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[sub][@Hero] [@Trainerblue192] [@Apoalo] [@Scribe of Thoth] [@HecateProxy][/sub][/center]
[hider=Lunch]Salem's offer piqued Aaron's interest, as did how nonchalantly he made it. Salem had been visibly anxious just approaching [i]him[/i], of all people, but producing a contraption filled with blood he'd presumably drawn from himself, totally openly no less, and he was completely calm?

However, it was Lucan's response that Aaron was more interested in; he had to fight back a laugh at the formality of his tone and language. Of course he was used to it, but having spent the day around people his own age, Aaron was all the more aware of how out of place it sounded. He quirked a brow at the vampire with a hint of a smirk. He was definitely showing his age. 

At the mention of the match, Lucan shot Aaron a surprised look, to which he responded with a casual shrug. Still, nervous excitement began to bubble up inside him; as close as they were, Aaron was an eternal student around Lucan, and the prospect of demonstrating what he'd learned against a new opponent was both enticing and intimidating. Not to mention that Lucan was starting off the day - he was a tough act to follow.

The rest of lunch passed unremarkably - although Aaron almost whipped out his phone to capture the rare sighting of an [i]actual smile[/i] on Luc's face - as he eventually got some food and chatted idly about nothing of consequence and occasionally glancing to Lucan, as if he were checking for some sort of cue. An old habit, but one that never really died. A few times he considered addressing Max, but the mage made it pretty clear he didn't want to be bothered, so Aaron was content to leave him alone. [/hider]
The bell rang sooner than Aaron expected - though a glance at his watch revealed that over an hour had passed - and he stood as Lucan did, nodding his goodbye. There was one more thing he had to do before he made his way to the arena in time for Lucan's match.

Politely excusing himself, Aaron got rid of his empty tray and dishes and looked around the dining hall. It was harder to see now that people had started to stand and move about, but he managed to catch a spot of white amidst the crowd and made his way over, grinning widely. However, a pang of guilt hit him as he approached. Lilie was all alone. 

He frowned for a second, but schooled his expression into something more welcoming as he tapped her on the shoulder. He must have startled her, because she suddenly hugged her phone to her chest. He pretended he didn't notice; he didn't want to embarrass her. [color=CBBA2E]"Hey, do you want to come to the arena? A few of us are heading over early to watch my friend's match, and you and I are going to have to be there eventually, and..."[/color] he trailed off, smiling like an idiot and tugging on his ear as he searched for words. Something about this girl was so... disarming. [color=CBBA2E]"...Well, I'm sure it'll be a good time."[/color] 

Lilie looked at Aaron, phone to her chest, and finally replied, [color=deepskyblue]"Oh, um, sure,"[/color] She got up from her seat, stuffing her phone into her pocket as she smiled at him. [color=deepskyblue]"By your lead, then!"[/color]

Aaron nodded, still smiling, and went back to Salem's table, making sure Lilie was keeping up through the crowd. [color=CBBA2E]"Salem, you ready to go?"[/color] he asked, looking over to Morrigan and Max and adding, [color=CBBA2E]"You guys are welcome to come with us too, if you'd like,"[/color] before he and the others made their way out.

There were lots of people milling about as they left the dining hall, but one group in particular caught Aaron's attention as they passed. A collared mage, whom Aaron recognized as the one he'd tried to encourage before orientation, was being dragged away by a vampiress with her finger hooked under the collar. Try as he did not to see it, to remember that it was none of his business, Aaron couldn't help but feel for the mage. All he could do was keep his eyes averted and do his best not to add to the mage's embarrassment. 

However, something else happened out of the corner of Aaron's eye; he almost wouldn't have noticed it amidst all the other bodies in the area had he not been actively trying to avoid looking at the collared mage. As the vampiress' group passed, mage in tow, another mage leaning against a nearby wall appeared to snap a picture of the affair and send it to someone, frowning all the while. Then, a dark mist enshrouded him, boiling for a moment before dissipating completely. The mage was gone. 

Aaron's brow furrowed and he glanced at his companions. Had they seen that? It didn't look like they had, and something about it didn't sit right with him. He decided to keep quiet for now. 

[center][color=CBBA2E]~ / / / ~[/color][/center]

The arena was a bit of a hike away, but luckily the group found their way without issue. After all, once you were in sight of the structure, it was hard to steer toward anything else. The stone arches of the arena dominated the landscape, lit up brilliantly against an otherwise dark sky. It was as if the lit paths leading to it were arteries leading to some kind of brightly burning heart. It had an energy about it, unique to anything else on campus thus far. A certain air of anticipation, even on a more sparsely attended night like tonight. 

As they approached one of the entrances, Aaron excused himself from the group to briefly speak to the man in the red robes with the Guild crest on his lapel. After explaining the situation, the mage told Aaron that he and Lilie could squeeze their bout into the fifth slot of the day, provided they could make it quick. Aaron grinned; he didn't think that would be an issue. 

Just as he was thanking the Guild mage for his help, none other than Varis stepped out from behind him, deep in conversation with a taller man. Aaron couldn't make out what was being said, nor did he want to; on the contrary, he made his way back to his acquaintances as quickly as could politely be managed, tensing to cease the weird pang in his gut. He'd been enjoying his day so far with (mostly) mages, and as selfish as it was, he didn't want it to come to an end just yet. Luckily, he didn't think Varis was going to bother with him, or even noticed him in the first place, so absorbed was he in reading something. Aaron was perfectly fine with that.

When he got back to the group, Aaron wasted no time making his way with them to the stands. As they searched for an empty spot, he couldn't help but run his hand along the magical barrier around the arena proper. He'd heard stories about it, how it contained every known aspect and was the strongest existing barrier spell in the world. He was almost disappointed, though, when it felt like nothing but cool glass under his fingertips; he'd always imagined it would be more like some kind of uncanny force than a tangible barrier. 

The group found their seats, fairly close to the barrier with a good view of the arena proper, just as Lucan and Athena were making their entrances. Once they'd gotten settled, Aaron gently nudged Lilie and pointed to Lucan.

[color=CBBA2E]"That's Lucan Bordeleaux,"[/color] he offered, [color=CBBA2E]"He's been my teacher for the past five years. He's a fencer too; watch what he can do, you won't believe it."[/color]

With that Aaron turned his attention to the match, where Lucan and Athena were just about to begin. He watched intently as the bout went on, sat forward with his elbows on his knees, watching Lucan specifically. It never ceased to amaze him how [i]fast[/i] vampires could be; he'd experienced that speed firsthand a few times when he was being difficult, but Lucan for the most part paced himself when they trained. After all, his student was only human, physically speaking. But against a vampire, he didn't need to hold back. In fact, Aaron was impressed as the vampiress kept up and held her ground, up until the end when she let Lucan get the better of her. Aaron smiled as he watched, and even though there were times when blows were traded too fast for his human eyes to track, his arms and shoulders twitched in time with Lucan's feints and parries. 

When the match ended with Lucan's victory, Aaron was pleased, but not surprised. He clapped a few times with the rest of the spectators, glancing around excitedly at his peers. [color=CBBA2E]"Incredible, right?"[/color][hr]