loony. Ye have to admit that's the proper response to someone who insults yer teacher. Hell, usually it's the teacher slappin you around."

Then Dean grinned big and had a little twinkle in his eyes. He was half tempted to reach in his bag and summon his sword. Then he remember if he did that his Dragon Master would beat the ever living shit out of him if he did. So he decided against that and merely smacked the stick against his open palm.

"Besides, nothing like a good fight in the morning to get the blood flowing! Makes for a lovely day!"

[Astral Harmony]

"Yeah, but what kind of class can teach love if the students are just going to beat up on each other?"

Astarte suddenly realized that she said that out loud. Well, now that she was piping up, maybe she could take a shot at defending the professor, though she wasn't entirely sure what she could say to do that.

"Love and fightiology, right? Some people fight for love. Some people love to fight. I think with the right understanding, I could become the kind of person who enjoys both. I've heard stuff like about how love is a battle in its own right, and how even a kitchen can be a battlefield and your ingredients are your weapons even though I love cooking. Because this is my first day attending this class, I don't think I've grasped it just yet, but maybe Love and Fightiology is all about recognizing that there is love and battle in all things if you think about them the right way."

[Overcast]

"Ugh, dammit Dean shut up."

He banged his head on the desk a few times, that damn accent driving him up the wall again. He swore that thing was made in hell to torture him, but in hindsight the words used might not actually work to shut him up. He had to keep talking, rant or something, just try to keep his voice up so that the creep didn't have a chance to talk,

"You're stick broke not because Miss Landry made you, but because you really ain't all that bright. You got this stereotypical Scot(slash)Glasgow type-a thing going on, what with the attitude and your total lack of skill in using the English language. You talk about the class like you already know the material. I mean it is fine to have an opinion on what loose things we are asked."

He pointed over to the guy with the large handprint on his face,

"Like Andy was fine until he insulted our teacher, but you can't go throwing around the parts to try to hide your fuckin' delinquent ideology(if you'll excuse my language). Sao's got a point when she says this place ain't no arena, cause being dramatic is fine. It is fun and can help you get inspired for learnin' and all that. Havin' an opinion is fine, cause it gives us some perspective on our studies. But we ain't got no damn reason to say this place should come down to a brawl, it ain't hockey after all, it isn't the only interesting thing that could happen here. So shut it, unless you got something to voice on the lesson cause that damn voice of yours is killin me inside."

So in one fell swoop Jay had brought Dean's mannerisms, attitude, favorite sport, opinion, and intellect had into question. A good rant he figured, might get him talking again though, but if he was lucky professor Landry might try to kill the escalation by clarifying what she thought . Which would be good because this Plato type of conversing was going nowhere fast.

[Teal Mage]

"I suppose," Dal spoke up first, "that means that, if we're to take your premise at face value, we'll just have to find something to love so passionately that it can never be defeated."

Dark eyes glinting behind her glasses, the Professor merely smiled.

"I don't suppose I have any volunteers?" The dark haired fae added, glancing around the room, "Other than Jay, that is." He added a moment later, gesturing to the desk in front of him.

"I don't think any of us know the meaning," Sean returned, possibly in response to Dal, "I don't think 'Love and Fightiology' are anything you can really have prior knowledge of." He elaborated quickly, by way of justification, "The point to the class is to learn the supposed meaning."

"Ignorance is no excuse for cowardice Sean," Professor Landry sighed, shaking her head. "You will see me after class." She straightened her glasses. "Does any one agree with the young Canadian?" The auburn haired woman added, a moment later.

After a moment after, Jin spoke up. "I agree with him..."

Professor Landry fell silent yet again, seemingly content to let her students discuss the nature of love.



* * * * * *

After getting over his momentary surprise at the appearance of a puma in the school's hallway, Michael reacted quickly! "Hey, hey, calm down..." The youth murmured, moving himself between the growling mountain cat and the unnamed blond. "If you go back now," Michael continued reasonably, "I'll make sure to bring you some good meat later."

Grudgingly, the puma's muscles uncoiled, and the cat rose to its full (four legged) height. Slowly, the creature began to pad its way around Michael, amber eyes warily watching the foreign beauty. Its stance was a strange combination of sullen and indignant as it stalked toward the nearby glass doors.

The bribe succeeded?

For her part, the apparent teacher watched the creature move toward the entrance with a vaguely amused look in her pale eyes. It appeared that the danger she had so suddenly found herself in had barely registered to her.

"Ves," She hissed, "vhat's right cat. You'd vetter run."

Having reached the glass doors, the cat spun back toward the blond. Amber eyes narrowed to slits, the creature growled at the woman.

Rolling her eyes, the woman replied flatly. "Voar."

The cat looked taken aback momentarily.

"Vhat are you staring at?" She snapped, "Zhe door is vight there." A pale finger flashed toward the glass doors.

A moment later, the woman realized the problem.

"Oh."

She stalked over to the doors, and pushed them open.

The puma bounded out.

Dusting her hands, the woman, turned back toward Michael.

"Vell, zhat vas exciting, no?" The blond asked conversationally, causally smoothing her white blouse. "You did vell." She added, raising her pale hand to her face and, seemingly, examining her nails. Satisfied at whatever she saw, the woman lowered her hand to her side, "Now zhen, ve vere discussing 'ow I could assist you - vhat is your name young man?"



* * * * * *

"If your love can be defeated, is it really love in the first place?" Jack asked, seemingly concerned about something, "Or does it just mean you're not passionate enough?" He frowned, seemingly confused, "But if it's your true love, how can you not be passionate?"

"If the last few seconds with Dal have taught me anything Jack," Jay replied, perhaps seeking to ease the other boy's worries, "it is that when truly passionate love arrives. You feel it. Right in here." He pounded his chest, over his heart, sniffing softly as he wiped away an imaginary tear.

"What we've been told is love is the most powerful force in the universe," Jay went on, "that the heart thumping goodness is the secret to unreasonable power, beyond time and space even. So I can guess that retreat is NEVER an option, for such passionate love can NEVER be defeated."

"Love is-" Professor Landry began, her knowing smile still in place.

"That's a load of hogwash an ye know it!" Dean shouted, slamming his desk as he stood up, cutting Professor Landry off. "The power of love cannae stop a bullet, and it..."

The Professor fell silent, allowing the boy to rant. Oddly, her smile did not vanish.



* * * * * *

"So, Professor Landry I tend to believe that you are delusional, drunk or high on drugs." Andrew flatly concluded, crossing his arms.

Johannah leaned over and slapped him.

"That wasn't necessary." The hazel eyed Sao stated firmly, coming up beside Andy and laying a cool hand on the card player's cheek. "From either of you." She seemed to be inspecting the red mark left by Johannah. Moments later, "You'll be fine." The short haired swimmer pronounced, before folding her arms beneath her breasts and leveling a disapproving look on Andy.

"You may not respect her, but..." Sao launched into a short lecture, swiftly reprimanding both Andrew and Jo for their words and actions. "...is a classroom, not an arena. Please exercise a little more self-control in the future." The dark haired girl concluded, before turning sharply on her heel, and striding back to her desk.

"What are ye talkin about lassie?" Dean interjected hotly, gesturing toward from Sao to Professor Landry, "The Professor there makes a giant spectacle as she enters the room, armed with a durn battle axe of all things-"

Strangely, the axe had vanished in all the commotion.

"-on some crazy speech about love and then..." Dean went on, apparently not noticing the suspicious lack of battle axe near the room's front.

And still, Professor Landry said nothing.



* * * * * *

"...I don't think I've grasped it just yet," Astrate went on, voicing her thoughts on the subject of Love and Fightiology as they occurred to her, "but maybe Love and Fightiology is all about recognizing that there is love and battle in all things if you think about them the right way."

"Besides, nothing like a good fight in the morning to get the blood flowing!" Dean boomed suddenly, "Makes for a lovely day!" He added, merrily striking the desktop he sat at.

"Ugh," From the room's front, Jay beat his head on the desk in front of him. "dammit Dean, shut up." The black haired baseball player continued to speak, telling Dean in no uncertain terms what he thought of him. "Your stick broke not because Miss Landry made you, but because you really ain't all that bright. You got this stereotypical Scot/Glasgow type-a thing going on -" And Scotland as well, apparently. "- what with the attitude and your total lack of skill in using the English language. You talk about the class like..."

He had a lot of thoughts.

"...ain't got no damn reason to say this place should come down to a brawl, it ain't hockey after all, it isn't the only interesting thing that could happen here. So shut it, unless you got something to voice on the lesson cause that damn voice of yours is killin' me inside."

"Professor!" Quiet until now, the nameless brown haired girl stood up in her desk, yellow pendant bouncing wildly from her sudden move, "Stop smoking your bubble pipe -"

At the front of the room, Professor Landry waited, perched leisurely upon a comfortable, if worn, looking armchair, upholstered in plush red fabric. Her lab coat was neatly arranged around her, revealing the woman's black mini skirt and showing off her smooth, elegantly crossed, legs. One arm rested casually upon the chair, while the other was raised to her face. Balanced on her fingers was the bowl of a pipe, the end of which was held between the Professor's lips. Bubbles floated lazily from the device, slowly rising to the room's white ceiling, before popping.

"- and say something already!" The hazel eyed girl gestured sharply toward Jay, "This has gotten way out of hand!"

Professor Landry removed the pipe from her mouth, a cool smile on her lips.

"Ms. Sue," she began, suddenly seeming surprisingly...Professional? "why do you not combine your marvelous love for order with Ms. Opallios's?" Professor Landry smiled, yet it was cool. "Surely, you two could bring all these students into line." She gestured toward the class vaguely with her pipe.

"My passion for wha -" Ms. Sue (?) started, frowning, before shaking herself, "And that's not my nam - what the hell are you talking about!?"

"Yes, but your parents were too creative with your name for your own good." Professor Landry stated mildly, before pushing herself to her feet. "But, I will clarify."

"Class," Professor Landry began, high heels carrying her across the room's carpeted floor as she paced, "you have all raised some excellent points." She paused, as her steps brought her to the wall opposite the entrance. "Unfortunately," The auburn haired Professor turned toward her class again, "they were sadly irrelevant to the question."

"Life is a constant battle." She repeated, "And this class, this class is a training field for the war that is life." Professor Landry smiled, "And in the war to come, retreat is only an option when the power of your passionate love is defeated." She began to pace toward the door, steps flowing and cool.

"What it means is, as Astrate said, that all that you will do will be a battle." The Professor stopped before her chair, turning toward the class again. "And, should you fall in battle, should your love prove insufficient," She glanced from Dal, to Jay, to Jack, "and make no mistake, even the truest love can be defeated," The Professor's gaze went to Dean, "but your love of your arts are your only defense in battle - but," she shook her head, "that is off topic."

"Students." Professor Landry raised her pipe to her lips and blew out a handful of bubbles. "If you fail in my class," She smiled sadly, "you will die."

[krogothwolf]

Dean stood up again after teacher had finished talking.

"Ye know, ye seem to keep throwin around die an awful lot there professor." Dean said at the end. "Speak or Die, Fail and Die. Do ye really need to threaten us so? Not only that, love isn't even something that's trainable, you either have love for something or ye don't. Ye can't teach someone to love something nor can ye force someone to love something. Ye can grow to love something, but it has to be of yer own free will. That is why Love is weaker then strength!"

Dean then pointed what remained of his stick at the moron with the baseball bat.

"Ye got this yank over there complaining about proper English like he speaks it. Got news fer ye ya daft fool, ye don't speak proper English, just like ye don't play a proper sport. No amount of love for the English language is gonna change the durn fact that he doesn't speak proper English, ye'll just have to teach yerself what proper English is ya fool. Then ye got others here who speak of the things they love. It's all through either an instant connection with it or through growing from likin it to lovin it. That doesn't change the durn fact that love can't be taught or forced on ye, ye gotta have a connection with the thing on an emotional level to begin with. That's one of the weaknesses with love, the other is that it can be exploited against ye to make you do something stupid by threatening something ye love."

At this point Dean really was only speaking more to annoy the hell out of Jay.

"Not only that, if yer running away because yer love was defeated then why were ye fighting in the first place? Ye can't retreat just because something as silly as love got beaten, ye have to fight back against it in hopes of overcoming the odds. Running away from something that beat yer love is admitting yer love is weak anyways, so then ye really didn't love it enough to even have it be worth fighting for it. This is why strength is superior to love, ye can train strength and if it does get defeated ye can always train it some more to become stronger. If yer love gets defeated ye can't really make it any stronger then it already is. I still dinnae see how love is going to win out against strength at all. It's because of all these that I cannae buy the fact that love is yer greatest strength, because a weak and unskilled opponent cannae defeat someone stronger, faster and more skilled with love alone, but it sure is yer greatest weakness because it can be exploited by others easily."

Dean then sat back down, figuring he had annoyed and aggravated Jay enough for now.

[IHateMakingNames]

Now that the puma had left, everything in the hallway was much calmer.

"What the hell was that!?"

Maybe not.

"Why are you acting so calmly!?" Michael turned to the blond teacher, doing some unneeded hand movements to emphasize his points. "There was a mountain lion in the building! A wild predator! Shouldn't you be a little concerned or something? And it was going to pounce! How could you just calmly let it out the door?"

Michael could have ranted a bit more, but took a pause. He wasn't sure if was more interested in how the cougar got indoors, or why this teacher acted so calmly in front of it. Michael had been feeding that thing and it still freaked him out a bit.

[Astral Harmony]

Astarte leaned her head on her hands. Pass this class or die? It wasn't the first time she died, but she was kinda hoping for a lot more time among the living before she died permanently.

"Just try to give it a chance, y'know?" Astarte said to Dean. "We're pretty much all in the same boat. I agree with you that love can't beat strength, but that's because it's my first day in this class. I'm not trying to suck up to the professor or anything, but I think this class may be able to change our opinions on the matter of love versus strength. I've never really been in love before, nor have I ever been passionate enough to defend the things and people I love against those who would give an offense to them."

Astarte reached into her backpack and pulled out a class schedule. "If someone insulted cooking right now, I probably wouldn't lift a finger in defense of it. But who knows? Maybe if I learn the real lessons this class can teach, if someone insulted cooking, especially mine, I would be inclined to make a battle out of it and have to put a crater in someone's face."

For such a cute girl, Astarte's last words were a little...unsettling. "I'm...I'm just saying is all."

[Overcast]

Jay was from the city, by extension he had a certain degree of toughness from insults. The city was full of witty assholes after all, and it took a bit of wit to pierce his hardened skin. Wit that Dean Hunter did not have,

"So you say I can't speak English while spouting your gibber of 'durn's and and 'cannae's."

He said, rising his hand into the air and lifting up one finger, taking count of all the errors he had made in trying to piss him off and making sure to add in the other boy's accent as thickly as he could into the particular vocal ticks,

"You say I don't play a proper sport, but you don't really give a reason why. At least I touched on your sport's meaningless violence, no detail sure, but fuck at least I had some evidence."

Finger two was raised up, as he turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder at Dean, bored eyes showing him how pathetic his attempt really was,

"And you grace us all with your ignorance by waxing on idiotic about topics we should be past by now since apparently we all don't have any idea what love is. What fighting is. What powers there are in all these things. Nah, you just went on saying the same stupid shit you said before with different words."

He raised up the third finger and waved them around with a grin, shaking his head,

"Three strikes. You're out."

He looked forward back to Professor Landry. His look a bit more worried this time, breathing in a bit before letting his thoughts out,

"But I meant that last part Professor. I'm completely lost on your meaning now, and I really would rather not die. I love all the dramtics and all that, seriously awesome, but I'm kinda afraid of death and all that. Mind getting to the lesson?"

[krogothwolf]

Dean shook his head at the foolish baseball loving kid. Idiotic Yank.

"First ya silly little man, I said ye dinnae speak proper english. Ye speak American English, and before ye go on about accents and pronunciation, ye yerself speak with an accent and dinnae pronounce words properly. Not only that, ye Yanks have altered the spellin of the words themselves. Ye cannae talk of speakin in proper english when ye dinnae do so yerself. If ye live in a glass house ye shouldn't throw stones."

He showed one finger to the man himself as well, mimicking in how the guy wanted to go about to make a point.

"Second, I dinnae want to embarrass ye by calling to attention the lack of knowledge of yer own sport. Ye see, at the top level of baseball, ye seem to have a smackering of bench clearing brawls all the time, yet that hasn't happened in hockey in a long time. Yer sport also doesn't have a strength vs strength match up, it's very dull and boring to watch. Does it really need to take over a minute for yer guy to pitch the damn ball? The players get the silliest injuries and sit out for em. Then, it seems the only way ye can truly become a star in baseball is to juice up, not exactly sporting is it?"

He raised a second finger and then smiled at the man.

"Third, It is not ignorance, it is the fact me training and instructions on this subject, and I have received it before comin here, is much different then how she is telling us, so I felt a need to explain meself and me view to the teacher. If she feels it is different then she should explain so herself more readily, instead of merely getting all dramatic and mentioning about dieing for not speakin or for failing. Before ye start calling someone ignorant ye should take a minute to think that perhaps they've had a different education on a subject such as this."

He then raised his third finger and then sat down.

"There ye go mate, yer three points answered in kind,."

He then sat back down still smiling. The guy seemed to not like him but Dean didn't really care he was enjoying himself right now.

[Overcast]

Jay didn't even turn around, he would talk, but would shut up if Professor Landry actually got to the lesson, but he had a few more things to get on to put Dean in his place,

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I am American. That this school is American. That we are living in America. Now the Brits might have the monopoly on English perfection, but what is proper is all about where you are. In the end if I speak like an American that's proper, but when you speak without much care to phonetic organization and punctuation that ain't proper no matter where you are."

Then of course the only real thing that bothered him, that he had said he didn't have a proper knowledge of his own game. It was time for a lesson,

"In baseball you aren't going to see a game carry on if it has gotten violent, because we make it clear that violence shouldn't be part of our game. Unlike hockey. Hell you shouldn't even be allowed to be that violent in the sport, in Football and Rugby there is a reason to get physical. In fact it is almost encouraged. But in hockey you can charge someone into the wall at 50mph but you can't threaten with a stick above the waist. In the end though it is just lackin in the amount of skill and intellect you need to play baseball. I mean sure you got screens and charges, but for the most part you're just lumberin your fat toothless ass to the other side and trying to hit the puck past an overly armored sentinel who doesn't need to move that much to be a livin bulwark."

Insult the logic of the game, insult the skill of the game, insult the intellect of the game, insult the appearance of those who play it. Try not to lie if you can muster it, but it is fine to be caustic because you are trying to envenom your words such that it kills them inside.

"In baseball it takes a few minutes to pitch because there are factors at work, is the hitter left or right handed? Is the hitter the a contact or power? How does he react to each individual pitch type? Can he be easily coerced by the catcher? We sit out for small injuries because the tiniest flaw in your ability can be taken advantage of to a huge degree. A minor twinge in a pitcher's arm can be the difference between the degree of curve he puts on a ball, it can ruin his entire game. Don't you start on juicing though, we get off relatively small compared to the amount in other sports simply because our sport is so complex that taking steroids may cause an unfair advantage. You can bet you're own heroes do their share of roids and stimulants."

Glorify your own game, no need to exaggerate because it is a game of extreme skill and thought as you say. Show what flaws the game has in comparison to the other sport, because some public problems can be seen as a proactive action against things that plague all sports but nobody else cares to fight other than the Olympics,

"You have no training on the subject. If you even bear the illusion that you do it will get in the way of your ability to learn. You're ignorant because you refuse to learn, be it about a superior sport, a better grasp of English, or even what we are in class to learn. You just can't let anything in your thick skull unless, like your old teacher, someone is beating it into your stupid ass. A stupid tactic itself, because I know that senseless violence helped make you into the creep you are right now."

Insult everything that he knows. The way that he learns and thinks. Make it clear that the way that he is, is entirely unwelcome here, and everything he has known thus far is just as useless.

"Your answers continue to fail me Dean. I don't know if you're ready for this level of play yet."

And end with a bit of condescension, so that he is pissed off when he responds and says more stupid things you can beat him into the ground with. There was a technique to the way you put someone down. To be honest if he got the kid to try to hit him he had already won, he was just surprised the violent fool hadn't done it yet.

[krogothwolf]

"Maybe then yank, ya should have said American instead if proper english. If yer so smart as ye seem to think ye are you shoulda worded it correcty instead of being the bonehead knowitall yank yer acting like."

Dean shook his head as the pompous ass kept up his superior attitude.

"Ye really have a limited understanding of hockey itself if ye think that. Hockey has a verity of skill ye'd hae to see to understand then. Preforming deft dekes at speed. Putting a pass onto the tape of a speedig player out on a break, putting the puke in the tiny corner of the net where no amount of speed or skill of the goalie can save. Then the goalie themself glovin the puck out the air on shot, getting a foot on the puck even though all the odds are against him from saving it. Managing to stop 3 or 4 successive shots from different angels. Not only do you need strength, but ye need skill, speed, and intelligence to play it."

He really didnt understand this fools hatred towards him. It amused Dean that he seemd to hate him so much.

"So ye have nothing really to say about that but insult me old teacher, who was a kindly old man I'll have ye . Yer really stretching things there and it goes to show yer own ignorance to attacked something ye really know nothing about. Not having anything yerself to say on the subject ye instead say someones wrong. Ye still show bu still talkin about english like yer bastardized american verion is proper, and i dinnae refuse to learn as all I have done is debate the teachers view with my own, and she has yet to expand on it all aside from be all dramtic on the subject. Part of the ability to learn is to understand where ye yeself come from. Yer understanding is limited so I understand why yer so open to her, but my education and training dealt with this. Ye can call it internets question all ye want but because yer own ignorance to the education and training I received is clouding yer judgemeng on it, but if he helps make ye feel superior ye can keep commenting on something ye know nothing about."

[Bard The 5th LW]

Sean was getting a bit worried now. See her after class? She's a psycopath! He was going to have to ask a few things. One in particular.

Pass or die?!!!!!

Sean lifted himself from his chair, making eye contact with the teacher. "Uhh Ma-"

"Ye got this yank over there complaining about proper English like he speaks it. Got news fer ye ya daft fool, ye don't speak proper English, just like ye don't play a proper sport..." Oh look, Dean started talking. Surely he wouldn't be too long. Sean could wait.

Once Dean finished, Sean decided to try again. "OK Pro-"

"So you say I can't speak English while spouting your gibber of 'durn's and and 'cannae's..." Look at that, Jay already had his rebuttal thought out. Fabulous.

"OK if thats done then I'd like to-" Sean of course could not get his question in once again.

"First ya silly little man, I said ye dinnae speak proper english. Ye speak American English, and before ye go on about accents and pronunciation, ye yerself speak with an accent and dinnae pronounce words properly..." Look at this, more nationalism.

"Alright now I'd really like to get to the-" Sean really wasn't sure what he was expecting now.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe I am American. That this school is American. That we are living in America. Now the Brits might have the monopoly on English perfection, but what is proper is all about where you are. In the end if I speak like an American that's proper, but when you speak without much care to phonetic organization and punctuation that ain't proper no matter where you are..."

"I-" The Canadian just had too little a spine to get a proper word in.

"Maybe then yank, ya should have said American instead if proper english. If yer so smart as ye seem to think ye are you shoulda worded it correcty instead of being the bonehead knowitall yank yer acting like..."

"OH MY GOD NO ONE CARES!" Sean yelled out, to both Jay and Dean. "Mrs. Landry, before they continue, let me ask just one question. I'm not going to go in on philosophy at all. No opinion on love or strength. How would i go about a schedule change? And once I do that, can I just no meet you after class?"

[Krylo]

Dal, whom had up until now been merely sitting back with a small smirk on his face and enjoying the attempts of Jay and Dean to both win their little verbal battle, decided upon hearing Sean's comment about switching courses that he actually had something to add to the conversation.

His hand shot up lazily just as he began to speak. "Ms. Landry," he said, as his eyes moved up her body in a way that had been given the name 'elevator eyes' in recent decades, "If Mr. Castevat is cancelling his appointment, I'd be more than happy to spend some time after class with you." His smirk could almost be made out in his voice, as could some less than honorable intentions.

[Dracorion]

Jackson was trying to think. To figure out what he felt. Unfortunately, the two morons arguing at the top of their lungs wasn't making it any easier.

Did he love his adoptive parents? He couldn't answer, and that scared him. And he felt bad that, after everything they'd done for him, introducing him to a whole new world, he couldn't answer that question. He could call them Mom and Dad, but he couldn't tell them "I love you"?

He sighed. At least those two finally stopped arguing. Jackson was about to ask Landry something, but Dal beat him to it.

"Ms. Landry, if Mr. Castevat is cancelling his appointment, I'd be more than happy to spend some time after class with you."

And Dal was being a perverted schoolboy. Jackson rolled his eyes, and piped up. "Don't bother man, there's nothing you can do to hide the fact that you and Jay are a couple." He said dismissively.

"Professor Landry, you say any love can be defeated. You say if we don't pass your class, we're going to die. If that's all true, then what skills are you going to teach us to survive?"

[Teal Mage]

"What the hell was that!?"

"A mountain lion, yes?" The teacher replied, seemingly mystified at Michael's strong reaction.

"Why are you acting so calmly!?" Michael demanded enthusiastically, "There was a mountain lion in the building! A wild predator!"

The heavily accented woman merely arched a pale eyebrow. She seemed perplexed!

"Shouldn't you be a little concerned or something?" He pressed, seemingly intent on getting an answer from the nameless blond, "And it was going to pounce! How could you just calmly let it out the door?"

A moment passed, as the blond continued to regard the young man before her with strangely pale eyes. Eventually, she took a step forward - high heeled shoe clicking crisply on the hall's floor - and laid a firm hand on Michael's shoulder.

"You seem tense." She offered him a friendly smile.

And a fleck of something pale yellow seemed to flicker at the edge of Michael's vision, again.

"Come, ve shall go paint." The woman promptly turned on her heel, starting down the hallway in the direction she had come. "Art is zhe ideal therapy for such feelingz." She elaborated, before glancing over her shoulder toward Michael, "And zhe room is zhis vay!" Her pearly white teeth glimmered in the white light of the hallway, as she smiled again.

She appeared to expect him to follow her!

At least she wasn't moving fast.



* * * * * *

"Oh, Jack." Professor Landry smiled broadly, raising a hand to cover her mouth as she averted her merry gaze from the young man's desk. "You worry too much! Why," She gestured to herself, smile filling with absolute confidence, "I would never allow any harm to come to my beloved students!"

She winked at him, "Pass my class, and you'll never have to worry about anything again!"

In the middle of the classroom, the so-called Ms. Sue sat bolt upright in her desk. "But you just threatened us with death!" There was a momentary pause, "Twice!"

Professor Landry burst out laughing. "I meant academically!" She managed, calming down between fits of giggles, "What do I look like?" The Professor's hand slid through her auburn hair, throwing sparkles into the air around her. "Some kind of Axe-Wielding Sociopath who murders her students in the night for bad test scores?"

Ms. Sue hesitated a moment. "Y-yes?"

Professor Landry burst out laughing. Again.

"Ahem." She coughed, "That, Ms. Sue, is precisely why you're neck and neck with Sao," Professor Landry gestured to the short haired swimming enthusiast offhandedly, "in the race for the coveted title of class president!" The auburn haired woman began to clap.

"Uh," the hazel eyed girl started, hesitant again, "but that really isn't my nam-"

"One more outburst from you Ms. Sue." Professor Landry cut in, "And I will take thirty points from Gryffindor!"

The girl wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"Moving on!" Professor Landry's bespectacled gaze swung to Sean, "You, my young Canadian," Her finger flashed toward him, "will receive an A on your first test!"

Content didn't count in Professor Landry's Class?

"But," she waved dismissively toward his deck, allowing her eyes to wander the classroom, "don't think that means you'll be getting out of your appointment after class. We have much to discuss!" The auburn haired woman shrugged, "After all, how ever will I explain why one of my beloved students dropped a class they've yet to take? It shan't be easy!" She continued, crossing her arms before nodding decisively, "But, as your homeroom teacher, all class change requests are my responsibility to submit and approve. Therefore!" Professor Landry thrust her fist into the air, "I will do this terrible deed with a bright heart filled with pride!"

It appeared she'd missed the point!

"Unfortunately," Professor Landry sighed, expression now the picture of sorrow and regret, "that means that poor little Dal," she drew a handkerchief from her labcoat pocket and dabbed the corners of her dark eyes, "will be all alone today." The Professor sniffed, "I do so hate to leave my students alone in the cold! There must be-"

Eyes widening, Professor Landry gasped. "That's it!"

"Henceforth," Her glasses flashed ominously in the ambient lighting of the room, Dal, Jay and Dean shall work on all projects together in a group!" The dark flames of Professor Landry's aura roared to life as she threw her arm out to the side, "And 90% of their grade will be based on teamwork!"

Behind Professor Landry, bright blue light erupted.

"This is the best possible solution!" Professor Landry's aura winked out as she gleefully clasped her hands before her breasts, twirling in place, "And now, little Dal will never have to be lonely again!" She clapped her hands merrily, "While I'm grouping students, would any one else like to vol-"

A insistent knock on the class room's door interrupted her.

"Who dares to interrupt my moment of Epiphanic Triumph!?"

The only reply was another knock at the door.

Growling, Professor Landry snapped a gesture toward her desk, and the pair of black colored figures waiting on it. "One of you, go answer it and tell them to go away!"

Feathers, the crow, through a quizzical glance toward the cowled head of the Grim Reaper. The creature's icy gold eyes settled upon the small, flightless form of Professor Landry's latest class pet for a moment, before the cloaked figure nodded. Moving with agonizing slowness, the strange aura of gloom still hanging around its shoulders, the Reaper got to his feet. The apparent manifestation of death turned toward the door and began to approach it slowly.

It almost looked like he was floating!

"I'm sorry children," Professor Landry chimed in, turning back toward the , seemingly satisfied, "now, as I was saying, are there any other students who would like to volunteer to be placed into a group?" She smiled brightly.

Such a normal teacher.

[IHateMakingNames]

Michael just stared in a daze at the foreign teacher. There was a puma in the school. How could anyone react so passively to that? And now she wanted to paint? It had slipped Michael's mind that he had just skipped his class in Q-111 as he passed by the door to follow this blond teacher. He had to know more about her at this point.

[Krylo]

"Henceforth, Dal, Jay and Dean shall work on all projects together in a group! And 90% of their grade will be based on teamwork!"

As Landry spoke Dalbhach turned in his chair to look back at Dean, then turned his neck to look at Jay, and then once more at Dean, slowly before slumping back down into his chair with a hand raised slightly.

"Actually, I'm quite happy working alone. It's not really an issue, to be honest," his eyes flitted to his side at Sao, a slight smirk perking up at the corner of his lip, "Or, at the very least, I think we might need someone a bit more grounded to help Dean and Jay with their differences... perhaps Miss Sao?"

He did his best to keep the mischievous glee at pulling someone else down with him out of his voice, but somehow he doubted he'd be able to hide it from Professor Landry.

But he believed he still had one Ace up his sleeve, though he'd rather not play it if he could avoid it.

[Overcast]

Jay snapped loudly as if to get Dal's attention and whispered to him,

"Yo, not to cramp the style of your almighty aloofness, but I don't think Professor is going to change her mind on this one and considering we're being graded on teamwork to a pass or fail level I don't know if its a good idea for your first action to be ditching the team..."

Could be paranoia, the fact that Dal was the closest thing he had to a friend in this class, or the growing desperation of being in the same group as Dean. Without anyone else on the team someone was sure to die between them, and the only teamwork he'd have is that they'd be working together to make the Scot's body decompose, with Jay prodding his rotting corpse in the bathtub full of acid.

The days were looking less sunny, but then there was always a catch to such a good thing.

[Dracorion]

"What do I look like? Some kind of Axe-Wielding Sociopath who murders her students in the night for bad test scores?"

"Yes." Jack said, at the same time as the mysterious Ms. Sue. Crap, he hoped that didn't put him in the running for class president.

"One more outburst from you Ms. Sue, and I will take thirty points from Gryffindor!" Professor Landry interrupted, when Ms. Sue tried to protest.

"And you'll spend a week hanging from your toenails in the dungeons!" Jack yelled, cracking up.

While Professor Landry turned her attention to Sean, Jack took his chance and turned to face Ms. Sue, who was sitting three rows behind him. "So, what is your name?" He asked loud enough for her to hear.

Professor Landry declared that Dal, Jay and Dean were to work together on all projects, and her mysterious aura flared up again, and Jack's aura flickered in response as he watched it. That was, perhaps, the most mysterious part about Professor Landry.

A strange force surrounds Professor Landry, it seems to be blocking your senses. Requires further experimentation before any conclusion can reasonably be reached about this force's nature, however.

How could she block his aura reading? Did she know about Jack's ability, or was it just that her block was always active?

He sighed. There was no way he was figuring it out during the class, that was for sure.

"Are there any other students who would like to volunteer to be placed into a group?" Professor Landry asked.

...

Nope, screw it, he already signed up for the Social Club. There was a huge difference between learning to swim by diving straight into the deep end and attaching weights to your feet, wrapping yourself in a sheet and jumping into the Pacific.

[Bard The 5th LW]

"Wait what," Sean said rubbing the back of his head at the teacher's response. This was confusing. She was confusing. And seriously, why did she showe off her damn aura so much! She had to be aware she was doing it, right?

"OK then," he said, still confused "I'll meet you after class, but I don't think I fully comprehended your answer to the other question." Sean actually wasn't sure who was misunderstanding who now.

Pick groups? Probably wouldn't apply to him. He was still hoping for the possibility of a transfer. What could love and fightiology even apply him towards? And Professor Landry really hadn't assuaged his feelings that she was an axe-wielding psycho. Even if she didn't want to kill them, he felt that if he was in a class with Jay and Dean then someone was going to die.

[krogothwolf]

Dean was surprised. The professor certainly had a sense of humour by giving them this grouping.

"Ye certainly have an interesting sense of humour there prof." Dean asked the Professor, "Does this require us to sit together right now? Not sure Jay'll like it that much right now. Yer gonna let us get accustomed to each other first right?"

Dean then leaned back in his chair. Man this is going to become interesting. Though he wasn't really sure what to think of it. He didn't really hate Jay, he just thought it was fun arguing with the guy. Jay's feelings for him though were fairly obvious. Wasn't overly worried about him though, he is just a baseball player after all.

[Riin Whitewind]

"Ahem." The Professor coughed, stifling any remaining laughter, "That, Ms. Sue, is precisely why you're neck and neck with Sao in the race for the coveted title of class president!" She clapped excitedly, as if either of them wanted such a thing.

It took her best for Sao to not grimace. What would that even entail, in a class such as this? The prospect was a chilling one. Myriad imagined horrors paraded behind her eyes as she ruminated on the 'coveted title'.

A saccarine voice interrupted her thoughts, delivering an invitation - no, more of an involuntary volunteering - to join their group of hot-tempered brutes. She smiled back just as sweetly, looking into the emerald eyes of Dal. "A fine offer, but I doubt someone as skillful," she avoided saying manipulative, "as you needs any help. Surely you can keep them from coming to blows without me?"

[Arhra]

Sao had intervened after Jo had slapped Andy, first telling the card player off and then turning on Jo.

"You do not have the right to strike another student, no matter your opinion of them." Sao waved a tan arm at Andy with a sharp, agressive motion. "This is a classroom, not an arena. Please excercise a little more self-control in the future."

Jo looked at Sao, her expression as mild as milk and her hands clapsed on the desk. The jotun's black eyes, dark pools of mystery, met the undine's crystalline gaze.

"You can't tell me to do anything." Jo informed her pleasantly.

Jay and Dean, the hockey player and the baseball fanatic, got into an argument. Dean argued all that mattered was strength, no ammount of love could change this. Jay contended that Den was an idiot, his accent slovenly and-

"OH MY GOD NO ONE CARES!" Sean yelled out.

I like him. Jo decided.

And then he asked Professor Landry about the possibility of changing classes.

There was no way she could allow him to escape.

It was then she made the connection. Sean. She rummaged in her bag and pulled out a slip of paper. Yes, Sean Castevet. He was her room mate.

"Professor Landry," Jo called out, waving her hand. "could I volunteer to be put in a group with Sean? I'm sharing a dorm with him, so it'd make organising group meetings a lot simpler. I'd also like to put myself in the running for class president."

She was a meddler.

[DanteFalcon]

Andy was stunned from the slap, enough to keep him from speaking out. However as the class went on he had rested his elbows on his desk and buried his face in his hands. The sheer amount of insanity was almost physically painful. However the grim reaper like person was walking by and he couldn't resist the opportunity to look them over. He had to admit, the floating like effect was impressive but hardly impossible to emulate. With practice one could move extremely quietly, and without the standard up and down motions. Besides with all the noise in here moving quietly was hardly an issue.

He found himself counting mentally, waiting for this class to be over and to escape this room. This was most certainly going to be a long year. Hopefully the clubs would take his mind off the sheer nonsense this teacher insisted on spewing and get away from the clearly evident teacher's pet sitting nearby.

[Teal Mage]

The Professor's dark eyes swung away from the apparent Ms. Sue, causing the girl to collapse onto her desk. Head resting on her arms, the brunette heaved a heavy sigh. Professor Landry was weird.

One of the students, a dark haired boy in a trench coat, turned around in his front row desk. "So," He started, eyes on the apparent Ms. Sue, "what is your name?"

"Huh?" The brown haired girl lifted her head, regarding Jack curiously for a moment. Eventually, she shrugged. "Adeline Fletcher." The girl stated simply, before moving her hazel eyes wistfully toward the room's exit.

She wanted to leave.

Soon after, the auburn haired Professor pronounced her year-long team work sentence on Dal, Jay and Dean!

"Ye certainly have an interesting sense of humour there prof." Dean commented from his seat near the back, "Does this require us to sit together right now?" He asked, before elaborating, "Not sure Jay'll like it that much right now. Yer gonna let us get accustomed to each other first right?"

"That!" Professor Landry's fearsome finger slashed through the air, until it levelled itself on Dean. "Is entirely your decision." She folded her arms, before nodding resolutely. "Just remember, you pass and fail based on teamwork alone -" the woman smiled crookedly, "- I recommend you find a way to work it out."

She was a very helpful Professor.


* * * * * *

Polished black boots clicking sharply, the elegant blond woman lead Michael through grey hallway after identical grey hallway, moving with an air of purpose that made it difficult to imagine she could be lost. For any other student, the teacher's route would have been dizzying and impossible to keep track of, filled as it was with sharp turns and eerily similar passage ways. But, for someone like Michael, the most difficult part of the route would have been explaining how all these hallways could be inside of this one building.

It hadn't looked that big from the outside!

Sometime later, Michael found himself cresting the top of a case of stairs, the exit of an underground tunnel behind him. A diffuse azure glow had lit the passage way, which had appeared to be an aquarium filled with brightly coloured tropical fish and coral. The still nameless teacher hadn't seemed affected by the sight, and hadn't given Michael much chance to admire the display; she'd moved far too quickly for that.

Now, that same woman moved crisply into another grey stone hallway. She hadn't even glanced back once through the whole trip, apparently just expecting Michael to keep up.

"Here ve are."

Abruptly ceasing her steps, the teacher stopped before one of wooden doors set into the hallway. It was very close to the stairs they'd just ascended. Turning back toward her slightly dazed looking companion, the woman offered a warm smile. "Zhis," she indicated the door they stood before, "is vhere I teach zhe art club."

It was room N-108.

Four letters from Q!?

"I should varn you," the Art Club head added, raising a cautionary finger. "zhere is a student here. She is," the woman paused thoughtfully, moving her claw-like nail until it rested lightly against her bright red lips, "very, very, creepy." She eventually concluded, nodding to herself.

With that, the woman turned on her heel and laid a hand on the indent in the wooden door that served as the handle. She thrust it aside!


* * * * * *

As the Grim Reaper floated with disinteresting slowness toward the classroom's door, a suspiciously cheerful Professor Landry turned her attention back to her students. "...are there any other students who would like to volunteer to be placed into a group?" She concluded brightly, clasping her hands before her waist and offering them all self-satisfied smile.

Dal was the first to dare speak! "I think we might need someone a bit more grounded to help Dean and Jay with their differences... perhaps Miss Sao?" The smile he offered was less than sincere.

Perhaps sensing his intentions, Professor Landry frowned, glasses suddenly turning white with brightly reflected light. "I do not know, Miss Opallios, what do you think?" The teacher's light hidden gaze shifted slightly toward the undine.

Sao turned her striking eyes toward Dal, "A fine offer, but I doubt someone as skilful as you needs any help." She smiled sweetly, "Surely you can keep them from coming to blows without me?"

Crossing her arms, Professor Landry nodded. "If you have a change of heart Miss Opallios, please come and speak with me after class." She gently straightened her thin-rimmed glasses, throwing a quick glance over the room. "Will there be any other volunteers?"

"Professor Landry!" Jo called, waving her hand. "Could I volunteer to be put in a group with Sean?" The Hoodie clad girl quickly elaborated, "I'm sharing a dorm with him, so it'd make organizing group meetings a lot simpler." She paused very briefly, before adding, "I'd also like to put myself in the running for class president."

"In this order!" Professor Landry's hand snapped up, index finger raised in Johanna's direction. "Yes," a second finger joined the first, "and no!" Shutting her eyes, Professor Landry nodded resolutely, "As a seasoned Professor of Love and Fightiology, I can already see that, you, my dear Imirsdotter," her pronunciation was excellent! "are not suitable to fulfil the role of class President." Professor Landry smiled magnanimously, "But you are perfect for Vice President!" An adamant gesture toward Sao and Adeline followed, "I recommend joining forces with Miss Opallios or Sue!"

A pale boney finger tapped the Professor's shoulder.

"What is it Mr. Skel-" Professor Landry turned to regard the gloom shrouded figure of the Grim Reaper, who had floated up behind her. The auburn haired instructor's posture stiffened visibly, as something in the mysteriously cloaked figure's cold and glowing regard seemed to reach her. Moving with typical slowness, the Reaper raised one cloak shrouded arm, and gestured toward the entrance.

Slowly, Professor Landry's head turned toward the now open classroom door, and the figure standing therein. Her features had suddenly lost their color.

"Professor Shuyin." The woman breathed.

Light bulbs exploded.


* * * * * *

Karen Amsel, the elegant blond woman in charge of the Art Club, strode confidently into the poorly lit, spacious, chamber that was room N-108. Her cream coloured eyes flickered critically around her, noting with distaste that most of the candles she'd lit before leaving the room earlier had mysteriously been snuffed out, leaving only a handful of pools of warm orange-gold light around the room.

Sitting in one of those pools, illuminated from behind by one of the few remaining candles, was a girl. A dark coloured beret rested at an angle on her head, the hue of which matched her lace trimmed dress, which had been arranged neatly over the bench she occupied. The girl's attention was focused on the large painter's canvas before her, a paintbrush in one of her hands, and an artist's pallet in the other.

A cloth doll, clad in a dark felt dress like the girl's own, rested in the artist's lap. Sewn to its head was a tiny beret, placed similarly to the girl's own. Tiny eyes, fashioned from black beads, weakly caught and reflected the room's candlelight; they almost looked alive.

And seemed to be watching at Michael.

Placing her hands on her hips, Karen came to a stop before the apparent artist. The glare she levelled at the girl went ignored for a moment. Eventually, the elegant blond sighed.

"Vachel," the girl did not react, "I told you not to touch zhe candles." Karen gestured vaguely toward the unlit ranks of candles on the wall, "Vhy did you put zhem out?"

There was no reaction.

Karen sighed, before glancing back to Michael, "I am very sorry young man. Zhis is Vachel Demia," the Club head indicated the bereted girl, "she likes it here." The woman paused, glancing around the room, "And also zhe dark, it appears." A shrug followed her words, "I shall light zhem again immediately."

Turning crisply, Karen moved toward the door, and the chest-level shelf that ran around the perimeter of the room. "Zhere are free easels -"

Several easels and benches, identical to the set occupied by Rachel and her doll, were spaced evenly around the room. Most of them, unfortunately, were not near one of the lit candles.

With the exception of the ones on either side of Rachel.

And the doll that was still staring at Michael.

"-take vone, zhe paints are on my desk." The woman gestured vaguely toward a large desk in the room's east corner, covered in a white tablecloth and trimmed in spiderweb-like lace. A series of jars - bearing the names of the colors contained - stood waiting atop it. "If you need anything else," Karen added, "Do not hesitate to ask."

With that, she set about relighting the candles.


* * * * * *

Clad in a well-fitted white suit and matching pants, the immaculately dressed figure in the door way waited patiently for Professor Landry to notice him. At his back, the morning sun still flooded through the bank of windows that dominated the hallway, silhouetting the man's figure from behind. His azure hair shimmered magnificently in that same radiance, making it almost appear as if his face was surrounded by blue flames.

Professor Landry's reaction, once she noticed him, was instant.

"Professor Shuyin."

The sound of exploding glass filled the room, as every light bulb in the ceiling suddenly burst. Shards of glass rained down on Q-111, striking the tops of desks with high pitched ringing sounds. Surprisingly, through a handful of students suffered minor cuts, none of the shards did more than graze them; a very fortunate coincidence indeed.

"Why does that keep happening!?" Growling - and seemingly forgetting the figure in the doorway - Professor Landry rounded on the Grim Reaper behind her, aura blazing darkly around her. "Mr. Skelenbones!"

The Grim Reaper flinched.

"Go complain to the Janitors! The light bulbs keep breaking!" The auburn haired woman's next, angry, gesture was toward the door.

With an obedient bow, the reaper began to move in the indicated direction. Slowly.

Still in the door way, the silhouetted figure of Professor Shuyin suddenly spoke up. "Excuse me, Professor Landry?"

Spinning in a flurry of white fabric, Rebecca levelled a pair of furious bespectacled eyes on the man. "What is it Shuyin?" She crossed her arms.

"May I enter your classroom?" The man replied calmly.

"No." Professor Landry waved crisply, "You may go throw yourself under the nearest bus."

"Come, come Rebecca," Professor Shuyin returned, as he stepped through the doorway, his long, shimmering blue hair spilling out like a banner in his wake, "have we not worked together long enough to pretend to be civil?" He reached up, the golden cuff-link on his sleeve catching the sunlight in a brief flash, and swept a hand delicately through his long mane.

Rebecca stamped a foot, bristling. "Stop pretending to be nice and tell me why you dare interrupt my class!" Her aura was burning very brightly at that moment. "And I didn't give you permission to use my name either!"

Shuyin ignored her for a moment, turning his attention toward her students; the lack of light apparently not a problem for him. From his sleeve, a folding fan slipped out. With a deft gesture, he unfurled it before his face, revealing a white crane in flight on a tangerine-orange backdrop. His amber eyes, now visible as he stepped away from the direct path of the light, regarded the classroom critically.

"I came to request you to lower your volume." Shuyin stated mildly, gaze still firmly on the students, "It is impeding the educative experience of my class." He threw a sidelong glance at his still bristling colleague, "Will that be a problem Rebecca?"

"Hah!" Professor Landry smirked, crossing her arms. "Only a fool like you would ask something like that!" Her finger flashed toward him, "You wouldn't know an educative experience if it punched your pretty face!"

"A proper educative experience," Shuyin returned, face still shielded by his fan, "would never be so crass -" He shrugged, snapping the fan shut and turning gracefully toward the other Professor, "- but, I can't expect an uncultured heathen like yourself to understand the complex nuances of the education-"

"Is that what you call your class?" Professor Landry burst into derisive laughter. "Manners, etiquette, grace?" Eyes hardening, she swept her arm through the air once more. "Those pathetic words make my tongue bleed! They have no place in this world!"

"I train my students," Shuyin's voice was tight, "to function as well distinguished members of society, not as violent delinquents." A short chuckle escaped the bluenette Professor's throat, "But, I can already tell that your crop of student perfectly suits your teaching style." His amber eyes glinted, as he smiled coolly at Professor Landry. "Not a one deserves-"

"You will take that back!" Rebecca snapped, eyes flashing. "I will not brook insults to my beloved students!"

Shuyin shrugged, "Perhaps I was harsh." He unfurled his fan before his face yet again, "Surely, it is merely the taint of your flawed instruction that is to blame for their horrid deviance." He delicately turned his head until his amber eyes rested on Dal, "Particularly that one." Shuyin added, returning his attention to Professor Landry, "But, he is merely the worst of the lot."

"Y-you." Eyes dark with rage, Professor Landry trailed off in a growl. Around her, the black flames of her aura raged like a wildfire, flecks of black showing up around her even to the eyes of her least magical students. "You have gone too far!" Her finger snapped forward, "I challenge you to the Field of Honour!"

"Done." Shuyin snapped his fan shut. "Will tomorrow at four be suitable?"

"In the afternoon?" At Shuyin's nod, Professor Landry's hand flashed through her auburn tresses, "I can't wait to beat your smug face into submission." She offered, smiling confidently.

The bluenette professor offered his own cooler smile in return. "Tomorrow at four it is - don't be late." His smile broadened momentarily, before he turned on his heel and strode from the room, leaving the door open to provide a degree of light to the chamber.

"Well!" Professor Landry clapped her hands, "It appears that I will have to cancel the remainder of the lecture!" She gestured vaguely toward the ceiling, "Until the electrical staff is replac-I mean," The auburn haired woman coughed softly, before straightening her glasses, "Until the electrical staff replaces the light bulbs, there isn't much point in lecturing." She shrugged.

"I'll see you all bright and early at ten a.m. tomorrow, please bring a pair of clothes that you won't mind getting dirty, ripped, burned, or covered with sweat and blood. Be sure to cancel any previous engagements as well -" Professor Landry grinned brightly toward her mostly dark classroom, "- you will all be staying late tomorrow."

With that, she spun on her heel and strode toward her desk. "Those of you who would like to stay late and ask questions may do so, but the rest of you are free to go." She glanced backwards over her shoulder, "Except Sean that is."

And class ended?

[Krylo]

Dal was about to refute Sao and Landry with a cunning diatribe on the extra dramatic tension and passion that would result by placing an attractive young woman into the Jay, Dal, Dean trifecta, with a subplot of, 'perhaps I COULD stop them, but I wouldn't,' when Professor Shuyin entered the room.

At first, Dal was repressing a snicker, if not full out laughter at the obvious tsundere love happening at the front of the room. Then Shuyin singled him out.

The smile quickly fled the fae's face and was replaced by a scowl, and he nearly rose up to verbally castigate the interloper when Professor Landry challenged Shuyin to a duel... apparently for Dal's honor?

That... was new. However, he couldn't let Landry have all the fun, and his devious mind quickly hatched a plan. A cunning one. But he could use some assistance.

Standing as soon as she dismissed class, Dal strode toward her desk, gesturing toward to the poor animal. "If you would, Miss Landry, I believe I could take the poor crow for the rest of the day. I have a bit of an interest in... ornithology. Perhaps, I could have it back on its proverbial feet given the time to care for it," he said, glancing down to let his eyes meet the bird's.

[Bard The 5th LW]

There was nothing that could be done. He was trapped in the insanity and escape was precluded and futile. Sean rested his head on the desk and put his hands on the back of his head.

This worked surprisingly well for him when the lights exploded and glass rained down on the room! The poor Canadian lifted his head and looked at the back of his hands to observe the small shards of glass that drove across. Bleeding was minimal, but it wasn't enjoyable.

Sean decided to refrain from complaint for now. Instead, he watched as the two teachers volleyed insults of both passive and active aggressiveness. It culminated in pistols at dawn or something over Dal. Who knows, it might be 'Obvious use of magic' at dawn.

Whatever, when she announced the end of class, Sean got out from his seat and was prepared to make a bee-line for the do-

"Except Sean that is."

Of course.

"Yes ma'am." he said, getting back in his chair.

[IHateMakingNames]

Michael was so confused by this schools layout. The future architect had a habit of mapping out a building as he walked through it, and from what he saw these hallways didn't make any sense. There were far to many turns, and the overall size didn't match what he remembers from seeing the building outside. After he climbed some stairs to come across a giant aquarium, things made even less sense.

While Michael did have interest in the fish, he was still more concerned with this building. His answer came when the unknown teacher stopped in front of the room they had been seeking. N-108. They had previously been in building Q. With this information, and the flight of stairs they climbed, Michael could only assume they had been underground for the past hallways. He wasn't sure why the school had such an extensive network of underground hallways, or when they had gone underground, but it was the only reasonable solution he could come up with.

The inside of the new room depressed Michael. The lighting was provided by candles, most of which were not even lit. The art teacher introduced the only other person in the room, a small girl with an unnecessarily creepy doll in her lap. It was dressed as she was, and had one of those human-like faces, making it look very disturbing. The fact that it was aimed at Michael did not help. Along with this teacher who had no qualms with a cougar inside the building, things didn't seem better here than they would have been if Michael had actually gone to class.

"Hello Rachel. I'm Michael." Michael gave a quick greeting to the girl, figuring her name was not Vachel. He didn't expect a response but he didn't want to be rude and ignore her.

Despite his attempts at pleasantries, Michael determined he wanted to get out. His interest in this teacher has off put by this creepy room and that creepy girl. However, he didn't want to just leave. He was skipping class after all, and currently this apparent school employee was excusing him from that. For now Michael decided to paint something, then he would come up with a reason to leave.

When the art teacher pointed out the paints to Michael, he realized he had an issue. The last time Michael painted was probably in elementary school, and he may have used his fingers at the time. The quiet girl in the room was using a painter's palette, and apparently he was expected to use one as well. Obviously you put paint on it and mix it on the spot, but he had no idea how much paint, or how to prevent everything from becoming brown.

"I've never painted before," Michael begrudgingly asked for advice, "how do I use a palette?"

It seemed better to ask her upfront, than to have her catch him doing things incorrectly and getting her involved that way.

[Steel Shadow]

Somewhere on campus, another class was sitting through a rather dull, mediocre home room introduction. The teacher had introduced himself as the bell rang, and then begun a standard first day speech, outlining and introducing all the concepts, places and clubs the class had been told about on their first year. And the year before that.

Bill didn't mind. In fact, he liked the relaxed pace, the simplicity, and the lack of work. He had his own projects at home he could focus on within his head, so he was hardly bored. All he had to do was keep quiet, avoid making a bad impression, and he'd have an easy year of classes.

Ironically, he was far to busy thinking about his afore mentioned projects to actually think that thought, so what happened next really can't be blamed on him. He wasn't asking for it in the slightest.

"Duh Duh Duh DAAA! Rocking Spaceman
-
To the core of the world!
-
HEEEEEEE wont take no-"

Bill froze, as did every other student in the room, the teacher's rambling speech on how to queue for lunch suddenly interrupted. Someone's phone had gone off.

"-
FROM THE HEART OF THE GALAXY
-
TO THE DEPTHS OF INFINITY!!!!
-
SPACEEEEEEMAAAANNNNN
-
SPACE MAAAAAAAAAANN"

Who's phone? Who's phone?!! Who was the poor bastard that had drawn the ire of this year's teacher? Was was it that had doomed themselves to a home room filled with eternal menial tasks, made themselves the student who the teacher always called on for a question no one would be able to answer, and put themselves at the front of the detention queue each and every day?

"SPACEMAN JIM!!!!"

Ohgoditwashis.

Bill panicked. It couldn't be him! Spaceman Jim was a popular show, someone else could have that ring tone! WHO WOULD EVEN BE CALLING HIM?!?

The world swam before his eyes, and when it refocused, the teacher was standing in front of his desk, and his phone was in his hand. The words 'Incoming call' glowed on it's screen, and burned themselves into his mind, preventing all thought.

The teacher reached down and plucked the phone from his unfeeling hand and hit the answer button.

"Yes?" his monotone voice echoed through the room. Students waited with baited breath. Bill still couldn't move a muscle.

"Hi Bill! How are you listen I have some great footage!" Diana Tear's voice blared out, the girl clearly not realising Bill Door was not the one who had answered. Or perhaps, given how she hadn't even bothered to make 'how are you' a question, she simply didn't care. "I mean _Great_. Fantastic even! You wouldn't believe who I have in my class! Or my teacher! Really, you would not believe, you'll have to watch for yourself. Ahhh, I need this stuff up on my site pronto, yesterday!!! So, when can the best damn Editor Monkey I know-" Editor monkey?!? What the hell Di? Oh god, everyone heard that. "-Get to work? I'll start the basics on my own, but I'll need your expertise for this Billy!"

'Breathe, Bill, breathe!' his lungs tried to tell him.

"I'm afraid the... Editor Monkey will be late leaving home room today, Miss." The Teacher spoke with the same monotone, but witnesses swore his lips twitched.

"Awwwwwwww! 'Kay, lemme know when. Seriously, this is going to be awesome!" Click.

The phone was laid back on the desk, and the Teacher met Bill's gaze, waiting for him to regain control of his body.

Bill Door was indeed late leaving that day.

-

"Nerts." Di shoved her phone down to the bottom of her bag. Now what?

Oh! Of course!

Interviews! Cast information! How could she have been so distracted? Her fans needed to know about who the people that would be sharing her spotlight were! It could even be a new section of her site!

Camera in hand, the Director to be reviewed her list of targets.


Dean - Angry Scott
Jay - Slash interest
Sao - Stern upper class leader type! (Possible Ice queen?)
Johanna - Mysterious nice girl with sweets! (Possible decent backup camera woman?)
Astarte - Meek but violent girl!
Sean - Normal guy!
Dal - Flirty one! (Anything that moves?)
Jackson - Panicky guy!
Jinn - Cryptic guy!
Andy - Gambler!
Sue - Teachers Pet!


Now, who to interview first...?

[Menarker]

With the class being dismissed, Jinn slid his chair back and walked out, carefully sweeping the shards from his clothing and hair with a rather distasteful expression on his face which had a small cut on his cheek from the glass. The spontaneous combustion of the entire room's lights and the rather disruptive arguments did little to change his original viewpoint on the class. Perhaps Shuyin had room in his class if there was room to transfer?

Regardless, Jinn left the classroom and started walking toward Building A where the Principal's office was, curious if she was aware of the proposed battles between the teachers. Maybe if he was lucky, the fight would be called off and the insanity ended right there on the spot... For that matter, he would probably be bold enough to suggest plastic casings around the new sets of lightbulbs, so if... no, WHEN the bulbs break the next time, they'd be caught inside the casing.

Really... the first day of school was crazy enough... and the next day was not looking any better.

[Astral Harmony]

Astarte promptly made a mental note to be there on the Field of Honour to see the battle between Professor Landry and Professor Shuyin. She was already sketching a picture of the two, all ablaze and pissed off, just about to collide in mid-air with their arms ready to tear into each other.

She remembered that Gorgeous and Vanilla, two of her close circle of friends, had Professor Shuyin as their homeroom teacher. Judging from the display Professor Shuyin put on in her homeroom, Astarte was certain that having him as a professor suited the both of them. Both of them had all the air of people with high social standing, they had strict disciplines when it came to personal hygiene, and they were always polite and courteous.

Astarte decided that she liked Professor Shuyin, but Professor Landry was just much more fun to be around.

At any rate, homeroom was cancelled due to what Astarte could only assume was Professor Shuyin destroying all of the lights, so she excused herself. She didn't have any plans, so she started with the Student Store.
"Welcome to the Student Store. How may I help you?"
Astarte paused for a moment. Professor Landry said that tomorrow was going to be a big day and that they should wear clothes appropriate for, judging from what Professor Landry said, walking right into the mouth of hell itself.
"I guess I need a tank top, a pair of sweat pants, a pair of sneakers, and...oh, what else would you recommend for a long, rough day of physical torment?"
"What kind of activities will you be partaking in tomorrow?"
"I'm not sure. Professor Landry said that-"
"Ah, one of Professor Landry's students. I should've known from the glass fragments in your hair. In that case, I think these will also help."
"Fingerless gloves? Yeah, I think you're right."
"Thank you for stopping by the Student Store. Have a safe day!"

Astarte stopped by the storage room in which her sarcophagus was and stored tomorrow's clothes in one of her storage trunks, then returned to homeroom. Gorgeous insisted that Astarte should only participate in the Art Club when he is there to model for her. Astarte really only attended the Wrestling Club when Linda did. The Cheerleading Club was all about teamwork, so it made no point to go there when Vanilla and some of the other girls were still in homeroom. Miam was also in homeroom, which left Astarte with the one club that she shared with none of her friends.

Joining the Pottery Club started out by being her mother's idea. After all, that was how Astarte's parents made their living, selling finely crafted vases, pots, cups, and other stuff like that. It was a lucrative business, given how even the nobility bought their masterpieces. But when Astarte actually gave pottery a go, she found it to be a great means of releasing stress from her body, just sitting there and letting her hands shape something beautiful.

She'd go there after a little while. But for right now, maybe she could get to know the other classmates better.

[Dracorion]

Well, now he had a name to put on Ms. Sue's face. Adeline Fletcher. "Nice to meet you, Adeline. My name's Jack." He whispered back, since Professor Landry was still talking.

Landry's decision to put Jay, Dal, and Dean together in a group was hilarious, and Jack was still smiling about it. It would continue being fun as long as he stayed out of them. Not like he was living with any of them, anyway.

Then Professor Shuyin appeared at the door. He had blue hair and a neat white suits. Jack could only think one thing.

Gay.

Then all the lightbulbs exploded.

Quick! Divert them!

Don't you think we've used enough magic today?

THERE IS GLASS ABOUT TO FALL ON TOP OF US. THERE'S NO QUESTI-

Aw, dammit.

Out of time.

Glass crashed down on Jack. He quickly shielded his head, resulting in a few scrapes along his hands. Nothing bad. But still, in retrospect he should've used his magic.

He turned his attention back to the rest of the classroom. As it turned out, Professor Landry and Professor Shuyin didn't like each other. And Professor Shuyin kept waving that fan. Definitely gay. Jack didn't much appreciate being called a delinquent, but he was somewhat reassured in Professor Landry's mental stability when she defended her students.

Okay, so she probably wouldn't murder them in their beds any time soon. That didn't speak for other people. Her aura flared up like a burning black throughout her argument with Professor Shuyin, and Jack still couldn't read her.

Oh well. He went back to listening. Professor Landry challenged Professor Shuyin to something called the Field of Honour. At first he thought they were going to have some sort of duel, but then, after Professor Shuyin left, Landry told her students to bring clothes they didn't mind getting torn or burnt, which implied she was involving her students in this.

Which led to Jack walking straight up to her desk as soon as she dismissed the class. The only way he could think of putting this was "Professor, what the hell have you just gotten us into?"

[krogothwolf]

Dean waited till most of the others had left before he decided to get up and head out. Man what a weird class this was going to be. The teacher is pretty bizarre, the groups she assigned them were questionable. I mean, partnering him with Jay seemed silly. Hopefully the thing didn't blow up on him, he really didn't need to fail this class.

He left class and walked past those from the class still lingering. He didn't feel the need to talk to anyone right now, he had somewhere else far more important to be. He kept heading down the hallway towards building Z at a normal pace looking for room 018. He knew it was in the basement but always forgot which direction it was in. He'd probably be scolded by his old master for forgetting little things like that.

"Ah, thar it is!" Dean remarked quietly as he found the room again. He knocked on the door first before opening it up.

"Axcuse me?" he asked as he entered the room, "I was wunderin if I could take wee filia out fer a walk?"

[Overcast]

And like that class was over. He left out the door and opened up his cell phone to record the duel time, planning on coming around with a baseball bat to back up his new favorite teacher. Though that might not actually be the correct thing for him to do altogether he was going to do it anyway just because to him it seemed an absolute neccesity.

Also on the phone was a text message, the calm face of Allen Clark next to it with the label reminder tied to it,

"John said you're a bit of a space so I wanted to remind you that there is Choir practive today at 2. Building V, room 108. I'll see you there bud.
PS: Worth it to drop by 101 afterward. Drama club is always up to something."

Well that was nice of him, because he wasn't going to lie he was more than a little bit out of it from time to time, and he had completely forgot about the choir thing today. So he took off running, not late this time but just enjoying the habit now, on his way to the choir room, to sing songs about god knew what and expand that vocal range to something beautiful.

[Girasol of Chaos]

It was late. Very late.

Shin didn't care much for being on time. Why would school be more important than sleep anyways? Her parents had insisted though, and having nothing better to do she complied. Sporting her favorite outfit, the teenaged ogre wandered the school in search of her homeroom class.

Her writing could have been mistaken as cuneiform, and as such was rather unreliable for directions. She stumbled through the hallways, musing over which individuals she could overpower. It was most of them, in her mind. Brushing some stray onyx strands out of the way Shin came to a sudden halt, nearly running into some punk with a baseball hat leaving class. He was on his cell phone not paying attention, causing Shin to snort quietly in annoyance.


Satisfied with the quiet threat, the oni held up the paper and stood at the door, checking the room number. Q-111, her eyes did not decieve her. But students were leaving class? It couldn't have been the end of the day already. Having no watch on her, Shin shugged.


Shouldering the door aside Shin stepped into the room to find it almost empty and rather dark. There was a desk with some short, angry guy and an auburn haired-woman, almost slouching in her seat. Likely the professor. There were some stragglers leaving class still, but she paid them no mind. They weren't important for the time being. There was another student asking about a bird...there was a bird on the desk. The oni counted the corvid's legs before deeming it unimportant as well.


Not caring to waste her time, her footsteps carried her to the edge of the desk and her throat cleared. "Would you happen to be...", her eyes squinted at the chicken scratch on the paper "...Professor Laundry?" A raised eyebrow punctuated her face of confusion.

[DanteFalcon]

Andy let out a sigh of relief as the class ended. Man that was a stupid class. This was gonna be a long year if she insisted on lecturing about Love and Fightiology all year round. And it seemed he had a little time to burn as it currently stood.

He watched as the class milled about, some leaving, some lingering and others looking as lost as most kids their age were. He stood and walked out, going to get some lunch at the cafeteria and sitting alone, dealing out a hand of Solitaire and eating absentmindedly as he passed the time.

[Arhra]

"Boy."

Jinn found someone waiting around past a corner, dark eyes turning on him when he appeared. The hoodie clad pale girl had her hands on her hips, her head raised proudly and her face was lit with satisfaction.

How had Jo Imirsdotter gotten ahead of him?

"I keep thinking Jean but that doesn't seem right." she said to the tanned teenager with a shrug. "Anyway, I'm Jo."

She approached, looking at him appraisingly. "Are you doing anything right now?"

* * *

In the classroom, Jo packed away her books and waited at her for the press at the door to ease. Staring thoughtfully off into nothing in particular, she leaned forward on her elbows, popping another ice sweet into her mouth.

Resolved, she walked down to the front and waited in queue with the brave or foolish few who had stayed around to ask questions.

Hers was a simple one - what to bring to the Field of Honour.

[Menarker]

Jinn was minorly surprised as he was accosted by a classmate around the corner. He gave a dull stare toward the pale lean girl as if evaluating her appearance could possibly reveal to him valuable insight into her persona. That is, if he bothered to do more than minimal effort. His posture was slightly bent with one hand lazily sheathed in his pocket as he regarded Jo with an uninterested .

"It's Jinn. But it doesn't really matter. Jo, what is it that you want? There is someone I have to talk to soon, but I might be able to give you a minute or two if you can make it quick."

He tried oh-so-hard to hide the exasperation that her delay was causing him. In particular, he didn't care for the tremendous stir she made as she slapped a classmate and hopefully he wasn't her next target for some absurd reason. The day was already tedious enough already. Maybe if her request was simple, she'll leave him alone soon after.

[Teal Mage]

In Q-111

In the near-darkness of her classroom, Professor Landry crisply strode around the wooden cubic form of her desk and, without ceremony, took a seat in the wheeled leather chair at its back. It was difficult to read her expression in the light of the room, but her movements seemed all business as she withdrew a sheet of paper from her lab coat and smoothed it on her desk top.

"Professor," swathed in what was probably an unseasonably warm coat, Jackson Hall had appeared at the Professor's desk. "What the hell have you just gotten us into?"

"Detention." Professor Landry replied dismissively, picking up the Grim Reaper's fountain pen from her desk too. In the dim light of the room, she turned her gaze to the young wizard's eyes, and offered a cheerful smile. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with."

Before Jackson could reply, Dal lazily walked up beside the young man. "If you would, Miss Landry," the smartly dressed raven haired youth offered politely, "I believe I could take the poor crow for the rest of the day." He gestured mildly toward Feathers, who had spent the last little while hopping about Rebecca's desk, "I have a bit of an interest in...ornithology." Dal elaborated, seeming completely at ease, "I could have it back on its proverbial feet given the time to care for it."

The young man's sparkling eyes moved to the bird's beady black ones.

Feathers met his gaze unflinchingly. Then, gave a small nod.

"An excellent idea!" Professor Landry swiftly pulled a new sheet of paper from her desk and began to madly scribble words on it. "Take Feathers and this note to room Z-206 and give it to Director Selena Brooks; she'll assist you with all you need." Having covered the sheet of white paper in illegible swirls of blue text, Professor Landry added an equally stylized signature at the note's end. "But remember Dal," the woman added, setting the pen down and folding the note, "if anything should happen to Feathers, you'll be fully liable for all damages."

Smiling, Professor Landry handed the dark haired youth the note.

Then Jo joined the group at the desk! She asked what to bring to the field of Honour.

"Whatever you think you'll need to fight off heartbroken fangirls!" Professor Landry offered cheerfully, "Professor Shuyin's fan club may not take my pounding his pretty face into the pavement well - as my beloved students, it will be your duty to stop them from interfering." The auburn hair Professor paused thoughtfully, "I would also watch out for ninjas if I were you. I've heard terrible things lately about random ninja attacks-"

"Would you happen to be Professor Laundry?" A new - very muscular - girl asked from the door way.

"Close enough my dear!" Professor Landry had lept from her chair, and was now furiously shaking Shin's hand. "Welcome to my class, I'm so sorry that the lights are all out, you would be Shin Meguro, yes? I'll happily overlook your lateness this time - I am just so excited to see you showed up at all! Have you met Sean? He's half Japanese."

Professor Landry knew many things.

"But wherever are my manners!" Rebecca finally took a breath. "I am Professor Rebecca Landry, a specialist in Love and Fightiology. And you have Detention Tomorrow at 4:00 pm!" She smiled brightly, "Please wear a pair of expendable clothes. Now, what can I help you with?"


* * * * * *

In the Art Room

"Hello Rachel." Michael offered nervously, "I'm Michael." He might have been talking a little too fast to hide the fact that the girl intimidated him.

But, she didn't react.

Gradually, soft orange-gold began to fill the room as the Art Director made her way slowly along the wall. In her hand was a small lighter, the device's bright red plastic showing starkly against her pale skin as she laid it on the wicks of the wax candles, igniting them in soundless flames. Slowly, the room's polished wooden tile floor became more apparent; it looked like something out of a Medieval Ballroom.

The teacher had nearly reached the first corner in the room's wall when Michael spoke again.

"I've -" He grudgingly began, "- never painted before." Gritting his teeth, the slightly embarrassed youth continued, "How do I use a palette?"

Karen paused in her ministrations, before turning slowly toward Michael. Back-lit as she was, it was difficult to read her expression.

"Vhy, you just put a few drops of paint on zhe edges of zhe palette and-"

From behind, a girl's voice rose. "He wants you to show him how to mix paints." A strange hollowness and distance filled Rachel's voice, as if there was no emotion behind her words.

"Vachel," Karen sighed, shaking her head, "vatch have I said about doing zhat? It iz impolite, and makes your eyes glow." The club director crossed her arms, stance tightening, as she turned her attention toward the girl.

"Nix says everyone's eyes glow sometimes." Rachel replied distractedly, looking down at her doll. Holding her brush carefully away from the cloth toy, the artist stroked the doll's hair lovingly. "And you're glowing right now too." She continued, eyes on the toy. "You always glow; why can't I? Nix says I can, but every time I do..." Rachel's voice fell, through her lips kept moving. She seemed to be speaking with herself now.

The girl's eyes hadn't been glowing when she'd been talking.

Idly brushing a hand through her blond hair, Karen shook her head. "I'm sorry." The woman said, turning her attention back to Michael. "She vas vight, yes?" Without waiting for a response, Karen elegantly turned back toward the wall. Delicately, the club head lifted one of the candles, before gesturing toward the desk. "I had intended to show zhe tinting and shadowing demonstration zhis afternoon, vut," Holding the candle before herself, her warm smile was visible when she turned back toward Michael. "I see no problem in offering it twice."

"Come." Boots clicking sharply on the floor, the blond woman approached her desk. Setting the candle down, she selected the red paint, and lifted a palette. "You do not need much paint if you vant to, say make a pale purple. Still, zhis is not as simple as I vill make it seem..."

And so, Karen explained how to mix colors

While the doll watched.


* * * * * *

In Building Z

It was very easy to get lost in Amaranth High, especially when you weren't sure which direction the building you were looking for was located. For Dean, that meant his trip from Building Q to Building Z was a long and roundabout one. Luckily, he arrived in under an hour!

Then, went down into the basement.

And came face to face with the Art Teacher?

Standing a few paces from the now opened door to room Z - 018 was the pale skinned and blond haired figure of Karen Amsel. The woman's arms were crossed beneath her breasts, and her pale eyes were leveled with displeasure on the brown haired Scot. Despite the room being pitch black, she was still clearly visible.

That might have been because she was glowing and see-through.

"Axcuse me?" Dean asked, stepping into the chamber, "I was wunderin if I could take wee Filia out fer a walk?"

"I am afraid zhat is impossible at zhe moment Mr. Hunter." The ghostly Karen replied, stance of disapproval unchanged, "Zhe little dragon is securely locked in an Illusionary Vorld. As I explained to you vhen you arrived, only myself - zhe real me, not a holographic vatch dog - and Director Landyn have zhe clearance to release her."

"Now, if you vere to ask to visit zhe little beast, I suppose I could allow zhat." The holographic Art Director added, before shrugging, "Vill zhat be suitable? You can remain zhere for the remainder of zhe Homeroom Session."

Decisions!

[Astral Harmony]

Astarte had written down all she observed and everything she needed to know. She was a little disappointed. This whole duel between Professor Landry and Professor Shuyin sounded like a perfect event for a outdoor gathering, like a picnic.

It was now fifteen minutes before noon. Astarte cleaned up around her and headed out. First stop, Cooking Club!

"Isn't it kind of bizarre how we have Cooking Club during the lunch period?" Miam asked Astarte and Gorgeous. Astarte always thought that Miam had her own secrets. Miam is almost inexcuseably normal. Normal height, normal skin tone, normal everything. Damn it, what was she hiding?
"Eh, I'm cool with it," Astarte said. "The only difference between attending Cooking Club and just going to lunch is that in here, we make our own meals."
"I'm surprised you even bother to attend, Astarte. Your cooking is really good."
"Sure, when it's simple stuff. My parents were always pretty busy so I did some basic cooking on my own. Bacon and eggs, fried chicken, baked potatoes. Easy stuff, you know?"
"Easy? Man, I wish. I still can't get a TV dinner to taste good."
"That's probably because it's just a TV dinner. Those aren't exactly fine dining. Oh, we should remove the pie crust."

Gorgeous was put to work on whipping egg whites while Miam removed the pie crust. Astarte was hard at work whisking the lemon filling while paying careful attention to the cookbook. "But you know, we should probably not eat just this. I would hardly consider lemon meringue pie to be a balanced lunch."
"Which is why we've got the wonderful Gorgeous with us. Gorgeous, could I ask you to pick up some sandwiches from the cafeteria for us?"
"You need only but ask, my dear," Gorgeous purred, then danced out of the clubroom.
"That guy has really fallen for you at first sight." Miam whistled after Gorgeous exited.
"That's what I'm concerned about," Astarte said. "He's really nice and I like him, but I feel that he's latched on me a little too soon."
"You think he's overbearing? I can talk to him about it."
"No, nothing like that. I don't mind the attention. I guess I just feel like he should've taken some time with other girls before instantly settling on me."

The pie didn't turn out bad. "Could've used more sugar?"
"Yeah, but not much. It's still really good. You'll make an excellent wife."
Astarte changed the subject before her blush became noticable."By the way, Gorgeous. Did Professor Shuyin talk about the battle between him and Professor Landry tomorrow afternoon?"
"He was rather subdued about it," Gorgeous said. "Like it's something he does every week."
"I was thinking that it would be nice to have a picnic and watch the duel," Astarte suggested. "But from the way Professor Landry said it, it sounds like the fighting could extend to us students and result in a widespread bloodbath."
"Fear not, my lovely Astarte!" Gorgeous sang. "I would shield you from all attacks!"
"That's sweet, but Professor Landry is my teacher and Professor Shuyin is yours so-"

The bell rang. Astarte rose up with a pumped fist. "Right! Time to burn off that pie!"
Astarte, Miam and Gorgeous cleaned up quickly and Astarte was already gone.
"What on earth could have her so excited?" Gorgeous wondered.
"Wrestling Club," Miam grinned.

-----

It was a brisk jog from Building D where the Cooking Club was to Building G where the Wrestling Club was, and Astarte didn't waste much time changing. When she entered the club, Linda was already waiting for her.
"How are you doing, Linda? No...'displacements?'"
"None so far, Astarte, and I'm feelin' good! Ready to get it on?"
"You bet! Let's go!"

"Displacement" was their term for any body parts, internal or external, that fell away from Linda's body. Even though she had the body of a lively and beautiful young woman, Linda was still a zombie, and her body tended to lose a bit of its mass from time to time. Still, despite the danger of involuntarily dismemberment, Linda had a physically active life, and all of her clubs revolved around her joy of such activities. It worried Astarte a little.

They didn't spend very long in the Wrestling Club, just enough for Linda to humble Astarte several more times. Linda had raw power that helped her overcome a good number of the other members, Astarte included. Tired but exhilarated at the same time, Astarte and Linda continued to make small talk in the shower room. Astarte decided to invite Linda to observe the duel between Landry and Shuyin.
"I don't know if I'll be able to attend," Linda said. "But it sounds like a lot of fun, but I'm not in either of those homerooms."
"You may be right. Still, you should come and check it out if you have the opportunity."

-----

Astarte decided to attend Pottery Club next to bleed out all the adrenaline. Pottery wasn't about chatting with friends. It wasn't about physical activity or working as a team. It was just sit there, relax, and make something beautiful.

Well, not exactly beautiful in Astarte's case. Astarte had seen the pottery that her mother made, even had a few pieces which would fetch quite a lot of money, and just seeing those works of art made Astarte somewhat melancholy, despite her mother's encouraging words that it took her forever and a day to produce pottery that grand.

-----

Art Club was next, but time was growing short before Cheerleading Club. Gorgeous insisted on being Astarte's model nearly all of the time, which was any time that Astarte was supposed to sketch or paint something else.

"Gorgeous, I know you're doing the best you can as a model-"
"I would give nothing less than one-hundred percent for you, my dear!"
"But do you always have the pose without a shirt?"
"Only the best way to get my full definition!"
"And your pants are barely hanging on for dear life. Makes me wonder why you bother wearing them at all."
"Oh, you want me to remove my pants?"
Astarte was glad that her mummy wrappings hid her red face. "No, no, I'm cool."

-----

Cheerleading!

"So, do you want get together on some of the other days for personal practice?"
"Sounds good, Vanilla. Oh, I talked to Gorgeous about that duel Professor Landry is having with Professor Shuyin."
"What did he say?"
"A whole lot of not much. I guess Professor Shuyin was kinda hush-hush about it?"
"The professor's always kind of cool and collected about it. Me, not so much. It took all of my being just to keep from laughing until Professor Shuyin left to go deal with the noise going on next door."
Astarte nodded. "Our professor is pretty eccentric. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what she was going to do next. I think it's like her mind is full of various ideas, but she only has enough time to get the first idea out before she moves on to the next one. It's not bad, though. I know I'll never be bored in that class."

Once all the girls got changed, the practice started. Astarte and Vanilla were both pretty exhausted by the time it was over, not to mention many of the other girls. "Today's practice was kind of slow, don't you think?"
"Yeah. I always kind of though we were supposed to bounce around a lot and give the crowd quick glances at our panties through accidental upskirts."
"Seems like today's practice was more like exercise. My legs are pretty tired and I think they're going to be aching a lot tomorrow."
"You just don't get to use your legs very often, Vanilla. We can work on that in your room during this week, right?"
"Sure, it's a promise."

[Arhra]

Having approached Jinn, Jo found herself met with exasperation, dullness and disinterest. She glared at him, a frown on her face. Anger smouldered in her coal-black eyes but then they suddenly watered. She swung around suddenly so he couldn't see her face.

"Fine! I don't want your help, st-stupid!" she snapped over her shoulder.

Jo ran off.

* * *

Expendable clothes and the possibility of random ninja attack. Hmmm.

Jo looked very thoughtful as she wandered up the classroom's stairs. This could get messy. Maybe she should take some precautions.

She looked up and smiled, pushing those thoughts from her mind. Seating herself carefully on the back of the seat of the row before, she gave Sean a welcoming smile.

"We haven't properly spoken." Jo said, thrusting out one pale, cold hand to shake. "Jo Imirsdotter. I'll be your room-mate this term. Pleased to meetcha."

[Bard The 5th LW]

Sean decided he would just have to sit tight while the Professor spoke with the remaining students. He watched idly as Dal got a bird, the professor warned of ninja-attacks, and muscle-bound girl came in, being introduced by the professor as Shin.

"Have you met Sean? He's half Japanese."

To this Sean gave the girl a half-hearted wave from his desk. No reason in standing really, he wasn't leaving anytime soon. Apparently someone else decided to take a seat as well. Jo was her name? She was the one who volunteered to be in a group with him as well. May as well get to know her, she seemed nice enough.

"We haven't properly spoken." Jo said, thrusting out one pale, cold hand to shake. "Jo Imirsdotter. I'll be your room-mate this term. Pleased to meetcha."

"Good to meet you as well, I'm Sean Castevet," the lad introduced, sending out a similarly pale and cold palm. He took notice that the handshake was indeed quite chilling in the most literal sense, not that it bothered him. "I think we'll get along well," he said as he pulled his hand back lowering his voice only a little, "I take it you also like the cold?"

[Overcast]

Choir club had been awesome. He had started out a bit shy, because he was off the baseball field and trying to exercise a skill he hadn't really known he was any good at. He did have some minor issues during the time: don't sing out your nose; k, t, ect are unsingable and you should try to pull the emphasis off of them; don't sing so much with your throat or else you'll get all raspy and terrible after a few weeks. It was nothing more practice wouldn't hurt, and it was all worth knowing before they went on to any kind of actual performance. Allen had said he had the potential to be the lead tenor if he could get some confidence and sharpen his skill. Which made him grin. There was always something nice about being told you have potential.

After choir he dropped by the drama room, just a quick little jaunt down the hallway. They currently didn't have any major plays in the schedule so they were mostly playing around with improv acts. Daniel himself showed off his immense versatility, quickly shedding that ridiculously queer persona he always had for whatever was suited. He was a genius of impressions, when they played something called, "Mirror game." He'd basically beat everyone and still managed to be hilarious. It was a lot of fun, even if Jay had a bit of trouble trying to come up with ideas. Daniel told him the most important part of being funny is being spontaneous, that whole don't think, feel Bruce Lee speech. That if he thought too much about what he was doing he was just going to wreck himself, "Just lose yourself! You'll find your way back eventually."

After that he and Daniel took off to meet up with the other two, apparently just to do some lazing about by building M, which Allen had referred to as, "That big ass stone with the garden on top." Apparently they did this a lot. Often just sitting around coming up with crazy ideas why that thing was there, and how they maintained the vegetation. The whole day seemed to rush by, and while he wasn't sure yet if he loved his class he knew that his friends were awesome,

"Have a good day?"

John would ask later on that night before they drifted off to sleep. Jay would grin big in his pajamas as he stared out the window to the starry sky, heart thumping softly in anticipation of the future,

"Magical."

[Arhra]

"Good to meet you as well, I'm Sean Castevet," Sean said, shaking Jo's hand. "I think we'll get along well," he said as he pulled his hand back. He dropped his voice slightly. "I take it you also like the cold?"

Jo hesitated for a moment and then made a connection.

"Ah sorry, I think I left the air conditioner on in our dorm." she apologised with a slight wince. She'd have to be a little more careful about these things. She smiled. "Glad that's not a problem. I really don't handle heat well."

"So you're half Japanese according to the Professor?" she asked the tall teenager. "Have you spent any time living in Japan then?"

[Bard The 5th LW]

"Ah sorry, I think I left the air conditioner on in our dorm." she apologised with a slight wince. She'd have to be a little more careful about these things. She smiled. "Glad that's not a problem. I really don't handle heat well."

"Huh? Oh no, doesn't bug me. The sun and I aren't on great terms," he said, making a pointing gesture towards his chalk-colored skin.

"So you're half Japanese according to the Professor?" Jo asked of him. "Have you spent any time living in Japan then?"

"Well I was born in Japan," he explained. "Lived there for about a yeaar as a baby, but there was apparently some sort of falling out between my parents. A little while later, my dad and me moved back to Ontario, so I really don't remember much there."

He looked back at the professor for a moment to see if she was ready to talk yet, and he decided he had some time.

"So where are you from Jo? Tell me a bit about yourself."

[Girasol of Chaos]

Shin's perplexed look intensified with the furious handshake that was demanded by the professor. Perhaps Laund-, no, Landry understood how she judged people? The oni returned the handshake graciously, but was simply firm. " Eh, I like the dark anyways."

The hasty introduction to...Sean was short lived. The muscular boy waved, to which Shin nodded in acknowledgement. She would talk to him later, if he cared to. If he was as strong as he looked, maybe she could learn a thing or two.

Turning back to Landry, the confused look returned with the contradictory detention assignment, but was shaken off just as quickly. "Ah, naw, thanks. I'm off to train." A grin crossed her face, almost flashing her tusks, "wouldn't happen to know where a girl can get a good wrassle, would you?"


******

Finding the room in building G wasn't that difficult. It was easier for Shin to remember things she actually cared about.

Unfortunately she was late to this too, everyone had been paired off. The oni instead used the time to opt out of activity for the day. It was no good if she came to a new school and was thwarted in strength. No...she would observe the other members and learn a little about their style before diving in. Among the crowd there were two in particular who puzzled her- a pair of undead.

The mummy was....talkative. So was her zombie partner, who occassionally lost a body part. They had the advantage over fleshy beings due to the lack of pain (or need of oxygen) but would prove easy to overpower if a limb was lost...

And the zombie was better. Next time, the oni would challenge the green-skinned undead. If she won, it would establish herself at least in this group. If -heavens forbid- she lost, then Shinobu would have every need to kick the crud out of everyone in succession.

With the brains-feaster last.

Analysis was completed by the time the two left. Shin continued to observe the other members before retiring to find something to eat at the cafeteria. As she left the room her free hand ran through her mohawk, playing with the strands in idle amusement.

[Riin Whitewind]

Jagged remains of lightbulbs jutted from the cieling like nascent stalactites. Shards of glass - untempered and sharp - sprinkled every exposed surface in the now-gloomy room. Light still filtered in through the windows and open door, but the stream of people made it unreliable at best. With an internal sigh, Sao brushed glass fragments out of her hair and off her desk, adding to the clutter on the floor.

Lifting her skirt so that it floated above the gleaming glass, the Undine stood and stepped lightly towards the door, silk-slippered feet revealed by the raised material. She moved cautiously, intending to pass through the threshold of the class with a minimum of injury to her clothes. Any small nicks on her arms or feet would heal, but a rip in her slippers or skirt would take much more time and skill to mend.

Entering the hallway, Sao was passed in both directions by similarly freed students - If Shuyin had intended his interruption to quiet the building, he had failed, for their bustle and noise had filled the hall far more effectively than any overeagre demonstration of Landry's. She felt sorry for him, having to share a wall with that loudmouth would fray anyone's nerves. Wandering almost listlessly towards the beconing warmth of sunlight outside, she wondered how she would maintain her calm through the coming months.

Landry's rashness was far more alarming than her volume. Her teacher's battle declaration, getting all the students involved... A match on the Field of Honour was not something to take casually - as her homeroom teacher clearly was. Straightening her shoulders, the young swimmer refused to allow that her future - her very existance - would be compromised by this flighty human broad. Her beloved Amaranth, with its vast waters and endless fields, demanded that she be around to care for it. And so she would, no matter what this irritating bird did to sabotage her.

Needing the reassurance that her world would not be swept from under her feet so quickly, Sao headed for building H. Some time spent swimming would be a comfort, but it was too early in the day to leap and splash amongst the fountains and streams of Amaranth. When people were about, it was best to conceal her native form and simply swim as a human would - confined to a tiny pool in the depths of a building, unnaturally heated and treated. Still, it was better than nothing.

[krogothwolf]

Damn, Dean had totally forgotten about all that. He was so thinking about other things today that he forgot he needed physical permission first. Though he always wondered about that if she knew that people entered here and had the ability to do what she did why it mattered. This school was full of strange people after all. He though for a minute, not being to disturbed by the glowing lady.

"Ack, I can dae that instead," Dean finally said to her, "I just wanna make sure she be okay and everything, dinnae want the little lassie to feel I dinnae care or anything, and she does get a little lonely after to long. Sorry I fergot about asking ya directly, been a strange day with Prof. Landry and all...she's a very strange teacher eh?"

Dean then sat back quietly, waiting for Karen to decide what to do.

[Arhra]

"I'm Scandinavian myself." Jo replied quietly to Sean. "Lived to the north in my mother's house. It was so much cooler there."

"I said before I like cloudy days, mysteries and replicas. I like the first because there's more variety, the second because they are strange and puzzling and the third because they're something trying to be something else.

"Also, sports, but I felt that one was too ordinary for a mysterious introduction." she added with a conspiratorial air.

"Speaking of sports, I am still finalising what clubs to join. It seemed to me that it would be good to do a tour of a few this afternoon. Would you like to come?" she asked the pale, tall boy.

"Did you know there's a shark fighting club? I have to see it!" It was quite possible the reality could never live up to the dream.

[Teal Mage]

The sky was orange.

Pendant sparkling in the evening sunlight, Adeline Fletcher flipped open her blue and white cellphone. Orange geometric symbols dominated the black screen within, stating the current time. Six fifteen. The hazel eyed girl read, snapping her phone shut with a sigh. 'nother forty-five minutes, at least. From her sitting position on her impromptu bench - which was really a smooth square shaped planter, containing a towering tree and a handful of ferns of some kind - Adeline leaned back and stretched, letting out a low groan.

"So bored!"

After the debacle that had been her homeroom with Professor Landry, Adeline had quietly snuck out of the room and made her way to the riding club. After a short demonstration of her abilities as a rider, the Club Director - a blessedly normal man - had allowed her to take one of the horses out for the afternoon to explore the many riding paths around the woods. It had been a pleasant diversion.

She'd returned for a late lunch, then decided to explore the campus. Over the last handful of hours, she'd visited around half of the school's buildings, introduced herself (briefly) to the Heads of each of her clubs, eaten a light supper and found her way to the Field of Honour - a weird garden sitting on top of a three story slab of rock near the campus's center.

Now, sitting on the edge of a planter set in one of the Field's corners, Adeline was only now realizing how much her body - specifically her feet - ached from all the walking and riding she'd done that day. She was bored, but, she was also too tired to descend the three flights of stairs separating her from the ground - let alone look for something interesting. The Field of Honour, despite its exciting name, had proven to be entirely dull. It was just a well tended, and strangely high up, garden.

Adeline sighed again. Climbing up here had seemed like a good idea at the time. Well, parents aren't here for another fort- She checked her watch again, forty-three, she amended mentally, minutes. Shrugging, Oh well. Adeline reached behind herself, before grasping and pulling her braid forward. I'll find something to do.

She began to redo the braid.

At least this place is quiet.


* * * * * *


False mahogany wood panels covered the walls of Amaranth High's main Cafeteria, a large - nearly perfect - square room in the center of building D's first floor. Circular tables with tops of plastic - coloured like wood to match the walls - were scattered throughout the room, the room's size allowing them to be a fair distance from one another. All told, the room could sit most of the school's student body comfortably, with some space left over.

Several doors led into the room, ten all told, nine for students, distributed three each to the South, East and West walls of the room. The North side held a single door, reserved for the Kitchen Staff and leading into the kitchen. A long - fake - wooden counter ran the length of the north wall at mid-chest height, sectioning part of the cafeteria off from the rest of it. The Kitchen Staff stood behind it dressed in white uniforms emblazoned with the red flower crest of the school. Covered silver trays were set at even intervals along the counter, containing a variety of hot dishes. For a school Cafeteria, the food was far fresher than you'd expect.

It was just after six, the supper rush was nearing its end now. Five-Thirty seemed to be the most popular time for students to arrive in Amaranth, and many of them only stayed long enough to sit down and eat. Already, half the seats in the room were empty.

Black hair standing proudly in her trademark Mohawk, Shinobu Meguro was one of those students still occupying a seat in the Cafeteria. By the food in front of her, the deliquent Oni was eating supper.

Such a normal evening.

[Riin Whitewind]

Dressed in a set of Institute-issued sweats over her still-damp suit, Sao finished tying up her running shoes. Her normal clothes were folded neatly in a gym bag on the bench beside her, waiting to be carried out of the confines of the girls' locker room. A heavy smell of clorine and sweat was already starting to permeate the building, even with the extensive airing out it had undergone during the off-season, but the Undine didn't mind. It called to mind the salt and brack of an ocean-fed river, complete with the feeling of competition and challenge. Amused, she ran her fingers through her hair, spiking it while it was still damp. Feeling ready to face the outside world again, Sao grabbed her gym bag and headed home.

Before she had even reached the end of the hall, her path was revised. First food, and then home. Drowning her sorrows had taken up more time than the black-haired woman had realised.

It was only a short walk to building D, and soon Sao found herself in front of one of the mildly ornate cafeteria doors. Reaching for the handle, she took a startled step back as it opened before her, a small group of female students streaming out. The group flowed around the swimmer as if she didn't exist, talking amongst themselves about how their first day had gone. The Undine couldn't help but watch until they had turned the corner towards the stairs, feeling uneasy and lonely all at once. Being ignored was never a comfortable feeling.

Once the students had moved out of sight, she tried the entrance again. This time the door opened easily under her hand, allowing her into the warmth of the cafeteria proper. Collecting a tray, some utensils, and a plate of salad from one of the uniformed servers, Sao looked for an open table to claim. Or... Maybe... The feeling of loneliness persisted still. Changing her mind, the Undine looked for a table with only one occupant - and easily spotted a black mohawk rising above the sea of styled hair. Such a distinctive hairsyle for a school such as this, it could only belong to the tall, somewhat intimidating girl from the last minute of 'class'.

Steeling her resolve (and realising that she had stood frozen by the servers long enough to attract attention), Sao set her tray down near Shin's. Holding a tanned hand out to shake in the neutral area between them, the swimmer introduced herself. "I'm Sao Opallios," she smiled, trying to be friendly, "We're in the same homeroom class."

[Girasol of Chaos]

STEAK

Delicious, bloody protein was being ravenously devoured by Shin, who had forgotten that she hadn't had her daily dose of meat. That is, until her mouth was blessed by its presence. Although she wasn't entirely barbaric about eating her food, it was enough to make some of the more....elegant students feel uneasy. But none of that mattered, and it mattered even less at this moment. She had her steak, and at this point nothing else existed in her world.

Her thought process-or lack of- was interrupted by a tan, somewhat toned girl. The smell of chlorine seemed to follow her, a swimmer? A hand was offered, much smaller than the ogre's, "I'm Sao Opallios. We're in the same homeroom class." The girl's hazel eyes offered that she wasn't quite as confident as she was acting, but it was certainly good effort. A bit too polite as well...

Swallowing, Shin took the offered hand and gave a firm shake, "Didn't notice you to be honest. I'm Shinobu." The oni's hand retreated and went directly back to picking the remnants of her meal with a fork. "So what do you need? You're the first person to talk to me here. You must want somethin." Shin's red eyes fixed on Sao, judgemental. It was terribly difficult resisting the urge to grin. Would she run?


The Sao girl seems harmless, but you never knew who was going to up and punch you.

[SinrXIII]

Kohana was annoyed.

He'd been walking around the school all day, and -still- couldn't find the damn room he was supposed to be in. He'd never been great with directions, it was true, but this damn school...

The place was just too damn big for his taste. he wasn't used to being somewhere with so many rooms around. The plains were one thing, but this many buildings, rooms...

It was a nightmare, really.

He'd found a quiet place by the schools fountains to rest at, since he'd been walking all day and was now incredibly tired. One thing kept running through his mind as he stretched out on the edge of the fountain.

"This school is turning out to be one big pain in the ass."

He pushed himself up, grumbling and running a hand through his long hair. Muscles rippled under his duster as he started to walk towards the nearest building. Which one was this? Well, it didn't really matter, they all looked the same to him.

Not that he was looking carefully.

He stretched lightly as he walked down yet another hall, grumbling to himself. He passed several rooms, one of which held a strange looking lady teacher wearing a lab coat and glasses, and a few students. He pressed on, agitation moving him. He bypassed several other students as he moved, paying little attention to anything except walking.

"Damnit, damnit, damnit, damnit! Where the hell am I going?!" He growled out, quickening his pace. His duster flapped with each step, showing off his shirtless torso rather blatantly.

Again, not that he was paying attention. He was content to walk through the halls, dodging students and faculty alike as he searched for room Q-111.

[Riin Whitewind]

The swimmer was a little shocked at the bluntness of Shinobu's question. Wasn't there generally a little more small talk, a bigger screen of politeness between dealings of humans? Sao's smile didn't waver, doing her best to maintain her confident veneer.

Waiting for a reply, the ogre speared another piece with a fork, causing a gush of red juice to fall onto the plate. Sao dodged the judgemental red gaze, feeling a little ill. Sacrifices of meat were reserved for elder dieties, not minor spirits such as Undine. The hunk of raw meat before her dining companion made her uncomfortable, but she wasn't about to try and take it away from her.

"I do want something. It's my first year of classes here." The Undine sat, taking a bite of salad and watching as Shin shovelled steak into her mouth. "I want a friend, I don't know any of the other students at Amaranth."

[Girasol of Chaos]

Shin smiled, not out of friendliness, but being genuinely impressed by Sao's bravery. It was a good chance to flash some tusks at the girl, one more shot to scare her off.

"I do want something. It's my first year of classes here. I want a friend, I don't know any of the other students at Amaranth." Sao set herself down and began eating some rabbit food, avoiding a direct gaze.

Seeing that the smaller girl still remained, Shin nodded. "Well then, I guess that works." The application of steak to mouth resumed, but more deliberately. The food had almost entirely disappeared, giving her time to observe the new pupil. Sao still looked uncomfortable, but would apparently endure.

"So uh...you're new here too then?" Shin's voice wavered a little to match her eyes, slightly confused by the undine's reaction. The oni's gaze was now more out of curiosity. Blue was creeping back into Shin's irises- the non-aggressive norm. "Where'd you come from?"

[Steel Shadow]

Adeline sighed again. Climbing up here had seemed like a good idea at the time. Well, parents aren't here for another fort- She checked her watch again, forty-three, she amended mentally, minutes. Shrugging, Oh well. Adeline reached behind herself, before grasping and pulling her braid forward. I'll find something to do.

She began to redo the braid.

At least this place is quiet.


"Hi there!"

The chipper greeting rang out from behind Adeline, as a blue baseball cap appeared over the edge of the planter. Slowly, it became clear that the hat was supported by the head of her red-headed classmate, as Diana Tear's face rose above the edge of her commandeered seat as she clambered up what must have been a 3 story drop, supporting herself with her makeshift hand-holds and unstable looking ledges despite how heavy the various equipment bags she had slung over her shoulders looked.

Diana had quickly realised she wasn't properly equipped for interviews after homeroom, and headed back to her dorm to pick up some gear she hadn't expected to need. It turned out class wasn't going to be as boring as she'd thought it would be! Clearly, she'd need to go all out. But, of course, by the time she'd gotten back to the class room (Who's idea was it to put the class and the dorm in different buildings, anyway?!?) pretty much everyone had left.

Slightly put out, Di had decided to get some more footage of the school grounds, and some preliminary club introductions. Pretty much none of her clubs were meeting today, however, so aside from a few interesting shots of people messing around in Drama, Di had mostly been wandering around the campus. Well, wandering isn't really the right word. Clambering would be closer. Everyone knew the higher up you were, the better the view. Which brings us nicely to Diana and her current victim. How fortuitous she was to find an escaped classmate! Now to explain the situation to her as clearly as possible.

"I found you! Yay! Ok, hold still a sec, I need to -hup- get up there and get the camera -ooof- all set up!" Di scrambled at the stone surface, her fingers somehow finding purchase in the rock, and she managed to drag herself up onto solid ground, equipment and all. "Heee, that was a long climb. But worth it!" She half sighed, grinning broadly.

What followed was a blur.

Adeline discovered in short order why Diana's best friend/room mate kept her away from the coffee. The girl was doing everything at once, from setting up her camera on a tripod, to checking the lighting, to a rather unnerving inspection of Adeline's make-up and clothing. All this seemed to occur in what felt like three seconds.

And then Di was sitting next to the poor girl, microphone in hand, the camera whirring to life.

Diana's hair imperceptibly shifted colours, becoming a deep, rich crimson that shone in the sun. She would have been very embarrassed about that if she'd known.

"Hi there fans! Heehee, I hope you all don't mind the set-up here, I was just so excited, I had to do this right now! Here I am, ready to introduce you to one of my new classmates and friends, Miss Sue! I'm sure you'll all love her! Let's get started right away, so you'll all get to know her pronto! Here goes!"

And with that, the Director extrodinare turned to Adeline and launched into a series of questions. "So, Miss Sue, why don't you start by telling us your full name?" she asked in a soothing, yet unquestionable tone from which there could be no escape. "And what is it that you do? Don't be afraid!" Di smiled calmly again, picking up the pace. "Where are you from? What classes are you taking? What are your interests? What are you interests romantically (Don't worry, my blog judges no one!) Who are you interested in romantically? Why!? Really? Wow."

She took a breath, her usually meagre chest bobbling. "And now we're past the basics, make yourself sound interesting in exactly 30 words! Or face the penalty... Oh, and finally! As we all know, you're running against Ms Sao Opallios for class president. Have you any response to your rivals accusations that you are unfit for your uniform?"

Important questions needed answering.

[Overcast]

Meanwhile, down at the bottom of the Field of Honour , far from the probing questions of Diana Tear that most assuredly were terrorizing the poor Adeline sat four boys staring up at the evening sky. A ritual born of old friendships, that had invited a new connection into the tradition. Jay Miles found himself captivated by the natural beauty of the campus once more after all the amusement of the clubs. All of this goodness was a bit more than he was used to, and in the silence he found a few words he couldn't help but say,

"...I like it here."

Ignoring the obnoxious Scot this place seemed like a haven, a beautiful new start of something truly excellent. John Helenski let off a bit of a smirk as he felt himself compelled to speak as well,

"We like having you here Jay. Even if you are a bit of a scatterbrain."

Daniel felt like chiming in now that they were making fun of Jay, as was his nature,

"And maybe a bit too stiff."

Allen got a nudge to the ribs by his room mate letting him know that it was his turn to be a jerk,

"And a bit flat."

Jay laughed out loud at it all. He didn't mind the ribbing, it was all something he could improve on. They had said before that the real beauty of hanging about here was the serenity and the silence. And also just the mysterious reason of having a big ass stone block with a garden on top. It was a lot to contemplate, but they typically thought about nothing, or everything. It was a time to soak in everything you had figured out that day, and maybe think about what you were going to do tomorrow. Free to leave of your own volition and embrace the ending day.

Allen stood up first, walking off to his room, keen on listening to some music to figure what the next big chorus project was going to be. Then Daniel, not revealing his plans, which only made them seem even more suspicious. Then John, figuring that Jay could use just a second alone to let the whole world he had just fallen into finally take perfect root.

And he sat there at the bottom, still entranced, a smile on his face.

He was happy.

[Teal Mage]

"Hi there!"

Hands half way up her braid, Adeline jumped in surprise. Unfinished braid falling forgotten from her grip, the brunette's head whipped around, hazel eyes narrowed in suspicion toward the voice's source.

A floating blue hat.

Adeline's face grew visibly pale.

"I found you! Yay!" The hat rose a few more inches, revealing the face of her red haired classmate, Diana Tear. "Ok, hold still a sec," Eyes now wide, a stunned Adeline Fletcher watched in blank amazement as the short blue eyed girl struggled to hull herself onto the third story of the Field of Honour, "I need to -hup- get up there and get the camera -ooof- all set up!"

Diana succeeded moments later.

"Heee, that was a long climb. But worth it!"

"Th-there are stairs..." Adeline offered half-heartedly, moveing her finger toward the case of stone steps that connected the garden to the ground. Diana, already busy rushing around the cube-shaped planter her new-found-victim was using for a bench was obviously not interested in listening. Adeline had a sinking feeling that she'd lost any chance of escaping this situation already. For a movie director, Diana could move quickly!

And was also looking way too closely at her face.

"He-hey! Stop that!" Adeline shoved the personal-space invader away.

Diana, seemingly unperturbed, recovered quickly. Before Adeline had time to so much as blink, she suddenly found the amateur director sitting beside her on the planter, microphone in hand, and camera set up in front of them.

It was recording.

...had Diana's hair just gotten redder? And were those black sparkles floating around her!?

Adeline rubbed her eyes, trying to get the crazy out of them.

Diana was talking to her camera. "...was just so excited, I had to do this right now! Here I am, ready to introduce you to one of my new classmates and friends, Miss Sue!"

"That's not my na-"

"I'm sure you'll all love her! Let's get started right away, so you'll all get to know her pronto! Here goes!" Diana finally took a breath, before allowing her blue eyed regard to slid from the Camera, to her target, "So, Miss Sue, why don't you start by telling us your full name?"

Arms crossed and obviously displeased, Miss Sue replied flatly. "Adeline Dalia Fletcher."

"And what is it that you do? Don't be afraid!"

"I'm a student." Adeline deadpanned.

Diana retaliated with rapid-fire-cheerfulness, "Where are you from? What classes are you taking? What are your interests? What are you interests romantically? Who are you interested in romantically?"

"Quebec, I'm in the Riding, Archery, Newspaper and Fencing Clubs, I'm not telling you and that's none of your camera's business."

"Why!?"

"Ask in two weeks." Shutting her hazel eyes, Adeline tossed her head defiantly.

"Really?" Diana seemed slightly put out. "Wow." Taking a breath, the red head marshalled her courage and tried another tactic. Returning to her chipper persona, the amateur director glanced toward her camera, "And now we're past the basics," The girl returned her blue eyes to Adeline! "Make yourself sound interesting in exactly 30 words! Or," Diana paused momentarily, "face the penalty..." She trailed off, eyes glittering malevolently in the evening sunlight.

"What?" Adeline frowned at the strange girl. "I really don't want to."

Diana did not seem willing to accept that.

"Uh." Quickly recalculating, Adeline counted her used words on her fingers. "Well-" Eight. "My parents are scientists who do that weird evil laugh thing, and I live off campus with them in the city." She had one word left.

OhgodwhatcanIsayinoneword!?

"I-"

"Oh, and finally!" Diana cut in, right at the thirty words mark, "As we all know, you're running against Ms Sao Opallios for class president. Have you any response to your rival’s accusations that you are unfit for your uniform?"

Hazel eyes widening, Adeline jerked back in surprise. "She-" Expression tightening, the brunette shut her eyes and crossed her arms beneath her modest chest. "Well, I didn't want the job anyway. For all I care, Sao can take it if she wants it so badly!" Suddenly, Adeline had leaned in close with Diana, the girl's green, amber and brown eyes boring intensely into Diana's own blue ones. "Professor Landry just said I was a Candidate, got it?" The brunette's lightly tanned finger pressed against Diana's chest to make a point. "I didn't volunteer for the position!"

Adeline let out an indignant laugh, snapping her head away from Diana and putting distance between the red head and herself again. "But if Sao is so desperate to be President of that Psychopath's class that she'd start insulting me! Well." She crossed her arms again, still facing the direction opposite to Diana. "I'll just have to destroy her on the campaign trail!" Eyes flashing, Adeline's eyes and finger whipped toward Diana's Camera.

"You hear me Sao! I won't rest until one of us is completely obliterated and left choking on the ashes of the other's victory! Prepare for an Election Season like no other!"

[SinrXIII]

The action at the top of the stairs was entertaining, Kohana had to admit. Or at least, it sounded that way. The native had his hands tucked into his pockets as he slowly ascended the stairs towards his newly chosen vantage spot.

All day, Kohana had been wandering around the school, his ire rising steadily as room Q-111 continued to elude him. Some hunter he was supposed to be.

"But hell, what's the great Kohana Akecheta supposed to do? Track a room by smell? It's not like any of these places are any different. Cities are so annoying." He'd been repeating himself most of the day, growling and cursing as he failed and failed again to find the room he was supposed to be in.

This was no different as he ascended the stairs to the gardens above.

He'd spotted the building from a ways off, and decided if he couldn't find room Q-111 by wandering the school, maybe he ought to just climb something and look for entertainment.

"Looks like I found it, too..." His head cleared the stairwell, and orange light bathed his now bare chest; his duster dragged the ground, as he'd taken to carrying it in his right hand as it swung at his side. The tattoos on his chest and arms, Native American patterns stylized in what appears to be black ink, were visible in the fading light of day, though the ones on his back were obscured by his long and straight black hair. His face remained free from obstruction, however, as the bandanna on his head held his hair at bay.

That wolfish grin on his face tied the whole image together nicely, as he stood to the side of the girls and slung his duster over his shoulder.

"Heeeeey, you city girls aren't bad. Maybe I'll warm up to this place after all... You, you said Landry, right?" His grin broadened and he offered his empty hand.

"Kohana Akecheta. We're classmates."

[Riin Whitewind]

Blissfully unaware of Diana Tear's slander, the other contender for Class President dined next to her new friend. Her new friend who she would immediately have to lie to.

Quickly taking a bite of salad to quell her initial urge to babble, Sao thought fast. Finishing the bite, she smiled, hoping Shin couldn't read the lie between her words.
"I stay with my foster father, Kirk. Before this, he headed the groundskeeping at Bowood House, in Wiltshire, England. The gardens here at Amaranth were modeled in the same style, and they wanted his expertise."

The swimmer paused, then added the natural counter - "What about you?"

[Girasol of Chaos]

All precious meat had mysteriously disappeared from Shinobu's plate, allowing her to lean back and observe her new friend. Something seemed...off to the oni, but she shrugged it off as Sao's nervousness. Besides, who *wouldn't* be intimidated by the 'do? Idiots, that's who.

"So the gardenin' dude is kinda your dad? That's cool." An awkward pause was placed here as Shin realized she had nothing intellectual to say about anything plant-related. A cough before continuing " I'm from Japan, not that I look it. Short people everywhere and all." The oni's hands entwined behind her head and cradled her neck in a relaxed pose, elbows jutting outward. "My parents kicked me out of the house, so I'm stuck here. Not much at home anyways."

As if reminded, this was followed by a cautious, half-caring "So what did I miss in class today? Anything important or just the old 'welcome to class' crap?"

[Krylo]

It was shortly after class and Dal walked out of his room shortly behind an annoyed raven haired woman whom hadn't seemed to enter it. As the woman left, however, Dal called after her, "Remember, tomorrow morning," with a smirk on his face that elicited nothing more than an annoyed huff as she stormed away.

The smile on Dalbhach's lips faded quickly, however as he realized he still had no idea how to--

"Well well well, if it isn't little Mr. Nuada," came an irish accented voice from behind him. "Caged like a little bird."

Immediately Dal's face split into a grin as he turned to face the spritish youth leaning on the wall behind him. The other boy's clothes were crumpled and his hair a mess even greater than Dal's, but he could hardly be called unattractive even with the impish, almost malevolent smile, stretched across his face.

"Mister Goodfellow," came Dal's response. "I was just looking for you. I believe I could use your expertise." An arm gestured dramatically back toward his door, "If you would simply enter my office."

Puck sprang up from the wall with with a snorted, 'hah.' "Only been 'ere a day and you're already makin' trouble?" He asked as he rolled toward the door way, "How could I say no ta bein' involved in on o' your schemes?"

-------

A few hours later Dalbhach Nuada was walking the halls of Amaranth High, tossing a small vial up with a wide grin on his face before snatching it out of the air and sliding it into his pocket with one fluid motion as he swung open the doors to the cafeteria and walked in like he was walking onto a yacht.

Picking through the food, the young man quickly had a plate that was surprisingly unhealthy for something that appeared mostly vegetarian. Various berries littered his plate, along with a slice of pie, a bit of angel food, a brownie, and a cookie or two, all covered with whipped cream along with a couple of bottles of fruit flavored sodas.

An amalgam that quickly found itself on the table right next to one very large girl with a mohawk, and across from a very singular Ms. Sao Opallios. With a never ending smile that would have most likely been charming in most circles, though one could hardly judge how an oni would react, the slender boy introduced himself. "Ah, you're the late arrival, yes?" he asked. "Name's Dalbhach Nuada, but Dal will be just fine."

Sliding into his seat and opening a bottle of orange soda with a hiss he quickly moved his attention from the larger girl to Sao with a single minded attention. "I see you've already met Sao," he spoke, his eyes on the undine though his message obviously meant for the oni, "She and I will be working together in home room."

[Bard The 5th LW]

A little while after the others were finished and left Landry's room, Sean also found his way out of the class of eternal craziness. Like Dal, he also exited with more than he entered with.

On the professor's orders, he stayed after the class to speak with her. Not much actual speaking took place, but there was still an exchange between them. After he finished his conversation with Jo, the teacher had given him a bottle filled with a strange black liquid, and the instructions "drink this if you feel you are going to die." Sean could think of no response and instead nodded and left the room in silence.

Who would of thought a teacher could be such an enabler!? He had half a mind to report this, but he in the end decided he would need a bit more evidence before snitching. Actually it made a lot of sense, the professor may have just been drunk and/or high. He made his way to his dorm room and decided to just put it in his bag, he also cleaned the cuts that the glass had left on his hands.

Their was a small intermission of normal during the day when he decided to go check the swim area. He recognized himself with the layouts of the facility, but he decided he just wasn't in the mood today. He came to a similar conclusion when he approached thje Hockey area. He resolved to set up a schedule and then do stuff tomorrow.

Sean didn't stay for lunch too long. He made short work of his food before getting up and heading to the door. He couldn't help but notice some of his classmates sitting together on his way out though. 'Sao, the class president girl, Shin, the late one, and Dal who is 'friends with Jay,' Sean ticked off in his head as he identified them. His attention soon got shifted off to Dal's 'lunch' though. 'Dear Lord!' Sean felt like he got a punch of diabetes just staring at that. 'Why would they let someone eat that.' The young Canadian quickly wrenched his gaze away and decided to leave. No need to draw attention to one's self.

He was outside now, and he was safe from the bizarre and dangerous mixture of foods in the cafeteria. He thought about what to do next, and remembered the pistols at dawn that was apparently going to go down.

"You hear me Sao! I won't rest until one of us is completely obliterated and left choking on the ashes of the other's victory! Prepare for an Election Season like no other!"

Once again, Sean found himself grossly attracted to the weirdness that surrounded him. 'Diana, the director person, and Miss Sue,' he listed in his mind. He looked at his watch. Nothing else to do. The lad was oblivious to how he would probably regret his next actions.

"Hi there," he said, walking forward to the two with a curt wave, "you're Diana correct? I'm Sean, I'm in the same homeroom as you two. How's it going?"

[DanteFalcon]

Andy returned to his room after an early dinner, the rest of his day being uneventful, sitting back on his bed and pulled out his cell dialing his sister's phone number and trying to put the day behind him. Hopefully the rest of the year wouldn't be nearly as insane as his first day would indicate. His teacher certainly didn't help. Landry was most certainly the most insane person he'd met. And she already had a teacher's pet who just had to sit near him. This was certainly going to be a long year.

"Hey Sis. Part of me envies you for not being here. You have no idea how completely insane my homeroom teacher is. Or perhaps just eccentric. Hard to tell with teachers."

[Riin Whitewind]

Shin tucked her hands behind her head and leaned back in her chair, causing the sturdily-built seat to creak in complaint. "So what did I miss in class today? Anything important or just the old 'welcome to class' crap?" She didn't sound too worried about skipping.

The undine picked at her salad, trying to find the words to describe the absurdity of the first day with Professor Rebecca Landry~! It took some willpower to keep from grimacing. Before she could even begin to illustrate the homeroom experience, Sao was interrupted by a most unexpected arrival. Dropping into the seat across from her was- "Name's Dalbhach Nuada, but Dal will be just fine." With emerald green eyes sparkling above a full smile, charm radiated from him like a gentle warmth. Quite the distraction. She wondered idly if Jay was out of the running.

"She and I will be working together in home room." The swimmer recognized a challenge when she heard one. Unwilling to be bullied about, even by beautiful men, Sao cheerfully smiled back. "I believe I declined your offer once already today, Dal."

"I've already volunteered to work with Shinobu, here." A tanned hand descended to touch the oni's shoulder. "Since she missed the first day, I'll be helping her catch up."

[Krylo]

Dal looked up at Shinobu once more, his smile flickering in a second of... disappointment? Fear? Shock (maybe he had just noticed that mohawk)? Or perhaps... recognition? Whatever it was, it was gone almost immediately replaced by an even wider grin piling layers of mischief on top of the charm he was exuding moments before. Where exactly it came from was hard to tell as he shifted his gaze back to Sao.

"Of course, I would expect no lesser kindness from the future class president," he said, his amusement over his own teasing audible in his voice. "And it would be ill conceived of me to interrupt such a charity, and..."

He trailed off for a moment, shifting his attention back to the larger woman with the build, and disposition, of a warrior, "That's why, obviously, my invitation extends to Miss... Shinobu was it?" A mischievous chuckle nearly, but not quite, escaped as he continued, his eyes flickering back toward Sao, "She seems like she'd get along quite well with Mr. Hunter."

[Girasol of Chaos]

Before the swimmer had a chance to respond, a pale youth sat himelf next to Shin. His plate matched his outer appearance- too sweet and sugary to handle. "Name's Dalbhach Nuada, but Dal will be just fine." The oni's brow wrinkled in distrust. An illusion. Sure, she was wearing one too, but by default they always put her on edge. If people didn't scream and run the other way she'd be happy to stay in her natural form. What was his excuse?

Sao's hand lighted on Shin's shoulder, causing a small muscle twitch. The oni listened for a small while as the two passive-aggressively bounced off of each other. Having enough, Shin firmly planted her right hand on the table and abruptly stood. "If you are done throwing sparkles everywhere, I'd like to know why you interrupted my chit chat here." She towered over the green-eyed male, demanding a response from the stranger.

He sure liked grinning, didn't he? Shin gave him a grin in response, one that displayed she meant business. "So cut to the chase, how can I help you, pretty boy? If you need me out of the way, why don't you just ask?" Her head jerked towards the door in a challenge.

[Krylo]

Dal jerked his head toward the resounding thud of the larger woman's palm against the table, wincing slightly as he imagined that kind of force on his brittle faerie bones--a no doubt intended consequence of the action, he surmised.

Indeed, the woman was intimidating in the kind of way that spoke of either extreme natural talent, or a skill finely honed over years of practice. Even Dalbhach had to admit to feeling a bit of a lump in his throat as she towered over him looking as though she was entirely capable of ripping him apart--and probably willing to do it as well.

However, there was something else in the back of his mind that slowly circled around to the front, the look of shock and fear melting away from his face as Shinobu threatened him, replaced by first a smile, and then a chuckle, and finally a true laugh--which he quickly cut short realizing it's doubtful she'd see the humor.

"Indeed, you'd get along swimmingly with Mr. Hunter," Dal said as he regained control of himself. "I apologize, but you were quite the image of him..."

The smaller man shook his head, clearing away other thoughts before looking up directly into Shinobu's eyes, his smile shortened to a slight smirk, "But you asked a question, yes? Simply, and honestly put--as I'm certain you'd have it no other way--our dearest professor," the sarcasm dripped from his voice so heavily that it was nearly viscous, "has decided to assign myself into a group with two other boys... and suffice to say the personality clash makes the Balkans circa 1910 look like a peaceful vacation area. As a result..."

He stopped for a moment to pop a whipped cream covered strawberry into his mouth, "I'd simply like to marshal some more... equitable personalities. Or at least someone who can keep an angry Scot from murdering a scrawny American."

'I only hope the angry Scot can keep the angry Japanese girl from murdering a scrawny Irishman,' he did not say.

((EDIT OOC: IF at any point it would have been more likely for Shinobu to just haul off and punch Dal (like when he started laughing) instead of letting him talk, feel free to do that and I will edit out the rest of this post and toss his horribly bloodied face and introduction with the nearby floor into a new post directly after it.))

[Riin Whitewind]

((OOC: PM'd Girasol, no immediate punch.))

Sao took the time to finish her plate while Shin towered over the lean Dal. If it came down to a fight, she'd need the nutrients to clean up the mess. While the oni bristled with restrained energy, it didn't appear that she was ready to throw the first punch... yet.

Marshalling surprising valor in the face of an angry giant, Dal held his ground.

"If you had said as much to me in the first place, I would have been happy to assist." Sao wiped her lips with a napkin, then balled it onto her empty plate. "Or if you had simply asked." The fork joined the napkin, ready to be taken back into the kitchens to be cleaned. The swimmer pushed the ensemble away, clearing the table space in front of her.

"But trying to trick the teacher into assigning me? That was less appreciated." The undine folded her arms over her track jacket, a look of disapproval on her face. "As was interrupting my conversation with Shin here," a gesture to the still-standing girl, "to state that I would, as if I had no right to decide for myself."

[Girasol of Chaos]

(OOC: Not quite a punch, but still fun)

She almost lost it. Her eyes had turned red with her grin long ago. But he had dismissed her as an opponent. Or at least, outwardly had. The illusion weakened for only a heartbeat in her rage, barely noticable, before contorting her smile to a snarl.

Dal was laughing at her.

The ogre's grip on the table whitened her knuckles, threatening to greet sparklebutt in the face, when Sao intervened.

Not really listening to the smaller girl anymore, Shin continued to glare at Dal, her eyes fiery with a want for combat. When her newfound friend was finished, Shin exhaled powerfully. Any small hairs that weren't cooperating with her mo' were now. "No, I can do better..." was muttered before picking up the fairy by the collar.

"By the time I see you tomorrow you better have that smile wiped off of your face," He was off of the ground now, lifted to meet her eye to eye. "And each time I hear you making a cutesy comment in my direction, you get some nice, colorful skin to match your pretty mug." Practically spitting, she dropped him. "Got that?"

Shin glanced back at Sao, almost neutral. "I'll talk to you tomorrow...if you still care to." With that Shin picked up her tray and returned it calmly, disappearing out of the cafeteria.

[Krylo]

Dal turned to Sao, to say something, "Well You'll ha--" and then he was off the ground staring eye to eye with a very angry Shinobu.

The fae's expression was rather hard to read as he dangled above the ground, hefted up with an ease that made him seem nearly weightless--an observation that was not entirely without merit. His smile vanished, obviously, but his body language didn't particularly speak of fear--and a closer inspection might reveal that he was biting his lower lip, as though to force back a smile. Even his eyes still seemed to be having difficulty maintaining a 'serious face' in the face of imminent disaster, twitching between 'humored' and 'frightened'.

If all this was noticed one may make several assumptions as to Dal's character: he was unshakable in the face of death (perhaps especially pertinent since this morning with... well... death), he was a better fighter than he let on--and had no reason to fear, he just couldn't take anyone with hair like that seriously, etc. etc.

In reality, however, the truth was that he just found the complete critical failure of his gambit to be hilarious. Dal took a level of mischievous joy in his own failures that could only be equalled by the joy he took in those of others.

And that was why when he was finally dropped he merely watched the larger girl leave the cafeteria still biting his lip, before breaking into a wide grin and chuckling as he shook his head and closed his eyes.

Straightening his shirt the youth reasserted his attention on Sao with a smile. "Well, that could have gone a bit better," he said with a light shrug as he retook his seat across from her. "But... as I was saying, you'll have to forgive me my indiscretions. It's a..." his eyes drifted up and his head bobbed from side to side slightly as he searched for the words, "...flaw of my lineage. There are few Nuadas who are capable of merely asking for a favor rather than making machination upon machination or grand shows and plots, but allow me, if you will, to do so now: Please, be my study buddy and help me keep Jay and Dean from killing each other?"

He reached down and picked up a raspberry as he finished, but, before he popped it in his mouth he made one last addition with a smirk, "Oh, and of course I'm not withdrawing the invitation to your friend." He gestured toward the door of the cafeteria with his whipped cream laden raspberry before continuing, "She's still welcome as well, just... ask her not to grind me into paste?" Popping the small berry into his mouth the fae awaited Sao's answer with a relaxed smile that belied the near creaming he received not minutes ago.

[Dracorion]

Detention? Jack opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. That- you- Talking to Professor Landry was just an exercise in futility. Fortunately Dal came and took the professor's attention, and Jack took the opportunity to escape.

That was... he better resign himself to nothing making sense as long as Professor Landry was his homeroom teacher.

As for what to do now... he didn't have to go the Social Club yet, but it would be a good idea to get acquainted first... no not today.

Maybe ask someone about finding out that other thing...? No, he could do it another day. You'll be saying the same thing tomorrow, and the day after that.

Shut up.

With no better ideas, Jack went to his dorm. Thankfully, his roommate wasn't there, and didn't go there for the rest of the day, leaving him to enjoy the dorm in peace.

------------------------

There was... a lot of food to pick in the cafeteria. Jack just loaded his plate with everything and began to look for a table. There were some people from his homeroom class sitting nearby... no. You suck.

Shut! Up!

So Jackson sat at an empty table, thinking about the fact that he'd have to do these things sooner rather than later.

[Riin Whitewind]

Sao watched the hunched shoulders of an angry Shinobu until they had left the cafeteria, leaning on her elbows against the false wood tabletop. Sturdy, and powerful. A good protector or initiatior... But a bit of a loose cannon. She chewed lightly on her lower lip, wondering if she should have stepped in. I'll have to ask her about the tusks - no, I'll ask Kirk what he thinks, first. Once safely out of earshot, the comparitively dimunitive Dal laughed a second time. The undine was surprised at his resilience. "You're not terribly fazed by intimidation, are you." It wasn't a question.

"Well, that could have gone a bit better." Dal merely smiled, and retook his seat across from her. A smile in return was drawn across Sao's lips without her realizing. Perhaps I should simply drown Jay? Hm, no. That would be difficult to explain. She ran tanned fingers through her hair, pushing the black locks back into short, upright spikes.

"But... as I was saying, you'll have to forgive me my indiscretions." Not privy to Sao's wandering attention, Dal continued. "It's a..." The undine watched his eyes drift up towards the ceiling in thought. "...flaw of my lineage."

Movement behind him drew her crystalline gaze, as a nervous-looking boy with a dinner-heaped tray stared wistfully in their direction. The boy, the undine recognized as he chose a table not far from theirs, was a classmate - but she wasn't sure of his name. He must have introduced himself before she got to class.

Dalbhach continued with a voice as smooth and warm as a con-artist drawing in his mark. "There are few Nuadas who are capable of merely asking for a favor rather than making machination upon machination or grand shows and plots, but allow me, if you will, to do so now: Please, be my study buddy and help me keep Jay and Dean from killing each other?"

Before the swimmer could even open her mouth to speak, Dal continued as if he'd just remembered the tusks an inch from his face. "Oh, and of course I'm not withdrawing the invitation to your friend." He gestured vaguely towards the door with a raspberry, "She's still welcome as well, just... ask her not to grind me into paste?" His smile was confident, as if the last few minutes had proceeded according to plan.

Again, Sao found herself smiling back. "I will ask, as it would be a shame to ruin that smile." She leaned back from the table, covering her mouth with her palm to mime deep consideration. Her mind was already made up, but it didn't hurt for him to squirm a little.

"For your apology, and your courteous invitation, I will accept." The undine tilted her head to the side in unconscious query. "From your explanation, I gather both are difficult for you, so I forgive the trick." She glanced in the unnamed boy's direction again, watching him pick at his meal with the short, stabbing motions of self-recrimination.

Picking up her laden tray, Sao stood, pushing the chair back with her knees. "If you'll excuse me for a moment?" She deliberately chose a trashbin on the other side of the room for her tray, taking a return path that would take her near Jack's table. The black haired girl waited for him to notice her, then smiled reassuringly. "Would you like to sit with us? We won't bite." She gestured towards 'her' table, where Dal was critically inspecting a cookie.

[Dracorion]

Just go over there.
This isn't a socially cripped thing! You just don't like them!
You were in one class with them and even if that girl seemed too uptight and Dalbach kind of a son of a bitch that's no actual basis on which to dislike them! You have to get to know them better.
Now that's just bullshit.
No, you're the one full of bullshit and you know it. Get over there.

Jackson's absentminded eating was interrupted, and his internal argument rendered moot, when the black-haired swimmer from class walked up to him and Jack looked up. As if waiting for him to notice, she smiled reassuringly the moment he turned towards her. "Would you like to sit with us? We won't bite." She gestured toward the table where Dalbach sat. "... Sure." Jack said. He picked up his tray and walked with the girl back to her table. What was her name....?

Oh, right. Sao, wasn't it? He sat down awkwardly and opened his mouth before realizing he had no idea what to say. "Ahhhh... I'm Jack. Nice to meet you." He blurted.

[IHateMakingNames]

After about an hour of painting, Michael had enough with this art room. He didn't know where he was, the room was dark save for the creepy candle lighting, there was a quite petite girl who only added to the creepy atmosphere, and that damn doll. Every time Michael looked over, that doll appeared to be staring right back at him. After one instance where the nervous student was certain the doll moved, he was done. With a quick announcement about needing to use the bathroom, Michael rushed out the door. If the teacher had followed, he would have certainly just ran.

To get over his bad morning, Michael decided to go to the tennis courts. The painting had ruined any mood for drawing that he may have had, so the next best choice was hitting some tennis balls. It wasn't yet club time, but with this liberally scheduled school, that didn't appear to be a problem.

After a while of self-practice, other tennis players started to show up after their homerooms finished. Various amounts of practice and games were played during the next several hours, with Michael there for most of it. By the end, he was tired and hunger.

Poor timing meant Michael ended up eating alone, but that was no problem for him. The rest of the club members had already eaten or went home after club hours. The now lone tennis player had no club members to eat with, and he missed his homeroom so he couldn't eat with classmates. There was the creepy art girl, but Michael had no intention of finding her to eat with. Instead he took an empty table and watched what he thought was going to be a fight in the cafeteria. Unfortunately it seems like things calmed down.

[Riin Whitewind]

Sao smiled and held her hand out to shake, repeating his name to solidify it in her memory. "Jack. Great! I was wondering, since I got into class too late for your introduction."

"As I'm sure you know, this is Dal." She gestured towards the other emerald-eyed boy at the table.

The swimmer leaned nonchalantly on the table, keeping both boys in easy sight. "Did I miss anything from the beginning of class?"

[Dracorion]

"It's... Sao, right?" Jack asked to make sure, as he shook the girl's hand. She gestured towards Dalbach, and Jack extended his hand to him. "Hi."

Sao proceeded to ask if she missed anything from the start of the class. Jack stared intently at the table as he rattled his brains. "Hmm... no, I don't think you did. Just Professor Landry being... whatever she is."

These two wouldn't know about school alumni... his best bet would be to ask Professor Landry after class tomorrow, or after getting acquainted with the Social Club. But talking to Professor Landry would be the soonest he could get it done, and that was that.