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January 7th - 8:15pm[/center] 

The first night of the new semester set dark and dreary. Heavy clouds threatened ice in rumbling voices and flashes of light until finally snow floated from the sky in a light powder, drifting down in whirling flurries that shimmered in the glow of street lamps. The soft snow quickly piled up on the cold ground and the world quieted. Even the wind seemed loath to disturb the silence and guards passed through the grounds with nary a trace, the falling snow swallowing even their footprints. Mage and vampire alike started to stir, many struggling to brush away the cobwebs of sleep in the face of the bitter cold. 

Princess Ryner stared at the Sinnenodel dorm, face pinched and pensive, from her spot on the sidewalk. Her hands stayed bundled inside her coat pockets despite not feeling the cold. She paid no mind to the snow accumulating on her shoulders and stayed deathly still as she counted down the minutes. If classes started without Varis’ appearance, then Aaron’s position would be hotly debated. She managed to keep him under her authority to some degree with this move but if Sybil intervenes and claims him, neither she nor his family would see him again. And she wasn’t about to let an inconvenient assassionation get in the way of her agenda. 

The air rippled nearby. Ryner gave a sigh, ignoring it, and continued to consider the house in front of her. The faintest crunch of snow gave her a moment’s warning as Varis took his spot next to the Princess, searching the scene in front of her for whatever had caught her attention. Ryner ignored him and nodded a greeting at Malek, who gave a courteous bow and vanished, leaving the pair to their silence. Ryner snorted at the umbrella Varis carried. 

[color=bc8dbf]“You’re a vampire. You’re not going to catch your death from the snow.”[/color] Ryner pointed out, her voice hushed in the strange quiet surrounding them.

[color=f7976a]“Don’t patronize me. I don’t like wet clothes, sue me.”[/color] Varis spoke, though he lacked his usual ire. [color=f7976a]“Would you kindly tell me why you’re standing outside my dorm like a melancholy painting?”[/color]

[color=bc8dbf]“I was under the impression I lost a student. I was here to ensure his partner was okay.”[/color] Ryner replied. She huffed a laugh. [color=bc8dbf]“I had to put him under house arrest, you know. He was beside himself with worry. He fought a guard in an attempt to come find you.”[/color] Varis grunted in reply and just pressed the handle of his briefcase into her hand. Ryner took it.

[color=f7976a]“Is there anything else you need or were you just here to bother me?”[/color] Varis demanded, shaking off the quiet’s spell. 

[color=bc8dbf]“No. Goodnight, Count Sinnenodel. And the next time you plan your own death, please let me know. I’d love the opportunity to make it permanent.”[/color] Ryner waved as she left and Varis rolled his eyes at the receding figure. He fished out his key from his pocket and made his way to the door, rolling his neck as he mentally prepared himself to deal with the boy. He was like Eris’ pet dog-rat, just bigger but equally annoying. Varis folded his umbrella, unlocked the door, and pushed inside.