[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/935994562026016780/958543586708840448/KaiserHeadPic.png[/img]
[h1][color=steelblue]K A I [/color][/h1]
[h3]...?[/h3][/center]
[hr]
Nathaniel was the first to exit the room. As his muscles relaxed and his expression became visibly less angry, one might think the situation had been resolved. But to Kai, it seemed clear that Julian had been marked--Nathaniel would be on the blonde's scent now. This wasn't a territory conflict. The second seat would hunt Julian over long distances, trailing just behind, the inevitable specter of death until the prey collapsed from its own exhaustion. What that meant in the context of "the society," as Gramps called it, Kai didn't know. He watched in order to learn.

The other Aurist's eyes locked onto Kai, and he smiled. The bluette met his gaze, evenly, but did not bow his head down to protect his throat, nor lift his chin up to expose it. Slowly, the wildling stood. Nathaniel took a few steps forward, and [i]did[/i] nod. 

”Kaiser, we should catch up with the others to make sure we reserve a fine spot in the mess hall for our squadron. What do you say?”

[@webboysurf]"Okay!" The thought of food momentarily shook Kai from his uneasy reverie, and his eyes brightened. Then the prince exited their shared abode.

“It’ll be rare enough, once training begins, that we will all choose to dine at the same time. Let’s wait for them,” their captain looked at Liese and Dot's door, and for the first time Kai noticed the...[i]difference[/i] in it and the other doors on the floor. Something about it made him bristle, just looking at it. Was that Magic? How was it different from what Gramps told him about his own Aura?

"But if you would like to go ahead, Nathaniel, then do as thou wilt."

The others seemed to have their minds made up, and would soon gather in the common room. But, despite how hungry he was, something else made Kai hang back. He leaned a little bit toward the other doorway, looking in at Julian--who had yet to move. There was no hanging of the head, no gnashing of teeth, or clenching fists. Kai found it much harder to read the blonde now than the bundle of energy back out on the field. 

Fear? Fear could paralyze prey, to some extent...but more often than not, cornered, they lashed out with all their strength. But Nathaniel knew where Julian was--wouldn't the better response be flight? Especially now that the predator had left the area. Then again, Julian would always have to come back to the room eventually...Kai sniffed the air, and inclined his head slightly toward the shorter knight.

He didn't understand, and curiosity drew him closer. Tentatively, he stepped over the threshold. He silenced his footfall, putting his weight on the edge of his step before his heel and toe, and half-crouched until he was right behind the other student...

[@Feyblue]He reached out like the Prince and Nathaniel had to him, before, and grabbed Julian's shoulder.

"...Nathaniel was the better fighter. But you were the one fighting to win." he said, before he took his hand away. Why had he said it? He had been thinking it, before, but now he confused himself. "The only reason to be a Knight is to fight, and the only reason to fight is to win." Despite his confusion, the bluette found himself smiling, though he still didn't nod his head. Nor did the smile bare any teeth. But then he stepped away from Julian and watched for the blonde's reaction...