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Max waited until the last possible minute to leave his room before orientation. He was ready well in advance, of course. He hadn't slept much, and it wasn't like his morning - evening, it's [i]evening[/i] now - routine took much effort. Shower, throw on an outfit casual enough to inspire disrespect for the institution but not so underwhelming that he looks blatantly out of place, tussle his hair into something resembling normalcy in lieu of combing it, and done. But, he didn't want to risk a chance encounter with Morrigan. The vampire had hid last night - this morning? - for a reason, and it wasn't something Max particularly cared to address this soon after waking up. He hurriedly made his way out of the dorm wordlessly, with the exception of him calling out a casual [color=8585AD]"I'll meet up with you at lunch, I guess,"[/color] as he was halfway out the door. He wasn't even sure if Morrigan was still there to hear him.

He paid minimal attention to the flashy displays going on around him as the mages were led to their orientation hall, obviously staged to showcase the academy's magical studies program and inspire the newcomers. He wasn't sure if he respected the transparency of it all or hated it. Likewise, he spent most of the opening speech rolling his eyes. At least the girl that replaced the old geezer seemed genuinely easygoing, if the reactions of the rest of the staff were anything to go off of. If she was reading off some script in a disingenuous facade of informality designed to "connect" with the students, there wouldn't be nearly as many exasperated glares being shot in her direction. She seemed like a good enough place to start. He didn't know his affinity yet, his vampire was tame so far, and clubs sounded like a complete and utter waste of time at this point. Might as well show some ambition.

Once the mages were dismissed, Max made a beeline for Sariel at the front of the auditorium. A few blithering sycophants were already approaching his target, likely to gawk at one of the Noila's favored pets rather than ask anything useful. He rudely shoved past them before they could get close, ignoring any dirty looks or complaints they may have sent his way.

[color=8585AD]"Miss Asiree,"[/color] he began, opting for a more respectful address despite her demeanor, [color=8585AD]"You're clearly skilled, given your position, yet you seem down to earth enough that said skill is likely in a pragmatic sense rather than solely in pointless academics."[/color] He peered at her searchingly, but made sure to keep his face carefully neutral during the exchange. [color=8585AD]"So, I'll be blunt. I don't even know my affinity yet. In your opinion, what's the quickest way to getting myself on a level that's competitive with the rest of these..."[/color] His voice trailed off, some unsaid insult hanging in the silence before he tacked on a [color=8585AD]"...people?"[/color]

[hr][@HecateProxy][@Achronum]