[i][b][color=00aeef]Nodah Listig[/color][/b][/i]

Nodah's breath was easily lost in the crammed portal. Jostled to the side, he pressed his back against the wall. Sorely tempted to change the gravity around him just for breathing space, Nodah diverted his attention to evening his breaths, to preserve sanity of mind in the crushing portal. Just then, he spied the succubus-druid entering the portal. His green eyes flashed blue. [i]Honestly, Nodah, you do not leave a girl alone in the forest![/i] he could hear his mother saying in her thready whisper of a voice, a ghost in spirit. [i]Now apologise to her for your lapse in chivalry. Are you a gentleman, or a Neanderthal? Honestly![/i] 

Nodah gritted his teeth, unable to believe he was about to take imagined advise from a disembodied voice of his own making. But the turmoil her touch had brought was gone. It was the first day, and it would not do to sour relations so early in the term. He might not like the voice, but it had roots in his own mind, and he knew when he had spoken dismissively to the succubus that he had discarded his manners.

Nodah turned to the blue-haired succubus as best as he could in the crowded portal, by then wearing courtesy like a second skin. [color=00aeef]"I'm afraid I haven't had the honour of introducing myself to a fair lady,"[/color] he said quietly. [color=00aeef]"My haste to reach Rosewood overcame my better judgement prior. I hope you will forgive me for abandoning you in the woods."[/color] He managed a small bow, staring at her from under his eyelashes whilst he bent. [color=00aeef]"I am Nodah Listig. Always a pleasure. May I know your name?"[/color]

When the portal kicked alive, blue fog descended upon them, someone began to scream. Nodah winced, the shrill sound piercing his eardrums. [color=00aeef]"[i]Do[/i] be quiet,"[/color] he moaned quietly, the words barely audible even to himself, as a flash stole his eyes, and a ringing noise even worse than the high-pitched keen robbed him of his hearing.

Nodah stumbled forward into newfound empty space, and knew it was over. He blinked rapidly, bursts of light spotting pitch-black vision. Where was his sight? He blinked once more, and found himself on his knees, his palms tracing over soft bristles. A carpet, then. Slowly, dots of light came into view, a waving grassland. Raising his head, Nodah saw the other students, among them the pixie from the forest clinging onto a Nocturne - who introduced himself as Kuroda Daichi - babbling away. Gathering his legs neatly beneath him, Nodah pinched the bridge of his nose. [color=00aeef]"I shall never use the portal again."[/color]