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Lienna followed the current of students drifting back into the Blue Lions classroom, and whether it was because she’d started out nearest the door or she’d subconsciously stayed near Kellen, she’d ended up at the front, to her slight chagrin. Not that she overly objected to it, nor that she felt the need to sequester herself away in the back, but something about being essentially on display in front of a panel of professors made her feel a little exposed for her liking. Then again, maybe that was just how it felt to sit in a lecture hall; she wasn’t exactly used to it either way. 

She didn’t hide the look of skepticism that came over her face as Lysander’s speech went on, platitudes about unrest in between countries she’d never seen and nations she’d never heard of, doubtless over tensions no commoner would bother caring about anyway. She supposed she should have expected as much when she came to a school known for its highborn student body, but for all the Academy’s assurances over welcoming the lowborn among the high, they displayed more than a passing misunderstanding of what actually mattered to them. Life in Hima was a daily struggle even with a family to rally around you, let alone as the sole caretaker of an ailing loved one; if the Kingdom at large experienced any trials or triumphs in her lifetime, they made little difference to her. What did she care of tensions in other nations? The wind would still blow, the snow would still fall, and night would still pass into morning; that was all that ever mattered to her.

But, with a reluctant inward sigh, she supposed it was probably counterproductive to think that way. After all, she’d gone to great lengths to [i]escape[/i] a life that revolved around keeping the fire burning; she doubted she’d get anywhere fast in the world of nobles if she tackled it with a commoner’s mindset. Still, she couldn’t resist a snide roll of the eyes at Lysander’s last words. [i]“The time will come when faith and morality are tested.”[/i] Lienna wasn’t sure where Lysander had spent his life, but the past four years had been a veritable gauntlet of ‘faith and morality’ for her, and she had precious little left to give.

Hmph. At least that Professor Tomai seemed to hold a similar sentiment, albeit probably directed at Professor Michail’s inane introductions activity. She didn’t even spare a glance back to the nonsense coming from the Golden Deer—now there was a brand of mirth only affordable to the wealthy—and she was honestly considering keeping her head down and hopefully avoiding the whole charade until Kellen spoke up. For all his eagerness to stand, the poor boy barely managed to stumble through his name, and it only got worse the longer he went on. It was so vicariously painful that Lienna considered standing up next just to give the poor kid a break, but was fortunately beat to the punch by none other than their House Leader himself. 

Auberon gave a short version of his speech from earlier, along with a list of titles Lienna only marginally understood. Should she mention her titles, too? Did she even have any? ‘Future Countess of Southern Gautier’, perhaps, but she had no idea if that was a real title or if she’d only get laughed out of the room. And what of likes and dislikes? She had a list of dislikes a mile long, but it had been years since she gave much thought to things she [i]liked[/i]—her primary concern had always been things she [i]needed[/i]. She wasn’t too eager to stand up and list anything, really, but the more people to get between Kellen’s introduction and the present, the better; she didn’t miss that sympathetic look Auberon sent his way, she could do him that one kindness. 

Making up her mind, she stood as elegantly as she could manage, folding her hands in front of her with her back stiffly straight. [color=baa7c7]“I am Lienna Orhneaht, future Countess of Southern Gautier, and also bearer of the Minor Crest of Gautier. I like hearty meals and warm hearths, and I dislike indecision and the cold. It is my hope that we all form lasting bonds over the course of the year, to the benefit of Fódlan’s future.”[/color] She finished her introduction with a glance around at the other students behind her before sitting as smoothly as she stood, wondering if that was a flowery enough phrasing of “I hope to make friends I can count on for favours later” to satisfy the nobles in attendance. 

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