Alice was almost to the edge of the forest behind the school when she felt rather than saw a small origami bird land in her open hand. Startled, she brought it closer to examine it and found a crane, perfectly folded and with writing decorating part of it's wing. She could feel some kind of energy from the bird as she carefully unfolded it, a slight warmth that spread along her fingers before dissipating, but dismissed the thought as she called her beast to stop and put her down. The hulk gingerly returned her to her feet and then stood still, awaiting her next command as she read the note she had captured.

[quote]
[color=gray]"This is neither a test nor a game. Return to the Main Building and follow the Staff orientations, for your own safety. Non-compliance will result in detention and a notification to your parents.

—Vice-Principal Reiko Asamiya."[/color]
[/quote]

The instruction was clear and came from a direct figure of authority, but Alice found herself torn even so. Sure, she wanted to help, but as she pondered the feeling she realized that was only part of what she was doing. Alice was physically weak, and her power was the only thing that set her apart from normal people. She had struggled to get where she was today, and she wanted people to know that she could handle herself, that she wasn't just another innocent in need of protection. She was going to be a Dawn Slayer!

[i]You won't be anything if you willfully disobey a direct command.[/i] The logical part of her mind told her. That one sentence of logic immediately overruled every other objection in her head, and with a sigh Alice turned where she stood and began walking back the way she had come at a sedate pace, waving at her familiar to follow her. She would do as she was told, she reasoned, and there would be plenty of time to prove herself that didn't involve detention.