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It wasn’t long after Aaron and Salem fell silent before the professor, Mr. Martin, came bounding over, all cheerful advice and friendly suggestions. He didn’t leave much room to get a word in edgewise - though Aaron would have liked to point out that they weren’t having any trouble - before he scooted off again, leaving an annoyed-looking [i]Ralph[/i] in his wake. 

[color=0072bc]“Now how are you failing already?”[/color]

Aaron’s eyes only flicked up for a second, settling back intently - and [i]maybe[/i] a touch dismissively - on the crystal before he spoke. [color=f0d705]“We’re fine, thank you,”[/color] he replied curtly, mostly ignoring Ralph’s actual question in favour of shrinking his crystal glow down to something like the light of a candle and holding it there. 

Salem gave a weak sigh as he shook his head at the pair. [Color=82ca9d]“It would seem Mr. Martin believes that we should focus on building the strength of our friendship rather than this exercise. He said that you could help with that.”[/color] Salem glanced around to ensure Mr. Martin wasnt near, [Color=82ca9d]“So, how come you stay so far away from him? Is it because of your affinities? Or?”[/color]

[color=0072bc]“Have you met him?”[/color] Ralph glared at his Uncle's back, the man treating the other table with as much enthusiasm as the pair's and moving on just as quickly. Ralph scoffed and turned his attention back to the table. [color=0072bc]“I get why you're struggling with [i]it[/i] over there but just fake it for now. It'll keep Mr. Brightside away from you for a bit. Once he clears you, you'll only have to deal with the turncoat twice a week.”[/color] Ralph's attention drifted upwards and back down to Aaron. [color=0072bc]“Speaking of which, our overlords are arriving. Best make sure their favorite pet looks sharp.”[/color]

Salem rubbed the palm of his hand, distracted, thinking of Aaron's magic and how it felt inside of him during their little match. It was always tricky, describing magic. It's more of a feeling, a being, than it is just a force to wield. And describing [i]another's[/i] magic? Even more so. He thought back on it, the rush of emotions that waved over his when Aaron's light began to overtake his. It was lively...no that wasn't quite right, excited? Closer. Enthusiastic, that's more like it. Bright enthusiasm, eager to bend and shape to its users whim. Cooperative, malleable...Salem's thoughts trailed off as Ralph mentioned the arrival of their partners, the previous nights dinner flashing back into his mind. Of course this would be the emotions that Aaron's magic took on, he is a servant through and through...He shook the idea out of his head as his eyes scanned for Lucan, seeing even now he was still abandoned.

As Ralph spoke, Aaron narrowed his eyes at the crystal, more out of disdain than focus. Soon, the light inside the crystal began to move, drifting lazily from side to side before finding a more steady, circular path near the edges. He continued until he heard the shuffling up above, and turned his gaze up as Ralph did, looking to the balcony overlooking the class. Ah, an observation platform. Of course, the vampires would be interested in their mages’ progress. Aaron wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about being watched, a little caught up in his irritation for the moment, but a streak of red hair up top brought him back to his senses, and he dropped his eyes to the crystal again. 

[color=f0d705][i]“It[/i] will be fine, thank you,”[/color] Aaron replied, practically spitting the word back at Ralph. [color=f0d705]“Now if you have no more sage advice to offer, I’m sure there are other students who need your help more than we do.”[/color] Perhaps against his better judgement, he finally looked up from the crystal, offering Ralph a shrug and an icy smile. [color=f0d705]“Beats spending your [i]valuable[/i] time with turncoats, anyway.”[/color] 

[color=0072bc]“I couldn't agree more.”[/color] Ralph dismissed Aaron as he turned to Salem. [color=0072bc]“Good luck with the lap dog.”[/color] The ice mage moved away from the table, once again moving away from Mr. Martin even as the other TA gave him an odd look as he stopped at the table next to hers.

[Color=82ca9d]“I suppose the crystal’s all yours. Not like Lucan bothered to show up anyways. Tsk. [i]Some[/i] partner, he hasn't made himself visible once. Go on, feel free to impress yours, I'll just make notes on how to best progress forward.”[/color] Salem began to scribble into his pad once more, a tad faster than before and clearly a bit upset. Without lifting his head to view Aaron he said [Color=82ca9d]“So, apparently we must be simpático if we are to press forward onto the next lesson. How do you propose we go about this?”[/color]

Aaron glared at Ralph as he left, taking his hand off the crystal and leaning back in his seat when he was gone. He looked back up only long enough to confirm that Lucan really was absent, and flick his eyes to Varis again before he lowered his gaze once more. Right. 

[color=f0d705]“I think I’ll take a breather for now,”[/color] he decided, realizing that his irritated showing off had succeeded in tiring him out a bit. Salem was right, though. They needed to come to an understanding, but for more reasons than one. 

[color=f0d705]“Can I be honest and say I don’t know?”[/color] he asked finally, smirking despite himself. It was a bit of an absurd admission, but oddly enough, it was genuine. [color=f0d705]“I mean, it was true what Lady Sinnenodel said last night; I haven’t had much exposure to life outside of castle walls. Closest I ever really came was the observation deck for Sanguenum.”[/color] He couldn’t help but laugh a little at himself, imagining how ridiculous it must sound to someone like Salem, but it was all he could say. [color=f0d705]“Forgive me, but I haven’t had much practical experience in making friends.”[/color] 

[Color=82ca9d]“You could've fooled me.”[/color] Salem stopped what he was doing, clattering the pencil onto the desk as his other hand pinched and rubbed the bridge of his nose. [Color=82ca9d]“Sorry. That was rude, I'm stressed, but that's no excuse. I just...I have so much swimming around in my head right now…”[/color] he let the table fill with silence for a breathe until final he sighed [Color=82ca9d]“Alright. Friends, this should be easy right? What's your favorite T.V. show?”[/color]

Brow furrowed, Aaron let Salem have his moment. He could certainly sympathize, though seeing someone else apparently as freaked as he was softened him a bit. [color=f0d705]“Don’t worry about it,”[/color] he replied quietly to Salem’s apology, though the stress the man showed drew his attention far more than the remark. 

[color=f0d705]“...we don’t have a TV back home, but I like to watch TCL fights online,”[/color] Aaron replied warily, watching Salem. He was tempted to press on his comment about the stress, but he figured that it might be best to leave it alone for now. [color=f0d705]“You?”[/color] 

[Color=82ca9d]“Well that varies from what's on really. Currently watching a cute cartoon called Steven Universe. It's...hard to explain.”[/color] Salem clicked his tongue a few times searching for a topic. [Color=82ca9d]“Whaaaat’s your favorite kind of...tea? No, that's stupid. What's your favorite hobby?”[/color]

[color=f0d705]“I play the cello,”[/color] Aaron kept an eye on Salem, not entirely convinced of his change of attitude. It wasn’t like him to prod, but… [color=f0d705]“Are you alright?”[/color]

Salem stared at Aaron for a moment. Was he for real? Did he just ask him if he was alright? Was he not at the same dinner as he was the night before? Did he suffer a concussion? Salem tried his hardest to smile as he answered back [Color=82ca9d]“I'm perfectly fine.”[/color] the answer was pointed and through gritted teeth. [Color=82ca9d]“After all, my entire family is only under investigation, I have no ties to the outside world, I must spend my free days from these walls with you, I cant even call or text to apologize to my family for the inconvenience, the Queen thinks me a liar and traitor both of which I am not, not a single soul in that room could bother to defend me, my supposed partner can’t be bothered to be bothered with me and all the while I sit here being tasked to make friends as if the world is fine and nothing wrong has happened in the last 24 hours. So yes Aaron Starag I am perfectly fine.”[/color] His tattoos began to flare up, growing brighter than they ever have in his presence as his emotions began to flare.

See? It was always better not to ask. 

Aaron fought down the urge to grimace at Salem’s outburst; no wonder he was so tense. He eyed the glow of the man’s tattoos warily, shifting a little more upright in his seat. What was he supposed to say to that? He didn’t know what was keeping Lucan - the vampire hadn’t answered any of his texts - and he was sure apologizing about the events of dinner would come across as an empty gesture. What could he say about any of that anyway? 

[color=f0d705]“Me too,”[/color] he admitted, sarcasm and exhaustion creeping into his voice. He averted his gaze for a second, letting silence stretch between Salem and himself as he thought. 

Finally, he sighed, looking back to Salem. [color=f0d705]“...I don’t know about most of that, but I might be able to help you with your family, if you’d let me.”[/color] 

Me too? Me too?! What kind of response was that? Oh sure, he was [i]certain[/i] that he had soooo many issues. Salem would've choked the damn man had it not been for what he said after. His gaze wavered for a bit as his eyes began to tear up. The thought of it washing some relief over him as his tattoos began to dim a bit. [Color=82ca9d]“No. Thank you but no. My family and I are innocent of the claims. Any possible interference…”[/color] he began to choke up for a spell, then cleared his throat, pushing the lump down [Color=82ca9d]“Any possible interference would make us seem guilty or that we are hiding something.”[/color] Salem wiped the tears out of the corner of his eyes. [Color=82ca9d]“So, do you like ice cream?”[/color]

Aaron’s face fell, but he nodded down at the table. Of course Salem wouldn’t want his help. Who could blame him? He was dutifully cooperating with the investigation, doing everything in his power to help it go smoothly and clear his name. And here Aaron was, doing the opposite. 

[color=f0d705]“Of course I do,”[/color] he replied, more than a little crestfallen. But no, he couldn’t think like that. Sure, he might have been tasked with relaying information for the investigation, but what would it reveal? Salem’s conviction in his innocence was convincing; so if he was innocent, what would any of Aaron’s digging hurt? And if he was guilty, then he was a rebel and it was good that he was caught. But he was innocent, so it was fine. Right? 

[color=f0d705]“Do you play any instruments?”[/color] Aaron asked, doing his best to lighten the subject. [color=f0d705]“Or… do you like animals? I haven’t interacted with many, but I used to talk to the palace ravens and I was pretty fond of meeting racehorses.” [/color]

[Color=82ca9d]“I play a mean test tube. But aside from that, no. Now animals, who doesn’t love them? I have a cat named cat. A cricket called cricket. My abuelita has a snake. We have dozens of lady bugs and other critters at the mansion. Haven't met any racehorses, what are they like?”[/color] Salem saw Aaron's efforts to change the subject and appreciated them, attempting to keep the mood light himself.

[color=f0d705]“Jumpy,”[/color] Aaron smirked, remembering the first time he’d met one. He’d been so excited, all of twelve years old, that he’d spooked the poor thing. [color=f0d705]“They call them ‘hot blooded’ because they’re high-energy and reactive. Breeds like that make excellent competitors, but they can be hard to handle.”[/color] His smirk widened to a smile, happy to transition to a more pleasant topic. [color=f0d705]“When I was little I used to want to be a jockey, but I was never good enough for that. And now I’m too tall for it anyway,”[/color] he chuckled. 

[color=f0d705]“How about ravens?”[/color] he asked, [color=f0d705]“There’s a special way to deal with them, you know. And I’m sure the campus is crawling with them.”[/color] 

[Color=82ca9d]“I hear they like shiny things. With your magic I'm sure they must've loved you. Glistening out there, calling to them. We didn't keep many by us though. They're bad omens, so we stayed clear. No, black cats. That's all a myth, they're not bad at all. I didn't quite spend most of my time with animals however, a lot was fixated in training for my magic, if I had any, from the ground up.”[/color] At this point Salem began gesturing with his hands, excitedly speaking on the subject as if the vampiric overlords themselves demanded there be a break between the long dialogue. [color=82ca9d]“Sure, anyone can just feel and will their magic to go forth but...do they truly understand it? Before the awakening I has herbology, botany, and many other plant based knowledge taught to me up until my awakening. It is believed that by knowing the full cycle of plants and life and understanding each bit of nature from beginning to end will give us a stronger connection and understanding to our magic, making it easier to commune with it when needed. I haven't really gotten a chance to practice it, not in the sense of growing, fertilizing, and nurturing them with magic only. I do however feel connected to its power when I'm working on potions and tonics and other medicinal things. Like their guiding my hand on what's needed next.”[/color]

Bad omens? Nonsense. Where Aaron came from, ravens only caused bad luck if you didn’t address them properly. Haughty things, they were. But Salem wasted no time on the topic, launching into a fascinating description about his studies growing up. Seeing an opportunity, Aaron fished a small notebook and a fountain pen from the bag beneath his seat, jotting down a few lines. But it wasn’t english he was writing, or even the latin alphabet; instead, it was a series of loops, swoops and lines, seemingly random and messy. 

[color=f0d705]“That’s impressive,”[/color] he commented as he finished, looking back up. He paused for a moment, deliberating on something, before he continued. [color=f0d705]“But… What if you hadn’t turned out to be a plant mage? I remember you said your whole family were plant mages, but there’s still that small chance, right? What if you were being prepared for the wrong thing?”[/color]

[Color=82ca9d]“Not possible. The Spellman line has only been plant mages for generations. We marry into other plant mages to help ensure that. Those that don't get the gift of magic are still offered a life with us. I mean, we're all free to choose what we wish, but many enjoy the lucrative pay there is within any of the many companies we have. After all you don't need magic to tend to plants, it just helps.”[/color] Salem watched curiously as he spoke, at Aaron grabbing a notebook and jotting things down. His life wasn't that interesting to take notes on but perhaps Aaron really did have such a horrid memory that he couldn't even recall simple details of a friends life.

[color=f0d705]“Fascinating,”[/color] Aaron replied, quite sincerely. [color=f0d705]“Starags don't have much of a ‘family affinity’, although fire does pop up more frequently than others, I'm sure you can guess why,”[/color] he shrugged. [color=f0d705]“We’re bred more for health, capability, blood quality, certain features Her Majesty is fond of… that sort of thing.”[/color] He flicked a lock of golden blond hair back, to emphasize the point. 

[color=f0d705]“That’s admirable that you keep ties with your mundanes, though,”[/color] he continued, shifting the subject a little. [color=f0d705]“We’ve never really had to deal with that; there isn't a single person on the Starag family tree who didn't have magic.”[/color]

[Color=82ca9d]“We prefer to call them family, not mundanes. Fire mages huh? Can think the Queen is too fond of that, who knows, maybe some of that fire magic is inside you, filling you with a bit of fight. So, do friends usually take notes? Or is my life really that interesting?”[/color] Salem joked, a small smile creeping up. 

Aaron laughed, pointing at Salem. [color=f0d705]“Careful there, my mother’s a fire mage you know,”[/color] he joked, dropping his hand to the table. 

At the mention of notes, he chuckled a bit, tapping his pen against the notebook. [color=f0d705]“Your family’s methods are so different from mine, I can't help but be intrigued,”[/color] he replied, shrugging. [color=f0d705]“My upbringing was all academics and etiquette and swordsmanship. We didn't even [I]touch[/I] on magic until my Awakening.”[/color] 

[Color=82ca9d]“Right. Etiquette. Suppose I'll be learning all about your cucumber sandwiches, silver spoons and when to hold out my pinky soon enough. Speaking of, how [i]was[/i] your upbringing? How were you treated? Viewed? Taught to believe and behave?”[/color] Salem looked up at the Vampires viewing down on them and back to Aaron. [Color=82ca9d]“Don’t forget, big brothers watching.”[/color]

Aaron was a little surprised by Salem’s questions, not expecting him to go so… deep. Weren’t questions like that a little personal for someone you barely knew? He supposed he couldn't be sure, reminded once more that he was sorely inexperienced in the art of making friends. 

He glanced up to the balcony as Salem did, but didn't linger on it. For the topic at hand, it didn't concern him much, though he was sure Varis could hear every word of their conversation from there if he wanted to. [color=f0d705]“I assume you're talking in relation to the royal family, and not my mother,”[/color] he remarked, perching an elbow on the table and gesturing lazily. [color=f0d705]“Well, they unchain us from the dungeon on special occasions and even feed us twice a day, so I suppose I can't complain.”[/color]

He paused for a second before chuckling to himself. [color=f0d705]“I’m kidding. It's like I said, Queen Anastasia and her family are exceptionally kind.”[/color] He offered Salem a reassuring smile. [color=f0d705]“I really don't have any complaints about my upbringing. The Noilas treat their mages with dignity and make sure we have the best resources available to us. I was taught everything from math to magic by the best tutors in the realm, I had free reign to go almost wherever I wanted in the castle, and my family and I were held in high regard, all things considered. I wouldn’t [i]recommend[/i] making mistakes or misbehaving, but even then you'd never end up with any more than a few days of soreness and a lesson learned.”[/color] He sighed, grinning fondly. [color=f0d705]“Besides, I never did make the same mistake twice.”[/color] 

Salem placed his hand on the crystal, making it glow as he darted his eyes motioning towards Varis. He removed his hand and sat back in his chair [Color=82ca9d]“That's not what I meant. How do I phrase this...your magic. It seems...to be dependent. No, that's wrong. It seems to want to...it's like a puppy. Eager to please its owner and willing to do what it takes to make them happy. I am simply asking, were you groomed to be a servant.”[/color]

Aaron raised a brow. What was that, a trick question?

[color=f0d705]“Of course I was,”[/color] Aaron replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He shrugged, not sure what Salem was expecting. [color=f0d705]“Salem, that's pretty normal among mages whose families serve nobility. And I'm a [i]Starag.[/i] Being an attendant is literally what I was [i]bred[/i] for.”[/color] Despite how his words might have sounded to an outsider, Aaron said them with conviction. He wasn't ashamed or even self conscious about it. To him and his family, it was a point of pride. 

[Color=82ca9d]“Perhaps I don't get it because I'm not nobility. We weren't raised to serve. We were raised as equals. I don't know how you could ever be ok with just...being a tool for someone else. Especially for…Nevermind. It's not my place to say. Well I don't have a teen vogue magazine so, have any other topics?”[/color] 

A prick of Aaron's former irritation returned at Salem's remark, Aaron stiffening a bit. What, did he think he was raised to be a draught animal or something? Maybe Salem was right in that it was his social rung that was the culprit; he clearly didn't see a mage's work as vitally as Aaron did. 

[color=f0d705]“Well I’m not nobility either, I just serve them,”[/color] Aaron corrected, though he took the hint and decided to move a little along. 

[color=f0d705]“Well, you asked me about my upbringing, only fair that you return the favour, right?”[/color] Aaron leaned back in his chair. [color=f0d705]“You were raised as equals, how did that work?”[/color]

[Color=82ca9d]“Exceedingly well. We act as if we are one big family. They feed when they need to of course, but we also offer to have our blood bottled and ready for them at a moment’s notice. They attend and also host a few of our parties and we invite other socialites into our homes to greet them and entertain. Not quite the same as making friends but you do hear some interesting gossip amongst all the conversations of who is doing better than who. It's what I wish the Queen could see I was attempting to say last night. Not words of treachery but words of a more blissful future. Where you don't have to serve you may be equals, families intertwined, making people less fearful of vampires and more trusting of them. Does that not sound like a future worth sharing?”[/color]

Well, no wonder Salem was so progressive. Apparently, it was all he knew. Suddenly it made much more sense to Aaron why Salem seemed to chafe so much in the face of more traditional expectations, even if to him, it was all perfectly normal. If he were being honest with himself, Aaron found the prospect of a household where mages and vampires were considered equals to be… disorderly. With no clear hierarchy, conflict would be inevitable, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t there be some lack of direction? 

[color=f0d705]“Are you sure your family doesn’t serve nobles?”[/color] Aaron asked, mostly joking, [color=f0d705]“Because it sounds like your vampires would be right at home among the Marivaldis.”[/color]

He was quiet for a moment after that, touching the crystal absently and watching the glow pulse rhythmically, this time to the tempo of his heartbeat. He took a second to jot a few more things down in his notebook before he released it, looking back to Salem much more sincerely. 

[color=f0d705]“It sounds like you and your family are very fortunate,”[/color] he said, a little quieter than before. [color=f0d705]“I’ll admit that the notion of equality between vampires and mages seems… odd, to say the least, but I’m not saying that it shouldn’t be [i]allowed[/i] or anything.”[/color]

He let out a long breath, perching his elbow on the table again. [color=f0d705]“I do understand, or at least I think I do, where you’re coming from. You want everyone to be able to enjoy the sorts of privileges you did, and you don’t like the idea of mages being treated as lesser. I [i]can[/i] understand.”[/color] He looked Salem in the eye, somewhat more serious. 

[color=f0d705]“But try to understand [i]my[/i] position. I don’t think that serving vampires is something to be resented, or ashamed of. My family and I, we see our work as a point of pride.”[/color] He laughed a little then, though there wasn’t a lot of humour to it. [color=f0d705]“Maybe you think we’re brainwashed, I don’t know. But remember, my grandfather, the man who started all this -”[/color] he gestured to the room and vaguely to the balcony, [color=f0d705]“- he was the Treaty’s biggest opposer. He hated vampires, he killed more of them in the wars than anyone else. But he signed the Treaty anyway. He gave up his freedom and that of all mages for the greater good of all humanity. And as a result, we got peace.”[/color] 

Aaron shrugged. [color=f0d705]“My family has grown out of hatred. We recognize that we, and other mages, by doing what we do and sacrificing our freedom, we’re upholding that peace. And even though what you hope for might be better, I don’t think the vampires would accept it without a fight. And I won’t see our peace destroyed for that, even if the alternative is disagreeable.”[/color] 

[Color=82ca9d]“With all do respect Aaron, we didn't get peace with that treaty. We got tolerance. If we had peace then we wouldn't have people like Dora being tortured via her own magic. We wouldn't have young minds invaded and probed, and we certainly wouldnt have them being bashed against a table and choked. Don't get me wrong. Serving [i]is[/i] noble, but it's hardly a personality. Don’t you have any aspirations of your own?”[/color]

[color=f0d705]“We got an end to the unchallenged hunting and brutalizing of humans,”[/color] Aaron retorted, Salem’s words having struck a nerve, much like the night before. [color=f0d705]“We got enough peace for the human population to live without vampiric interference, to stop hiding in the dark and live their lives in relative safety. Everyone can’t have everything, remember. This world needs a lightning rod, Salem, and like it or not, we’re it.”[/color] 

Aaron had to pause a second, realizing his tone was growing sharp. It wasn’t like him to get snippy, but Salem seemed to have a way of drawing it out of him. How dare he throw Dora’s ordeal in his face like that? How could he not see that that dangerous idealism of his was the very thing making his life harder? After a moment, Aaron rubbed his jaw, willing his anger to subside. 

[color=f0d705]“This [i]is[/i] my aspiration,”[/color] he insisted, though it might not have been the complete truth. Being a good attendant, that [i]was[/i] his aspiration, but just… for someone else. [color=f0d705]“You’re proud of your family, aren’t you? Is it so bad to want to follow in their footsteps?”[/color] 

[Color=82ca9d]“Here is the difference between my family’s footsteps and yours. I'm given the choice to follow, you're being led by those footsteps. Well...I [i]was[/i] given a choice, until I joined this academy. Now I'm forced to be another's and my freedom has been stripped. Just like that in one night...My prospective future, gone. My choices, taken. [i]That's[/i] the peace you so valiantly uphold. Tell me Aaron, how elated were you that you, a Starag, is being forced off onto another family? Do you truly wish to serve anyone other than the Noilas?”[/color]

Aaron very nearly whirled on Salem, but held himself firm, swallowing the spike of anger that shot through him at the comment. Salem did have a talent for dredging up sore topics, didn’t he? As if the fact that he wouldn’t be serving the Noilas hadn’t been swirling around in Aaron’s head ever since he got notice about his acceptance to the Academy. As if tonight would be the first time it tortured him. And yet, Salem seemed to think that he was the only one of the two of them whose entire future had been torn apart and set on fire. 

[color=f0d705]“The Noilas made that decision,”[/color] Aaron replied simply, much colder than before. [color=f0d705]“I’m sure they have their reasons, and I will happily comply. For all they’ve given me, it’s the least I can do.”[/color] He slid the crystal over to Salem and turned his attention back to his notebook, jotting down more swooping symbols and making it clear that their conversation was over. 

Salem felt sorry for the boy. Raised and bred to serve without question, so much so that now when he is being given a command to do something that would strip him away from what it is he dreamt he’d be doing, he has to face the world and pretend not only to like it, but actively defend it. He glanced back towards Varis for a moment, thinking to himself about what Varis said the other night on Aaron's training. A servant made to serve isn't living up to Varis’ standards...how much more was he planning on breaking him? What more could he need of him? He glanced at Aaron scribbling down more notes, just wondering to himself what Aaron had gotten himself into.

[hider=Terminology]TCL = Titan Championship League, basically the mage equivalent of the UFC with some extra categories.[/hider]