BranchWood Academy - Canceled

The sun shined down on Aerik's eyes as he awoke, the window only serving to intensify the magnitude of the light. He squinted his eyes in an attempt to cope, however it was fruitless. He sat up, arched his back slightly and rubbing his eyes. "Another nightmare.", he thought, groaning a bit. The same white figure, beckoning to him, shouting at him, hurting him.

He stepped off of his bed, casting his sheets aside lazily. His arm no longer hurt, but the same could not be said about his pride. His actions were out of line. The situation could have escalated into a fight easily. He was not prepared to get himself killed when he had so much to accomplish.

He grabbed a plain black tee shirt and a pair of light blue jeans to wear for today. He was not yet used to the fashion sense that was socially acceptable in this realm, but he did what he could to not stand out as he normally would if he walked about in his old robes or leather spun clothing. He walked out of the room, satchel hung over his right shoulder, and began to walk toward the library, as he needed new reading material.

Gahnbara was sitting in a chair across the room from his bed "have a nice nap?" he asked drinking some water from his small canteen. He had his helmet off set down next to his chair and he was in night cloths instead of his armor.

Aerik looked over to Gahnbara and smiled. "Of course.", he lied, doing his best to not give it away in his face. "How was your sleep? And did you ever get the information you wanted from the Headmaster?"

Gahnbara shook his head "I never got to see the man" he said holding out his canteen offering a drink "the door was locked and Sasuki was the only one I knew of with a key, and he had walked off in anger" he said laying back in his chair.

Aerik looked at the canteen. He was hesitant, but deduced that hydration was a necessity and took a drink from it, handing it back as he swallowed. "I'm certain he wouldn't have been a fountain of information on the subject either way.", Aerik said with a sigh. "I hope this academy understands that it is hard to trust a man who locks his door to keep both students and teachers out. It's simply unprofessional."

Aerik looked to the window, then back to Ganhbara. "My apologies for the way I acted yesterday. I suppose I played a major role in denying you that key.", he said, scratching the back of his head.

Gahnbara shook the apology away "You had common sense on your mind, I had my natural feeling to investigate unnatural necessities, I do not pay attention to warnings when my instincts kick in" he said laughing "so what did you have in mind for today? or were you going to just sit around?" he said a smirk on his face as he took his canteen back then placed it in his back pocket

(( Sorry for taking so long))

Aerik appreciated his response. "I was just about to head to the library for research on magic. I would like to know of all the potential types; theirs strengths and their weaknesses so that I'm never caught off guard in a combat situation. We are bound to have many of those during our time here at the academy." He looked down at the ground. "That demon and his friend worry me.", he said in a serious tone. "He was so quick to anger... I fear that he may lose control one of these days. I just need to be prepared if such a day comes. As for his friend, something about him bothers me."

Aerik exhaled deeply. "Anyway, what do you have planned for today?"

Gahnbara shook his head "I was going to study from my books that I had brought with me" he got curious about Aerik mentioning Kenn "you are worried about Sasuki's friend Kenn?" he said knowing well who Kenn was

Aerik looked again to the window, observing how the light bled through the glass. "There is something about him. He seems overly eager to get stronger. Normally, I would applaud one's resolve in such a matter, however, power is a tricky thing to manage sometimes." He looked back over to Gahnbara. "There is a fine line between a want for more power, and a lust for it. He is a very loyal friend to Sasuki. Perhaps he believes Sasuki is the key to such power."

Aerik stopped for a second and thought about this. Maybe he was, yet again, thinking too deeply into the matter, but he would not deny his worries. "You know what they say when you assume...", he thought to himself.

His expression suddenly changed to a small grin. "I could be wrong, though. I mean, I suppose this is all just speculation anyway."

Gahnbara shook his head "your speculation is way off" he said almost laughing " he has more of a need for more power, after his village was slaughtered by bandits he made an oath to protect the defenseless at all costs" he said holding up a hand looking at it "My very hands spilt blood that day, and it is a memory I will never forget"

"You were present when Kenn's village was destroyed?", He inquired, growing more curious. "Did you two grow up together? What did the bandits want with a village?"

Gahnbara had to hide the truth and he knew this well "I was part of the defense, the bandits flanked us and most of the guard was taken out, we were surprised by how organized they were" he said and pulled up a picture of a burning house "this was what was left after that catastrophe and we later moved to build a safe haven for all of us who were still alive"

Time slowed down a bit for Aerik as he analyzed this information. Coming back to reality, Aerik asked a question.

"What made you want to be a warrior, Gahnbara?"

Gahnbara shook his head "it's Kenn, I only came here to watch him closely, he is a danger to himself and will most likely hurt himself if he isn't monitored by one of his superiors" he said placing down the picture "i've known him for a while, and he thinks me wrong but I only do the things I do because he isn't ready to become a full fledged warrior yet unless he forgets about the past"

Aerik looked to his wrist, specifically the spot where he had created the rupture on the previous day.

"Believe me, I understand your plight. Your story, as some might say, 'hits close to home.' But, one does not simply forget such a tragedy." He looked back up into Ganhbara's eyes with a face full of grief.

"Sometimes, pain is the best motivation."

Gahnbara shook his head "but when Kenn puts his pain in front of him, he becomes wreckless he doesn't think, if I were hi mentor I would have flicked him over the head a million times over and he still wouldn't change" he said sitting back letting his head flop back into the headrest of the chair "the way he uses his pain to motivate him, is just stupid i'd keep him on the side lines just to keep him from hurting himself"

"Regardless of whether or not his pain is beneficial, there is no way for one to just give up on such a scaring memory. To promote growth, one must be left with their own decisions. I read the Scorched Ruins report. Kenn is capable of so much. Any choices he comes to regret will only further teach him."

Aerik sighed. "Far be it from me to tell you the right course of action to take on such a personal matter.", he said, adjusting the position of his satchel over his shoulder. He headed for the door, as he realized he had much studying to do before days end. He opened the door into the hall and stopped at the doorway. He looked over his shoulder at Gahnbara once more.

"If you insist that Kenn is not worth my suspicions, then I'm inclined to believe you. However, I get the feeling that you are not being honest with me, whether it be about your role in Kenn's past life, or your intentions with him in the present." He turned around completely to face him. "But I warn you, Gahnbara. Do not interfere with the lives of the innocent.", he finished in a cold tone.

Aerik turned around and began stepping out into the hall.

Gahnbara came to thought he is right, but mine and Kenn's rivalry goes far back, he is a warrior without regret, I am a warrior of the fringe my people are tougher than his however his people are strong in numbers but otherwise here it is a simple 1 on 1 he thought and stayed in the chair grabbing a book in his bag and opening it to a random page and studying from context

James walked into the dorm, carrying a large bundle of straight wooden shafts and tossed them on his bed. "Whats going on?" he asked Gahnbara. Leaning under his bed and pulling out a small wooden chest. He put a small key into its lock and opened it.
Inside the chest was the small iron bowl he used for heating his runic kit, an assortment of metal picks, brushes, paint bottles, and chalk, neatly stacked and organized. He pulled the first of these items out and set it in a wire frame, off the bare floor. then put a small bit of kindling and several coals into it; lighting the mass with a wave of his hand and a muttered word.

"I don't know about you, but I get the feeling that not all of the people who attend this school are entirely sane, or trustworthy. I met this crazy dark wizard guy outside, Sasuske or sasquatch or whatever," " (heheh, sasquatch) "he chuckled under his breath.
"Anyway, he and his buddy nearly attacked me for asking a simple question. You'd think that potential allies would want to get along... But anyways, how about you? Any news?" he finished, setting a metal pick into the fire, watching it slowly change color as it heated accordingly.

Gahnbara shook his head "there must have been a horror while doing the mission then Sasuki doesn't normally do that after a mission" he said putting a hand to his chin "whatever it was be careful mentioning it around them"