BranchWood Academy - Rebirth

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The door to the dining hall was made of solid oak, the BranchWood's insignia upon it; engraved. Once inside, the three tables were set with lit candles, plates, folded napkins, and wrapped silverware. Small menus were placed between each complete set, facing to the left and to the right alternatively. The chairs were a brisk white in color, their cushions lush and green. The fourth table featured two candelabras, with one candle between them and to each side. The light emitting from them illuminates seven paintings.

In the middle, the painting's plaque beneath it read "Eryx Tanek", Magician Council Leader. The picture to his left was of Gilfer Ro-Cael, a figure between an orc and an elf. The picture to his right was of Quade Alveron, Warden of the Dread Jail. The picture upon the next left was of Scygard the Loyal, Grand Master Forgers general. The picture upon the next right was Alydorn Kavet, Mighty Nether. The picture upon the left end was of Commander Bayliff, Warrior of the Weapon Master v. Magician war. The picture upon the right end was of Feldar Verdince, Templar Martyr.

The walls of the dining room merged into a balconies above the tables, the roof curved and lined with lights and arches of stonework. Blue and white decorations marked the balconies, light shining inward from the ceiling windows, once the rain ceased.

Ilu took lead with her squad in finding the dining hall after the interesting welcome and introduction everyone received from the headmaster. The rain left something to be desired and all had agreed that something was food. It has been a long day and she hasn't eaten since arrival here and was eager to know what the food was going to be like as well as what the rest of her classmates would be like when they all eventually gathered here. There was so much to look forward to.

Rounding a corner with her tail following in behind her, she entered the hall and came to a sudden stop just a few paces into the room. The angel's hidden gaze first scanned over the room at her eye level, eventually lifting along with her head to take in the sheer scale of the place. She liked it. It was classy, but had a touch of simplicity about it that didn't make it intimidating to a point where it made her feel she didn't 'belong' here. No, it was very welcoming and enough to allow a smile to grace her lips before turning back to her squad-mates "I may have found it.." she announced, assuming they had followed close enough to at least hear her.

Not bothering to repeat herself, her eyes returned to the room to glance over the tables. Oh now this would be a problem..Where would they sit? No doubt they'd want to be together, but where would be best? Ilu was somewhat particular to sitting near windows as any flying creature would be. However, it wasn't just her vote. The place was empty! It was their chance to choose spots they can silently call their own. This, oddly enough, was truly on the forefront of her mind, her wings cautiously splaying just enough to loosen her joints while she did. Decisions, decisions...

Crow's coarse shoes carried her form through the hallways, passing windows and doors. Crow's robes slowly dry, the liquid falling off of her dirty-feathered robe becoming less frequent. Her yellow gaze drifts towards the clouds and rain falling outside, as her form passes a window.

Crow's form comes to a slowing stop, her right hand lifting upwards to push open the door to the dining room. Her yellow gaze snaps towards the other femme, within the room, and then to the others setting food upon the table. Crow's coarse shoes carried her towards the middle of the first line of seats, the dip of her hat covering an eye. Her gaze follows a server, before they stop to stare at her. Crow's gaze lingers, her facial features remaining neutral, "Bring me beans, shellfish, and a dark-green leaf salad."

The server nods a few times, before looking elsewhere. Her facial features scrunch up, a confused expression appearing, fleetingly. Her form moves towards the kitchen and she stays within it for a while.

Ilu's gaze continued to gradually survey the room, her smile not seeming to dicipate in the slightest while each server came to greet her as they passed by. The angel taking each and every well wish with a bow of her head and a delighted sway of her tail. Though, something felt off..Did her squad wander off?

Turning back towards the door, the vixen's sheilded eyes settled on the unfamiliar arrival as soon as she stepped in. Her previous expression faded into curiousity at the presense of the other femme. Though, after a swift second of looking her over, her reaction was just the same as it was with the servers. Then angel bowed her head towards the woman "Good evening.." She greeted, slightly fanning her wings once more with the subtle metallic clack as they folded back behind her shoulders.

Peering back up, the angel's head turned to follow Crow's movement through the room and to the table, her ears raising high just as the woman made her order. Well, it already appeared she had a way of making the servers feel dumbfounded..This may be interesting...

Approaching towards her, the angel saw fit to stand just a chair away, settling her attention on the fellow student, but withheld her desire to bombard her with conversation. She merely waited to gain her attention.

Crow's form had passed the other femme silently, her gaze drifting away from her. Crow's yellow gazes idly about the room, settling on the pictures hanging behind the last table. Crow's gaze snaps towards the waitress, as her form exits the kitchen, her right hand holding a tray of the aforementioned foods.

Placing it nearby, the waitress lifts the salad and places it in front of Crow's form. Next, was a plate of a shrimp with a layer of sauce and light cheese. The last dish was a bowl of beans with a piece of cilantro within the ring of cheddar cheese.
Crow's right hand grasped the nearby fork, lifting it upward, as her gaze snaps towards the femme. Pushing the fork into the dark green leaves, lifting it upwards. Stopping just short of her mouth, Crow's yellow gaze blinks, once, her stare continuing, "Why do you stare at me."

Ilu's eyes remained on the woman for a moment longer, taking in her strange, somewhat anti-social behavior. Not that it bothered her as she had experience breaking tense first meetings. Heck, she already had to break up a disagreement in her dorm before distracting with the idea of getting food. How hard could this woman be to talk to? Pondering this, her attention flashed back to reality just as the waitresses returned with the femme's food. As natural as breathing, the angel smiled at her as she passed to set the tray down and again when she made her way back.

Again, it left just the two of them in silence. Her hidden gaze certainly suggesting that she stared, but the shine behind the veil did flicker every so often..She was just curious, anxious even to meet everyone. Though, when Crow turned her head to accuse her of staring, that desire deteriorated just a little. The vixen smiled none the less, tossing her tail more to her right side before answering her "Where do you suggest I look? We are the only ones here and we'll no doubt run into each other more than just this meeting..That an you will be the first to try the food, I'm curious." she inquired in a gentle tone, really having no idea what she'll have to eat. Though, depending on how Crow responded to the first bite, she'd be quick in making that her choice.

Crow's hand lifted the fork, in a repeated fashion, towards her mouth. Her teeth chew quietly, as the salad was diminished. Crow's gaze snaps towards the femme, as her form slowly straightens. Her dirtied wrist-wraps and hands placed themselves within her lap. Her faint eyebrows cross, her gaze snapping to certain points of the femme's person, before drifting back to the femme's face.

Crow's facial features remained neutral, her right hand grasping a nearby spoon. Her hand drifts towards the bowl of beans, scooping a spoonful of beans. Crow's right hand places the spoon within her mouth, her lips closing about it. Crow's gaze lingers upon the femme, before she places the spoon within the bowl, "You stare at me because you have nowhere else to look? What a waste." Crow's gaze snaps towards the dishes, then towards the femme, "You are curious of the food. Then why ask me about it." Crow's eyes sharpen towards the femme, before she finishes the bowl of beans.

Ilu blinked as she caught wind of the other femme's outlook over the current situation. Unsure how to take the comment, the angel's expression didn't seem fade away from the gentle smile "Well..I'd hardly call it a waste, dear. When one lives a long life, one can never know too many people.." she paused, taking a moment to bow her head in show of respect "My name's Iluza Kanaki, I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you.." she paused to level her head and gaze back at the woman before her "..but given the obvious, we were likely to bump into each other sooner or later. I just thought I'd cross that bridge now by saying 'Hello'." she explained, tossing her tail behind her some.."As for the food, I'm not even sure what to get. So what better thing than to ask another's opinion?" she inquired, hoping her reasons were at least acceptable.

Falling silent, the angel really began to wonder where the rest of her squad had wandered off too..She could possibly use a topic of discussion right now other than immediately feeling like she was walking on eggshells. That and she didn't want to sit alone and she was fairly sure that this one wasn't about to let her be closer. Already she was second guessing her decision of coming here. Well, if no one else showed up, she would probably wait until the morning to eat. Until then, she felt like all she could do was wait a little while longer..

Letting out a groan, Eleanor once again tugged insistently on her guide's leash, who seemed to be too busy sniffing around the scents of a new place - well, she couldn't exactly blame Charlie, for he was a canine built with such instincts. She'd realized a long time ago that the golden lab had led her astray due to his curiosity, although when she caught the smell of food wafting through the air she was thankful that he'd finally led her to the right place. She expressed said relief with a muffled sigh, entering the dining hall as casually as a girl wearing a gas mask could - though she was lucky not many people were in there yet.

Charlie almost immediately zeroed in at the table Iluza had been sitting at, trotting over with the brunette in tow as he let out a brief bark to gain the other's attention. His warm brown gaze lingered on the other person sitting at the table for a brief moment as if assessing her, before sitting beside Iluza's chair and bringing his owner to a stop.

Crow's hand grabbed the nearby fork, stabbing it into the shellfish upon her plate. Crow's gaze snapped towards Ilu, her hand bringing the shellfish to her own lips, as she bites down upon it. After she swallows, her dirtied, three-cornered hat shakes softly, as her head shakes from side-to-side, "It is a waste that you do not realize what you are wasting. Your attention, words, and questions can be put to bettering yourself, and yet, you waste them upon me. You will gain nothing."

Crow's yellow gaze lingers upon the femme, before her fork stabs itself into another shellfish, lifting it upward, the shell remaining upon the plate. She bites into it, chews, and continues, "I am certain that one can know too many people. It would be foolish to think otherwise." Crow's gaze sharpens, "I have no interest in knowing of you. You should be. You waste your words in idle chatter and you waste my time." Her form stands upright, a server eventually collecting the leftover dishes. Crow's gaze lingers upon the femme in front of her, her facial features remaining neutral, "And now that your goal is complete, you are uncertain? Your uncertainty disgusts me." Crow's coarse shoes carry her towards the dining room's door, her hand grasping the doorknob and pulling it open.

Ilu's expression grew slightly irritated as the femme continue on in her talk of wasting time. Such selfish ambition and focus, something about it stuck a knife in her side. The vixen growled under her breath some at her vocalization of disgust, but quickly caught herself and cleared her throat "Ahem, I merely try to build relationships in hopes to make people better, knowing they have someone they can trust to come to when needed. You can't truly say that's a waste of time when that time may be when your life is in danger.." she said, doing her best to calmly explain her intent for she knew that the femme's focus would only get her so far. However, due to her behavior towards such a simple 'hello', her desire to speak with her was over..for now.

Stress had reared its ugly head again, causing the angel to bow her head and let it out with a deep sigh. Then came the bellow of a dog's bark, snapping her back into current reality. The vixen peered up, smiling sweetly to the young lady that took Crow's place as her 'more desirable' company for dinner "Ah, Eleanor. There you are dear..Where is James?" she asked, canting her head to the side some as her left ear subtly twitched. Regardless of what her answer may be, the angel motioned to the vacant seat next to her "Come, sit." she suggested, side-stepping to pull the chair and very lightly guide her to it before taking her own seat at the table.

Crow's gaze drifts towards the other two femmes, as her voice lifts upwards so that it may carry, "I need not trust you, and, I can. I do. I will not be made better by listening to you talk." A short pause. "My life is not yours to save, it is mine to progress." Crow's coarse shoes carried her past the door, as she shuts it behind her. Crow's shoes carried her form down the hallways, and closer to the dorm rooms.

Eleanor reached her left hand out to guide herself, slowly sitting down as she hung Charlie's leash on the back of the chair before placing the book she had carried with her down on the table and opening it back to the page she'd been reading from. "Who was that woman you were talking to? It didn't sound like you were making pleasant conversation," she asked first and foremost, childish curiosity getting the better of her before she responded to anything else. She used her free hand to blindly pull out the seat to the other side of her for Charlie, who followed his owner's cue and hopped up on the seat. His eyes took on a glazed sheen as he looked towards the doors leading to the kitchens for Eleanor, who decided to slip her gas mask off as she contemplated on what to eat based on what foods were being taken in and out by the servers.

"James seems to have lost his way, considering he's not with you. Unless he purposefully wandered off on his own?" She responded minutes later, shifting into a more comfortable position in her seat and leaning back. "Will we have to wait for him to get here? That is, unless you plan on chasing after that woman. Then by all means go ahead."

Ilu had resorted to ignoring the woman's last comment, figuring it the best thing she should do before she lost her cool. Instead, her attention settled on Eleanor once she sat down..but soon flashed to the door once it was shut before answering them femme's question, tilting her head forward some "Someone who I don't think will make it very far here..Apparently she doesn't work well with others..I was just trying to be friendly.." the angel pondered for a moment. As much as wished to help others, she wasnt going to pressure anyone who didn't want it.

The femme let out a soft sigh, turning her attention back to the young woman beside her. The vixen smiled "I don't think he'll mind if we order food. He may be tending to his little, fire..thingy." she presumed, not really sure what to call that thing of his. Bringing herself back to the topic of food, Ilu began looking around the room, lifting a hand in hopes to get one of the servers' attention. "Excuse me, miss?" she called out in a sweet, yet projecting tone.

Hearing the voice, the eldest server of the bunch stopped in her tracks and turned to approach the femme beckoning her. "Yes, what can I get for you?" she inquired. The human woman looked to be in her fourties, short, with a healthy build. She stood near, reaching up to brush a few hairs out of her face, hazel hue glancing between the two.

Ilu smiled, looking up at the woman "Could I have a small kettle of peach tea and whatever special is being served tonight." she asked, making it short and sweet before turning her head to look over her shoulder to Eleanor. The woman's eyes shifted to the younger girl "And you?" she asked, not even taking down the order on a note. No, she had been a server so long, she intended on remembering every last detail.

"Dumplings and bulgogi," Eleanor replied almost instantly, sitting up a little straighter as she looked up in the woman's direction. "Also whatever sort of salad you can make, an egg omelet and something with chicken and rice." Though many didn't know about it, the brunette was a very gluttonous individual not only in knowledge but also in eating - she just hoped that the server was going to be able to make everything. But then the teen paused. Well, most of the dishes she liked might be foreign here so they might not know...? Identifying the warmth creeping up to her cheeks as embarrassment, she casually added, "Or just the same thing you're serving to my acquaintance is fine too."

Turning her attention to Iluza as she finished giving her order, she racked her mind for any conversation starters. Oh, what was that typical sentence... "Night weather...isn't it?" No, that wasn't really it. Didn't that usually lead to awkwardness? Well, there wasn't any use taking it back now since she'd already said it.

The server looked somewhat befuddled at the young woman's order, practically staring as she tried to remember every item. With each detail, she counted another finger on her right hand as if she wrote it down on a mental notepad. Then, as Eleanor finished, the woman gave a single nod "Okay, got it. I'll be around with those shortly. I'll get you girls your drinks first." she assured, assuming the younger femme would be alright with water. With that, she'd turn to make her way back into the kitchen.

Satisfied and rather impressed by the woman's ability to get both their orders down, Ilu smiled just before focusing back on Eleanor. Both ears raised high, turning towards the girl, she caught the casual question. She figured she was nervous, not use to striking conversation, but she didn't say anything about it. Instead, she simply answered her question "Hmm, yeah, rain does have it's own beauty. The land certainly needs it. It probably isn't a day to sit outside and have a picnic, but it does make for a cozy night inside." she mused, her tone just as soft and sweet as it always seemed to be.

Leaning back in her chair, the vixen pulled her tail into her lap some, casually running her fingers through her fur. The action would accidentally brush against Eleanor's arm, but it went unnoticed by her herself. She probably didn't even know what she was, considering the obvious..Shedding new light on conversation, the angel's eyes shined through her veil to her squadmate "So, what made you decide to come here? To the academy I mean." she asked, genuinely interested in the girl's goals. Perhaps as a fellow squadmate, she could help both her and James with a wide variety of things as the year went on.

While the vixen listened, the server was swift with getting her tea just as she wanted it along with pouring a glass of water for Eleanor in a short-stem glass. Then, just as swiftly as she prepared them, she was already back at their table to place them in front of the two ladies. "There you go dears." she smiled, quickly turning to walk back to the kitchen. Ilu simply turned and bowed her head in gratitude "Thank you." she said, turning her attention back to Eleanor shortly after.

Eleanor pondered her own response thoughtfully, tilting her head from side to side as she sorted through the thoughts she could say. "...I like the rain too. Sometimes my brother comes home and reads me stories all day if the rain lasts that long. But I hate it when a storm comes right after - thunder and lightning aren't my thing," she responded, but then suddenly let out a high pitched squeak as she felt something brush against her arm, flailing her arms awkwardly in order to keep herself from falling off her chair. Clearing her throat awkwardly, the brunette was quick to recover as she tugged the sleeves of her sweater down a bit more.

She nodded politely at the server who returned with their drinks before slowly reaching for her glass of water, careful not to drop it, before taking a sip. "What made me decide to come here...hm? My aunt thought it would be a good chance for me to socialize and learn how to properly control my abilities more," she said vaguely, reaching over to Charlie to move his head so that he was looking at Iluza. "What about you, Miss Iluza?"

Ilu listened rather intently to Eleanor while she spoke of her liking for rain. She especially noted the detail about her brother reading to her. That was very sweet of him..Reminded her when her siblings weren't even five years of age and she read them stories just before bed. That was a long time ago and they have since made lives of their own..Pulling herself out of the fond daydream, the angel's ears wiggled and stood straight along with the rest of her form at the younger femme's startle. "Oh hun, I'm sorry. It's just my tail..I lay it in my lap whenever I sit beside someone. Silly thing is so long and can have a mind of it's own. I don't wish to disturb anyone with it." she briefly explained, petting the fluffy appendage gently with both hands in attempt to comfortably keep it in place across her lap.

Returning to the conversation at hand, the angel's eyes flickered with every blink behind their cloth. The vixen's ears gave a subtle wiggle as they refocused on the girl while she spoke. Seeing reason in her story, Ilu nodded "Yes, a guardian's suggestion does hold power. You must of thought the same then. Otherwise, you wouldn't be sitting with me." she replied, her smile warming near the end of her words. She did catch wind of her parents not being mentioned since they've met, making a fair assumption that her parents are either gone or currently weren't present in her life, but she felt now wasn't the time to bring it up. No, she'd let her open up and tell when she felt the time was right. "Me?" she questioned, suddenly lowering her gaze some as she thought to herself. "Well, I'm still learning more about who I am and about my purpose..I feel I've learned a fairly good portion, but I know there's more to be discovered. Though, my main goal is to build others up, to help other's find their way. Seeing as so many believe their purpose awaits them here, I followed." she shared, leaning back into her chair once more while reaching for her tea. The angel brought the cup to her lips to cast a gentle breath over the brim, taking a short sip afterwards.

At the very moment Ilu set down her tea, the woman along with a frail girl with large, circlular lens glasses exited the kitchen and into the dining room with plates. The older server had only one plate with the vixen's order while the young server seemed to struggle handling four dishes in her arms. Yup, she was new and it appeared as if they were training her to handle the dinner rush once it came time. The eldest woman set Ilu's entree of chicken marsala with rice pilaf in front of her, "There ya go dear, enjoy." she said before turning to walk away towards the kitchen once again. Meanwhile, the borderline topply server nearly stumbled when approaching Eleanor, but she managed not to dump everything on top of her. Her reflexes luckily made up for her tipsiness, evident by how she swiftly arranged the dishes in front of Eleanor in the blink of an eye! "H-here you are! Eh-Enjoy!" she stuttered sheepishly, her tone suggesting her rushed state. There was no time! She had to keep up with her superior! She fled back to the kitchen.

Ilu was all around impressed! The food looked so good and from what she could see, the woman remembered every little detail of Eleanor's order. Again, the angel offered a slight bow of her head in thanks before refocusing back on her fellow dorm-mate. "You certainly have an appetite. Reminds me of the heaping meals my sister Starla use to eat back home." she mused with a soft giggle, picking up her fork then to cut her chicken and take her first bite.

"My family tends to spoil me a lot, so I'm used to eating a big quantity. I don't know why, though I assume it's because I'm the kid sister," Eleanor responded after nodding her gratitude briefly at the stuttering girl who had served her, reaching out to Charlie once more to aim his eyes on the places before picking up her utensils and digging in. It wasn't until she had finished her plate of salad and took a big gulp of her water that she spoke once more. She wasn't exactly used to talking this much in one day - this was about as much as she did for one week, usually. Keeping the annoying buzz in her ears to a low thrum, she took a breath to focus, before speaking once more. "That's a...very kind sounding reason to be here," she commented, getting started on the bulgogi she'd ordered. "I suppose I would be feeling very jealous right now, for not having as noble of a reason as you," her next words were directed more at herself, as she thoughtfully ate a forkful of bulgogi.

Every once in a while she felt her sight shake as Charlie sneaked some food off her plate to eat himself, though if she noticed Eleanor didn't voice it aloud - she had no reason to relevant reason to complain about it, anyway. "A shame James isn't here yet. I'm sure you had more questions to ask him, didn't you?" She pointed out, putting her utensils down for the moment to dab at her face with a napkin incase she had cause a mess.

Unlike Eleanor, Ilu took her time to savor every bite of her meal. Not that she looked down on filling ones stomach, but she did believe in enjoying every moment of life. Considering what she was, it may strike as odd from the outside looking in, but it's just how she was. Having just finished her first taste, she took in a small scoop of rice along side another bite of chicken onto her fork and brought it gingerly to her lips. Again, taking her time to finish chewing before speaking "It's not something easy to pursue..but at the very least, I can help you and James." she added, her head turning to set her eyes on the young lady next to her once more. She set her fork down and reached forward to take up her tea for another sip. Still she listened, her ears subtly wiggling as Eleanor spoke of James' absense. "Not like I can't speak to him tomorrow. It's only our first night here. Besides, I am enjoying talking to you..You're a charming young woman." she casually complimented, closing her eyes lightly to take in another drink of tea. The vixen's tail had been trying so hard not to move from her lap, so far only allowing it's brushy tip to sway from side to side.