[Center][h2]Joryldin, Lucan, Morrigan[/h2][/center] [Color=gray] Lucan had impeccable timing. He made his way into the conversation just as the other two were beginning proper introductions. The shorter one asked his new acquaintance, "[color=0072bc]Name’s Joryldin, how about you?[/color]” just as Bordeleaux strolled in and gave his own. [Color=FFD700]”Names Morrigan,”[/color] he managed to get out before they were interrupted. The embraced vampire took a moment to step back, letting his new companion take the lead. Joryldin, the smaller, more unkempt one turned to glance at the new face. He was dressed far too casually for the occasion. As he noticed the myriad of crests adorning Lucan’s formal attire, he froze momentarily. "[color=0072bc]Oh, uh- Hey. You new here too?[/color]” Luc tilted his head to the right slightly as the smaller embraced turned to him. He took in the brief yet adequate glance over and hoped he didn’t appear as some stuck up noble, but he probably did in the end. [color=#9932CC]“I’m new to the Academy yes. As a student anyway.”[/color] "[color=0072bc]Well, the pleasure’s mine.[/color] Joryldin held a hand out to shake, while simultaneously cursing himself for possibly sounding too formal or maybe even being disrespectful with his straightforward greeting. Morrigan let his eyes wander, the vampire before them seemed more refined but there was something admis. A lack of polish perhaps, he couldn't be for certain. With a cross of his arms he watched the two exchange small talk. [Color=FFD700]”New as a student? So you've been here before?”[/color] With a respectful inclination of his head Lucan accepted the handshake and gave a polite squeeze, not too hard and not too soft. The embraced seemed to be hesitating after his movements which Luc put down to simply not having dealt with many pureblood yet in this stage of his vampiric life. He was about to respond when the other, taller one spoke. Luc removed a handkerchief from his front pocket, wiped a bit of invisible dust from his jacket, and then nodded. [color=#9932CC]”Indeed, I worked security here some…”[/color] He thought for a moment and then a ghost of a smile came across his face. [color=#9932CC]”40 years ago? 50, they all start blending together after so long.”[/color] As conversation began to properly kick off, Joryldin took out his earbud and turned his phone off completely. It was best not to risk pulling it out of his pocket and closing the program; people might see what he was listening to. "[color=0072bc]I guess I can count on you if I get lost, can’t I?[/color]” A slight smirk came over him. He was only half-joking though, and would probably get lost multiple times during the first few weeks. As Joryldin joked, Morrigan simply covered his mouth with his hand, hoping to mask some of the surprise that he felt crease the edges of his mouth. Forty to fifty years was beyond the time that his sister had spent her days here, but even hearing the youthful looking vampire say it so casually threw him. Was the difference between the two so vast? With keen eyes Luc hardly missed any of the movements his two companions made. He was so used to watching these subtle movements in court that he found himself copying them in normal everyday conversation. The earbuds coming out, the slight smirk coming to Jory’s face and then Morrigan’s covering of his own face, hiding some sort of emotion which Luc could only assume was disbelief. [color=#9932CC]”Of course you can, I’ve no idea what you two have gone through in your lives but it probably wasn’t easy, and now you’ve been thrust into a world where you haven’t belonged. If you ever need any advice or help please don’t hesitate to find me and ask me any question you might have.”[/color] He thought of some of the embraced vampires that were in the Bordeleaux’s House Guard and how he had spoken to them about their own experiences and hoped to at least help some of these vampires find their way into society easier. Then again, that’s what the Academy was for overall. The mote of humor Joryldin toyed around with disappeared in a puff of smoke. He fully expected everyone here to lord themselves over him and tell him that he didn’t fit. Hell, there was a spiteful part of him that was happy to hear it. What he didn’t expect or want was how quick people would be to try and read him; to try and prod at what made him tick. "[color=0072bc]Thanks,[/color]” the fledgeling mumbled, "[color=0072bc]If I need a hand I’ll be sure to flag you down. Lucan, right?[/color]” Bright eyes slowly faded to their usual dark crimson as Joyrldin threw his hood back over his face. Morrigan bit back a sigh, there was the arrogance he had come to expect. And he had no doubts Joryldin shared the same feelings of ire as he watched the boy pull up his hood. [Color=FFD700]”We should probably move with the class to lunch,”[/color] he said to ease the tension. [Color=FFD700]”Lucan, you said you've been here before. How does lunch work?”[/color] The question seemed silly but he couldn't imagine vampires feeding off of their mages while they sat down to a tray of whatever. It seemed that Luc was back into the court scene as his words seemed to have the opposite effect of what he intended. He shrugged mentally, it was a complicated line to cross when it came to the embraced and he regretted even bringing it up. As it was however Jory seemed to be finished with the conversation overall after giving a respectful thanks. Luc watched as the shorter vampire placed his hood over his face, not missing the change in his eyes that belied his mood. The other embraced didn’t show any outward signs of offense but Luc had stepped all over one so he was sure that he wasn’t exactly a favorite to either, but Morrigan surprised him slightly by being quite diplomatic in his reply. Luc wiped another piece of dust from his jacket and nodded before replying, his eyes going to stare at Morrigan’s form. [color=#9932CC]”Lunch is a time for vampires to show off their mage’s and for the main bit of policy to begin. Mage’s will no doubt eat but vampires tend to greet their mages friends and their vampires. Cliques will probably form out of that and a pecking order will start forming. Though, with the nobility here this year it will be interesting to see exactly what happens with that. My good friend Aaron has happened to find my Mage since I wasn’t here for orientation. You’re both more than welcome to join us, I can’t speak for Aaron’s vampire since I don’t know who it is but if anything you’ll have a seat with me and Salem.”[/color] Joryldin made a mental note to do the exact opposite: Stay out of his mage’s business and only interact with her friends if she introduces them. Of course there was a pecking order, and he couldn’t wait to see how much of a train wreck that would be. “[color=0072bc]You two feel free. I’ve got to get my classes in order, but I’ll catch up with you in a bit.[/color]” With that, he meandered off into the crowd to find his guidance counsellor. Expecting nothing more than patronization and propaganda, he braced himself and started rehearsing in his head. Joryldin wanted to brush past the pleasantries as politely as he could muster, then gather all the information he needed to start off the school year. There was sinking feeling for Morrigan as he watched the small of Jorydlin's back disappear, leaving him behind with the pure blood. His mouth opened and closed for a moment while looking for the words. [Color=FFD700]”I guess I will accompany you, better than trying to figure things out on my own. I guess,”[/color] He knew his words didn't exactly inspire confidence but then again he wasn't exactly feeling much of it himself. But friends were something he needed while being here, and despite the arrogant statement made earlier the pure blood [i]seemed[/i] kind. He moved to stuff his hands in his pockets and looked back idly at Lucan. [Color=FFD700]”If you'd kindly lead the way . . .”[/color] With a simple nod Lucan watched as Jory made his exit. It was plain to the pureblood that he had crossed a line without realizing it and he made a mental note to try and correct his mistake at a later date. For the moment however he was left with Morrigan and he politely looked down while the young vampire took a moment to regain control. [color=#9932CC]”I apologize if I made you separate from your friend, that was not my intention, and I’m sure I’m the last person that you wish to walk about with. But I hope I can show you that not all purebloods are the same, and that some do think about those that are ‘beneath the boot’ so to speak…”[/color] He hesitated and placed his handkerchief back into his front pocket and nodded. [color=#9932CC]”Of course, please this way.”[/color] He gestured to the door and ensured he was stepping beside Morrigan and not in front. Morrigan fell in step with the pure blood, letting his mind roam freely. As his new companion said lunch was supposedly a time for vampires to flaunt their partners and the typical hierarchy that came with school to begin. [Color=gold]”It’s fine,”[/color] he assured the vampire. Of course part of him would have felt more at ease with another fledgling, but Morrigan couldn’t pass up this opportunity. [Color=gold]”The change can make us, [i]touchy[/i].”[/color] It wasn’t a lie, at least not a full lie. Both he and Jorydlin seemed to be struggling—but another fledglings temperament was of no concern to him. For now, he needed to make sure he found a decent spot in the school's cliques. The two of them moved silently with the rest of the student body towards the cafeteria.[/color] ------- [@Apoalo][@Jade Blades]