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Aaron’s trip out of the forest was as much of a trudge for him as it was for the vampires. Fatigue and cold gripped him in equal measure, and every step lowered his mood from shaken and apprehensive back down to where it had started that evening: [i]thoroughly[/i] unamused. The same spiteful thoughts that this test was a farce, unnecessary, and an egregious invasion of privacy swirled in his head as he walked until he tired of them, choosing instead to focus on the placement of his feet and the clues to get them the hell out of the woods, all the while setting his jaw against Varis’ harsh grip and his own burgeoning headache. 

The forest’s edge was a relief, if a double-edged one. That was one trial done with, but he knew another one awaited him back at the dorm. Therefore, significantly less welcome was the news of an upcoming night off. He knew it would hardly be a night of repose for him if Varis had any say in the matter, and judging by the vampire’s literal quakes of rage, Aaron was pretty sure he would have preferred the escape of classes to whatever would be ordained for him in their absence. He was grateful, at least, that he wasn’t as mud-caked as the vampires were in Ryner’s presence; next to them, the dirt on his shoes and probably deposited by Varis on the back of his coat could almost be overlooked. He usually would have been mortified nonetheless, but either his own sour mood or some lingering spite over having his head picked through [i]as a part of his exam[/i] quelled his usual modesty. 

He stayed silent when Varis handed him the Eve medallion and waved him off, offering only a bow to him and a nod to the Princess before setting off for the tent. Only when he knew the vampires’ attention would be elsewhere did he allow himself to reach up and massage his temple, with the consequence of catching Max’s shit-eating grin. 

Aaron rolled his eyes. [color=f0d705]“Nope, that was new,”[/color] he answered flatly, rolling his shoulders. Damn, he could already feel the sore spots where Varis had gripped him. Right, excellent, he was going to be peppered with bruises after tonight, too. How could he forget. 

Arriving at the tent, Aaron handed the attendant his tokens: the Eve medallion from the digging puzzle and the coin from the skull. [color=f0d705]“And what about you?”[/color] he shot back at Max, crossing his arms as the tent attendant fetched his and Varis' confiscated belongings. [color=f0d705]“Since when are you all buddy-buddy with Eris? I don’t think I heard you utter a single snide comment to him that entire time. If it didn’t freak me out so much, I’d be tempted to congratulate you.”[/color] 
[right][sub][@Scribe of Thoth] [@Achronum][/sub][/right]