Joaquin Alvarado - Academy Tour

While he was a bit annoyed to have his conversation interrupted, Joaquin was happy to see the rest of the school. It looked pretty big on the outside, so the inside was obviously as big. He had read about the Academy beforehand, but there were probably some things he’d missed. He kept to himself as they walked, looking around to see anything of note and was lost in his thoughts. While doing so, he noticed that a girl was walking a bit behind the rest of the group. Wasn’t she a servant? He was no stranger to avoiding groups himself, so he just decided to leave her to her own devices, and resumed his aimless looking around.

Juna Libero - Dancing Through The Halls

With that little...incident behind them all, Juna was relieved to see Brenton looking better, and would be the one guiding them around the school. Now that, that raised an eyebrow from the young Libero. Brenton knew the school about as well as the rest of them, and the Knights wanted him doing the tour? The people back home had warned her to be wary of any...politicking going on, and even though she didn't really have a nose for this, something smelt just the tiniest bit fishy. And that girl from earlier, with the weird wing and some sort of transformative magic upon her. She was here, keeping to the edges of the group. Something felt...really off to Juna, and she couldn't quite place it. Was it how she described herself as being "made for companionship" or whatever? That sounded wrong to her.

Oh, didn't look like she was the only one who had taken a notice of her. Another boy, lost in some daydream, still seemed to be gazing at the Blackwood behind them all every now and again. Still, there was one person she did feel comfortable around in not having a hidden agenda.

Micaio, the representative from Animus. Beastfolk were a welcomed sight in Libero. Always interesting when one showed up, bringing their own unique perspective into town. And from her understanding, Libero were one of the Houses in favour of the recognition of House Animus as a full-blown House. In her eyes, that made them okay. A House with no claim to some sort of nobility, and yet given the status nonetheless. Not too different from herself, come to think of. She lagged behind, little hops and skips in her steps to give her legs a workout even at the slower pace, walking alongside the maned wolf.

"So you're from House Animus? Where are you from? Libero lands?"

Marah Asadi, Tour

She felt the shifting in the shadows, and her eyes turned to stare at the one who had done it. Not one of the children of Assad, but another. Some of her family might take that as a trespass, an insult, but she was more intrigued that an outsider would do such a thing without seeking assistance from those versed in it.

As they walked, Marah fell in line next to him, matching his pace. "Joaquin of Alvarado. It is not often that one not of my house dabbles in shadowmancy. Most see it as an evil thing, hollow and empty." She offered a soft smile and a hand to shake. "I am Marah of Asadi. A pleasure. And that is my familiar, Azi."

Here she gestured to the black cat which trotted on Joaquin's other side, so dark it almost merged into the boy's shadow. Indeed, if he reached out with his magic, he would feel that it was a creature of darkness. Nothingness made solid.

"I can show you a few things about the dark, if you're so inclined."

Edited by kagescorpionakki on Apr 24th 2024 at 7:55:04 AM

Joaquin Alvarado- Academy Tour

Joaquin turned to face the girl who had started talking to him. She seemed nice, probably was nice, but something told Joaquin that she was up to something. Casting that thought aside, Joaquin offered out his hand and shook hers. “I would like that! Shadows are really cool, especially if you wanna be alone. I sort of self-taught and read up on shadow stuff since I was little, so I’m not that good. And yeah, my name’s Joaquin, as you already know. Nice to meet you!” As he did so, he looked beside him, noticing a cat. A shadow cat, if you will. “So that’s your little familiar buddy? I don’t have one of those, but I can make my shadow come to life! Kinda. So, anything else of note about you?”

Cecilia, having gorged herself on both excitement and food, was more than happy to begin the tour. The buildings of the academy were legendary among mages, and now she had the opportunity to see it for herself. The library in particular presented a tantalizing opportunity. Abdera had its great vaults, but convincing the archivists to allow her access to a particular volume was always an ordeal. Here she could read and study as she pleased. Assuming Merry was still alongside her, she turned to her companion with a look of genuine excitement on her face. "I'm looking forward to seeing the library. I've heard it's so immense that not even the academy has a record of everything they've got in there."

Because of the events that had previously transpired, Cecilia had had little time to introduce herself to her other fellows. That was hardly acceptable to her. Fortunately this was something that could be amended at any time, and what better time than immediately? Surveying the crowd for a worthy target, she picked out the Asadi scion standing nearby. "I take it that this gentleman isn't just an ordinary cat, is he? At the risk of impetuousness, I must say I'm intrigued to know what sort of being you've bound."

Marah Asadi, Tour

Another approached as Joaquin shook her hand. Marah couldn't place her house at a glance, but her interest in summoned creatures suggested something like Abdera or Kahl.

Releasing Joaquin's hand, she glanced between the two of her listeners.

"Darkness," She explained, "Does not exist. It is not a thing. It is the absence of a thing. An absence of light. You cannot touch it, taste it, hear it. You cannot even see it - because when you 'see' a shadow, you are merely failing to see a thing because there is no light upon it."

Azi slinked between legs to reach Marah, gliding smoothly up one of her long braids to come to a rest on her shoulder. "My ancestors discovered a way to bring darkness to life. To fashion something from nothing. These un-creatures they called 'Nulls'. Beings which live, yet do not exist. Azi is such a being. Were he separated from me, he would return to being darkness, and live no more."

She scratched the cat under his chin, the not-animal purring at her touch. "You bringing your shadow to life is likely a similar process, though I would assume it remains part of you - an extension of your mind - rather than a separate entity drawn from Void. Still impressive."

Joaquin Alvarado - Academy Tour

Joaquin grinned at Marah’s compliment. “Thanks! It isn’t often that I get to use that technique, but it’s always really fun to use.” Even though her explanation of her familiar was a bit confusing and made his head hurt a little when he thought about it real hard, she seemed to be a smart girl. Turning to the girl who had walked up to them, he smiled. He couldn’t really get any assumptions of her from a first glance, except that she seemed ver smart, so he just assumed that she was nice. “Hey! I’m Joaquin. Nice to meet you! Don’t wanna interrupt your conversation, but I just wanted to say hi.”

Apollyon - Academy Tour

The worm had wiggled from his grasp before Apollyon had the chance to apply any pressure. He clicked his tongue, watching as the Alvarado peon limbered away with contempt. That 'House' had no more a claim to nobility than Animus. The Phen weren't descended via name, but common and merged blood. Trojam, Athecaste, both noble houses of the highest order. Even before the flame-bearer's advent, the decadent New Clandestia stood as a towering spire that pierced the sky and proclaimed to all 'see the light.' All snuffed out, all burned to cinders. In their wake was Phenemeon. Though some of the legion respected the shadow thieves for their takeover- and, indeed, the Kinslayer felt some vague inclination of closeness with them -he could sense the weakness in Joaquin's demeanor. A boy, he thought, one without fear to harden his soul.

A glance back to Voron. Contempt faded to grim resolve. "Dreadful, perhaps, for the unjust rulers of the east. For you? Merely fact."

His eyes narrowed. The 'tensions' that the explorer spoke of were the protests of lesser houses in the wake of the Warmaster's letters of intention. They trembled behind their walls and begged pitifully for mercy. Mercy, they thought, from annihilation. They didn't understand the nature of the Flame. It wasn't their fault. They hadn't been enlightened as the Phen were. Ignorant as they were, he could hardly even muster the emotion to hate them as he did the savages. Instead he felt only chilly apathy and superiority. Even one as lowly as him, if they were of Phenemeon stock they were higher than the rest. They knew better. And so, he disengaged from Voron quickly, disinterested in how the boy might choose to respond.

If not in the arena, any respect Apollyon held for the Knights of the Cuckoo was dissolved at the sight of the nord wearing their colors. They'd taken in a savage to their rank and file and tainted their already detestable image. His eyes narrowed, and he glared at Brenton. He hated that he had to stare up at him, hated how much bigger the farm-boy was. I'd be that big, he thought, if food wasn't so scarce. In a fight, I'd still win. The childish thoughts betrayed his youth, and he inwardly kicked himself. It was no use languishing about his stature, nor was it a substantial issue. Apollyon was a killer all the same, something he was certain Brenton was not. Size didn't matter if you couldn't get your arm to move. If you couldn't aim for the heart. Still, he was indignant, and turned to face away from the Nord lest he be encouraged to speak his mind. Instead he'd use the shifting attention to inquire upon his more graceful - but likely no more delicate - person of interest.

She stood out behind the assembly, tailing them in such a way that she resembled a servant even now. The kinslayer had realized, however, that this couldn't be. Blackwood didn't spare it's heirs as servants. Not even it's bastards. She was here to gain the house an advantage or, perhaps, to keep him in check. Either way, Apollyon was certain that out of anyone present, Alicia Blackwood was by far the most threatening. You had to strike first with someone so dangerous. But he couldn't play like a Phenemeon this time. He had to stoop to the spies' level. Quiet. Subtle. And so he lagged too, the distance between himself and Alicia closing as he feigned a brood. And then, with a decisive and near-instant movement, he had taken her by the wrist and pulled her into a branching hall and through the nearest open door. He held a hand over her mouth for a moment to prevent her from alerting the others, then released her and spoke with a tone significantly less icy than usual.

"The curse-eaters have a reputation for passing off their maladies to their illegitimate kin. And you've no shortage of curses. Alicia..."

He addressed her by name because he expected it would catch her off-guard. If she was a bastard then he figured it wasn't often anyone payed her the courtesy. And he knew if she wasn't at least a little off balance, he wouldn't get anything out of her. It was the problem with secret-keepers. Their lips were too tight for knives to pry open.

"What are you doing here?"

Alicia Blackwood—Academy Tour —> Interrogation

There was no shock in Alicia's eyes as Apollyon approached, just a sense of weary resignation in the thousand-yard stare that nevertheless quickly faded to focus on him. As she was grabbed, she tiptoed, still en pointe, backwards into the adjoining hall and the private room so gracefully that it was ambiguous who was leading who along. And, before Apollyon took his hand off of her mouth, her bored eyes seemed almost betrayed at the assumption that she would scream at all. There was no vibration beneath his hand, no sound, nothing. Just an eerie, serene silence. The silence that mute swans were named for, and often lived up to.

"This one was ordered, quote, 'Do not embarrass House Blackwood in such a place of esteem as the great Phoebononian Academy,' by the Master Patriarch himself," she stated with a steely resolve despite her blank and deliberately neutral gaze. He could see, looking closely, flecks of what looked like glass or ice (and being the key word if he was very observant) in branching, needlelike fractals embedded into her eyes. "Another set of orders is another day alive. How many Blackwood bastards does the Master Phenemeon think survives this many winters? As the eldest, is it not natural for this one to feel horror and pity for the suffering of fellow children? A simple desire to extend their years? Thus, producing yet more benighted kin is out of the question. And should you decide otherwise..."

Alicia shifted from her en pointe position to a normal standing one, letting her heels drop onto the stone floor with an audible crack like the hammer of a Libero-crafted firearm, suggesting more mass to them than was immediately visible. Indeed, even as they struck sparks which started to smolder, skittering away on the tiles, red-hot veins immediately suffused her bare feet and crawled up her legs, disappearing under her skirt. Soon her very flesh itself, from the looks of it, her thighs to the tips of her toes, radiated fire like freshly heated metal. It would be obvious that it caused Alicia no insignificant amount of pain, given her almost animalistic scowl as she faced off with Apollyon.

"As the wishes of my betters are my command, I shall grant that wish of yours to burst into flame."

Edited by JumpingFruit on May 1st 2024 at 8:26:59 AM

Apollyon - Academy Tour —> Interrogation

His eyes, once narrow during his inquiry, widened with every word she she spoke. Dread rose in his stomach. With every word, the distance between them increased. It should’ve been weakness he saw in her, to willingly cripple herself for the sake of others. But then, he remembered a little boy he knew once, starving and crying in the dark, no one bothering to check whether he was alive until morning. A boy with a brand on his face.

“Stop!”

A million thoughts expressed in a single word. He couldn’t stand this. The kinslayer was returned to the child who’d watched his father burn up. He wanted it more than anything, wanted to burn with the ferocity of The Solitary Flame, but this was different. Or was it? Was it any different? Would he have done what he did now to save a comrade seconds from immolating? Would he have stopped it? It passed his mind that in 17 years, he’d only watched one man burn.

And so, as her lower body lit up in that beautiful, revolting shade, Polly closed the distance physically. She had walls erected, walls much kinder than his. It frustrated him to no end how sacrificial she was. Why? Why take this lying down??? She hadn’t even done anything but be born!

He didn’t have time for self-awareness right now.

Making use of what felt at the moment to be the only thing he had, the Kinslayer locked his arms beneath Alicia’s waist, somewhere towards the top of her thighs, and lifted upwards, hoping to somehow neutralize the burning in her legs. He held her close to his chest, rationally because it was all he could do, but really because he feared if he didn’t tense as much as possible, he’d fall over.

For some reason, his knees wouldn’t stop shaking.

”I’ll burn for myself, Alicia.”

His voice wasn’t nearly as strong as he’d hoped it would be. What was supposed to be a resolute declaration had become a plea, almost a beg. Everything about this situation made him feel weaker, but he didn’t want to see that again. He hated this, hated the vulnerability that he was showing no matter how faint, but he couldn’t stop until he knew she wouldn’t do that again. Even if that wasn’t rational, even if it went against his whole person. He was the only one of the two who would burn.

Alicia Blackwood—Interrogation

As Alicia was lifted, it seemed that she deliberately pointed her feet towards the ground again, which caused the flame to drain away, fading as if it were molten liquid being poured back out through her veins, though it did not exit her body. Her soles glowed threateningly like banked embers, still. But as the color of her flesh went back to normal—for her, an ashen, tarnished metallic sheen in her legs—she gave Apollyon a pitying, sardonic grin from the slight advantage of height he had given her by picking her up. Evidently, she saw much more than what was on the surface, which grimly amused her. The shift in expression caused the thin sheets of ice which had gathered around her eyes and cheeks to crack and fall to the ground in a delicate, powdery snow.

"You cannot even muster the courage to treat guests with basic courtesy, much less have independent thought," she said sharply, with incredulity. She was referring, of course, to how Apollyon had treated Brenton, Micaio, and Joaquin. "How can this one expect you to burn 'for yourself?' You objectify yourself and others. Even this preoccupation with my 'red-hot dancing shoes'—you should know there is always a choice. The flame or the fuel. The performance or the substance. However much it is denied to you, and those like us."

She pinned him—not magically, though it might as well have been, with its sheer intensity—with her icy gaze again, the signature rabid spite of the Blackwoods apparent, though not without reason, or a lesson to impart.

"Abhorrent. You are utterly without substance. So, will you seize it, or perish like a dog?"

Edited by JumpingFruit on May 5th 2024 at 2:09:08 AM

This was all frankly fascinating. Ever since childhood, Cecilia had been fascinated by the lurid stories told about the Asadi. Most of them were, of course, complete fabrications; she knew that, but they had found a grip on her soul regardless. Her parents had been most displeased with that little fixation. They were rather laissez-faire by the standards of her house, but the void-witches were still the basest of the base to them. At this moment, being able to talk to one without any restriction, was a refreshing new experience to Cecilia. "That's really interesting. I've never heard of magic manipulating absence before; You'll have to explain it to me in greater depth some time"

She looked at the other mage, he had a bit of an awkward demeanor, but he seemed like a good sort. Besides, he had apparently developed his magic all by himself; Cecilia had done the same (well mostly), and she had always been fond of those who reminded her of herself. "Pleasure to meet you Joaquin, I'm Cecilia and the redhead over there is my friend Merry. And can I ask what your name is?" she glanced at the Asadi scion.

Edited by bobbitwormhobbitwyrm on May 2nd 2024 at 12:01:23 PM

Joaquin- Academy Tour

Joaquin gave a little nod of acknowledgement at Cecilia, before spacing out a little. The thought of classes and what was going to be provided for dinner danced across his mind for a bit, before he snapped himself back into reality. He was bored already. He looked at the redhead who accompanied Cecilia. She seemed like a calm girl. Talking to her was better than standing around. Besides, his parents would be proud that he was making friends. He walked over a bit to her. “Uh… Hi! Cecilia already mentioned my name, but I didn’t catch yours. So, how are you?”

Micaio Antero - Academy Tour

Micaio didn't particularly care where the tour was supposed to take them. What mattered was, they were moving again, taking in all the fantastic sensory experiences this vast, ancient building had to offer! The Journey was vitally important. Where it took you, less so.

"Ah!" He had been in the middle of marvelling at the architecture when Juna's questions snapped him back to reality. Micaio swayed for a second, slightly put out; he wasn't used to not travelling alone, let alone being addressed in the middle of admiring the scenery, and it took a little while to pull his scattered thoughts together.

"I am the... scion, so to speak, of House Animus, yes. My kind's ambassador to yours. Is it safe to assume you are Libero?" He nodded appreciatively. "You humans and your obsession with blood lineage... we never understood that, my people. But House Libero we can respect. Passion and creativity and expression - those are values we treasure, as do you."

Micaio licked his lips awkwardly once he had to explain where he was from. Not an easy question to answer for one who'd spent their life on the road.

"We - my people, the maned wolves, the aguará - we are not from any particular place. We are nomads, travellers. Seekers of memorable and valuable experiences wherever they may lurk. Wherever we may lay our heads, we are home. So I suppose I am from Libero lands as much as I am from anywhere else, no?" He chuckles. "...I do hope leaving this place is permitted. Not being able to stretch your legs, feel the breeze in your fur... could you imagine a worse fate?"

Yune

Yune had mostly spaced out during the tour, absently following the others without really paying much attention. He'd probably figure out where they were going eventually. But then Juna asked Micaio about his people, and Yune found himself drawing closer to the maned wolf to listen.

"Being alone."

The answer came shockingly quick, and was the first indication Yune was there at all.

"Not alone physically. Alone as in, no one cares about you and if you disappeared the world wouldn't notice." Yune paused. "I've always thought that would be the worst thing that could happen."

He peered at Micaio with those big, wide eyes. "Does always wandering ever get tiring? Have you ever found something you wanted to keep forever?" There was no mockery or condescension in the question—just honest curiosity.

Richter had largely been quiet, intent on learning all he could about the new environment he'd be staying in. Father had sent him here for a reason, it had to be a good reason, and hopefully not a convoluted one... such as the time he dueled him with swords to announce he had been adopted.

And then, the statement of "Could you imagine a worse fate?"

Richter scratched at his chin a bit. "I can imagine a few, the limbo in between life and death awaiting the answer of where you shall cross for one."

The tone he used said personal experience.

Meriam Genus, accidentally listening in on the interrogation

It wasn’t like she wanted to be there, though the tour would be good, her dorms were far off on the outskirts of the academy’s cliffside. For the chance that her magic didn’t work out and she or her Chimera’s went wild that they may all be sent falling into the abyss surrounding the floating island of the academy.

She was trailing behind the group even more then Alicia had. Meriams footsteps fell quietly as the thought of them echoing filled her with an unfamiliar anxiety.

Though she was thankful. When Apollyon began his interrogation of the Blackwood girl. Her ears morphing ever so slightly so that she could hear their words better.

Her Chimera on the other hand did not understand the need for secrecy, and after a few moments of waiting on her master to give it commands it decided it would not wait around and due to its small size stealthily walked past Meriam hiding in a small alcove and towards Alicia. Upon its arrival it rubbed against her feet like a cat, before planting itself between her feet and hissing at Apollyon. Merriam quietly cursed, but there was nothing she could do, her only hope was that neither would piece together that she was near.

It wasn't like Brenton was unaware of the way Polly looked at him. It was familiar - the way that crowd looked at him, the way Polly looked at him. Yet the fact that the arse had bothered to step in at all was rather baffling, though he imagined it was less about him more about some vague misstep made by someone else. What? Were they prejudiced wrong? Did they require some form of correction in how to properly be a bigot?

Brenton sighed, though he made sure to cross his arms and put himself close by Alicia. He liked her, though. Liked her quite a lot. She looked strange, and the way the curses on her manifested weirded him out a little. But he could tell when someone was friendly, and when they were not.

And even though he probably couldn't do much to Polly in a fight - the iron sword he'd been assigned probably barely scratched the armor - he could at least show some solidarity.

Once it seemed like the confrontation was at its end, he promptly stated, "We're on our way then? Let's see..." He prodded the map sphere, and saw it led to the Grand Library. "Seems we are bound for books. The Grand Library is our first destination. Please follow me..." He just hoped the directions this little thing was giving him were good and not some form of misdirection.

As Brenton led the way, the assembled students would be able to see twisting, ornate stairwells covered in flourishing steel outcroppings, leading up and out toward a long bridge leading toward a second "level" to the Academy. This being comprised largely of second floors of the dorms and the magnificent sight of the Grand Library.

Sprawling past the long bridge, the Library extended far into the sky, a tower-like structure lined with grand stained glass windows depicting various magic using families and their most illustrious attendees at the school. Light seemed to shine down on the path almost prenaturally, and the three story tall library stood as a tall facet of the Academy, only outshown by the sheer size of the four or five dormitories.

Indeed - one dormitory seemed to be in a rather odd spot. Construction seemed to have been made to completely obscure it behind other buildings or constructs.

Joaquin, Academy Tour

As soon as Joaquin heard the words “Grand” and “Library,” his mood immediately brightened. Indeed, as soon as he saw the building, his mind was immediately racing with thoughts of what cool stuff was gonna be in there. There were probably books he’d never even read! Yes, it was gonna be amazing; he’s gonna set aside an entire day just to wandering this big-ass library. He stopped to calm himself down and took some deep breaths. Hopefully none of the other people noticed him and thought he was weird. Pausing, turned to notice the little conversation between the kid who yanked him from his hiding spot and the girl who was straggling behind everyone. He also noticed that the someone was trying to listen in, the same girl he tried to introduce himself to. Granted, he spoke very quietly, so she probably didn’t hear. Now was a chance to try again! Walking towards her, he said in a low whisper, “Hi, it’s me again. Sorry if you didn’t hear me, but my names Joaquin. Could ya tell me what’s going on?”

Edited by J99908 on May 8th 2024 at 7:19:41 AM