[center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/236x/53/78/87/537887fac74ee493713b9e56a78663e4.jpg[/img][/center] [center][h1][u][color=BC3823]Evander[/color] [color=CC5500]Fino[/color] [color=d4af37]Synesti[/color][/u][/h1][/center] [hr][center][h2]S[color=8D918D]ocieties Faire: Friend or Foe[/color][/h2] (Present)[/center][hr] [color=FFFFFF][h2]Assani 29th[/h2][/color] Location: [color=BC3823]Fauna Society[/color] Day of the week: [color=BC3823]Lepdes[/color] Characters: Carmilia [@Animus] and Evander [hr] [color=8D918D]Erasand’Enise was a place that continued to capture the imagination of Evander Synesti. Every twist and turn around city blocks called to him to explore; one day, he thought, this will all be mine. Evander was several days into the adjustment period. Having recently traveled from his home in the lands of Revidia, he could confidently wake up in his Noble Quarters, look around, and agree it was satisfactory for a prince. Evander had slipped the last button on his jacket through its respective slit. He looked into the mirror to check his demeanor; [i][color=d4af37]you are Evander Fino Synesti, Marquess of the Syensta province, son of Duke Foscari; remember why you are here and who you represent. [/color][/i] Evander smiled at himself, his mission was clear, but today, he’d become acquainted with the local stock of the school, [color=d4af37][i]what fun.[/i][/color] Evander exited his room; the bustling street of the academy grounds overwhelmed his senses at first. There were smells of coffee brewing, food cooking, and the sounds of kids laughing, shouting, walking, and running. Evander saw the entire campus overflowing with all the bright young minds it had collected from everywhere in Constantia for the first time. There were a few clubs on his list that he wanted to check out. He thought of the list in his head, [color=d4af37][i]Firebreathers, Blazing Angels, Draconic Order, and the Fauna society. Evander turned to reach his first destination, the Fauna society.[/i][/color] Carmillia Carbonneau was milling about the arboretum. Truth be told, the fauna society was not among the clubs she had been considering joining when she entered Ersand’Enise. There was no real benefit in forming a relationship with Beryl Mundi, the head of the club. While there were at least [i]some[/i] nobles and merchants of note amongst the existing members, the same could be said for most societies.[/color] [color=8D918D]The only reason she was here was solely due to Rody, her recently hatched schluckodill, one of the rewards from the Lorentine Queen. Though she was hardly an animal lover, she had grown attached to the smokey looking lizard. The fact that it would grow to become a giant reptilian, capable of devouring any annoyances was a big plus. Hidden and curled up in her mantle, Rody poked his head out curiously before returning to his hiding spot. [color=ab0000][i]Good boy.[/i][/color] There were a few other first year Biros about and the one that caught her attention was Evander. The House of Synesti was on the rise and Evander was its heir. She cared not that he was Revidian. Patriotism was hardly in her blood. [color=ab0000][i]Given the current situation, I might as well make full use of it. Forming a relationship with Evander now might prove useful later.[/i][/color] Whilst pretending not to notice him, she intentionally placed herself in his path and waited for him as he approached. [color=ab0000][b]“Oh? Evander Fino Synesti? That’s a surprise. I didn’t think this was the type of club that would appeal to you.”[/b][/color] Evander stopped in place as a well-dressed female student addressed him by his full name. [color=d4af37][i]Who was she?[/i][/color] If Carmilia had been paying any attention, she would have noticed his confusion in identifying her. Evander did feel as if they had met before, but he could not place his finger on it. In one of their classes, perhaps, then her name struck his brain, [color=d4af37][i] Carmilia Carbonneau[/i][/color]. They DID have classes together, but their face time was non-existent. What he knew about her was little, but as with everyone he had been meeting on campus, she would be added to a list of people Evander would inquire about to those who had more resources than him, like his father.[/color] [color=8D918D]Stepping back to gain distance, Evander bowed before her. After all, he was a gentleman, and ladies were to be respected no matter how formal or informal their relationship. Raising his head, he looked into Carmilia’s eyes, unflinching to connect with what was behind them. A smile perched on his face, and he addressed her in return. [color=CC5500]“M’lady Carmilia, how nice it is to see you,”[/color] Evander spoke with a tone that could only be described as soft and charming. His smooth gentle draw of words continued, [color=CC5500]“It is not, but seeing as how I am still becoming acquainted with the Academy, I felt it best to check out some of the clubs I would not think to join…to expand my horizon, and you?”[/color] Regardless of how smooth Evander thought his recovery to be, she hadn’t failed to notice his initial hesitance. Unsurprising, given that this was their first conversation. Truth be told, though Evander had been on her radar for a while now, she had been unable to find an appropriate time to speak to the young man. Things had been busy for her as of late, and maintaining the relationships of her existing connections made it difficult for her to make time for him.[/color] [color=ab0000][b]“I’m here due to [i]this guy.[/i]”[/b][/color] [color=8D918D]Carmillia tapped gently on her mantle and Rody poked his head out once more. After staring at the Revidian, it let out a soft hiss before scrambling up onto Carmillia’s shoulder. The smokey lizard was staring right at Evander. [color=ab0000][b]”Indigenous to Feska, Rody over here is a hazy schluckodil. A gift of sorts as a reward for a recent escapade. But to expand your horizons, you say? The fauna society seems to be peculiar choice for that.”[/b][/color] Ignoring her first question…for now, Evander’s brows closed in on each other. He was curious, [color=d4af37][i] a hazy schluckodil? [/i][/color] Never would he guess Carmilia to be a lizard owner, but this was why he came to the Fauna Society…people liked pets and pets tend to nestle in their owner’s sweet spots. It was told to Evander once by his tutor, [color=d4af37][i] you can learn a lot about a person by what they decide to keep around them. [/i][/color] Animals fell into this category. What better place to learn about those he’d be learning with than where they gather to share, talk, and showcase their vulnerabilities? Evander spoke after a brief moment of analyzing Rody, [color=CC5500]“A hazy schlucowhat?”[/color] He leaned in slightly to look at the lizard in the eyes, his head tilting to the right, [color=CC5500]“A reward from a recent escapade, you say; what did you have to do, and who gave Rody to you?”[/color] [color=ab0000][b]”He’s a schluckodil,” repeated Carmillia, enunciating it slightly slower this time round. “They’re Feskan crocodiles and their most discerning feature, would be their size.”[/b][/color] As usual, she went on autopilot, explaining what exactly a schluckodil was as well as the rarity of Rody’s colorization. Meanwhile, her thoughts were turning about, her mind was concentrating on analyzing Evander. Twice now, he had avoided her question. He was more focused on gleaming information from her as opposed to revealing anything about himself.[/color] [color=ab0000][i]A vigilant personality, perhaps?[/i][/color] [color=8D918D]It had been awhile since she met a noble who had at least some wits about them. Much like Dorothea, Evander was heir to a noble family aiming for their previous prominence. Unlike Dorothea, he behaved accordingly and appropriately. That meant he followed etiquette and was on guard with his words. [color=ab0000][i]Times up.[/i][/color] Without missing a beat, she continued on the moment she was done with explaining schluckodils. [color=ab0000]“To answer your second question, as payment for mediating and appeasing some rowdy individuals, I was given a schluckodil egg. It was not exactly the kind of payment I expected, but I’ve grown quite fond of him.”[/color] Evander had closed the distance between himself and Carmilia as she dove deep into her knowledge about schluckodils. There was a slight fondness Evander felt about Carmilia; maybe it was her demeanor or intellect. She carried on like someone who did her homework. She had mentioned this schluckodil was a gift, a pet given to her, not by choice. Yet, no matter if it was her choice, she learned everything she could about this lizard and even grew a likeness to it. Evander could hear his tutor ring true in his ear, [i] pets nestle close to their owner’s heart[/i]. [color=CC5500]“Wow,”[/color] Evander acted intrigued by her knowledge, [color=CC5500]“aren’t you both lucky to have found each other.”[/color] He was within a step of Carmilia’s bubble, he would not invade her space, but the closeness raised a level of trust and intimacy in their interaction. His side kept his hands easily visible; there would be no question even if distance marginalized, his respect for her as a woman did not.[/color] [color=8D918D]Evander had noted her mention of the schluckodils size and kept it as a follow-up,[color=CC5500]“How big will Rody grow?”[/color] [color=ab0000][b]“I’d wager over ten meters once he’s matured, though that process will take up to a decade. I must say, Evander, you seem awfully interested in him.”[/b][/color] In truth, Carmillia doubted he had much of any real interest in Rody. Seeing how he was trying to get closer to her while maintaining propriety physically, Evander was simply trying to keep the conversation going. Her magic worked best in conjunction with the target’s current emotions. She drew in chemical energy from her surroundings. Without a proper source, the minuscule amounts of energy would normally be insufficient for conventional spells, but Carmillia was a special case. Tiny tendrils of undetectable magic whisked themselves into Evander, mildly boosting the production of his positive neurotransmitters. The effect would make him ever so slightly amicable and relaxed. [color=ab0000][b]“I didn’t think you were that interested in being friends, seeing as how you took a second to remember my name,”[/b][/color] she continued, smiling charmingly. She was teasing him at this point. [color=d4af37][i] Ten meters! This thing was going to be huge! [/i][/color] Surprise aside, Evander laughed when Carmilia pointed out his interest in Rody. He was curious about schluckdoil, but hearing Carmilia’s appeals about it were more interesting. Evander sensed, as the conversation continued, a subtle feeling of relaxation. There was something about Carmilia that was dropping his guard internally. Evander was not one to let his guard down; counterintuitive to his feeling, he resisted. No matter how sweet her smile may have appeared, there was an intrinsic resistance to this feeling of peace in his gut. The struggle within was not revealed as his talent for acting was par excellence. Instead, he redirected Carmilia’s comment back at her and took this opportunity to make a respectful exit. [color=CC5500]“If you did not welcome it so easily yourself,”[/color] he smiled back, [color=CC5500]“maybe I wouldn’t be,”[/color] he stepped calmly back and bowed forward, raising to meet her gaze one last time before making his leave, [color=CC5500]“until next time Miss Carmilia.”[/color] While his demeanor betrayed no change, Evander’s decision to cut the conversation short was enough indication. Even a Zeno would have difficulties noticing her magic, so it was unlikely Evander did. It was far more likely he detected his emotional guard dropping and decided to make a retreat. Whether the same would have happened without her magic, she would not know. Most of the students had already fallen into their comfort zone two months into their enrollment, but it appeared Evander was a different case. Carmillia had far easier prey to go for.[/color] [color=ab0000][i]A pity.[/i][/color] [color=8D918D]Evander walked away from the Fauna Society with an odd sense left from his conversation with Carmilia. It was unusual for him to feel calm before a stranger; the further he gained distance from her, the clearer his head became. Evander signed up for the Fauna Society, Blazing Angels, and Firebreathers before returning to his dorms.[/color] [color=8D918D][i]That evening…[/i] Evander sat down at his desk to apply ink to the paper.[/color] [quote][i]Dear Papa, The first few weeks in Ersand’Enise have been an adjustment. Nevertheless, I am adapting as expected. Per your request, I have a list of students I have conversed with thus far. One, in particular, has attracted my attention, and I am unsure why; her name is Carmilia Carbonneau. She approached me in a crowd when heading to one of the societies at the faire I wrote to you about in my last letter. The conversation started cordial. However, when I closed the space between us, there was a subtle change in my attitude toward her. I felt like I was relaxing. Was this how you and mother felt when meeting each other? Or is this something different? It does not elude me that I am attending a school of gifted children, but until now, I felt clear. Maybe you could do what you do best and let me know what you come up with. Your son’s flame, Evander[/i][/quote] [hr][center][h2]S[color=8D918D]ocieties Faire: An Ancestral Visit[/color][/h2] (Present)[/center][hr] [color=FFFFFF][h2]Assani 30th[/h2][/color] Location: [color=BC3823]Oceanborne Booth and Lake[/color] Characters: [color=BC3823]Evander[/color] [hr] [color=8D918D]Eresand’Enise never failed to show its vibrancy, nor did the grounds of the Academy. Today was another beautiful day of faire activities. Evander had awoken earlier than he had the previous day. His thoughts set on checking out the Draconic Order and Speed Demons. Instead of taking a more direct route, Evander decided to gather on the scenic route. He had passed the Oceanborne stand as if slightly interested by its moderate gathering, but he could not find any motivation to stop and check it out. Instead, he continued his path, moving around the lake behind a tree; something caught his eye. Evander stopped, turning his entire body toward it to gain more visual clarity on what it might be. He could not tell what he was looking at and began cautiously approaching. From where he was approaching, he could not see what was floating behind it, but there was something. His hand reached around the tree to step around. [i]What is this?[/i] Evander though. His eyes locked onto a bright white aberration. Evander’s eyes widened, his toes curled, and his heart thumped. He was feeling something different as if being pulled. Without thinking, his finger extended, a hand reached, and Evander touched it…immediately…the white aberration reacted, transforming into a white froabass soaring up and diving down at Evander. Without warning, it was as if Evander was possessed by pure light. His mind became clear, and he could feel the strength of his ancestors stepping up behind him, emboldening him—every fabric of his being charged alive. As soon as his experience came, it was over. Perplexed, Evander scanned to see if anyone else saw what he did…nothing…people were carrying on their business. Instead of heading straight to the societies, he took his time. He rallied before the lake, signed up with the two clubs, and returned to his dorm. [i]That evening…[/i][/color] [quote][i]Dear Mama, I am unsure of what happened today. I was headed to one of the clubs and saw a strange white thing hanging around the park. When I approached it, it pulled me in and I could not stop myself from trying to grab it. As soon as I touched it, the white thing turned into a dragon, flew into the sky, and hit me in the face. I saw beautiful visions, felt our ancestors behind me, and my mind has never been more clear and alert, except after drinking one of your cups of Budesrno coffee. Have you ever experienced what I am talking about? How are you and Celestina? Your son’s flame, Evander[/i][/quote] [hider=summary] [list] [*] Evander meets Carmilia at Fauna Society. [*] Evander's emotions are manipulated briefly by Carmilia's essence effects. [*] Evander takes his leave, signs up for the Fauna Society. [*] Evander writes a letter to his father and asks for information on Carmilia Carbonneau. [*] Evander eats a white aberration, sees a vision, and feels emboldened by his ancestors. [*] Evander cannot sleep and writes a letter to his mother to ask her about his experience with the aberration. [/list] [/hider] [hider=Hex Codes] [color=d4af37] [/color] metallic gold [color=BC3823] [/color] blood orange [color=ab0000] [/color] red [color=8D918D] [/color] gunmetal[/hider]