Forum Thread

“I dunno. Most of the guys here are boring and stuck up. I know you hate those.”

Kendo rolled his eyes, sighing.

“I mean, I’M not, but I’m special, you know?”

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"Yup, especially since you'll be busy with someone. Worst case scenario I'll find some relatively less attached noble I can slip away from. Bonus points if they just so happen to have a group of followers themselves." Was there someone like that?

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“Busy? I suppose you could say that. He glanced over at Mona.

“Yeah. Busy. That’s a good way to put it.”

He just smiled.

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"Mhm."

Athena smiled as well, as much as the future bothered her, all she could do as enjoy the present. And that would include hunting down the lucky/unlucky young man who would accompany her to the Ball.

"As you are quite busy, I'll leave you to it. Mona, don't spend so much time with him you forget about our session later!" Waving goodbye cheerfully, she gathered up her dishes and walked off.

---

Kendo let out a quiet sigh, watching Athena walk away.

“…She grew up to be a good girl. Right, Mona?”

He glanced back at her.

---

Walking through the hallways, Athena smiled and waved at many students. She caught up with Monaline, who'd just return from the Capitol. A chat with Liam gave her information about more potential business opportunities. She also comforted Eileen, having just recovered from an interesting incident involving glitter and exploding hairpins.

She also gracefully rejected many creative confessions of interest.

Most of them were just more people to socialise with, to boost her reputation, to entertain. But to find a date? That was something new. Hmm... Too boring. Too attached. Too difficult.

After wandering for a good half hour, Athena found herself back in the dorm area. There were still some students drifting about, none of them particularly interesting. Some students who thought they were law enforcers, a reader, overexcited girls. Two blonds, apparently arguing over the letter. Trixie and was it Ayran? Well, blowing the letter away avoided any unnecessary conflict.

Strolling into her room, she sat down at her desk and scrutinised her unfinished recipe for the love potion. Chalking down a few other notes, she folded it up and entered her walk-in closet. Behind a few dresses was the entrance to her work area.

Packing the substance into a pretty vial with a heart on the cap, she put it away to be delivered later.

Opening the door, she left.

---

Astrophel began reading the ancient tome. What they read utterly fascinated them. They only read a few pages but those few pages were enough to excite them greatly. They decided that their dorm room would be the best place to revel in their newfound discovery. They finished their tea and proceeded to make their way out of the dining hall. However, Astrophel soon encountered a large group of students milling about the halls. With uncharacteristic haste, Astrophel quickly turned into a shadow and began hurtling along the walls and across the floor to their dormitory. The only thing running faster than their body was their mind. “Does this truly hold the answers that I seek?” They asked to themselves as they glided past hordes of students.. Once they were past the crowds, Astrophel reverted back to their original form. However they noticed that they emerged right in front of a unique looking satyr already dressed for the ball. Realizing that they had gotten too far ahead of themselves, Astrophel quickly apologized. “Ah, apologies, I trust that I did not disturb thee in any significant manner?”

Even though Scarlettt was in her own little world, it wasn't like she couldn't notice something black beginning to emerge in front of her well letting out a curious hum as it does so, stoping accordingly as she gently flicks her ears while shaking her head in a non dismissive manner. "Oh no worries, there's no need to apologize~! Hey are you going to the ball to, I can't wait to attend myself~!" Scarlett replies with a gentle tone as she began excitedly wagging her tail as simply talking about it brought her great excitement, it was clear by first interaction that they seem incredibly kind and caring, plus seeming to enjoy a fashion sense while wearing her favorite dress that she wouldn't pick any other one to go to the ball in.
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"Number one, how do you even know such a thing because there's a reason why that's a secret she kept to herself. Number two, even if you know my name as I barely interacted with you so why would I even trust you in the first place." She scoffed with arrogance at the offer to help, besides she had a good feeling that they wouldn't follow through with their words, let alone why would anyone attempt assassination and having themselves brought all the way to Shadow rank, it's not like no one wanted to be seen with those students in the first place anyway.

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"Definitely. Whatever she chooses to do in life, she'll be wonderful at it. She has a very promising future ahead of her." Mona cleared the table quickly and took Kendo's hand. "Well, let's get to class, then. I'm so glad this is our last history class, I mean- it's not like I haven't read everything about history in my mother's study, you know? It's not much a class as it is a reminder."

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Leonidas' pace kept slowing down the closer he got to Ayran and Trixie. While on his way there he kept seeing more and more people come up to each other and ask to be their partner in the ball. His eyes quickly snapped back at the two and awkwardly smiled at them,slowly walking away.

"Ah~ It's nothing! Don't worry about it!" he said while he was within talking range. He gave Ayran a quick thumbs up,unsure of whether or not he read the room correctly,before turning around and departing.

Seeing as most other students were going there,he too made his way into the cafeteria,that way he'd kill two birds with one stone. He would be able to eat breakfast as well as potentially coming across someone who hasn't been asked out yet,if he was that lucky...

Emika looked around the cafeteria with distaste. The cafeteria was full of gossiping girls and boisterous boys. The girls were chatting about the Ball itself or who would take them to it or who they had accepted/rejected already. Emika thought it was pathetic. She had no interest in 'being seen with someone' or whatever. "Isn't like I have much chance anyway..." she thought bitterly. Who would want to spend willing time with a known murderer? In the meantime, Emika sipped her tea as she was fanned by a maid with a mishaped head.



Eris was on her way to the cafeteria, making sure to greet and return greetings from other students as she moved. Being an Elite meant social activities were unavoidable. Though as she did so, she happened to forget to look where she was going, causing her to run into someone. A boy with fiery hair and a fiery attitude...

"Can I go murder some kids for fun?" a small kitsune spirit said just as Satsuki finished her tea.

"First of all, no. Second of all, why would you do that, Huli" Satsuki sighed.

"Didn't you say you hate humans?" Huli circled her.

"How many times have I told you that these people are not really considered 'human'? They have abilities, unlike humans do. Also, can you be more protective of them too just like you are to me, well kind of.

It was too late, the kitsune had already pounced on someone.

---

Kae had to crack a smile as their eyes swiftly read the light parchment that was gently grasped by their left hand. Only Kendo could make a stiff formal letter that laughable and sarcastic. Of course she had never formally met him, though passing by occasionally in the corridors. He always seemed like the troublemaker, and whether it was with good intentions or otherwise, it didn’t bother them.

The mention of the ball did make them frown slightly. Their handful of friends were slowly whittling down, with most of them either preparing for their finals in the grade below or having graduation the previous year. She had heard of or had briefly spoken to the students in their year, but didn’t exactly have strong enough relationships with them to be considered close, let alone ask them to the Graduation ball as a date or a friend. Maybe it was time to strengthen the bonds.

'A friend can be waiting behind a stranger’s face', if she recalled the quote correctly.

For some brief moment of sentiment, Kae wanted to keep the letter as a sort of memento from their days of school. Straightening the crinkles in their blouse, she tucked the parchment into the inside pocket of the long waistcoat that draped over a chair. She could retrieve it later.

Opening her dorm door, she left for the cafeteria.

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“Yes I indeed plan to attend the ball. My attire is still within my quarters however,” Astrophel responded to Scarlett. “But where are my manners? I have not even condescended to trouble you for your name!” Mentally, Astrophel decided to hold off on reading the book. After all, they had spent what felt like an eternity researching, perhaps it was finally time for a break.

"I know your mind" He said. " And I will make sure no one will know about it, or maybe I can call this a favor you do so. So do you want to get into the Ball? I know everything about you. You are destined to kill her. They hold the competition to avenge the dead children. And also your a former elite but you did attempted murder. And besides it's the last year. We're not going to get caught. As long as you follow my instructions and shut your mouth."

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The shuffle of paper on their desk as they sifted through unopened letters and messy notebooks yet organized caused Pur's eyes to land on the letter. With a soft sigh from their nose, they skimmed over it, letting out an amused huff at the edits made by a name they often recognized. Never interacting but certainly knowing about, Pur had heard of the Elite and had certainly heard and actively avoided the squealing members of his fan club.

The large being set the note back down on their desk, vowing to themself that they would declutter the mess left behind later. It was nothing more than a pile of old notes after all, and the Haon was attempting to decide if any were worth keeping. Pur'eshka was usually organized and tidy but seemed to dread the ball coming up. The overwhelming fear of failure and the anxiety of returning home empty-handed had them take a small step back and sit down on their bed for a moment. Their room was a bit of a mess, especially for someone attending a school such as this.

The rumble in their stomach had them turn their mind to other matters, however, as they turned to slip on a lengthy black skirt and a ruffled white blouse. Finding clothes to fit, or in their case, someone to make them fit, was difficult for their large stature, but thankfully they had managed to skim by. Even the food seemed pleasant enough to enjoy. It didn't offer her many nutrients, as her people weren't accustomed to the food, but they enjoyed the taste nonetheless. With that thought, they gathered their things in an over the shoulder bag and ducked through the doorway and into the hall.

Their own thoughts ran wild in their mind as they headed to the cafeteria, nearly plowing over a couple of students on the way. Small apologies were given and their pace quickened to try and avoid their peers from below, before almost kneeing another student in the back. It was a soft blow, the Haon immediately apologizing to thankfully, not a complete stranger. Pur had seen Kae in passing, and was certain they had a class or two with the mind reader. "I'm sorry..." They muttered with a sheepish smile. "I did not mean to harm you... I.. um" They trailed off for a moment, staring down at the other student, not entirely sure how she would react.

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Ayran managed up a smile to both Leonidas and Trixie. While one was relatively easy to read with an infamous reputation of being a little rolling ball (that's on fire) the other, was a completely different story.

Then again, she's from the house of Semineile. So what did he expect? Of course she would be a cunning person as well. At this point he almost (key word: almost) missed his red haired friend who was in simple terms– much easier to read. Then again, today is also one of those rare peaceful days where he woke up without the painful jab in his stomach feeling like he just suffered intense food poisoning...

Shaking his head, Ayran held a hand out to Trixie as he put the other hand behind back, looking like a perfect picture definition of a prince charming.

"Let's talk while we head to the cafeteria shall we? It's not a long walk, so I'd hope that Madam Trixie can drop the formalities and explain her needs swiftly."

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"Oh, that's quite all right, the name I was given is Scarlett~! I see that you like books, my favorites were always the romantic and drama ones~! Especially the one that describes them as charming, reminds me of someone that took care of me when I was little!" Scarlett gleefully gave them their name while noticing their book that they had on them, giving them a good hint that this individual seem to enjoy reading, besides she did like a good book or two herself. Granted not doing so much to her high standers and having other interests she enjoyed more, mainly cooking up new dishes and doing certain types of craft that she wanted to do herself also from finding beauty in them. Especially dream catchers as not did she only found them gorgeous as she also join in with the belief that they have the ability to catch nightmares, granting the individual a good night's sleep was only good dreams and she was a mentally someone who suffered from a lot of nightmares due to their past.
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"So what, I'm well aware compared to all your guys spectacular powers, which makes me pretty obsolete as well my own powers, but compare me to Scarlett then I am the perfect counter against her. Besides, I know my ways to sneak in myself, sorry but I'm not going to take orders against you even if you can read my mind. And I will also let you know that I'm not only going because I intend to kill her, but I'm also going so I can cure the one she infects was poison seeing how it's a treasure trove for her to do such a thing, I'm not going to let any more people die as she already taken enough life's already!" She huffs at them before stomping away, not that she had any clue where she was going to go next, there's always the cafeteria as there's usually a lot of people there, so she always found that to be the easiest spot to blend in.

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Sydney rudely leaving her she started looking for Scarlett, because he is worried that Sydney might kill her. Kalyteros then walked to see Scarlett and Astrophel talking to each other and stay for a while to then talk to Scarlett. Then he waited.

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Kae had to admit that the sudden knock was unexpected, although she caught and steadied themselves with a firm hand on a nearby table. She shook their head. "An accident, there's no harm done." Rising to straighten their posture, it took a moment for them to mull over the student's name, taking in their appearance.

Pur'eshka

The name jumped to her mind, although how she came across the slip of knowledge was a mystery. "You're.. Pur'eshka if I'm not mistaken?" It wasn't how she was expecting an introduction to occur, but then again, she had nothing to lose.

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