The airship was a marvel of modern technology, perhaps the most advanced of its kind. Outfitted with all kinds of machines, transporting mankind place to place faster than they had ever gone before. Somewhere in that brass behemoth, a little distant from the throng that occupied it, in a quiet corner with few people around it sat the boy. His pale blond hair and clear blue eyes were quite eye-catching, and he was dressed in as fine clothes as a boy his age could claim. Yet there was an air around him that barred interaction. Perhaps it was how intensely focused the boy was on the massive book splayed across his lap. Perhaps it was the way that he muttered to himself every now and again. The boy sat in his quiet corner, oblivious to his surroundings. Just him, his book, and...

[color=purple][i]Cramming last minute like that ain't gonna help you now, kid.[/i][/color]
The boy's face twisted into a frown of annoyance. Sensing the boy's shift in mood, the voice in his head continued.
[color=purple][i]Just great. You've been sitting here for what, 3 hours? Amazing.[/i][/color]
[color=lightyellow]"Yeah, sure. Just great, Mort."[/color] The boy grumbles quietly. [color=lightyellow]"Say another word and see what happens."[/color]
In his mind the voice chuckles, and speaks again in a pompous, mocking tone.
[color=purple][i]I'm just trying to look out for my poor, talentless master. Nothing wrong with that is there?[/i][/color]
[color=lightyellow]"You'd be a lot more useful if you shut up."[/color] The boy retorted. [color=lightyellow]"Besides, I've been making progress."[/color]
At that proclamation the voice erupted into laughter.
[color=purple][i]Yes, 3 hours of work later and you can read your book slightly faster! Truly a feat only the great Richard Ashfield could accomplish![/i][/color]
The boy slammed the book shut.
[color=lightyellow]"Just shut up Mort."[/color] The boy growled.
The voice in his head chuckled mischievously.
[color=purple][i]Oh my daft master, don't you know? Demons don't wait to be let out.[/i][/color]

Richard ignored the voice. Of course the boy knew that closing the book wouldn't silence the voice, and he knew the voice knew he knew. Nevertheless, he'd lost focus so he had no need to keep the book open. The voice had a point - he hadn't made much headway into understanding his parents' book in the 3 hours since he'd begun, and he was sure that he wouldn't receive a sudden revelation in the time it would take them to arrive at their destination. He'd studied the tome for the past 3 hours because he needed every edge he could get, and it was about as much as he could do for now.

Richard got up and dusted himself off. He picked up his bag from the ground and slung it over his shoulder before tucking his book under his arm. It was rather heavy but he'd long since gotten used to carrying it.
[color=purple][i]Finally, my master heeds my suggestions for productivity.[/i][/color] The voice remarked sarcastically.
[color=lightyellow]"If I could reach your throat right now I'd throttle you."[/color] The boy muttered.
The voice chuckled, Richard ignored it.

Things were getting louder in the throng of strangers, and he was sure he knew why. The blond boy pushed his way to the front of the group, arriving at one of the airship's windows. It revealed to him the shape of what would be his life for the next few years. Arkus academy, a stepping stone to his ambitions. Richard clenched his shaking fist, trembling not with fear but with excitement.
[color=lightyellow]"We're getting closer."[/color] He muttered to himself.
The boy was getting closer to destiny. Closer to somewhere he hoped would help him decipher his book, and eventually help him to find his father. The voice harrumphed.
[color=purple][i]Finally in the right mood for it, hm? Well then, you best hope you learn faster than you study. Otherwise you'll be there for 8 bloody years.[/i][/color]
The boy's smile turned into a sneer.
[color=lightyellow]"Then you'll be here right next to me for 8 years, won't you? Oh Great Demon Mortimer."[/color]
The demon's voice cackled in the boy's head.
[color=purple][i]Of course, my glorious master.[/i][/color] The voice said, dripping with sarcasm.
Richard couldn't see the demon in his head but he imagined the purple demon with an ear-splitting grin.
[color=purple][i]This lowly demon will stay with you until your end.[/i][/color]