[hr][center][b]Interacting with:[/b] Shamir[sub][@Letter Bee][/sub][/center][hr]Alex jolted up from his slumber as the explosive noise shot through the courtyard. He was among the many slumbering from the long journey. Awake and well, he moved to hear what the lady had to say. Finally, the great gate opened and let him inside. He had tried yesterday but the tower was locked tight. As he walked into the tower, he was immediately overwhelmed with the cheer size of the halls inside. That sensation did not vanish when they entered the library. He instantly knew he'd spent hours if not days wrapped in those books. The smell of old paper lead his mind astray as he imagined what knowledge was buried here. He also wondered if there was less 'natural' knowledge to be find. Surely some wizard somewhere would have the same ideas as he had?

But then Lady Miatri said something that recaptured Alexander's attention. She mentioned Astioth. The Archmage of the Great Arcanium. The man Alexander had a thousand questions for. Sadly, he was not around. In fact, apparently he was far too busy. But what followed almost sounded like a challenge. Alexander figured he would be too inexperienced yet to meet the great Archmage. For now, books and teachers would feel his curiously appetite. But maybe in the future, maybe when he had learned enough he'd search out the Archmage.

As they marched back into the library, after a short visit to the wing holding the baths and cafeteria, Alexander's mind made him absorb all of his surroundings. With his head clearly in the clouds he kept looking left and right. Until, of course, he bumped into one of the little otters. [color=7ea7d8]"Oh I'm sorry!"[/color] he exclaimed. But the little creature would have nothing of it. It squeaked and waved its little fist at him. [color=7ea7d8]"Hey, no, I'm sorry! I didn't mean that. What now that isn't required. Hey... do you understand me? Can you understand what I'm saying?"[/color]

If the little creature understood him, then it was far too busy being angry to show him. Eventually he went some other way, squeaking all the way with frustration. As Alexander looked at him going. Feeling genuinely guilty that he bumped into the little creature. Maybe he'd find some kibble to give it to the otter. If they ate it. And if he could find said otter. But he was left with a question. Did they understand him? If so, could they help him find certain books about certain subjects? But Alexander wasn't given the time to ponder as the group of students was led on. Until they reached the teacher's wing.

Attending Destruction Magic teacher? Alexander immediately looked wide eyed at Master Taihlier. A dark elf no less! The young prince stored the Master's mental image. Alex immediately felt a feverish fire burning. Destruction Magic was one of the arts he came to study. His father wanted it, but his brother would need it. Tyrania was gearing up for conquest. Everyone knew it. The only thing holding them up was the promise of Alexander's ruinous power. He couldn't come back as a petty fire mage or something. He didn't want to fight. He wanted to overpower and dominate. In the depth of his heart, he already wished someone great like Master Taihlier or Lady Miatri to be his assigned master.

A mage duel? Well, it served as a good presentation of everyone's powers. For a moment, even Alexander could feel the tension. But then the battle began. And he called it a battle, which he disliked. Neither forces felt like they were dominating the field. Certainty Lady Miatri was in control, but Alexander couldn't shake the feeling that she was somewhat holding back. She countered gracefully, but there was no utter domination of the fight. Maybe she wanted to make clear what the rules were without making the fight too serious. But Alexander knew that his style of fighting wouldn't be like that of the brothers. He didn't plan on jumping and moving around. No, he'd anchor himself to the ground. Protect himself with wards of dark magic as he released the strongest spells he knew.

As a young guy, how could Alexander not grin as the Head-Mistress told them to stay in their rooms after curfew. They were young, so he'd imagine that rule to be broken on occasion. Though it wouldn't be him who did it thought. He couldn't imperil his future. When the Head-Mistress released them and left them to their own devices, Alexander sprinted towards his assigned chamber. He noticed the finely wrought crow's head door knob and took a moment to marvel at the fine craftsmanship. Back in Tyrinia, such finely crafted object would be worth quite a bit of gold. Yet here it seemed to be standard issue.

Unlike most others, Alexander did not come with a collection of books. Sure, he had some knowledge but most of it was informal and he remembered that. He didn't take any books with him because he didn't think he'd need them. And he felt like he was right. There were clearly plenty of books to be read in the library. What he did have was a few empty books, some quills and ink. Alexander was prepared to copy quite some knowledge into those blank books. Further he had his clothes. Not too many but enough to at least be presentable. But that was it. Alexander figured that if he required things, resources or anything else, he could just go out into the town and buy them.

After quickly observing his room, he took a blank book, quill, ink and quickly made his way back towards the library. Obviously there was no time to waste. But before he could get back to the books, he was stopped by Shamir's introduction. Alexander raised an eyebrow when the strange person before him introduced himself as a usurped prince. Wasn't that a rather dangerous thing to do? Maybe Shamir felt that he could trust a fellow royal.

[color=7ea7d8]"Thanks you that  you would... trust me with this. And for willing to swallow your own personal qualms. I'm sorry that you see my country and my father as infamous."[/color] he was sincere when he apologized. He didn't like Tyrania to be infamous. He wanted it to be the heart of progressiveness. A place for a better life for everyone. Of course, some rumors had escaped that a certain quantity of undead had seen walking around. Luckily his father was capable to disassociate Alexander from the events. Mostly. Maybe some teachers here would know but the vast population just kept feeding the rumor mill and play the guessing game.

[color=7ea7d8]"I can't talk for my father but I know he is a very busy man. In a few years, that won't change."[/color] Alexander said, referring to the obvious threat of invasion. Everyone knew that Tyrania was a heavily militarized kingdom these days. "And I'm afraid his influence will have little effect so far." Alexander followed up, feeling rather guilty. Here stood a person who was willing to swallow his pride and qualms to seek out aid. But Alexander knew he couldn't give it. [color=7ea7d8]"So how about we just start out as friends?"[/color] he followed up, smiling and extending his hand for Shamir to shake.