[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/cd83dc89-6413-49cc-9e8d-a9fba609a17b.png [/img][/center] [hr] A small group of men gathered outside of Garreg Mach, most in Gautier armour (if they had any). Standing apart from the group, two figures were staring up at the Monastery. Neither were wearing Gautier colours. The first, leaning on a spear, presented the spitting image of a soldier. His greying hair was cut short, and he had the stocky frame of one who was just as used to loading supplies as he was to seeing combat. He could be placed somewhere around forty-four, and even in such a casual posture his hand instinctively wrapped around his weapon, prepared to react at a moment’s notice. His brigandine, well worn, bore the emblem of the House of Fraldarius, though it had faded over time. The other figure did not much compare. His dark brown hair was unevenly cut, and his frame was lean and wiry. The soldier stood half a foot over him, and in contrast to the calm gaze the older man carried, the other figure’s projected a great sense of unease. His uniform did not seem to properly fit, and it showed. The only piece of his outfit that the boy seemed comfortable with was the sword at his side. The two stood in silence for a few minutes. Every once a while, the boy would pull his sleeves up, only to have them slide down again a few seconds later. Finally, the elder spoke up. “Time we’re off. Will you need anything, my lord?” A grin broke out across the boy’s face.[color=63a2e4]“My lord? Come on, Anton. You can’t say something like that and then leave!”[/color] The soldier shook his head solemnly. “No no, master! Although we might have once been brothers in arms, you now attend Garreg Mach, esteemed institution of learning and…" [color=63a2e4]“And?”[/color] “And -- Blast it, I can’t keep it up.” A smile crept across the soldier’s face. “Do you think they’ll all talk like that in there? I can’t imagine it.” [color=63a2e4]“Me neither.”[/color] The boy said. His gaze returned to the imposing figure of the Monastery. [color=63a2e4] “I truthfully have no idea what I’ll find in there.”[/color] “Your sister did fine, lad. More than fine, in in fact! You'll be fine.” The soldier’s gaze was fixed intently on the boy. There was a long pause. [color=63a2e4] “Did father say anything more to you before he sent you off to bring me here?”[/color] The boy’s gaze met the soldier’s. “Nothing. I swear it.” The soldier put a hand over his heart. His mouth opened for half-a-moment, but something stopped the words from coming out. Instead, he let the hand drop. “We really should head off. The boys were eyeing the taverns and I’ll be damned if I’m covering their tabs.” [color=63a2e4]“Alright. Thanks.” [/color] The boy took one deep breath, slinging a large pack over his shoulder and starting off in the direction of the Monastery. It was only after a few moments that he stopped in his tracks.[color=63a2e4] “Anton? Please tell them I miss them. ” [/color] Kellen Fraldarius should have known better than to expect a response. When he turned around, he saw that Anton, along with the guards who had accompanied him, were already riding off down the hill. [hr] Drop off a bag. Gather in the cathedral. Meet the faculty. Memorize names. Search to see if there’s anyone you recognize. Avoid making eye contact with anyone you recognize. The flurry of activity that accompanied students’ arrival at Garreg Mach was a bit overwhelming, but Kellen did his best to keep his head above the water. He was quite relieved when the students were broken off and sent to their respective houses, taking a seat near the back of the room. From what little Kellen remembered of the rare stories Rhiannon would share, the professor seemed quite different from the usual crop. His casual attitude and warm introduction put Kellen at ease for the first time since he had arrived at the Monastery. The revelation that houses would be integrated was a mild surprise to Kellen. He had rarely listened, but he knew that it was not normal. Still, the idea was exciting to Kellen, who’s only encounters with other nations had been the skirmishes with Sreng. Perhaps he might learn something new in all this. Kellen had hardly paid attention in lessons (when he had had them), so the appointment of Auberon of House Galatea did not raise an immediate eyebrow for Kellen. Indeed, he was impressed by how quickly the heir rose to his new station, despite his apparent surprise. From his position at the back of the room, Kellen saw a few students react to the announcement with an expected amount of tittering. When one – who Kellen perhaps unfairly suspected to be one of Lonatos listed on the board – turned to towards Kellen with a conspiratorial air, he shook his head sharply. While Kellen wasn’t wholly convinced by the his new… [i] House Leader’s[/i] appeal to the collective and the future of the kingdom, he realized that he was thankful to not have any such responsibility thrust on him. Not that he imagined he had even been considered, given his purported lack of crest. A quick scan of the whiteboard confirmed that indeed, among this group, Auberon seemed well-positioned for the role, and that both he and Kellen were grouped together in the new system Michail had explained. Much less impressed with the new house leader was the ashen-haired girl who quickly strode to the front of the room, scanned the list of names, then rapidly departed. While Kellen was by no means adept at the art of aristocracy, he could tell from the way she held herself that she was not from one of the noble houses. The thought brought him some relief. However, she had the right idea, and Kellen turned his attention to the board as well. A quick examination of the board gave Kellen no cause for concern. He recognized the odd name, but thankfully he saw no Gautiers nor Fraldarius’s listed in his class. While he was sure some students would take note of his last name, he was relieved to know that none would know much about him, much less have a reason to bother him. Kellen stood up, taking a few steps toward the center aisle to make himself more noticeable. [color=63a2e4] “Erm, hello everyone. I’m Kellen.”[/color] He gestured vaguely towards the board before pushing his sleeves back up. [color=63a2e4] “Fraldarius. I have a few older siblings though, so please don’t treat me differently!” [/color] He looked around the room and realized that compared to the introduction of Auberon, his hardly stacked up. Nevertheless, he gave a quick nod to the assembled students before turning outside to be confronted with the scene of his professor on the losing end of a battering by what he presumed to be two other members of the faculty. The scene nearly stopped him in his tracks, but he was quick to recover and position himself along the wall just outside of the classroom. Having the cool stone press against his back made him feel safe, and from this point he had a decent view of the courtyard where students were trickling out of their classrooms.