[center][color=90EE90]"Yes,"[/color] Ellie responded without pretense, her mouth setting into a light frown, [color=90EE90]"thankfully it's my first offense this year. If things go as they did previously, I'm certain I'll end up here a few more times."[/color] She had been warned against getting in trouble, but that was monstrously conflicted with her own sense of 'honor'; as well as what her mother and father had imparted to her. [color=90EE90]"Guts...?"[/color] A soft sigh left her, her eyes more pointedly drifting to Jayce; unreadable behind his glasses. [color=90EE90]"No,"[/color] she said quietly, [color=90EE90]"I don't think that's what it is. Thank you, however."[/color]

[color=90EE90][i]Really, I don't know why I'm compelled to intervene,[/i][/color] her fingers interlaced, the left digits brushing against the coarse strips of cloth that nullified her Tablet Power, [color=90EE90][i]I've been thinking about that, over the summer. My father says it's the duty of those who bear the Lunaclad name. My mother says it's because we should all strive to be good people.[/i][/color] One finger worked against her knuckles absently. Ellie had never been one to speak of matters like this openly, though there were other things that could get her talking; she decided to spare those around her these private thoughts. [color=90EE90][i]I think it's because I want to.[/i][/color] 

 Osman shifted in his chair, looking at Jayce and then Nico. [color=FAFAD2]"Dudes, let me be real. I've never seen anything like it. [i]Real deal[/i] isn't even close!"[/color] With the cool-kid's jab at Seisil Ellie stiffened and Osman let out a long laugh. She chose to remain silent, though a worried glance from her periphery might have given her away. [color=FAFAD2]"He better be, that guy's been giving me hell since last year! I'm, uh...a Nobody...so...yeah..."[/color] Ellie brought her hands away from the desk, quietly turning her head to Osman. [color=90EE90][i]I wish he weren't so enthusiastic about praising me,[/i][/color] her shoulders had tensed, but were slowly relaxing, [color=90EE90][i]I didn't do anything to earn it.[/i][/color] Seisil didn't even look in their direction, his Enlil Network open; seemingly absorbed in sending messages.

 Then her gaze flickered to Icarus. [color=90EE90][i]He's in a similar situation to Osman,[/i][/color] came the thought, her fingers still absently running over themselves under the table, [color=90EE90][i]the Disciplinary Enforcement Squads are becoming more severe in their treatment of students. Aurora didn't care that Osman was the victim. Something will need to be done, if this continues.[/i][/color] Her face had turned sour with stony displeasure, mouth setting into a thin line. [color=90EE90][i]At least Felicity is treating him kindly. His smile, though...[/i][/color] Something was odd about that, certainly, but she couldn't understand why the newcomer would be happy in situation like this. Of course, there was much Ellie didn't understand about people; so she simply let it go.

The boy in front of her was calling out, again, to the newcomer; inviting him to partake of their ruse-earned freedom. Ellie smiled, slightly, letting her earlier thoughts flee into the ethereal distance. She wouldn't forget them, and certainly wouldn't be letting go of her growing dislike of the Disciplinary Squads. They would be dealt with, or at least contested, when the time was right; when she had more adequate cause to stand fully against them. [color=90EE90]"Future you?"[/color] She said it quietly, so as not to interrupt, but it was an interesting concept that she had never considered before. As far as Ellie thought, she was always her. Regardless of what moment in time she occupied. [color=90EE90][i]I wonder if Future Me is much different from Current Me.[/i][/color] Past Ellie wasn't part of the equation, though, technically the Ellie that had that thought was already Past Ellie. Still, his point was valid enough.

 The other boy slid back over with alacrity, giving the cool-kid an echoing high-five. Then he began speaking. Osman was turned away, looking around the room; but Ellie looked straight at Nico. She felt that the statement was more aimed at the newcomer than herself or Osman, but people often seemed to think she was the type to go beyond her bounds and ruin things. This particular thing, this [i]situation[/i] that they had schemed up was actually rather beneficial. [color=90EE90]"I have no intention of marring a good thing by reporting you. I'm sure Osman will keep quiet about it, as well."[/color] A turn and nod from her companion cemented this arrangement. [color=90EE90][i]Companion...[/i][/color] It was odd, when she considered it, but there was no other way to describe one of the boys she'd met in the courtyard, [color=90EE90][i]perhaps 'friend'. Regardless he seems to admire me. I hope I can live up to his expectations.[/i][/color] Her thought ended, and introductions began.

 [color=90EE90]"It's nice to meet you; Jayce, Nico and Felicity,"[/color] though she had met Felicity, before, the two of them had not been around each other too often, [color=90EE90]"My name is Elefthemia Lunaclad. You can call me 'Ellie'."[/color] A smile accompanied her words, genuine, followed by a nod to each. While she wasn't entirely happy being called a 'rotten delinquent', she could tell that Jayce wasn't entirely serious about the label. [color=90EE90]"I hope we get along."[/color] While normally that was a polite statement, Ellie found herself meaning it. 

 Osman perked up, putting a thumb to his chest. [color=FAFAD2]"I'm Osman Cain, great to meet you!"[/color] He stretched out against his chair and put his feet on the table, nonchalant as he could be. [color=FAFAD2]"What, uh, do you guys do for fun in here? You've got the setup, for sure, but sitting around the rest of the day is going to be [i]boooooring[/i]!"[/color]

Ellie supposed that was true, but her gut told her that nothing good would come of that statement.[/center]