[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXOzYiXbpKc]First Chapter[/URL]
[hider=The Academy’s Elegance][img]http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/061/6/4/alongthepenobscot_jadriencousens_by_jadrienc-d5wr0ua.png[/img][/HIDER]

Varren yawned and let out a set of sneezes, while his feet crushed the snow below him. As he moved his luggage a few meters from the landing area, leaving prints of his own in the white scape. Unable to bear the cold any longer, he came to a halt and spun on the ball of his foot, then leaned over one of the travel bags. With numb hands he unzipped the front section, and proceeded to reach inside. [b][i]”Let’s see… Gun… Magazines… Gum… ah, here we go.”[/i][/b] After searching through the contents of the bag for a minute, he pulled out a black scarf. It fit perfectly in contrast to the uniform of a similar scheme. Being a gift his mother had given him at a young age, the boy had become accustomed to tieing and weaving it around his neck. He let out a sigh of relief as he felt the comfort of the cloth against his skin. Running a hand through his hair, the boy watched as people disembarked from their transports. Some instantly struck conversations with others, others went on ahead without second thoughts, and there were some who simply froze on the spot, captivated by the academy’s beautiful image. Or maybe they had actually frozen to death, due to the sudden change in climate they could have been experiencing. Finding relaxation on the plastic exterior of his luggage, his eyes trailed off towards the constant flow of griffins, arriving and leaving just as quickly. 

[b][i]”All of these griffins are just barreling from the sky. What’s next, falling humans?”[/i][/b] As soon as the query left his mouth, almost on cue, a figure plummeted into the snow to his side, nearly flattening the boy. [b]”Ow! Son of a bitch!...”[/b], and a few more insinuations resounded from the girl as her ride bolted off. The student spoke in a heavy russian accent, though she had mastered the common tongue for all attendees of the academy. Humanoid in appearance, well, for the most part, exempting the modifications which had been made to her body. They looked familiar in an overall aspect, but he couldn’t quite recall where he had seen such utilities in the past. Rather than dwelling over it, he focused on what he believed was a new found power. He smiled slightly, opening his mouth, [b][i]”Alright. Falling griffins and humans. What’s next, falling caffeinated beverages?”[/i][/b] Hoping that fate and reality would pull some strings just for him, he glanced up at the sky expectantly, hoping his dream would come true. 

Alas, all he received was a sudden gust of wind nearly forcing him into the white surface. Still hopeful, he followed the trail of exhaust, [i]”Yes, they’ve finally done it! Supersonic coffee delivery! The peak of technological adva- nevermind, it’s just a girl with jet engines as legs, and what appear to be feathered extensions on her head...”[/i] After the thought crossed his mind, Varren raised an eyebrow and mentally paused, [i]”Wait. Jet engines. Physical adaptations. This is really ringing a bell…”[/i] Scratching the back of his scalp, he skimmed through vague memories of past projects he read over. Even though it was on the tip of his tongue, he was unable to put his finger on it. 

Due to the variety of beings which inhabited both Earth and Lucis at this point in time, it could be a plethora of possibilities. Narrowing down one clear answer would consume both time and energy, things Varren had barely any stock of at the moment. About to continue off towards the main hall, a ping went off from his toshinmac wrist-device. The [i]Messages[/i] tab was blinking with a notification, a note from his father. He pressed a deadened finger lightly on the icon. Caught by surprise as the 3D holographic projection took form in front of him, showing an in-depth diagram of his gift. He read the name of the machine pistol aloud, [b][i]”White Wolf…”[/i][/b] Moving from the title in the upper left-hand corner, he focused on the composition of the firearm itself. Appearing as an expert in the chore, he parted portions of the firearm, quickly placing his hands on thin air. He examined each part of the pistol, noting its feed system and firing mechanism, [i]”Interesting… Operates off of a rotating bolt. Pretty sly, old man.”[/i] Speaking of the very person, another message was received from his father. Opening it up, an active conversation screen popped up.

[b]”Good morning, son. I believe you have arrived at the academy safe and sound? And you have also received the blueprints for your going away gift?”[/b] A formal greeting was a commodity between the two. Though their father-to-son relationship was stable, the two barely had any time to speak to each other, as they each had their own projects and goals to accomplish. Both being crafters of firearms, they thought the same, and kept conversations based around importance and succinctness.

[b][i]”Indeed I have. Thank you for enlightening me. Also, I have a request.”[/i][/b] The boy narrowed his eyes at the screen as seconds passed by.

[b]”...Yes?”[/b] Even though it was only mere text behind glass, Varren was able to hear his father’s doubtful voice in his head.

[b][i]”I need a list of all projects Magpul has been involved in the past ten years, dealing with; genetic or physical alterations, or armament of recipients of said modifications.”[/i][/b] Though he was still young, the student had mastered such a business-like form of speech, in preparation for the future.

[b]”Well, luckily for you, we haven’t been involved in too many of those, so it should be easy to have some lackey comprise a list. Expect one later today. I can see why you’re asking, I barely remember the children of a few of my associates attending that school. Some from America… Italy… Maybe even one or two from England. Anyways, is that all?”[/b]

Varren hesitated for a second, thinking if there was anything else to address, [b][i]”Yes, that is all. Have a good day.”[/i][/b] He sighed as the conversation disappeared from the projection. Feeling sufficed with his overview, he also closed down the diagram of the pistol and sighed, breathing the cold air into his nostrils. Glancing up from the device wrapped around his wrist, he noticed the gasps of a few students nearby. Following their stares, he instantly became flustered at the focus of their attention. Averting his eyes from the scene, he grabbed his luggage and went on his way, [i]”That was… interesting. I guess this school will never fail to surprise me.”[/i] As the boy scampered aimlessly through the snow, he heard the announcement of teachers behind him. 

[b][u]”All students, please proceed to the main hall with your luggage. You will be organized by year, and will wait for the headmaster to give his opening speech. Any students caught lingering around will be escorted personally.”[/u][/b]

His eyes were already dug deep into the scarf, concealing his expression from those around him. The boy decided that he would give himself a few minutes to cool off, walking around blindly in the cold weather. He could only feel the chilled air run through his hair, until he suddenly came into contact with another person, causing him to fall flat on his rear. Propping himself against the luggage, he quickly raised his eyes from his scarf and made a surprised expression. The person standing before him wasn’t nearly as tall as him, and was sporting a black hat which complimented the uniform. She was still standing, as she probably saw the boy approaching and was easily able to gain a proper footing. 

Varren noticed that his cheeks were still a little red, hoping that she would write it off as a reaction to the cold weather, [b][i]”Sorry about that, wasn’t watching where I was goi-[/i][/b] He started, yet another announcement sounded from the teachers gathered near the main hall, cutting off his train of speech. Yinyues managed a greeting smile, unable to see the student’s face from this angle, only the locks of white hair which contrasted with her apparel. He cleared his throat and slowly rose, placing his hands on his knees as he pushed himself up, [b][i]”Guess we have to go… Don’t want to be reprimanded by the teachers.”[/i][/b] He pouted after letting out another sneeze within his scarf, thankful that he would be able to escape the freezing temperature. [b][i]”Oh, and my name is Varren Yinyues! Good morning~[/i][/b] He paused, thinking over the phrase he just employed, [b][i]”Wait… No, that isn’t right. Erm, pleased… to meet you? Yeah, that’s it!”[/i][/b] Aside from formal meetings, he hadn’t dabbled too much in social relations with others his age. Still slightly hunched over from sleep deprivation, he was able to see the girl’s face. A blank stare, accompanied by dark red eyes which peered into his soul. [i]”Well, if she is looking in there… There's not much to find.”[/i] He shrugged at the thought and motioned for them to move on.

[b][i]”Let’s go, I wonder what kind of person the headmaster is!”[/i][/b]