Bubsy 2

AcadeMMO: First Semester

This day began much like the first. Hazel's initial stirring was slow and unwilling, but she shot up as the harsh sound of an alarm clock cut through her. She was quick to find the 'off' button. She prepared for a long day after a seemingly restless night, leaving for her classes in a hurry after she got ready. The day seemed to pass by quickly. By the time lunch time came she was ready for it to pass quicker. It became clear that this wouldn't be the case when a harsh voice boomed through the PA system. When the message finished she turned to face her friends and exchanged words of parting. They split up, although they were all heading to the same place. They were all A-Ranked and weren't going to pass up a rare assignment like this. A large sea of people formed around Hazel Hosner. Everyone one was going. At least everyone that mattered was. She read the assignment dutifully and decided that, much like she had already expected she would, she wasn't going to search out for the E-Ranked students she worked with yesterday. She searched for her A-Ranked teammates. This predetermination was quickly cut to ribbons when Hazel found her usual A-Ranked group had a substitute in her place, likely from yesterday. Well, I suppose I'll have to make due. She broke through the metaphorical sea and searched for familiar faces. She sighted Hayato being called over to a group of other familiar faces and began to wade towards their direction.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

I've been busy the past few days but hopefully I'll get a post up some time tomorrow.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

Huh, that post was a lot longer then I thought it would be.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

By the time Hazel arrived at the A-Rank dorms the sun had begun to sink into the distant horizon, the sky turning a brilliant shade of bright orange. Hazel pushed against glass-paneled double door that led into the foyer of the dorm. The building brought some degree of comfort to her troubled head, serving to quell the the raging yet subtle malestorm of emotion. Her thoughts calmed as the familiar scent of what she could only describe as the only place that she could consider 'home' filled her nostrils. The scent was really only the drab but clean scent of lavender air freshener, but that hardly changed it's effect. Hazel moved past the foyer and into one of the hallways that was lined with doors on each side, each leading into a students room. Some hung open, ready for wandering guests, the sounds of video games or TVs or perhaps something else spilling out. Some stood closed, protecting students busy studying or resting or perhaps something else still. She had of course experienced living in each different level's dormitory and in Hazel's opinion there was something uniquely comforting about the atmosphere the A-Rank's living area held. A soothing sense of familiarity connects all the students housed inside. A-Rank, being the rank with the smallest amount of students, was tight knit. Everyone in the dorm knew each other, unlike the lower tiers which attracted the majority of the students. But hanging latently among the familiarity was an air of competition and one-upmanship. Everyone in A-Rank was there because they wanted to be the best and trained hard, or perhaps obtained a great degree of natural talent. Regardless of the reason they were there, they were there because they were willing to try, and most didn't want to stop at A. It was indeed true that most A-Ranked students thought they deserved to be S-Ranked and Hazel was no exception. Many of the students in the dorm bragged about their accomplishments and success on assignments, always trying to seem the stronger candidate for promotion then their fellow students. Hazel thrived in this aspect of dorm life. If she was good at anything it was telling other people that she was better then them. But the sense of familiarity had a negative effect in that word spread quickly of your doings among your peers. People's opinions changed fast, and unlike the large numbed of seemingly faceless E-Ranked students all of the A-Ranks at least had some cursory knowledge of who their fellows were, which sometimes worked at a disadvantage if you did something that could potentially harm your reputation. She wouldn't be entirely surprised if she heard word tomorrow that someone has mistaken Hayato Nishimura for her new boyfriend, having seen them eating dinner together. But overall Hazel thought that the unique atmosphere of the A-Ranks were comforting, and she almost felt as if she was a part of some special group. Hazel arrived at her door quickly, unlocking it and pushing it open. All things were of course still where she left them. Her sword case still lay open on her bed. She scanned the room for the remote that controlled her TV, but was unable to find it. She searched for several minutes before finally finding underneath her bed, likely slipping off it at some point last night. She turned on the TV, not particularly paying attention to what was on, only letting the white noise it provided fill her head. She unsheathed her sword and placed it into the case, and then began to peel off her clothes, which were sticky with sweat from today's mission. She changed into her pajamas, and settled in for what would likely be an uneventful evening of television watching, which would soon give way into sleep.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

If everyone else is fine with it I am too.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

Hazel smirked. Oddly enough it seemed that the rest of the cafeteria payed little mind to Hayato's 'accident'. She supposed that they couldn't be blamed. At an academy designed to train young kids into warriors small scraps happened all the time. Hazel almost laughed when Hayato's sword turned on her, as he recovered in an admittedly graceful way. She knew there was no malicious intent in him, and he only pulled it out through instinct, but that didn't stop her from scolding him. "Only turn that thing on me if you intend on trying to skewer me, Hayato." She nodded as he reminded her of her promised payment. "Yeah, sure, sure, I'll pay you back." Hazel didn't intend to pay him back. "Well, I guess I'm heading out too. See ya." She rose from her chair and turned her back against Hayato, leaving quickly. As she set out from the dining hall a distinct feeling of wrongness settled over her. Why do you want to be the best? Hayato's question echoed back and forth through her head. She couldn't help but wonder. She knew only what she told Hayato, but she also knew that those words weren't right. A feeling of helplessness colored the maelstrom that swirled about in her head. And soon the helplessness was joined by its everlasting companions, doubt and sadness. She picked a slow and ponderous path back to the A-Level dorms. She felt that tonight would be a lonely and bleak night.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

Hazel nodded in agreement as Hayato spoke of his own inexperience. "Of course, you're also pretty green. And things don't get much easier as you climb the ranks, so just keep doing assignments and practicing. I'm sure you'll get there eventually," She paused for a moment, and decided to give him a little bit of encouragement, "That being said, I am comparing you to the people I usually fight with, I'd say you might be a little better than most E-Ranks I see." However she didn't quite agree with what he said next. "Plus it'll make other people think we're dating, which will raise my reputation through the roof." This guy really is a moron, isn't he? Hazel thought to herself. She rose her fist, but lowered it with a sigh. At first it appeared there would be no physical retaliation, but Hazel had observed that Hayato was leaning back in his chair. She drove her foot into the chair, knocking him off balance, hoping it would make him fall on his ass.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

Well, with this weekend being Valentines. I'm betting many folks will be busy, so it's alright if things are a little slow for now.

@Zeroth

No, not at all.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

Is everyone busy or something? Seems awful slow lately...

@Zeroth

I'm not, but obviously I'm not really in a position to post.

AcadeMMO: First Semester

Hazel pondered for a moment on Hayato's question. For her the team was only really one random pick-up group, similar to many others she has been a part of, and she hadn't really considered teaming up with them again, except for Hayato of course. But Hazel decided to humor him. "Well... the Adept, his magic was interesting, but he doesn't really know how to use it that well. I supposed if he became a little more experienced that wouldn't be much of an issue. The Summoner was useful, I supposed, but it seemed like he also didn't really have enough experience with his abilities either. You notice how he used Fusion for one enemy, which we had taken care of? If more enemies had appeared a waste of mana like that would've been dangerous. The Striker wasn't bad, but he seemed to me like he'd be the kinda guy that's a bit brash... but I guess I can't really judge. But they all were E or D-rank, if I recall correctly, so maybe my expectations are a bit high."