[center][b][i]ALPHONSE 'AL' DONOVAN[/i][/b][/center]

Alphonse wasn't exactly sure whether he was displeased or just in complete shock. He stood there as his eyes ran over the towering edifice of an academy and immediately thought of the possible worst-case scenarios. To be fair, the building was [i]huge[/i] and the students he'd seen walking about earlier just oozed royalty. Age had definitely taken its toll on the college however, with the lichen and moss just beginning to make their way up the sides of the building, in which the granite and cobble had begun to crumble- everything about it was rustically beautiful, nonetheless. 

 He raised his hand up to glance at his watch and yelped in the process. [b]"About an hour to go- shitshitshit"[/b] hurriedly dragging his suitcases with him, he made his way across the gates and ventured inside. Normally he'd have taken the time to admire the building's interiors, but damn, he was late; what with all the settling down and getting ready having to be done just before the masquerade ball. Taking a look at his letter containing the information about his dorm, he couldn't help but think about his situation grimly- sure, he was safe(for now) and everything would be provided for, but how well would he fit in with the rest of the students? Would they be kind? Would he end up hating them? Have any of them ever murdered anyone? He shook his head at the last question as the memories from his prison had flooded back into his head. It definitely wasn't something anyone would want to remember, but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? 

Nope--

[i] What doesn't kill you comes back eventually and tries again.[/i] What if he'd end up dead by the end of the year?

Before he knew it, there he stood: in front of the dorm he'd be sharing with two other people. The 'sapphire' dorm, the glimmering brass plaque read. Quickly yet cautiously, he turned the knob and flopped his suitcases right before him with his foot to block anything that wanted to take a jump out at him. [i]Nothing.[/i] [b]"God... stop being so paranoid you wuss."[/b] he muttered under his breath as he undid his tie. He looked around and noticed that two other people, presumably his dorm-mates had been there already, their clothes lying on the beds. One of which being a fancy suit laid upon the trash can. Scrunching his nose he figured he'd be the last one to arrive as usual. 

The letter that was left for him on his bedside table was, along with everything else, just magnificent, Al thought with displeasure. It was not that he did not admire the grandeur of the place and everything within it, he simply doubted himself. He read through the letter and then checked his wardrobe for the mentioned suit and tie. He gawked in awe after he had laid them both carefully on the bed, the [url=http://i.imgur.com/jh98VLV.jpg]suit[/url] being surprisingly under-toned for a masquerade ball, much to his pleasure. He was never the flashy sort of guy anyway, so this would be perfect for him. He switched his attention to the [url=http://i.imgur.com/Wu7u6n9.jpg]mask[/url] and thanked his lucky stars for something rather simple than extravagant. The mask covered half his face and formed a semi-sickle shape that drooped down towards the chin area. It was rather sleek, per se. Not too overwhelmed this time, Alphonse proceeded to dress up. Much to his surprise it had fit him almost perfectly, with the waist being a little tight around him he had expected it to- indulging in that emotional eating binge just before he had left home was obviously not the best idea. [i]I'll have to fix that later,[/i] he thought, running his hand across his abdomen. Brushing that aside, he finally slipped on his mask. He wiggled his nose comfortably into the crevice of the mask and like that, it was set firmly. Happy he'd been given an accessory with no particular strings or fabric to tie the mask into place, he stepped in front of the full-length standalone mirror and grinned at his reflection. [b]"Hey there, handsome!"[/b] he set his hands on his hips and began to strut from the far corner of the room towards the mirror, shamelessly taking in the sight of his new getup.

Heading straight for the door, he mentally noted that he would unpack as soon as the event was over. Gracing himself with the anxious thought of meeting new people and socializing, he dusted himself off and made his way to the Grand Hall with faux confidence. His positive demeanor wouldn't fool many however, with his teeth slightly chattering and hands sweating away like that. 

[i]Get it together.[/i]

[i]You've made it through a successful prison break, don't act like a pussy now.[/i]

Cursing himself for being so shaken up, he bit his lip as he (tried to) compose himself upon reaching the stairwell of the Grand Hall. Resting his body against the pillar, he'd noticed a few people had arrived before him, scattered around the wide lobby, as he'd expected and much to his disdain. The thought of running away now was tempting, but he stood his ground. It would probably be a good idea to start befriending these people now, after all, when shit hits the fan he'd probably need a few people backing him up, right? Right. 

[i]Go.[/i]

[i]Just do it- talk to them. Do it for your sake![/i]

A few eyes were set on the shaking boy, he felt them drilling through the back of his head as he simultaneously backtracked mid-lobby and made his way to the empty buffet to snack on phantom appetizers. He felt paralyzed- crowds were definitely not his thing, so he stood there like a statue, leaning against the buffet table and twiddling his thumbs.

[i]Good lord. This is going to be a long night.[/i]

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