[hr][hr][center][h2]First Bell, 26th Day of the Great tree Moon[/h2][/center][hr][indent] Bidding the gardener goodnight, Kaira departed from the Greenhouse. It was quite late and she had an early start, but so long as she went straight to bed, she figured she would be alright. A few shadows zipped across the grounds, their broad wings signaling the presence of the pegasi flying through the sky. They usually spooked her whenever she didn't pay attention, but she was glad they were in the skies tonight. She treated their shadows as guidance, making sure to walk where the sky could see her clearly. While she wasn't normally the type to be paranoid, she liked to be on the side of caution. As soon as that thought crossed her mind, however, there was an ominous presence approaching her. Every hair on the back of her neck stood and she was overwhelmed with a sense of dread. She stopped in her tracks, feeling it get closer. An intruder? If so, they had somehow slipped past all the guards. But that was what happened that other night, wasn't it? A shadow had suddenly come out of nowhere and spirited a student away. A foolish part of her thought that perhaps this was a chance to face the would-be kidnapper, but could she really take them on one-on-one without a weapon? She could feel a hand hover over her shoulder. Making up her mind, Kaira whipped around, ready to fire a spell. To her surprise, however, there was no one around and the grounds were completely silent to boot. The sensation was now completely gone, replaced by the breeze of the night. Her hand absentmindedly touched her shoulder as she looked around. She was so sure someone was about to grab her, but she appeared to be mistaken. A large shadow suddenly swarmed around her, and she would have screamed had it not been for the pegasus descending in front of her. Chionne hopped off the beast, her face full of concern. [color=mediumaquamarine]"Are you alright, Kaira?"[/color] She asked. She nodded, though not before sighing in relief. So much for not being afraid! [color=palegreen]"Yes, I am,"[/color] She replied. [color=palegreen]"Did you...see anything around me?"[/color] [color=mediumaquamarine]"I saw you stop walking so I thought that you might've gotten hurt and descended,"[/color] Chionne admitted. [color=mediumaquamarine]"I didn't see anyone else, though."[/color] Kaira was unsure. She trusted her gut, but if she was jumping at every shadow, maybe she was off. Still, it wouldn't do to worry over nothing if nothing had happened. [color=palegreen]"If it isn't too much trouble, could you walk with me to the Cathedral?"[/color] [color=mediumaquamarine]"It's no trouble at all. You are pleasant company,"[/color] She immediately assured her, taking the reins of her mount. [/indent][hr][center][h2]Sixth Bell, 26th Day of the Great tree Moon[/h2][/center][hr][indent] The knock on the dormitory door had startled Lavender awake, the woman jolting up from her desk. She let out a small groan as her neck throbbed in pain--once again, she had fallen asleep pouring over some literature. It took her a second to realize someone was at the door, and she hastily walked over to answer it. Smoothing out any stray hairs, she made sure her posture was rigid and her expression was pleasant as she opened the door. Tragically, it was only that stupid blond Knight of Seiros waiting for her, perched against the frame like he was ready to greet some floozy. [color=00aeef]"Good morning, beautiful--hey, hey, [i]hey[/i], wait!"[/color] Michail's greeting was nearly cut off by Lavender immediately closing the door on him. [color=00aeef]"Open up! I need your help today!"[/color] She opened the door once again, unamused. [color=9966cc]"If you ask me to help you with 'that ache in your heart', I will bruise you up appropriately,"[/color] She warned him. Michail opened his mouth, though he immediately closed it, choosing not to joke. [color=00aeef]"Okay, I originally came here to borrow some manpower. We're going to be heading to Magdred Way today, but my sources tell me something funny is up. Think I could borrow a few of your students?"[/color] Lavender gave him an incredulous look. [color=9966cc]"This isn't like borrowing a whetstone, you are asking for my [i]students[/i] to take them on an incursion where you'll likely endanger them,"[/color] She said. [color=9966cc]"Didn't you just receive a disciplinary for endangering your students? And now you want to take my own! You are unbelievable!"[/color] [color=00aeef]"Aw, don't say it like that, that makes it sound sketchy."[/color] [color=9966cc]"I don't know how to tell you this, but [i]you're[/i] sketchy."[/color] Michail sighed, though he produced a scroll for her. [color=00aeef]"Look, I made an official request and everything. Nothing sketchy, just an honest plea for more manpower,"[/color] He said as she opened the scroll. She skimmed through it quickly, her eyes flickering back to him. He wasn't lying, but she didn't like it, either. [color=9966cc]"Fine. I'll get my best students to assist. [i]And [/i]I'll be coming along as well to make sure [i]you[/i] stay in line,"[/color] She said, jabbing him with the scroll. Michail sighed, holding his hand to his heart. [color=00aeef]"It hurts that you don't trust me, Lav,"[/color] He admitted. [color=00aeef]"I don't know what you've heard, but I can promise you, I value everyone's life on the battlefield. And I'm actually glad you're coming, too."[/color] Lavender raised an eyebrow at him. [color=9966cc]"...really?"[/color] He took her hand and patted it. [color=00aeef]"Yeah. You always keep me grounded,"[/color] He told her softly. [color=00aeef]"Your swordsmanship puts mine to shame, your tactical mind sharp, and if I ride behind you, I can watch that sweet bottom of yours bou--ARGH!"[/COLOR] By the time he finished, Lavender had taken a firm hold of his hand and twisted it. [color=9966cc]"You are [i]so [/i]predictable, you know that?"[/color] [/indent][hr][center][h2]Seventh Bell, 26th Day of the Great tree Moon[/h2][/center][hr][indent] While most classrooms wouldn't fill until the eighth bell, the students had been called to the Blue Lions' classroom just a little earlier than usual. Michail stood at the front of the classroom, waiting patiently for her students to arrive. Lavender stood in front of the board, using chalk to draw up an accurate map of the Magdred Way, a path through the mountains and forest that lead to the city of Magdred. Tomai sat at Michail's desk, more interested in his book than whatever anyone else was up to. The students would recognize Lavender as their geographics professor. Why she was with their main professors was anyone's guess. And there would be four new faces that would enter the classroom as well... [/indent][hr][hr]