"Alright." Jenny asked. She glanced back at Nelis, so far he's the only one who hasn't seemed to be rude at all. "Hey"She said walking over to him.
His gaze was set on the heels of those who walked before him, tuning in and out of what was happening around him. At first he didn't notice Jenny's presence and was late to respond. "Oh!" He looked over to her with an apprehensive grin. "Hello," he greeted in return, shifting his bag to his left hand.
"Soo, uh.. I'm Jenny, nice to meet you"Jenny said awkwardly. She wasn't too good at starting conversations with strangers.
The young illusionist was well aware of what her name was, but her effort to introduce herself despite that was noted. She didn't sound entirely too comfortable either, so he supposed introducing herself was a last resort as to starting a conversation, but he would give her credit for it. He didn't know any of the other students besides what he's seen in general. Perhaps this was a beginning to get to know them further than just a name to name basis.
"Orlitt," Nelís addressed himself with only his last name which was courtesy as he saw it. Usually he never called someone by their first, no matter what their age. "Ah, so, Tamer's blood? It sounds promising," his head tilted in a sort of consideration as he returned his eyes on their set path.
"Orlitt," Nelís addressed himself with only his last name which was courtesy as he saw it. Usually he never called someone by their first, no matter what their age. "Ah, so, Tamer's blood? It sounds promising," his head tilted in a sort of consideration as he returned his eyes on their set path.
He had hoped that question wouldn't be asked.
"Life Drainers are the equivalent of vampires. It's the reason why I'm dying." Andrei said, his friendly expression changed to one of solemnness and sadness. He had a wry smile on his face, though. "I've had it since I was a boy. They say that the last life drainer died centuries ago." He looked down, and chugged whatever was in his bottle.
The red that dripped down his lips was obvious-- it was clearly blood. He opened his mouth, and his fangs pointed out.
"The problem is, life drainer is interpreted in two ways. To live, a life drainer has to drain the life of others, often by drinking blood. However, it also kills the user slowly. I've been drinking cow blood for most of my life. You can thank Taissa and John for dealing with me. They've saved me on several occasions." He would not talk of his squad, though.
"I would talk of my squad more, but you young ones won't find my tales interesting. Most of them are here, after all."
"Life Drainers are the equivalent of vampires. It's the reason why I'm dying." Andrei said, his friendly expression changed to one of solemnness and sadness. He had a wry smile on his face, though. "I've had it since I was a boy. They say that the last life drainer died centuries ago." He looked down, and chugged whatever was in his bottle.
The red that dripped down his lips was obvious-- it was clearly blood. He opened his mouth, and his fangs pointed out.
"The problem is, life drainer is interpreted in two ways. To live, a life drainer has to drain the life of others, often by drinking blood. However, it also kills the user slowly. I've been drinking cow blood for most of my life. You can thank Taissa and John for dealing with me. They've saved me on several occasions." He would not talk of his squad, though.
"I would talk of my squad more, but you young ones won't find my tales interesting. Most of them are here, after all."
"Yeah. I kinda wish they'd tell me what I can turn into though..."Jenny said. "Uh you were a... what was it agin? I was only really paying attention when they said my results"Jenny said.
"Is that so...?" Evelynn said, raising her finger to her chin in thought. The fact that he was drinking cow's blood, and also that he looked so sickly was obvious. He wasn't going to willingly drink the blood of others. "It must be very hard on you..." she said, a completely different tone coming out of her mouth. It wasn't sarcasm, or rudeness. It seemed to be sincere.
There was a small part of her that found sympathy in his situation.
There was a small part of her that found sympathy in his situation.
Nelís hadn't expected Andrei to claim death and he glanced toward the walking corpse of a man, watching as his face lost whatever soft jubilance it had to express to that of dolefulness. It was contagious, shifting the boy's lips from a grin to a thin pressed line. How could it have felt to be waiting for death to come and rip the carpet from right under your feet? Or perhaps, for Andrei, it would lay him down with ginger hands and comfort him until his heart ceased to beat. Then, it would cover him with a thin white sheet, never to be removed.
He visibly shuddered after noticing that it had been blood the man was gulping down. Mildly thick, metallic. The boy would keep his unease to himself. Everyone had a different appetite..
The young illusionist swallowed and didn't want to leave the topic to sit and hang. To not acknowledge Andrei's forthcoming death would consider Nelís to be insensitive and unfeeling, but he hadn't a clue of what to say. In a moment- or two- he had expressed his own sympathy through the words of another: Rainer Maria Rilke. Again, he gazed over to the eldest of the Maga's and recited with a brimming smile though through it could be seen a tinge of his melancholy.
"Before us great Death stands
Our fate held close within his quiet hands.
When with proud joy we lift Life’s red wine
To drink deep of the mystic shining cup
And ecstasy through all our being leaps—
Death bows his head and weeps," he ended quietly as his gaze found the ground once more, but not long before he lifted his head again. "Perhaps your tales will bore me, but I'd rather listen than have them die here," evidently he was a tad bit more than slightly interested in what the man sitting on the border of death had to say.
His eyes widen when he came realize that he'd disregarded Jenny's question completely, having been too caught up in his own words. "Pardon me- uhm.. I'm an illusionist," he smiled weakly.
He visibly shuddered after noticing that it had been blood the man was gulping down. Mildly thick, metallic. The boy would keep his unease to himself. Everyone had a different appetite..
The young illusionist swallowed and didn't want to leave the topic to sit and hang. To not acknowledge Andrei's forthcoming death would consider Nelís to be insensitive and unfeeling, but he hadn't a clue of what to say. In a moment- or two- he had expressed his own sympathy through the words of another: Rainer Maria Rilke. Again, he gazed over to the eldest of the Maga's and recited with a brimming smile though through it could be seen a tinge of his melancholy.
"Before us great Death stands
Our fate held close within his quiet hands.
When with proud joy we lift Life’s red wine
To drink deep of the mystic shining cup
And ecstasy through all our being leaps—
Death bows his head and weeps," he ended quietly as his gaze found the ground once more, but not long before he lifted his head again. "Perhaps your tales will bore me, but I'd rather listen than have them die here," evidently he was a tad bit more than slightly interested in what the man sitting on the border of death had to say.
His eyes widen when he came realize that he'd disregarded Jenny's question completely, having been too caught up in his own words. "Pardon me- uhm.. I'm an illusionist," he smiled weakly.
((BTW, this story is going to be told by different people from different POVs. Be prepared, this is the leas detailed version.))
He managed to flash a small smile.
"A true Artist knows how to express feelings through words, Nelís. It's not something I'm very talented at. The Scholars are the ones with golden tongues. But, if you wish for me to tell my story, I will. Sit down, children, and hush yourselves. I'll make the Illusions the best I can." He sat down, using Aidas's shoulder for support.
The scenery around them changed. They were now in a large building, which was similar to the ones they'd all been raised in. People were cooking and talking, but the point of view centered into the table. Andrei's voice started to be heard.
"We were a large Nurturing Group. My mother raised all of us. We were a big group of misfits. A younger version of Andrei was there, although he looked much like Aidas in this picture, with the same color hair and eyes.
"You know John, Head of Scholars." The blonde child sat on the ground with Andrei, speaking with him over some book.
"That's Helena Kokinos. She passed away a few years back." A blonde girl with bright blue eyes was also in Andrei's little circle.
"Of course, Taissa." The young girl wore flowers all over her. Her hair was also long and blonde. Her eyes still shone that purple-pink color.
"Alexander Ambrosia, Head of Combat and our High Guardian's father." Unlike the tall, grey-haired male that everybody had seen earlier on in the day, the boy sitting in the circle had flaming red hair. He really did look like Kassandra.
"Maeko Toguchi, our Tamer friend. She'll be around at one point." A girl who also had flaming red hair sat in the circle. Her eyes glowed like fire.
"Malik Mandisa, Amneris's older brother. He heads the Intoxicators nowadays." The Egyptian boy sat, also speaking about the book.
"And... Peter Cryroch." He said. A younger version of the king sat next to Malik and Alexander. He was the spitting image of Dmitri.
The scene changed again, now they were older, and in a field. Andrei now looked as he did now.
"We all went to school together. Helena, Taissa, John, and myself all went to Scholars. I doubled in Art. Alexander, Malik, Maeko, and Peter all went to Combat. I developed my symptoms a year earlier. That was when only John, Maeko, Helena, and Taissa spoke to me. The other three believed they had risen above me."
"From there, around the middle of our school year, a fire elementalist by the name of Frederick would start becoming friends with Alexander. Peter hated Frederick. He hated fire and everything warm. He was a child of the cold."
"Frederick had to flee as soon as Peter suddenly took over the High Monarchy. That is why the world we live in now is so wrong. Because Peter Cryroch and Alexander Ambrosia are at the top. There are things I have left out, things you cannot know. In fact, I already went too far. But that is the story of me. Don't worry about my pain. Taissa promised to euthanize me if I was starting to die a painful death." There was that wry smile again.
The illusions faded, and Andrei yawned, resting on Aidas's shoulder. He was exhausted.
Aidas spoke up. "Come along. Papa Andrei will tell you more of that story another day." He said, helping his older brother along.
A shadow appeared before it turned into a boy.
"Ah, Adomas, how nice of you to join us. This is the youngest Magas, Adomas." Aidas introduced as the blonde boy ran over to help support his oldest brother.
Adomas Magas was quiet, he just nodded.
He managed to flash a small smile.
"A true Artist knows how to express feelings through words, Nelís. It's not something I'm very talented at. The Scholars are the ones with golden tongues. But, if you wish for me to tell my story, I will. Sit down, children, and hush yourselves. I'll make the Illusions the best I can." He sat down, using Aidas's shoulder for support.
The scenery around them changed. They were now in a large building, which was similar to the ones they'd all been raised in. People were cooking and talking, but the point of view centered into the table. Andrei's voice started to be heard.
"We were a large Nurturing Group. My mother raised all of us. We were a big group of misfits. A younger version of Andrei was there, although he looked much like Aidas in this picture, with the same color hair and eyes.
"You know John, Head of Scholars." The blonde child sat on the ground with Andrei, speaking with him over some book.
"That's Helena Kokinos. She passed away a few years back." A blonde girl with bright blue eyes was also in Andrei's little circle.
"Of course, Taissa." The young girl wore flowers all over her. Her hair was also long and blonde. Her eyes still shone that purple-pink color.
"Alexander Ambrosia, Head of Combat and our High Guardian's father." Unlike the tall, grey-haired male that everybody had seen earlier on in the day, the boy sitting in the circle had flaming red hair. He really did look like Kassandra.
"Maeko Toguchi, our Tamer friend. She'll be around at one point." A girl who also had flaming red hair sat in the circle. Her eyes glowed like fire.
"Malik Mandisa, Amneris's older brother. He heads the Intoxicators nowadays." The Egyptian boy sat, also speaking about the book.
"And... Peter Cryroch." He said. A younger version of the king sat next to Malik and Alexander. He was the spitting image of Dmitri.
The scene changed again, now they were older, and in a field. Andrei now looked as he did now.
"We all went to school together. Helena, Taissa, John, and myself all went to Scholars. I doubled in Art. Alexander, Malik, Maeko, and Peter all went to Combat. I developed my symptoms a year earlier. That was when only John, Maeko, Helena, and Taissa spoke to me. The other three believed they had risen above me."
"From there, around the middle of our school year, a fire elementalist by the name of Frederick would start becoming friends with Alexander. Peter hated Frederick. He hated fire and everything warm. He was a child of the cold."
"Frederick had to flee as soon as Peter suddenly took over the High Monarchy. That is why the world we live in now is so wrong. Because Peter Cryroch and Alexander Ambrosia are at the top. There are things I have left out, things you cannot know. In fact, I already went too far. But that is the story of me. Don't worry about my pain. Taissa promised to euthanize me if I was starting to die a painful death." There was that wry smile again.
The illusions faded, and Andrei yawned, resting on Aidas's shoulder. He was exhausted.
Aidas spoke up. "Come along. Papa Andrei will tell you more of that story another day." He said, helping his older brother along.
A shadow appeared before it turned into a boy.
"Ah, Adomas, how nice of you to join us. This is the youngest Magas, Adomas." Aidas introduced as the blonde boy ran over to help support his oldest brother.
Adomas Magas was quiet, he just nodded.
Jenny had entirely forgotten about the question she had asked when Andrei started creating the illusions. She had paid close attention to the story, and was disappointing that it had to end so soon. "I hope you'll be able to tell more of the story soon." She said, wanting to hear the rest.
While watching the fire Caleb felt the impression to follow the rest of the group as they each got up to follow their teachers. As he shuffled forward in silence it would appear as if Caleb was still lost in his on little world, only paying enough attention to know when to stop with the rest of the group and to generally follow at the same speed as they made their way to the Arts room that would serve as their dwellings for the night.
It seemed that the combination of a tranquilizer dart, having is magics forcefully taken and then thrust back to him was proving to be too much for him to handle. Like the saying goes, the bigger they are the harder they fall. Caleb spent most the time while in this inebriated state to reevaluate a few things in his mind. For one thing he wasn't as invulnerable as he once thought he was, he also had much to learn if he was to be as untouchable as he wanted, and last but not least he needed someone to have his back - that would mean friend making.
With time Caleb would finally come out of the haze that surrounded him and realize he had no idea where he was with the group anymore. "Where are we?" Caleb would say seemingly out of the blue.
It seemed that the combination of a tranquilizer dart, having is magics forcefully taken and then thrust back to him was proving to be too much for him to handle. Like the saying goes, the bigger they are the harder they fall. Caleb spent most the time while in this inebriated state to reevaluate a few things in his mind. For one thing he wasn't as invulnerable as he once thought he was, he also had much to learn if he was to be as untouchable as he wanted, and last but not least he needed someone to have his back - that would mean friend making.
With time Caleb would finally come out of the haze that surrounded him and realize he had no idea where he was with the group anymore. "Where are we?" Caleb would say seemingly out of the blue.
"Headed to the after Gathering I think, right?"Jenny said.
Though he hadn't meant to, Nelís was more set on how precise the illusions were, but he still managed to listen. He'd have to think of over the tale a get in order to truly understand. At least his attention could be divided, and he was aware of whose name belonged to who. He wondered how long it would be.. until he could make illusions like that. Usually his weren't as detailed unless he happened to know what he was showing vividly.
Nelís let out a hum of contentment as they reached the end of a story that was incomplete. Seeing that the use of illusions had taken a toll on Andrei the young boy wasn't so sure if to was wise of him to insist that the man tell this tale. Either way, he was being assisted by both Aidas and Adomas.
As Caleb came to speak up, Nelís glanced over to him. The tranquilizer hadn't made a fully efficient effect, not that he wanted it to. It only proved how resistant Caleb was though he seemed to be in another world for a good while to the point where he wasn't sure where they were. Well, the young illusionist wasn't to sure either though he could've recalled that Aidas had said they were going to the dorms..?
The boy shrugged to himself, disregarding the direction and instead kept following. Surely someone knew where they were going.
Nelís let out a hum of contentment as they reached the end of a story that was incomplete. Seeing that the use of illusions had taken a toll on Andrei the young boy wasn't so sure if to was wise of him to insist that the man tell this tale. Either way, he was being assisted by both Aidas and Adomas.
As Caleb came to speak up, Nelís glanced over to him. The tranquilizer hadn't made a fully efficient effect, not that he wanted it to. It only proved how resistant Caleb was though he seemed to be in another world for a good while to the point where he wasn't sure where they were. Well, the young illusionist wasn't to sure either though he could've recalled that Aidas had said they were going to the dorms..?
The boy shrugged to himself, disregarding the direction and instead kept following. Surely someone knew where they were going.
Aidas smiled. "Off to the gymnasium for the After Gathering, then to the dorms. The After-Gathering will be fun. The combatants run it, and Ambrosia and Cryroch try to out drink each other. It's always interesting." Aidas chuckled. "They've been doing that since they were around thirteen. John gave up in trying to stop them when they were fifteen. I remember, because he came to sleep in my room while Taissa watched your group." Andrei said, still catching his breath.
"I think Kassandra won last year." Aromas spoke up. His voice was quiet.
"Yeah, only because Dmitri and I had to sort out the booze before that, so of course he got himself pre-drunk."
"Don't corrupt them yet, Aidas." Amneris scolded.
"Ah, Caleb, you woke up. We're on our way to celebrate a little bit. You'll all have tomorrow to rest, and the day after is orientation." Andrei spoke up again.
"I think Kassandra won last year." Aromas spoke up. His voice was quiet.
"Yeah, only because Dmitri and I had to sort out the booze before that, so of course he got himself pre-drunk."
"Don't corrupt them yet, Aidas." Amneris scolded.
"Ah, Caleb, you woke up. We're on our way to celebrate a little bit. You'll all have tomorrow to rest, and the day after is orientation." Andrei spoke up again.
Jenny wasn't too sure what she would do during the after Gathering. Of the few people she knew here, only one of them seemed to be welcoming at all. She hoped she would meet more friendlier people during the after gathering but she wasn't too sure if she would even talk to anyone. She then suddenly remembered she had been speaking to Nelis. So what do you think you're going to do during the after gathering?"She asked him.
Evelynn hadn't said much during the whole exchange. She just took everything in. Glancing at the half conscious Caleb, then the awkwardly talkative Jenny, then to the strange Nelis, she decided she was finished taunting them all. To the after gathering it was then.
She turned, the first of the newbies in the Arts to head toward the After Gathering, seafoam curls swaying behind her.
She turned, the first of the newbies in the Arts to head toward the After Gathering, seafoam curls swaying behind her.
Nelís supposed it would be best for him to sit by and watch or at least occupy himself with something or someone just to evade getting a drink into his hands. He wouldn't mind watching though as it came off to sound really fun. As far as he knew no one seemed to be of drinking age, however he couldn't quite determine with Caleb.
"I'm not too sure," he mused with a grin, "but maybe they'll have things there that we can occupy ourselves with.. I don't think I'll be, ah..drinking."
"I'm not too sure," he mused with a grin, "but maybe they'll have things there that we can occupy ourselves with.. I don't think I'll be, ah..drinking."
"Yeah, neither will I. I hope they've got stuff for us t odo other than get drunk"Jenny said. "So do you think any other Tamers might be there?"Jenny asked. She hoped she'd be able to fidn a more experienced Tamer who could help her find what she could turn into.
At the question he presumed she was hoping she could get something out of her stay here. Nelís was in the midst of two other illusionists something he didn't think he'd ever come around, yet he was here. Andrei had also mentioned that there were Tamers on their way. He believed there was something for each individual.
"There should be," he assured, shrugging. "They did say there were other Tamers, but if they're not at the gathering they should be here later on. What do you plan to do with your abilites? Once you've mastered them?" that was a question he'd been asking himself. After he achieved what he could in this school, what would he do afterwards?
"There should be," he assured, shrugging. "They did say there were other Tamers, but if they're not at the gathering they should be here later on. What do you plan to do with your abilites? Once you've mastered them?" that was a question he'd been asking himself. After he achieved what he could in this school, what would he do afterwards?
"I don't really know what I'm gonna do once I've mastered my powers. I think that's one of those things that I'm gonna worry about when it comes around, as opposed to plan it out now. But I definitely think it would be something artsy."Jenny replied.
