[center][color=f15510][h1][i]Selio Taraves[/i][/h1][/color][/center]

Great beams of sunlight were already slanting down through the windows by the time Selio slowly sat up in bed. He looked around a moment and stretched leisurely, still feeling the hold of sleep firmly on his mind. After all this time, it seemed funny that waking up in a timely fashion remained one of his most bitter struggles. 

He paused a second to reflect on all that had happened yesterday. As someone that had experienced precious little pomp and ceremony in his life, the proceedings in the ceremony had been staggering. The roar of the crowds, the cacophony of the bells - it had made him feel small in an entirely different and unfamiliar way than he was used to. Standing out amidst the dunes in their heights evoked wonder, yes, but only one other time in his life had he felt so... scrutinized. He had hardly spoken to anyone the entire day, too busy drinking in the sights and sounds of the unfamiliar green land with its tall silvery stone structures. Pentads, the buildings of the academy itself dwarfed the low, practical sandstone buildings of his family's villa four or five times over. Afterwards, he had been so exhausted that he had gone to bed right after they had all supped, and probably not moved a hair since just now.

The soft sound of voices downstairs caught his ear. Right. He was here to work, first and foremost. Damn the city and all its colors for the moment - it was time to learn a little more about the people he would be learning with. And maybe take some time to address some other needs as well, he though wryly as his stomach rumbled in response to the smells of food wafting up the stairs. 

He rose and began to dress, taking care not to make too much noise - his roommate was still abed, a chaotic tangle of limbs and sheets that didn't look like it was going to be undone any time soon. A loose-fitting white shirt went on over his head, and then was buckled securely to his waist with a wide belt. He slipped his feet into a supple pair of long boots, taking a moment to work his feet firmly and comfortably into the soles. 

As Selio creaked his way down the staircase, the conversation became a little easier to pick out. Something about when the classes would start? He hesitated for just a second on the final step. Two students were up, it seemed, speaking to the Zeno himself. He recalled meeting them both yesterday, now that he thought on it, but given his preoccupation he hadn't paid them as much attention as he should have. There was the smaller Rettanese girl - the one who had just been talking - and what seemed to be a young noblewoman from the far South. His eyes lingered just a bit; he'd never quite seen hair that color before. Striking. 

The youth crossed quickly and slipped into the nearest available seat. "Good morning," he said, ducking his head towards his two peers and then inclining his head more deeply and respectfully towards the Zeno. "I hope I did not... cause an interruption." Agh, but Avincian could be a troubling language sometimes. He briefly turned his attention to his breakfast, and took an exploratory bite. [i]Oh. Pentad, preserve me.[/i] He didn't realize quite how hungry he actually had been. He took a second, larger bite quickly after the first, then raised his eyes back to the others.