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[b][u]Mages[/u][/b][/center]

As the class continued, doors opening could be heard upstairs and mages not too occupied would notice their vampire partners shuffling onto the balcony above. A purple sheen rippled across the space and vanished. While there were a few seats available with little tables, most vampires leaned on the balcony railing as they watched.

[hider=Onyx Hall:]
Max and Dakota’s sentiment was widely reflected around the room, frustration and confusion evident on everyone’s face. A few were trying to be good natured about it but it was hard when the reason you’d been snatched from your old life refused to manifest. The TAs moved from table to table with soothing words and sympathetic attitudes, trying their best to guide the  students in the right direction. Rathshrew was much more clinical about the issue and his bedside manner left much to be desired.

[color=fff200]“Sorry it took me so long.”[/color] Joey finally escaped the table next to them, where an overly emotional boy had been blubbering to the TA. [color=fff200]“Lets see what we can do to help you out. Hands on please.”[/color] Joey watched as the two each put their hands on the crystal, seeing the light and placing his own on with it. A pale golden light nearly overwhelmed Max’s dim grey but it pulled in on itself, barely a small dot inside the crystal. The TA winced a little as his magic interacted with Max’s.

[color=fff200]“That’s… intense. Okay well, I think I see your issue mostly. Definitely not a primary element so if you’re trying to get emotional as a way of working it, your affinity will fight you. No that’s not quite right either.”[/color] Joey’s magic against Max’s felt warm and soft, like a blanket on a cold night, as he probed against the sullen mage’s magic. [color=fff200]“I think the easiest way to explain it is your magic is like a crotchety old man. It’s very set in its ways. It’s stubborn and prideful and it doesn’t want to do something it thinks is a waste of time. You’ll have to make the activity worth its while or trick your magic into thinking it wants to move.”[/color] Joey took his hand off the crystal and massaged his hand a little as he spoke. [color=fff200]“Your magic is comfortable and stubborn; it doesn’t want to leave where its been for so long.” [/color]He gestured for Dakota to do the same and he also placed his hand back on. He jerked away just a moment before resettling his hand.

[color=fff200]“And you have the exact opposite problem. Your magic wants to be everywhere, all at once. Its eager and excited and it wants out.”[/color] Joey chuckled, despite there being almost no glow. Joey’s out light shifted and elongated into a solid loop brushing against two points of Dakota’s palm. Almost immediately, Dakota’s magic rushed out and followed the path. Joey winced again at the almost painful pinpricks but held steady, allowing the unsteady light to follow the path for a few more moments before he pulled his hand away,  shaking it out a little. As his magic disappeared, Dakota’s held the form for a few moments before once again flickering away. [color=fff200]“Your magic needs structure and focus, a purpose or a drive. Without it, it wants to do everything and be everywhere and it just tears itself apart in the process.”
[/color]
[color=fff200]“I hope that helps a little. Because magic is so personal, it's hard to give concrete answers. It really depends on what you’ve gone through in life and as awful as it can be, sometimes a little bit of self reflection can go a long way with this. Maybe try opening up to each other a little? Sometimes an outsider’s perspective can help! We get so muddled in our own feelings, sometimes it’s hard to sort everything out.”[/color] Joey suggested.[/hider]

[hider=Rose Hall:]
As the pair talked and practiced, the entire hall was full of muttered curses and exclamations of surprise as lights flared up or fizzled out. Few managed the steady pulse of light and those who did only hung on for a few minutes before taking a shaky hand off the crystal with a grin. The TAs flitted from table to table, giving pointers and encouraging a few dejected individuals while Allison put out the odd magical flare up here and there. Kanalie stopped next to Lilie and Cassandra after they finished exchanging numbers.

[color=00aeef]“Making friends? Perfect! That'll make everything go so much smoother when you move on. Now, I caught a glimpse of your work so far and you are doing great! Plus, fire and water? What a perfect pairing! A few things to keep in mind while you're doing this however.”[/color] Kanalie pressed her hand against the crystal, a clean white light whirling slowly inside. [color=00aeef]“As primary elements, our magic responds best to instincts, emotions, and memories. It's part of the reason we don't technically need a casting focus. But what it also means is that our magic cards manifest without us calling on it. It can be a problem. To this day, my best friend still swarms the air with embers when he's pissed.”[/color] Kanalie chuckled and the light swirled faster as it brightened. 

[color=00aeef]“Anyways, find something that fills you with energy and then find something else that relaxes you. When I want more magic, I imagine that moment right after you've jumped off a cliff and the adrenaline is just about to hit you.”[/color] The light brightened immensely as she spoke, dimming again as she continued after a few moments.[color=00aeef] “And then the feeling of a slow breeze on a hot day helps me reign it back in. It's all about finding what your magic reacts to. Alexander says for him, it's like when you blow air into a fire. You get that big blaze for just a second…” [/color]Kanalie's narrowed as her gaze drifted down to Cassandra's hand and she pulled off the crystal with a frown.

[color=00aeef]“Are you okay? Does your hand hurt?”[/color] She asked, briefly fishing in her pockets for something and pulling out a small tube of burn cream. [color=00aeef]“Living with a fire mage means carrying at least one of these around at all times. Here, take it. Technically you're supposed to cool it but we have two life mages so we’ll cheat. I'll send Allison over real quick to patch you up though. So remember, memories, emotions, instincts. Find something your magic responds to and work from there! I'll nab…”[/color] Kanalie paused as Allison walked to the opposite side of the room where a table was trembling uncontrollably and two wide eyed students were gripping the table with white knuckles. [color=00aeef]“On second thought, I'll get Aine. Aine!”[/color] Kanalie sprinted off to grab the girl before she moved to another table.[/hider]

[hider=Cerulean Hall]
As soon as everyone settled, crystals quickly lit up around the room. Only a few really struggled but most picked up the steady pulse of light demonstrated with relative ease. Students soon focused on keeping the lights changing steadily for longer periods of time and varying the speed of change. Mr. Martin moving from table to table to encourage and correct a few things here and there while the TAs did the same. Interestingly enough, Ralph always kept three of four tables between Mr. Martin and himself. The instructor rounded on Salem and Aaron soon enough.

[color=fff79a]“So fellas, how's it going? Got the little light bulbs working away?”[/color] Mr. Martin asked as he looked the two men over, sympathy flashing across his face.[color=fff79a] “A little tense hm? I know it's rough, pulled out of your life and forced to work with someone you've never met, but it's critical for the next exercise. I didn't see your attempts but if Ralph or Ariclie said you're doing okay, maybe take a breather from the magic and lay some groundwork with each other. I bet if you guys take the rest just to talk, you guys will find you probably have more in common than you think.”[/color] Mr. Martin paused, thinking, and snapped his fingers. [color=fff79a]“I got it! I know just the person to help! Raaaaaaaalph!”[/color] The ice mage flinched at his name but otherwise kept his back turned to the man despite the students at the table pointing at Mr. Martin. 

[color=fff79a]“Nephews. What are you going to do?”[/color] Mr. Martin shrugged. He looked at the pair at the table, smirking with an eyebrow wiggle. [color=fff79a]“Svellere iteris commoveo arsti.”[/color] He voice dropped slightly as he spoke and magic rippled off him before, with a pop, a surprised and disgruntled Ralph appeared next to the table. [color=fff79a]“Thank you for joining us! These two boys are having a rough time so help them out will you? I have faith in you!”[/color] Mr. Martin clapped Ralph on the back and waved goodbye as he practically bounced to the next group.

[color=0072bc]“Now how are you failing already?”[/color] Ralph snapped as he crossed his arms, clearly displeased with his uncle’s display.[/hider]

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[b][u]Vampires[/u][/b][/center]

[Hider=Mockingbird Hall]

[color=ed1c24]“Good observation and an even better question. Class, take a moment to appreciate critical thinking skills and lecture engagement. These are necessary traits to successfully complete my class.”[/color] The Countess snapped and Dwight scurried to her side. He gripped his chin and tilted his head up and down as she spoke. “Co[color=ed1c24]unt Victor is correct in his observation. The carotid artery will move in front of the jugular vein as the muscles stretch and that is why we recommend against drinking from here for your first time. Despite this, it is still recommended to stretch their neck rather than compress it. First, it is easier to control a mage like this. With their muscles stretched to their full extent, they lose the leverage that tilting their head down gives them and denies their mouth access to your own skin. Mages are skittish creatures and it is necessary to maintain full control over your feeding in order to reduce risk of injury. Secondly, tilting the head up and back is much better for your mage’s posture. Mages tend to slouch and it is a good reminder of how to stand.” [/color]
[color=ed1c24]
“However if you believe you can control your mage and it won’t try to retaliate, drinking in this manner isn’t the worst idea. Most vampires only run the risk of over indulging but it is a pleasant drink.”[/color] She released Dwight as she finished demonstrating the downward tilt who scuttled back to his spot at the laptops. [color=ed1c24]“Now, each of you will go up to the computers one at a time to Dwight can register you for blackboard. If you do not have an email, we will handle that now as well. I recommend you familiarize yourself with this technology or add it to your mage’s responsibilities once you leave class.”[/color] The Countess picked up a large stack of paper packets and began distributing them to the class. 

[color=ed1c24]“These are your first assignments. They touch on almost every part of mortal biology. While you are waiting to register for blackboard, fill out as much as you know of mortal biology and return them to Dwight before leaving class.”[/color] She instructed as she finished handing out the packets. [color=ed1c24]“This is a completion grade so hurry up and get started.”[/color][/hider]

[hider=Cardinal Hall]

[color=f26522]“Oh ho! You want to know about Nelly do ya?”[/color] Nasir lit up at the question while Lucille took a deep breath before cutting in.

[color=ed145b]“While you’ve doomed yourself to this, I will be taking students one at a time to register for blackboard. If you do not have an email, we will set on up for you.”[/color] Lucille gestured to another student and began walking them through the registration process. The screes behind Nasir went blank.

[color=f26522]“Aw what a darling, my Lucy is isn’t she? Always so focused!”[/color] Nasir said, gently tossing the pineapple up and down as he spoke. “No[color=f26522]w back to the greatest love of my life! Waaaaay back when, before the treaty, before the vampiric busy bodies wrapped up the barbaric tribes of humanity and then settled the boorish warring vampire clans, everything was quite as long as you avoid the humans. Ah, miles and miles and miles and miles of untamed wilds. Well...undeveloped but that’s besides the point. No, back when the night sky was filled with waves of stars and the oceans uncluttered by boats and lights.”[/color] Nasir sighed as he stared at his pineapple. [color=f26522]“Times they were, times they were.”[/color]

[color=f26522]“The tale of Nelly and her ancestors starts 1235 years ago on a dark and blustery fall night.”[/color] Nasir paused for a moment. [color=f26522]“Or was it the summer of 712? Oh no no, silly me. It was definitely the winter of 744. Yes, summer of 744. Anyways there I walk, the wind whipping around me on the face of the cliff and I wasn’t sure I’d make it. So I searched and scoured the cliff for something, any sort of shelter, and I found a small opening. I scampered in just as a rock slide came crashing down pass the opening and I found a small bush growing what we now know as [i]pineapple[/i].”[/color] He proudly displayed the pineapple, showing Nelly off to everyone in the room including Lucille, who only responded with a polite [color=ed145b]“That’s very nice, Nasir.”[/color]

[color=f26522]“As my way of thanks for saving me, I relocated the pineapple plant to my own home and named her Nasha. Every since, I’ve carefully bred each generation of pineapple which has resulted in the perfect specimen to date. Look at the sharpness of these spines and the gloss on her coat and the smell…”[/color] He pressed it close to his face, taking a deep whiff. [color=f26522]“A few more days and she’ll be [i]perfect[/i] and I will savor her hide like the mortals of old”[/color] He licked his lips as he eyed the fruit.

[color=f26522]“Now, remember once we’ve comple[color=f26522]ted backboard registration, you are free to continue on to your mage observation portion.”[/color] Nasir waved away the class. “We’ve discussed today’s big topic anyways so no big thing! But if anyone wants to grow pineapple, stay after class. I need everyone to love them as much as I do.”[/color][/hider]