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7 yrs ago
So tired, sleep why do you spurn me?!
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Bio

Hiya, AChronum here! Although I'm relatively new to rping, I have plenty of writing experience and love trying new genres and styles. I absolutely love high magic fantasy RPs and am pretty much willing to do anything so long as I can create a charaxter, not play an existing one, and develop lots and lots of backstory! I'm perfectly comfortable with all mature themes as well, although smut for smut's sake is out of the question.

Interested in an RP? Send me a PM and have a magically marvelous day!

Most Recent Posts

Mages


Mages and vampires were seperated quickly after entering the grounds. Some hesitated, wary to leave the only barely familiar thing they had here. The Mages were directed towards a large building close by, large faintly glowing letters declaring it the Rose Hall. It was a short walk but it did give people the time to look around campus. Some people were faring better than others, chatting away animatedly as excitement shone off their faces and their hands wove in time to their tales. One girl in particular, shorter than most and unabashedly leading the pack, seemed to vibrate with excitement as they made their way across the grounds. Others spoke more quietly, nervous and shy as they cast curious looks at the older students. And some completely withdrew, keeping to themselves entirely. More than one in this group wore a chain or leather strap around their necks, keeping their eyes down and shoulders folded in. One boy in particular kept his head high even as his face burned red, eyes forward and mouth set in a determined line.

Magic buzzed in the air as mages rushed about and practiced. Two girls danced in unison, creating shimmering trails of colored light as they twirled around each other. Another whisper quietly into a pot and roses grew rapidly before the group’s eyes. Several mages sat in a circle on the grass, correcting arcane spell pronunciation and creating small shimmering shields as examples. There was an ever present murmuring, the sign of life and energy, as the mages brought fantastic effect after fantastic effect into reality.

Until a red headed mage, a lit cigarette in a wildly gesturing hand and a cell phone against his ear, walked by. Despite his relaxed look, wearing a comfortable t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, and the grin on his face, the area went silent and still. One by one, the groups and people stepped quickly out of his way though he paid them no mind. Whispers erupted in his wake,even as the grin shifted into a soft, almost private smile as he hung up. He took another drag on the cigarette before he crushed it in his hand, bright flames licking around his fingers, then shook the ashes off his palm. He disappeared towards the vampire orientation group and the whispering died down but not before someone heard the phrase “vampire killer.”

As the group reached the Rose Hall, the sound of a murmuring brook signaled the arrival of a watery construct. A small bird shape water bubble flew above the group before suddenly diving and weaving through the crowd. A glance at it showed a boy, with blue hair and piercing blue eyes, looking at you and he held a finger over his lips with a mischievous smirk on his face before the image vanished as the bird moved on in the group. The excited girl at the front was boasting loudly about her older brother, a water mage just like her, as the bird suddenly dive bombed her. The girl’s monologue quickly turned to a shrill shriek as the cold water dropped on her, drenching her thoroughly, and she turned and shook her fist at the night shouting, “You’re a third rate mage with fourth rate constructs! I’m coming for your ass River! Just you wait!” The group was quickly usher into the rose tiled building after that.

The group turned into a large auditorium, ten rows of plush seats set in front of the stage and free space behind it filled with a variety of tables. A mix of what seemed to be older students and faculty milled there chatting before turning to watch the new arrivals file in. The faculty guiding the new arrivals quickly guided the group into the seating and took their places at the end of the rows. Several faculty members stepped up onto the stage, an elderly gentleman taking his place at the podium, and a hush fell over the auditorium as the lights dimmed everywhere but the podium.

“Welcome mages to the Noila Academy! I am Headmaster Kiran Kotyo, head of magical studies here at the Academy. During you time here, I hope to get to know each one of you personally as possible so you can feel at home. For now however, I am here to give you a peek into what your future holds!” The headmaster paused, coughing and sipping at a glass of water, before clearing his throat.

“From today onwards, the Noila Academy will be preparing you to handle any challenge that comes your way and allow you to explore subjects that interest you for the future while teaching you safe and careful casting practices. As you clear the required classwork and prove your master over your magic, you will have the opportunity to organize your own schedule, focusing in the subjects your prefer. Most have this opportunity in their second year. If you excel however, you may find yourselves selecting elective courses next semester. I’ve found its an excellent motivator for those who strongly dislike calculus.” He coughed several times again.

“My apologies. Age has a tendency to catch up with us all.” The previous smile he wore faded away into a much more serious expression. “At least with those of us in this room. On that subject, every mage was paired with a vampire for the duration of your career here at the Noila Academy. The Princess’s policy expressly forbids the faculty from interfering in student relationships unless the chance for loss of life or serious injury is high. It is both mage’s and vampire’s responsibility to overcome differences and develop a mutually beneficial working relationship with one another. That being said,” the headmaster looked around, making eye contact with every person in the audience, “The Academy does not condone unwarranted abuse. Princess Ryner hand selected most of the faculty members of this school, going out of her way to pick progressive thinking vampires on the matter of vampire/mage relationships. In turn, these vampires and their mages have developed successful methods to minimize conflict. We have tools to help if something is wrong. Reach out to one of us privately if you need help.” The headmaster took another drink of water and a smile slipped back on his face.

“As for your social-” The headmaster jumped a little as the door everyone entered through slammed open once again. A pleasant breeze, carrying the faint scent of a floral perfume, swirled giddily around the new students. A faint tapping could be heard, muffled on the carpeted floor, as a woman strode in gold staff in hand beaming up at the stage and then to the new students as she made her way to the podium. She seemed to make eye contact with someone in the student body and winked. The breeze that swirled around the students shifted back to her, swishing the bottom of her dark blue cotton wrap dress, decorated with gold embroidery at the waist. It swirled around the gold hair fork, designed like an old celtic knot, in her hair and her gold and sapphire teardrop earrings before swirling excitedly back into the crowd. Some recognized her as one of the mages who escorted Princess Ryner the evening before.

As the woman neared the stage, she took a step up and continued as if the air itself was a stairway. She leaned over and murmured something in the headmaster’s ear, covering the podium microphone, and the older man nodded. Then with the faintest whisper of an incantation, he vanished. Sariel seemed unphased and instead turned to face the student body, grinning.

“Well now that the old man is gone why don’t we have a little more fun.” She winked at everyone with a giggle. “Let me introduce myself and then we’ll get you out of your chairs because sitting down all evening and listening to old people talk about things they don’t do is literally the least exciting thing you can do!” The group of faculty members behind her gave her flat looks that she pointedly ignored. “My name is Sariel Asiree, personal guard and assistant to Princess Ryner herself. As you may have guessed, I am an air affinity mage. I graduated from Noila Academy just two years ago so I have a bit more insight into what your time here is going to be like than these old farts.” She giggled again. “The Noila Academy is exciting and fun if you do it right. When I discovered my potential at the Awakening, I wanted to run. I wanted to follow in my family’s footsteps and go into preschool education. Waaay off the mark there huh? Instead, I got an invitation here and after a few week, I never thought about turning back.” Sariel sat down on the edge of the stage, crossing her ankles and kicking the stage lightly.

“The people you meet here and the friends you make will follow you through your whole life. And honestly, they might be some of the only friends you make. You’re a Noila Academy mage. That's intimidating to a lot of people. People will put you on a pedestal, be jealous and petty So find friends. People who, when push comes to shove, will stand through the thick and thin of it all. Because those friends are who will support you behind closed doors.” Sariel made little effort to conceal the stress of the last sentence. “Anyways, the next piece of advice I have for you is get your partners to be friends too! My besties and I used to have sleepovers all the time because we pushed for our partners to form friendships. Word to the wise, vampires are sulky creatures. Don’t let them be and you’ll actually be able to have fun. What else, what else.” Sariel hummed to herself a little, thinking. “You’ll have four years to hear about all the boring academic stuff, no need to put you to sleep about all that. Oh! You all do have guidance councillors, you are assigned to them by last name so feel free to pop into the main administrative building to say hi to them eventually. They’ll call you in every now and then to check on you and keep you on track with the boring school things.” She clapped her hands together excitedly and stood with a flourish.

“And I think with that, we should get the main event started! Behind you, you probably noticed plenty of tables and more than a few older students. They’re all here to welcome you and talk to you about campus life and give you advice on how to handle some of your vampire related problems because, let’s be honest, we all know you have some! The students back there are set up at tables that represent different clubs on campus and we have several wandering around who will answer magic related questions. If you want to talk to someone about a particular element, just find a name tag that says the element! Those guys will stay up here at the stage so you can find them more easily! And although I’m not technically a speaker or part of this at all, I love to talk so feel free to come say hi to me too!” She stood up dramatically, a gust of wind following her movements as she swept her arm out across the room and shouted “Be free my minions!” The faculty behind her was not amused but made no effort to stop her.

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Vampires


The faculty quickly separated the vampires from their companions, guiding them towards several buildings further away. The vampires into clear layers. At the front, some purebloods chatted and laughed with the ease of those used to these circumstances, with the ease of those comfortable in their own skin and aware of their place in the world. Other purebloods obviously just stumbled out of bed minutes before and strangled a little behind the group and bled into the trailing Embraced. These vampires only comprised a fifth of the group, numbering just ten, and they moved cautiously. Many had their shoulders hunched, eyes trained on the group, arms crossed as if they were trying to collapse in on themselves. Many of them struggled to accept their new place, turned unknowingly or unwillingly, while others accept their fates with grim resignation. A terrible thing it is to hunt those you used to be. Three faculty members followed the group, keeping a close tab on the Embraced specifically.

The vampire leading the group, a sharp looking vampire in Noila colors with a metal name tag reading “Headmaster Alder Noila”, took them across campus. Several students dashed across the campus in a desperate attempt to get to class on time. Others wandered leisurely and conversed with their peers, most sending curious glances towards the orientation group. A few vampires stared openly and others burst into a flurry of whispers. More that a few bowed and curtsied as the group passed by.

Still some skimmed over the group and looked away uninterested. One such pair stood pushed up against a lamp post on the same path. A male vampire dressed in a leather jacket and pants, red hair cut short and all angular features,smokey red eyes, and fair skin, cast an apathetic look towards the group before returning to the petite mage whose arms were wrapped around his neck. The contrast was appealing, this bright skinned, nape length white hair, and blue eyed girl and the bad boy vampire kissing passionately as she drew his attentions back to her before she blindly reached into the bag slung over one of the vampire’s shoulder and plucked out a textbook. She left him with a much more chaste peck on the lips and bolted away. The Headmaster brought the group to a halt.

“That display was entirely inappropriate Mr. Sputnik. I will see you in my office after your next class.” Alder snapped at the man. The vampire chuckled, deep and smooth, and sauntered away with a shrug. His eyes roamed the new vampires and he threw a wink here and there. An attractive smile spread across his face as he spotted Amaris. His gaze turned hungry for a moment and then he moved on. He licked his lips and gave Morrigan the same treatment before another vampire glided up behind him, smacked him over the head with a sharp thwack, and proceeded to lecture him about manners as they left.

“I would recommend you avoid that troublemaker and his mages if you wish to succeed here at the Academy.” Alder spoke to the group and continued on. He led the group into the Mockingbird hall and into a room similar to the mages’ auditorium. Unlike the Rose Hall’s auditorium, there were four seats in the front with the noble families’ crest on the back. A hush fell over the milling students. Alder snapped his fingers and the trailing faculty quickly guided everyone to their seats while Alder silently showed the nobles to their respective seats. A cacophony of poorly muffled muttering erupted as they did. Alder stepped up on the stage and took his place at the podium while looking down at the vampires with a haughty expression.

“First and foremost, I wish to clear any rumors or speculation that you may have heard. Sitting before you are members of the four noble houses, the first to attend the Academy in nearly a century. Count Dominique Astorio, Countess Arianna Eve, Count Varis Sinnenodel, and Countess Amari Marivaldi graciously agreed to attend our fine establishment and I hope each and everyone one of you welcomes them warmly.” The vampire allowed the murmuring to die down before continuing.

“I am Count Alder Noila, a distant relative of Princess Nox and Headmaster of vampiric studies here at the Academy. Our goal here at Noila Academy is to guide you into vampires who are worth of representing your family but also the Academy. During your time here, you will amass knowledge, skills, and connections that will last you the rest of your eternal life.” Alder looked over the group and then at the nobles. “Unlike previous generations of Academy students, you have an additional resource to assist with developing those connections. The noble representatives are excellent role models and I would recommend you use that to your advantage.” He stepped away from the podium, walking forward to the end of the stage and stood with his arms crossed behind him.

“Du “Mages are, and you will learn in greater detail in your classes, complex entities that require care and nurturing to bring them to their full potential. However, this is a difficult task because they lack a certain realism that comes when mortality is of no concern. Mages are hasty and impulsive and you will need to learn to curb in those instincts for the better. As their caretakers, we have to guide them with a critical eye and a firm hand so they are ultimately successful. And when a mage is successful, so will their vampire.”ring your years at the Academy, you will be molded to be leaders and thinkers of this world while learning how to handle yourselves in the face of adversary. And the greatest challenge will be the mage you were paired with at the entrance ceremony. These mages are more than just things,toys to be played with or resources to be exploited.” The headmaster frowned as he looked out at the crowd, making eye contact with Dominique and Varis.

“That is not to say abusive behavior in the name of “guidance” is acceptable. Although we will not step in between students unless there is high risk of serious injury or loss of life, we have an active security team who has no issue dissuading these issues from cropping up. You will learn to *responsibly* manage your mage’s life and career, for the betterment of both your lives. Everyone in this room will have taken a variety of mandatory class for the proper care of mages through their entire lives. There are also several elective classes on the subject which I encourage everyone to attend.” Alder gave everyone a stern look before returning to the podium.

“As for academic courses, we have a variety for both the purebloods and the Embraced.” It was only a moment, half really, but he paused on the word Embraced along with the slightest sneer before settling back into professional apathy. “Due to the standard difference in education between purebloods and the Embraced, we offer classes at every level of complexity. We provide guidance counselors to guide you through the process. You are assigned to them by last name and their offices are in the main administrative office. I highly recommend acquainting yourself with both your and your mage’s counselors once your mage returns to you. After your first year, most students declare an area of interest, which allows your counselors to better help you in developing an academic path. This area of interest isn’t a firm guide as to what you must study but rather an expressed intent to learn more about that area in depth. Your counselor will be calling you in to discuss these things further within the next few months.”

“For those of you with a more active interest, we host a variety of classes for sports, specialized weapons training, survival skills, and etiquette training. You will have the opportunity to enroll in these just as you would academic courses. Certificates of completion accompany those who pass these classes, or the mastery level of the class, and are accepted everywhere outside of the Academy. Furthermore, the Academy hosts a variety of workshops monthly and any student can enroll in them regardless of experience. These are an excellent way to gauge your interest in a subject before signing up for a semester of it so please take advantage of the resource.” Alder cleared his throat. “While on the subject of physical activity, you will no doubt hear of the Arena from other students soon enough. This area is for mock combat and combat tournaments. The formal club, creatively dubbed the Arena Guild, organizes formal tournaments and practice times. Speak to one of their members for rules and regulations for participation. Students also use traditional duels, both magic and mundane, to settle disagreements. Although perhaps not the most effective manner, the school encourages this both as a way for mages and vampires to gain experience and settle issues in a way that is safe and secure environment. For more information, please speak to the Arena master after this.”

“With that I wish to welcome you to the Academy.The table behind you hold information on a variety of student run organizations for you to engage with. Myself and your councilors will be up here on stage if you have any academic questions.” Alder gestured to the vampires behind him, each holding a little sign designating A-G, H-N, O-U,or V-Z. “You are dismissed. You may leave the hall once the bell rings.”


Currently looking for a vampire if anyone is interested!
Varis


Varis continued writing, ignoring the mage for now. He finished the letters meant for the other nobles and the groundskeeper and started writing directly to his Lady, explaining his new mage and what accommodations he would require. He paused and looked up once, letting his gaze drift critically over the mage once more, before returning to his letter. Hopefully, the items would arrive sooner rather than later and the boy could be marked with the house. He carefully sealed off the last letter and placed it next to the other.

Varis schooled his features into bored apathy as he finished, turning to the mage. He watched for several moments, completely still, as the boy fiddled with something. The vampire made a mental note of that as well. Something explore later. Varis let out a dramatic sigh, his expression shifting into haughty disappointment as he leaned back in his chair.

“You disappointed me earlier. Why?”

Waiting for Varis to speak was agony, and all it did was give Aaron’s mind time to race through every possible thing that could happen when the vampire finally put down that pen, almost none of them good. He squirmed under the vampire’s harsh gaze, not really moving of course, but visibly uncomfortable.

When he finally did speak, Aaron longed instead for the stressful silence of before. A spike of nervousness turned his gut, and his heart started pounding in his ears.

What had he done? What could he possibly have done in the scant hour he’d spent so far under Varis’ control? His eyes fell to the floor and he was clearly distressed at the thought as he wracked his brain for any wrongdoing. He had knelt for the Count, endured his display before his old tutors, he’d answered every question, complied with his demands thus far… How had he managed to fail so quickly?

Searching for answers and coming up blank, Aaron realized he’d been hesitating too long. Finally he thought back to the only reprimand he’d received throughout the night and took a gamble.

”I was… boastful?” he suggested, ultimately sounding more like a question than a statement, ”I bragged about my skills without considering that you would require proof?”

One of Varis’ brows rose slowly as Aaron stumbled over his response. What did the Noilas teach this poor excuse of an attendant? He seemed promising originally but apparently his gilded exterior was all there was to him. Varis clicked his tongue irritably and pulled out another sheet of paper, quickly titling it “Mage” and jotted down the mental notes he made so far, adding guessing problem to the list.

Mortals have an idiom: to take a stab in the dark. It means to make assertions with little to no know way of validating their accuracy. I find the dark tends to stab back and you are no good to me bleeding out. If you don’t know something, I expect you to take responsibility for your lack of knowledge, suffer the consequences, and learn. Guessing only irritates me.” Varis said. “You hesitated before you knelt. If it was a court function, those few moments would have been a clear sign of disrespect. As a Noila trained mage, I expect better. I’ll ask again. Why?”

Aaron mentally kicked himself for being stupid as he weathered the Count’s reprimand. All the uncertainty was killing him; he couldn’t tell if he was confused because he was nervous or if he really was just a little slow on the uptake. He didn’t think he was, but the way Varis spoke, as if his transgressions were self-evident, made him doubt himself.

And of course his criticisms made sense. Just because Aaron had been treated leniently so far by the Noilas didn’t mean he could ride on their coattails forever. And Varis was right, he was a mage trained by the royal family. A descendant of the original mage attendant. Granted he’d only ever been told to kneel at formal royal functions, still, he should know better.

”I hesitated,” he replied, eyes forward, ”because I hadn’t anticipated being required to kneel. I was foolish to think that, and it will not happen again.”

Varis nodded at the response. “I expect not. Moving forward, you will obey my orders without hesitation unless you are confused as how to execute them. In that case, you are permitted follow up questions for clarification if necessary. Since your response was satisfactory, I will forgive you this one time.” Varis relaxed his posture slightly and let his hand fall on the desk again, tapping softly. Varis took a moment to circle Pride on his list. His information was woefully lacking about the boy. He needed more and what better way than to add a little stress. A wicked little smile curled up at the corner of his lip.

“I am well aware this situation may be strange to you. You grew up molded for the Noilas only to be given away at the last moment. In consideration and to better our relationship as master and servant, you may ask five questions disregarding our class, position, or titles. You’ll suffer no repercussions for any of those five questions. However, you only have ten minutes to ask them.” The vampire pulled out his phone and set a timer. “Starting now.” He hit start and the timer counted down. He watched the mage intently.

Aaron was grateful for the Count’s forgiveness, but he was still far from relaxed. He saw the vampire circle something on his paper, but the angle made it impossible for him to read. When Varis spoke again, Aaron noticed a hint of possible compassion, but it was laced with something else he couldn’t determine. Nonetheless, the vampire’s smile made him uneasy.

Regardless, Aaron was promised no repercussions, and he wanted to take advantage of that. Fortunately, time limits had never been a huge problem for him; he’d always done well in timed assessments, unlike some for whom the ticking of a clock clouded their minds. Unfortunately, he was rather unprepared for this particular challenge. He had spent his time thus far metaphorically tripping over his own feet trying not to misstep, and mulling over questions that would need to be posed to the Noilas, not the Sinnenodel Count before him. For a good thirty seconds he simply thought before speaking.

The first was simple enough. ”Earlier you mentioned your expectations of my skills. How high are they?”

More precious time passed as he carefully considered his words, staring all the while at the countdown on Varis’ phone. He had a suspicion that any clarifying questions would be counted in their own right, and he didn’t want to waste his opportunity on an error in phrasing.

”I’m well aware of your Lady’s opinion of the royal family. Will my association with them have consequences regarding my treatment?” His stomach started to quiver a bit as he spoke, but he tried to swallow his nervousness. No repercussions, he had to take the Count at his word. Although, judging by the events in the courtyard earlier, Aaron suspected he might know the answer to that question. Nonetheless, he wanted to know for sure.

He fidgeted ever more earnestly with his ring behind his back, spinning it and moving it from finger to finger as he watched the seconds tick down.

”If I were to defy or disobey you, or disappoint you again, what sort of punishment should I expect?” Truth be told he was a little scared to hear the answer to that one.

He started a count on his fingers, halting his fidgeting. Three questions. Two to go. Apparently he had hesitated longer between questions than he thought - or maybe he was speaking more slowly than he meant to - because now he only had five minutes left on the timer.

”How and how often do you intend to feed on me?” He worried that one might be a waste of a no-consequences question, but in that moment it was the only one that came to mind.

His mind raced, and for some reason he struggled to come up with questions. What killed him was that he knew a million of them would come to mind the instant that timer hit zero.

Time was ticking. Suddenly, a little piece of gossip from home came to mind, and first he didn’t dare utter his question. But he’d been promised no repercussions, and his curiosity got the better of him.

”You’re Lady Sinnenodel’s protege,” he began, ”It sounds to me like she’s grooming you for court. If I remember correctly you’re the youngest in a family that was frankly inconsequential in your clan. And while you’ve been exalted, the rest of your family has been exiled; why did she choose you?”

Aaron’s heart raced at his courage (or perhaps his foolishness) as he turned his eyes from the phone to the vampire and the timer ran down to zero.

While Aaron spoke, Varis wrote his questions for further consideration. He honestly expected not to respond. He specifically left out promising him answers for the sole purpose of brushing them aside. But the questions were both reasonable and, in the case of the last one, fun. Plus if he wanted the boy to think critically in the future, he would have to reward him periodically. And his reaction to the last question’s response should provide for some amusement. Varis silenced his timer and put his phone away. He picked up the sheet, considering the questions carefully.

“I expect your skills high enough to combat a three hundred year old vampire with a vendetta. Hopefully, we won’t need to deal with that soon but Sinnenodels are tenacious, especially ones with bruised egos.” Varis counted the questions on his fingers as he spoke. “Around my Lady, yes it will. Keep quiet and your head down in her presence and you’ll make it out alive at least. As long as you prove your loyalty to me, I will not consider it an issue however.” He counted the second question. “Your punishment will be considered with the infraction. I disapprove of physical punishment and only use it as a last resort. However, I am both creative and harsh. I find punishments shouldn’t only affect you but those who you insulted or hurt and those who assisted in the infraction. I would consider that carefully in the future. As for feeding, I enjoy drinking a variety of blood types so it depends on the quality of your blood and your mood. I dislike soured blood so I expect when I go to feed on you, you will inform me of your emotional state. I have drank plenty tonight and plan to open a bottle tomorrow for our guests so I will taste you the following evening once you’ve awoken and bathed.” As Varis reached the last question, his smile turned smug and a scheming look crossed his face.

“As for the question of my status, you’ll need to understand more about our house and one of its biggest secrets. If this leaves your mouth, willingly or not, I will personally torture you and then kill you.” Varis leaned back again. “Lady Sinnenodel and the Queen are the two oldest known vampires in existence. Each one predates our treaty by several centuries. Vampires who’ve seen so many years grow bored easily, tiring of the simple pleasures in a matter of moments. Lady Sinnenodel’s choice of pleasure, as one may easily assume, is discord and strife. It has defined our very house and affects it the same as it does everyone else. Every century or two, my Lady grows tired of her protege and grants them another position, highly ranked and honored, or disposes of them. She then pits her house against each other for the spot, watching as the many branches cannibalize each other until new heads of households are created and she selects one as her new favorite toy.” Varis’ eyes grew distant, an almost fond look on his face replacing his smugness.

“My branch family consisted of my father, mother, my two elder siblings, and myself. My mother passed away long ago, shortly after my twenty fifth birthday, and left me with the older ones. My father produced a new heir every hundred years, leaving me with a significant age gap. None of us saw eye to eye in a vicious way. When Lady Sinnenodel announced the open spot, my siblings thought me little less than a nuisance, a fly on the wall. I was only fifty two after all. So I thwarted their pathetic schemes, sold them and father to a group of rogue mages, and waited a month or two before handing the information over to my Lady. They were unfortunately saved but the mages were slaughtered. They didn’t even know it was me until Lady Sinnenodel revealed the details of my success. And with my new position, I exiled them personally.” Varis smirked at the end, waiting for the boy’s response.

Aaron listened intently to Varis’ answers, finally letting out the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. The Count was true to his word and didn’t reprimand him for his questions; his answers were blunt and succinct, and Aaron was thankful for it. He made a point to make mental notes of each answer, especially those which involved his treatment and behaviour.

That now-familiar spike of fear shot through Aaron again, however, when Varis answered his last question. There wasn’t a shadow of doubt in his mind that Varis would make good on his bloody promise if Aaron were to leak this information, but the “willingly or not” clause was cause for concern. Why would he have to admit anything against his will? Was Varis just covering his bases, or did he expect something to happen?

The vampire’s story fascinated Aaron the way a trainwreck fascinates passerby. It inspired awe, but an ominous shadow hung over it, and another twinge of fear gripped Aaron’s gut at the thought of Varis’ ruthlessness toward his own family. He took it as a warning.

”I won’t say a word,” Aaron offered when Varis was done, ”Thank you for your honesty, and for the opportunity.” He thought for a few seconds before adding, ”I intend to serve you loyally, if you’ll have me, for the duration of my life, and I hope I will live up to your expectations.”

”Is that so? I’m touched.” Varis said with a hint of sarcasm. He stood quickly and moved to the mage, a teasing glint left in his eye despite the now apathetic expression on his face. Varis stood a few inches shorter but had no problem slipping his hand slowly through the mage’s hair and pulling him down to the vampire’s level.

”And if I ordered you to my bed, would you serve me just as loyally?” Varis asked, purposely softening his voice in the boy’s ear and letting his lips skim across the rim of his ear. He had no intention, it didn’t benefit the vampire at all right now, but he felt like leaving the mage’s conviction shakier than it seemed. He released the back of the mage’s head and stepped past him. ”There are five letters that need to be delivered. The three directed towards the other nobles attending the Academy may be left in their mailboxes or at their door. The other two need to be sent out in ours. As for keys to the dorm, I will hold onto both copies. If you wish to leave or return, you will do so at my side. Afterwards you are free to go about your business so long as I do not require anything else. I expect you up by eight pm. There will be a delivery of strawberry danishes and fresh ground coffee from town. Remember what I said earlier about waste.” With that, Varis departed to his room, moving a little quicker than normal at the prospect of soaking in the bath.
Color test!
Varis

Interacting with:@Obscene Symphony


Varis briefly checked the mailbox, pulling out the keys and envelopes, and unlocked the front door. He made a note to request a different landscape style. Not enough flowering plants in his opinion. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, immediately looking around. He slipped both keys into his breast pocket and continued inside. The sitting room passed inspection although he would have preferred Sinnenodel colors to the white and gold fabric draped over the side tables. Perhaps he could add a few accents, send them in from his own home. A quick glance in the study told him something needed to change. The current set up suggested equality and he didn’t want his new servant to misunderstand his position. Perhaps a smaller desk could be arraigned. Varis would look into tomorrow.

He quickly walked through the rest of the house, noting his bottles had been safely and properly stored, and came to check each of the rooms. The quality of everything was as expected of the Noilas and the noble families. Anything less would have been an insult. Varis noticed the administration already placed their belongings in one of the two rooms and he stepped into his curiously. He took particular notice of the tub, his eye brightening considerably. Bubble baths were one of the few things he allowed himself to indulge in that his Lady did not approve of. A waste of time according to her and he wholeheartedly agreed. It didn't particularly stop him however. He swept through the rest of his room quickly, making another mental note to order sheets in Sinnenodel colors and perhaps a different material.

Varis walked into Aaron’s room next, looking around at the mirror copy of his room and his eyes darkened slightly. Again, it presented the issue of equality. Varis stood in the middle, tapping his fingers on his arm as he thought. Again, sheets would need replacing and perhaps a Sinnenodel family crest hanging on the wall where the boy could see it. Just as reminder whose he was now. The sword, while tempting to strip him of it, would be used against the boy later. ’I do need to find something for him to wear that declares his new allegiance however.’ Varis mused. A matter for later. For now he would set a few things in motion, including how to keep Aaron firmly beneath his boot.

“Once you have finished organizing your room, I will be in the study. I expect all of your possessions away neatly but do not keep me waiting.” Varis placed the envelope containing Aaron’s class schedule on the boy’s vanity and left to pen a few letters sealing each one and stamping the Sinnenodel crest in the back.





The Dorms


As partners found each other, happily or not, the students slowly left the courtyard for their new residences. Some took the available bus while others made the ten minute walk across the academy grounds. Those who walked would find wrought iron lamp posts lining the walkways that led to the dorms. A variety of flora grew along side the paths, often circling large clearings where benches and tables were placed in the event students wished to relax on the grounds. Students followed small placards that gave directions to a gate swung open and two mages. As students passed through, they could feel the prickles of magic as the mages thoroughly inspected each individual.

The bus however only took a few minutes. The bus, a luxury liner gifted from the Eves before their struggles, followed the curving road outside the Academy’s walls. The noise inside the bus was muted, chatter kept at hushed volumes. They were let off just inside the gated community at the bus stop opposite from where students walking left the Academy.

The dorms were located in a gated community attached to the Academy. All blues and golds, the dorms were attached in groups of four, each sharing their walls, before breaking off and starting a new one. Between each building was a small garden with a pagoda lit up with fairy lights twining around the support beams. If someone needed brighter lighting, each pagoda did have a light switch for a bright overhead light. Each unit had its own mailbox and students would find two keys in it which would unlock the front door. Each mailbox also has an envelope with the student’s class schedule.



If you walk past the normal dorms however, students will find themselves looking at for stand alone dorms the circle a large cul-de-sac. These dorms are twice as large as most and are very clearly separated from the rest. Each unit has its own private yard, surrounded by a stone fence, and looks out into the Noila’s forest. These units also have mailoxes, each with the symbol of one noble house. Starting from the left, the order is Marivaldi, Eve, Sinnenodel, and Astorio.



Class Schedules:

As you open the envelopes, you find two sheets of paper. The first reads:

Congratulations on your acceptance to the Noila Academy. Tomorrow first year vampires and mages will have seperate orientations starting at 9:30pm. Vampires and mages will be separated until midnight so please take appropriate precautions. Afterwards, everyone will have an hour recess for lunch before pairs will have the opportunity to explore the campus and take tours of our facilities. There will be signs and attendants to direct you to your orientation tomorrow.

Congratulations,
Kiran Kotyo
Mage Headmaster


The second is your class schedule starting the day after tomorrow. It is dated through the winter break.


Varis

Interacting with:@Obscene Symphony


Listening to the mage rattle off his accomplishments mattered little to Varis. He picked out key words and phrases but ignored the superfluous chatter. He would have to teach the mage to speak concisely. Displaying a modest command of language was for a purpose, to disorient and befuddle, not to report. The boy would learn quickly once Varis taught him.

But the pride. He could hear it swell with every word and it made him itch to tear the mage down. Down until the boy begged for mercy and Varis could piece him bit by bit back together. But the Noilas hung over the boy like a phantom, not truly a threat but menacing nonetheless. Breaking Aaron in such a violent fashion would ultimately insult the royal family and bring further complications. Varis clicked his tongue irritably at the thought. He would make the change seem of the boy's own will. Slowly but surely so when the Noilas came for him, they would have nothing but contempt.

“Put your number in mine.” Varis unlocked his phone and pulled up a blank contact, naming it A. Starag, before passing it to the mage. “I will be the judge of your sword skills. Tomorrow, you will find a sparring partner so I may observe. If you cannot, I will find one for you. If I find you lacking, I will request additional lessons for you. I will be in contact with your instructors in magic as well to monitor your progress. If I find anything below expectation, I will request additional lessons and tighten your leash immensely. Is this understood?” Varis left no room for discussion. Although the Noilas likely left little for anything but success, Varis would not let the boy settle. The pride that bubbled and swelled beneath the mage's words made the young Sinnenodel uneasy. The Sinnenodels believe pride bred complacency and no self respecting family member would allow their mage to suffer that. Varis would watch the mage like a hawk for a while and then maybe step away if he proved himself.

Aaron's information on modern political matters did please Varis enough for his eyes to lighten just a touch. His knowledge was limited in scope and filtered through the Noilas family lens but it was much better than he expected. It meant less work and the possibility of a brain in the mortal. Of course there was more to discuss and plenty of warnings to give about the constant life threatening existence that was the Sinnenodels but he would wait for that. The boy still held loyalty to the royal family and Varis was loathe to give his Lady a reason to rip his throat out.

“Once I message you, I expect you to forward me a list of all health issues, including allergies, and food preferences you have. I will regularly have freshly prepared food delivered to our quarters and I expect you to eat it. I loathe waste and while I enjoy waking up to the aroma fresh pastries and coffee, I cannot eat them. If there is too much, you will distribute it amongst your acquaintances and, as long as you perform well, I will take your requests for food and flavor into consideration.” Varis took a sharp turn and walked past the regular dorms, paying them no mind. Instead he headed towards the end of the complex, where four separate units sat.
Varis

Interacting with:@Obscene Symphony


‘Excellent composure.’ Varis thought to himself as Aaron suffered silently. He felt the boy’s jaw clench when he faced the other mages. A quick glance at the pair spoke volumes. The tense set of the man's shoulders and the rigidness of his posture. The woman's averted eyes and the uncomfortable shuffling. They knew him well enough for this display to be offensive. It sent a thrill through him that the blood barely bested. He hoped this story would grace their mistress's ear this evening. Help her realize what a poor decision she made. ‘Unless she didn’t care about him.’ Varis mused.

Still, the boy proved even more entertaining. The widening of his eyes at the thought of his disgrace and the twitch of his fingers at the mention of his sword told the vampire volumes. That, and the mage's spectacular dedication to his servitude, confirmed the boy wasn't given to him as a punishment. The uncertainty of his situation left the mage vulnerable and his sword, as well as whatever precious little he has, is what acts as a reminder that he was valuable. Why would they waste resources on him otherwise? Take away his precious treasures and all he has left is the uncertainty of his worth. Varis made a mental note about the vulnerability and looked down at the mage, noting he managed to center himself again. The boy was well on his way to impressing the young Sinnenodel. Definitely not a failure.

“Stand.” Varis spoke as he stood himself, drinking the last sip left in his glass and placed it down on the fountain's edge. It was likely the last time fhe would have the opportunity to enjoy that particular brand for some time. He waited a moment as Aaron stood, noting the mage stood two or three inches taller than him, before walking away. He expected the mage to follow without being told.

“While we are out, you may address me as Count Varis unless it is a formal event. While we are in private, you may drop my title. I will not require your presence at all times but I expect to be made aware of your activities so I may find you when I need you. Do you have a phone?” Varis spoke as they walked,leading them away from the courtyard. The vampire already made the social rounds and was eager to leave. He had one more piece of business to attend to before his evening was over. “What type of education have you received from the Noilas? What do you know about the noble families?”
Varis


Varis watched the crowd, passingly thankful it afforded him a few minutes to think, as he considered his partner. Aaron Starag. Any vampire with a few hours of education knew of the Starags. The lineage of Landar Starag, both the man who signed away mortal kind’s freedom five centuries past and its fiercest protestor, bent its knee to the Noilas since the signing and the royal family kept it to themselves, circulating it from branch family to branch family to keep the gene pool fresh. He tapped his fingers against the glass and ran his fingers through his hair again. Passing a Starag to another family under the guise of an Academy student. Either his Lady somehow won the Queen’s affections, which his Lady viciously rallied against, or the Queen finally tired of the family’s attitude and was attempting to reign in their independence. An expensive chain indeed.

The blond gave it away first. He watched as the Starag made his way and kept his distance before bowing. His movements shone with well practiced elegance. The Noilas certainly taught him well. He sipped at the drink in his hand and a fun thought slipped through his head. The mage had been sent away from the royal family to serve a lesser house, a noble one yes but not the royal family, so it was only fitting to test his loyalty in this situation. He glanced to his right, sipping at his drink as he took in the mages who attended the Princess during her speech that had been left behind at the edge of the courtyard. He smiled briefly, wicked and sharp, before turning an appraising look to the young Starag. If the Princess wanted the Starag in his possession, so be it.

“You have been trained well.” Varis spoke, his words slow and measured. Language held as much power as mages welded when applied properly and Varis was loathe to misuse it. He snapped his fingers once and pointed to the spot in front of him. “Kneel.”

The mage's face fell just a tick; most wouldn't have noticed the change, but one with an eye for it could tell something troubling passed behind his eyes, however briefly. He hesitated for a beat or two, visibly swallowed, but then took a deep breath and stepped forward, face now somewhat more serious. He then fluidly sank to one knee, resting his elbow on the other, head lowered, eyes downcast. The scabbard on his hip came to rest on the stone behind him. He didn't say a word.

Varis watched silently as it played out. The mage knelt, still precise and fluid but more hesitantly than his earlier bow, and Varis reached out, brushing his fingers gently down the mage’s cheek then lightly but firmly gripped the boy's jaw. The vampire tilted his face up until their eyes met and Varis carefully held back his compulsion as he took a moment to just look. The Noilas truly outdid themselves in preserving Landar’s line and this boy practically glowed. All golds and blues, from his hair to his eyes to his clothes. He turned the mage’s face one way and another, making a show of examining him. When he tilted them towards the Princess’s mages, he held the Starag in that position and took a long sip from his nearly empty glass, watching Aaron’s reaction to seeing members of the Noila household watching him.

“I find it interesting, a Noila giving up a most precious resource. I wonder how you failed.” He wondered aloud and held Aaron’s position a moment more before releasing him. “How long would it take to have a new sword forged? I'm not sure I'm fond of my servant wearing Noila gifts.”
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