Mana Academy (IC) (Open, Fantasy)

[Luminesa]

"...He knows nothing...and everything...all at once..." he muttered to himself. "...Many things he will never know, truths that lie in places he will never see...in graves he will never find...He and I exist behind a wall that will never fully break..." He sighed sadly, as he accepted this reality, and he looked at Ruta. He was sure the Jaëgar would wonder what on earth he was talking about, and what it had to do with Alex. Thus, he added something Ruta might not have been expecting. "And yet...strangely enough...the wall is only skin-deep...if he could see beyond that...if anyone could see beyond that...they would know everything...That includes you, Antonius..."

Having given Ruta both nothing and plenty to think about, Rabbit then turned past him, and began to walk away. "I cannot leave the ballroom while the students are there. I hope you have a good night, and please, rest yourself. You have no reason to fear the night. The shadow here will protect you..." he mumbled, as he almost floated past the Professor, he walked so gracefully and quietly.

Narrowing his icy blue eyes at the boy as he scampered off, Ruta gave a flourish of his black blade and let it fade into obsidian dust, the particles that once composed the fearsome weapon dissipated into nothing, like fine ash being scattered to the wind. He was not sure of what to do with the boy. Emotional reinforcement was not at all his strong suit, it seemed. Whenever he did try to reach out to anyone, it always ended up in the same way. Someone got hurt, someone would call him a freak, someone would never want to see his face again for as long as they lived. It would have been comedic for Ruta if it was Alex alone who had reacted this way, and yet that was certainly not the case.

In any case, such things should have been left to the Rabbit. The only time when he was ever needed was when someone needed someone or something dead. That was his job, after all. He was a killer, a murderer, and a monster. They would always see him that way, no matter what he did. Perhaps even the Rabbit saw him as such.

Even still, his mutterings of skin deep walls and mysteries and seeing beyond what one first saw was unnerving to the Jaegar, leaving him completely silent as the masked, enigmatic Professor passed him by, leading to Ruta closing his eyes once more. There was no point in questioning it. Whether or not these were the Rabbit's inner thoughts or mere purposeful ramblings meant to confound him, it didn't matter to him. The inquisitive side of him was much too drained from countless questions and theories as to what he really was, and none of them he could confirm. Not with the Rabbit being the recluse he was. Shaking his head at the thought of standing around and letting the Rabbit again take over the nightwatch, Ruta began to walk in the opposite direction, starting his rounds for the night.

Rabbit walked back toward the ballroom, but for a few moments, before he walked back inside, he stood right outside of the room and thought for a few moments. He knew Ruta had been chilled by what he had said. Of course he was. That was the goal. Ruta wore just as many masks as Rabbit, even without physically wearing one, and Rabbit would tear them all off in due time.

Yes, it is true enough, isn't it? Both of us are paradoxes...Neither of us are supposed to exist, are we?...Or is it...we are not supposed to exist as we are now?...Neither of us are truly concrete...We exist as forces of nature that can never truly join together...it is sad, is it not?...Ah, but I suppose it is what it is...I will continue until I reach my ultimate end.

As he continued standing where he was, he clenched his fists tightly, thinking hard about this train of thought. Why it was coming to this now, he was not entirely sure. However, he did not stop this thought. This was at the core of who he was, even as he let nobody else know it but himself.

...Yes...The beginning has been mine, and the end will be mine...My life is mine, and I will never be used by anyone ever again...I will never be anyone else's tool...anyone else's weapon...Now, I am the hand behind the weapon...I am the force that drives what is to what must be...

With this thought, he walked back into the ballroom, and stood in a corner of the room, waiting for the night to end. Tomorrow would begin the tournament, another day to live and to continue toward the end. That was all Rabbit cared about, that end. It had to happen, before he was figured-out...

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

And even with everything that happened before, the night was saved by that dance. Everything seemed to change to fit the moment, almost designing it to perfection. There wasn't the Henry that threatened Lorianus with emphasis on his influence and his name. There was simply... Henry. Not.the Von Kressel. Not the noble. Just... Henry. And it was this simple man dressed in noble robes who had to work hard to not trip over his feet while he looked at her eyes.

"Don't say it, Aria. You're not guilty. I also want you to know that I'm still the same. And the only thing I could say to you is the only thing that I keep saying in repeat for some time. That even I could choose any person in the world to make me company, I would choose my favorite redhead over anything. And that's what matters to me, Aria: To know that you're the same girl that I've met, that I've kissed and that I've fallen in love with. I would say that everyone here thinks that I lead things, but what they don't know is that your example, your courage inspires me to do it. The same way that your eyes inspire me to be just me, to be just... Henry."

Aria

Aria felt time in the room come to a crawl around her, and all the bright lights of this beautiful, sunlit night began to dim and fade. Through the windows, one could see a pale blue crescent moon rising in the black sky above, the great obsidian expanse tangled in the light of the moon's reflection. Silver and gold alike shined in Aria's eyes, creating a strange duality in their color, like they couldn't decide between the ethereal moonlight or the passionate glow of the fireflies above.

Aria smiled warmly at Henry's declaration, and could feel as well the warmth of her own heart traveling through her body. This dance, though she had feared so much what it would entail and what transpired just moments earlier, did nothing to unbalance her or to keep the grin off of her face. All that mattered now was keeping pace with Henry, and feeling the simple warmth of his touch.

"...That's all I needed to hear." she said, leaning in closer to his face, her eyes full of light and hope. "That I can make a difference here...I may not be a leader, and I may not be the strongest person, or really a person at all, but knowing you have that kind of faith in me, means the world to me." Aria smiled, moving ever closer, the movement of her feet slowing to accommodate for Henry's steps.

Henry Von Kressel

As the circumstances seemed once more to adapt to what would end the night, Henry placed his hands on her hips, pulling her closer, staring at the eyes he wanted to see again so eagerly. And finally, once more he was forced to tell her the simple truth.

"I've dreamt of seeing these eyes full of light so many nights, you know."

And with that, he finally kissed her, which would be the perfect ending for his night, If Aria's reaction was positive to his kiss.

Anatoly

Simply, he extended his slender palm to Simone, a smile with a certain malice giving away his intentions for the night, concluding with a simple, yet heavily accented offer to Simone.

"Shall we go then?"

[Saldinado]

Anatoly

Simply, he extended his slender palm to Simone, a smile with a certain malice giving away his intentions for the night, concluding with a simple, yet heavily accented offer to Simone.

"Shall we go then?"

Simone

Simone smiled in a way that was as almost opposite of his; sweet and innocent, though even she knew that this was all a ruse as when she grabs Anatoly's hand, than this night will be a night that both knew would end in such a fashion that will hopefully conclude the end to such a...nice time. She looked down at his palm and smiled a little more before placing her perfectly manicured hand in his, giving him the permission that he, as well as her, secretly desired.

"Why yes we shall my love. Care to lead the way?", she said with an almost sweet, melodious but also suggestive fashion that could have given Anatoly an even more clearer answer to his question.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Anatoly

Simply, he extended his slender palm to Simone, a smile with a certain malice giving away his intentions for the night, concluding with a simple, yet heavily accented offer to Simone.

"Shall we go then?"

Simone

Simone smiled in a way that was as almost opposite of his; sweet and innocent, though even she knew that this was all a ruse as when she grabs Anatoly's hand, than this night will be a night that both knew would end in such a fashion that will hopefully conclude the end to such a...nice time. She looked down at his palm and smiled a little more before placing her perfectly manicured hand in his, giving him the permission that he, as well as her, secretly desired.

"Why yes we shall my love. Care to lead the way?", she said with an almost sweet, melodious but also suggestive fashion that could have given Anatoly an even more clearer answer to his question.

Anatoly

He took her hand, and started to lead the couple swiftly through the elegant corridors of the hotel. After a brief time, they would enter the block of rooms where the Russians were in, and Anatoly adopted a calmer step, avoiding any sound. In a sudden move, he opened the door to his bedroom, pulling Simone in and closing the door immediately after she entered. As he started to kiss her, he knew that the night was going to have a happy ending...

(Fade to black)

[Rhomaia]

As the warm lights of the ballroom were finally extinguished by the march of time and the soft, slow tune of the band faded into the night, the ghostly white moon, like it's incandescent brother before it, rose in the tranquil, cloudless night sky that hung like a dark curtain over the grand city of Paris, the stars twinkling and shining as the sounds of jubilant laughter and rivalrous reunion died down. The night would reign for mere hours more, only to be deposed by the inevitable daybreak that was soon to follow. Such was the way of things, the cycle of day and night, light and dark. Such was the way of the Magi, who, in all their time honored wisdom, mysticism, and scholastics, would perhaps never truly know that the world was not so simple and easily explained.

In the early hours of the day, golden rays of sunlight peeked over the dark horizon, giving way to dawn, wherein the residents of the city awoke and resumed their livelihoods. All was right with the world, and all was normal in the City of Lights, save for the more abnormal occurrences which would soon take place under their very noses.

It was at this time that the Mages of Mana, and the competitors of the seven other schools who had enjoyed the festivities of the previous night, awoke as well, some much earlier than others. The deadline set by Madame Bourbon for the selection of the duelists who would be participating in the Championship and it's following events was very present in the minds of students and teachers alike, with whispers of who would be competing audible even in the young morning, as students from each school prepared themselves for the exciting day ahead.

The next page in our story has been turned, and a new day has begun. Friendship, intrigue, rivalry, and union of hearts, bodies and souls had been seen last night alone. What would be seen on this crisp October morning, however, would be left up to Fate herself.

[Charlia]

Some time before dawn...

"And I can really pick whatever I want?" Natalie asked for the thousandth time as she energetically led Kasumi through the city.

"That is what I promised," Kasumi replied with a sigh. She already regretted having agreed to such a thing(Natalie had woken her up at a very unreasonable hour in her mind), but if Natalie was happy, Hikari would be happy, and it had been a long time since she had made her sister happy. "As long as it's something reasonable," she reminded.

The broad grin Natalie flashed her was anything but reassuring. She obviously had something special in mind, but Kasumi didn't even dare to think what she would choose. Then she noticed that they had stopped in front of a toy store.

She watched Natalie's big eyes searching for the object of her desire, until they started to sparkle as they found it. But the warm feeling she had gained at making Natalie happy instantly chilled as she saw what the girl had chosen.

"I want that one!" she proclaimed happily.

"Of all things... that one...?"

---

At the normal time during which others were awakening

Katelyn was not happy.

First of all, she'd been dragged out of bed(and away from Hailey!!!) at an ungodly hour to go deliver a form to Madame Bourbon. Second, that form had been the team members. Third, she wasn't one of them.

Why on earth would they drag a student who wasn't on the tournament team out of bed before daylight to deliver the team form-paperwork-thing? It wasn't fair! Her life had never really been fair, but at times like this she felt like people just wanted her to suffer!

"Oh, great," she mumbled to herself as she realized something important. "Now I'm lost."

---

Hikari yawned and stretched, sitting up slowly and noticing first that Natalie was no longer in her arms.

Kasumi wasn't in her bed.

Hikari nearly had a panic attack before noticing a note left next to her bed, in her sister's plain, almost too neat handwriting. They were just out shopping. She was a little sad that they didn't take her, but maybe something else was going on. She'd wait for them to get back, and then ask.

---

Aether had been awake for a few hours, staring at the ceiling of her room and lying completely still, not doing anything, not even thinking about anything except the warped shadows in the corners of the room, cast by the grandiose furnishings scattered about. The fanciness of it all repelled her. She despised extravagant displays like this--bright, clean and shining fake surfaces that hid much more unseemly secrets beneath.

Paris seemed a haven for such things, unfortunately.

...I hate this place.

[Prusselanden]

Ignis put some stuff in her jacket pockets.Awake since 6 AM, the restless demon had brushed her teeth, dressed, showered and combed her hair. The same could not be said for the lethargic Pooka. Cheese yawned in his human form, sprawled on the mattress, still clinging to the bed.
I thought faeries were supposed to be energetic, hardworking and tidy creatures. Ignis hadn't slept much at night. Apparently Cheese had little to no control over his forms when asleep. The worst parts were when she unconsciously phased back to her snake form in her sleep and Cheese had taken up one of his larger sizes. Being squished by a ton of black sweaty hair was not pleasant.

"Nuh."
"Cheese, why don't you go find the girls?" She began to briskly pack a messenger bag for the day.
"It's early morning...need...sleep."
" Come on, you already got your 8 hours." She pulled the blankets off of him. "Come on! I'm really ready to go out, I'm really hungry and I don't think it'd be safe with you alone in here."

Never leave a fairy alone. Learned that the hard way. Ignis snorted in her head.

"...Nuh."
"You promised to help find Hikari a gift with Natalie and Kasumi right? Well considering how late it is, they're probably already gone."
"...Unh."
"Go find Hikari, she's gotta be worried about you."
"Nuh. Sh'forg't me..."
"Cheese! She wouldn't ever forget! Besides, my roof, my rules. And my rules are everyone must get up by 7." She put her hands on her hips and snorted. "Plus you shed on my bed. No more sleeping in it."
"..." he turned back into a stuffed horse and yawned. "C'rry me..."

".........Fine. If you keep being lazy you will never accomplish anything." She picked him up and went to find Hikari's room.

I'll see if I can borrow a vacuum from the hotel later...

Cheese curled up in her arms and dozed.
And here I was thinking demons were the lazy ones...
Ignis sniffed out Hikari's room (literally) and slowly knocked on the door.
"Hikari, I think you may have lost something."

"I t'ld ye, she f'got about me." Cheese sighed. "H'mans always f'get aboot us toys. She w'n't c'me, I b't."

[Luminesa]

Some time before dawn...

"And I can really pick whatever I want?" Natalie asked for the thousandth time as she energetically led Kasumi through the city.

"That is what I promised," Kasumi replied with a sigh. She already regretted having agreed to such a thing(Natalie had woken her up at a very unreasonable hour in her mind), but if Natalie was happy, Hikari would be happy, and it had been a long time since she had made her sister happy. "As long as it's something reasonable," she reminded.

The broad grin Natalie flashed her was anything but reassuring. She obviously had something special in mind, but Kasumi didn't even dare to think what she would choose. Then she noticed that they had stopped in front of a toy store.

She watched Natalie's big eyes searching for the object of her desire, until they started to sparkle as they found it. But the warm feeling she had gained at making Natalie happy instantly chilled as she saw what the girl had chosen.

"I want that one!" she proclaimed happily.

"Of all things... that one...?"

---

At the normal time during which others were awakening

Katelyn was not happy.

First of all, she'd been dragged out of bed(and away from Hailey!!!) at an ungodly hour to go deliver a form to Madame Bourbon. Second, that form had been the team members. Third, she wasn't one of them.

Why on earth would they drag a student who wasn't on the tournament team out of bed before daylight to deliver the team form-paperwork-thing? It wasn't fair! Her life had never really been fair, but at times like this she felt like people just wanted her to suffer!

"Oh, great," she mumbled to herself as she realized something important. "Now I'm lost."

---

Hikari yawned and stretched, sitting up slowly and noticing first that Natalie was no longer in her arms.

Kasumi wasn't in her bed.

Hikari nearly had a panic attack before noticing a note left next to her bed, in her sister's plain, almost too neat handwriting. They were just out shopping. She was a little sad that they didn't take her, but maybe something else was going on. She'd wait for them to get back, and then ask.

---

Aether had been awake for a few hours, staring at the ceiling of her room and lying completely still, not doing anything, not even thinking about anything except the warped shadows in the corners of the room, cast by the grandiose furnishings scattered about. The fanciness of it all repelled her. She despised extravagant displays like this--bright, clean and shining fake surfaces that hid much more unseemly secrets beneath.

Paris seemed a haven for such things, unfortunately.

...I hate this place.

Katelyn did not notice this, but as she was walking, a shadow was following her. Footsteps sounded softly as the long shadow moved down the hall nearby, and then rounded the corner to find her. It loomed very quietly behind her, before it took a few steps forward and overtook Katelyn's much-smaller shadow. If she paid attention to the presence that had found her, Katelyn would have sensed some incredible Dark Magic rising from out of a body. Something...or someone...very evil stood behind her.

"So le petite chiot is lost in the woods, is she not?" a deep, cold voice sounded behind her. As he spoke, the atmosphere seemed to thicken, and the walls seemed to move closer to Katelyn. Whoever this was, they were no ordinary Mage.

[Charlia]

Katelyn was not happy.

First of all, she'd been dragged out of bed(and away from Hailey!!!) at an ungodly hour to go deliver a form to Madame Bourbon. Second, that form had been the team members. Third, she wasn't one of them.

Why on earth would they drag a student who wasn't on the tournament team out of bed before daylight to deliver the team form-paperwork-thing? It wasn't fair! Her life had never really been fair, but at times like this she felt like people just wanted her to suffer!

"Oh, great," she mumbled to herself as she realized something important. "Now I'm lost."

Katelyn did not notice this, but as she was walking, a shadow was following her. Footsteps sounded softly as the long shadow moved down the hall nearby, and then rounded the corner to find her. It loomed very quietly behind her, before it took a few steps forward and overtook Katelyn's much-smaller shadow. If she paid attention to the presence that had found her, Katelyn would have sensed some incredible Dark Magic rising from out of a body. Something...or someone...very evil stood behind her.

"So le petite chiot is lost in the woods, is she not?" a deep, cold voice sounded behind her. As he spoke, the atmosphere seemed to thicken, and the walls seemed to move closer to Katelyn. Whoever this was, they were no ordinary Mage.

"..."

Katelyn turned around, her eyes narrowing.

"I don't speak French, so whoever you are, if you've got somethin' to say to me you can say it in English or not at all. Wanna repeat yourself, then?"

---

"I'm back!"

Hikari's smile at hearing Natalie's cheerful voice changed into a full laugh when Kasumi added: "Me too." The redhead had been waiting for a few minutes for them to return from wherever they had been, and it was nice to see them again.

It surprised her to see her sister's sullen face as she went to greet them. Natalie, however, beamed brighter than ever, even more so when she spotted her 'mother'...

...and then, everything seemed to freeze.

Hikari's eyes widened in fear, an unreasoning terror she thought she had put behind her, as she saw what Natalie held up so happily.

"Look, Mama!"

A doll.

"It looks like you, Mama!"

A little rag doll with fuzzy red hair.

"Now Mama can always be with me!"

"NO!"

In a blind fury, she grabbed the toy out of the small hands and threw it away with all her might. It crashed against the wall, causing an already loose seam around its neck to burst.

For a moment everything was silent but her own panting.

That was until a small whimper brought her back to reality. As she whirled around, her heart was gripped by a terrible feeling of guilt as she saw Natalie looking at her in disbelief and hurt.

"Wh... Ma...?" Her sobs even cut her words off. With watering eyes, she looked to the now-broken thing that had been the reason for her happiness just a few moments ago. Then she looked back to Hikari. It wasn't hard to guess what she wanted to ask, her eyes saying more than enough.

Why had she done this? How could she, Natalie's 'mother', hurt her like this?

Hikari, however, had no answer. And Natalie's low wail grew louder, into heart-wrenching sobs.

"Natalie..."

But as Hikari stepped hesitatingly forward to reach out for Natalie, the little girl flinched away from her.

"Natalie, I..."

But Natalie spun around and ran, crying, out of their room and down the hallway, not knowing where she was going, and not caring at all.

Hikari wanted to hold her back, to say something, that she was sorry, that she hadn't want to hurt her, but when she opened her mouth her voice failed.

What have I done? She fought back her own tears. How could she have hurt Natalie so badly?

"I'm sorry..." Kasumi, who had been silent the whole time, muttered as she picked up the doll's remains. "I tried to convince her to pick something else. I knew that you might react... badly to that. But she--she wanted it so much. She looked so happy, I just couldn't... I couldn't do anything... I'm so sorry."

[Luminesa]

Katelyn did not notice this, but as she was walking, a shadow was following her. Footsteps sounded softly as the long shadow moved down the hall nearby, and then rounded the corner to find her. It loomed very quietly behind her, before it took a few steps forward and overtook Katelyn's much-smaller shadow. If she paid attention to the presence that had found her, Katelyn would have sensed some incredible Dark Magic rising from out of a body. Something...or someone...very evil stood behind her.

"So le petite chiot is lost in the woods, is she not?" a deep, cold voice sounded behind her. As he spoke, the atmosphere seemed to thicken, and the walls seemed to move closer to Katelyn. Whoever this was, they were no ordinary Mage.

"..."

Katelyn turned around, her eyes narrowing.

"I don't speak French, so whoever you are, if you've got somethin' to say to me you can say it in English or not at all. Wanna repeat yourself, then?"

---

"I'm back!"

Hikari's smile at hearing Natalie's cheerful voice changed into a full laugh when Kasumi added: "Me too." The redhead had been waiting for a few minutes for them to return from wherever they had been, and it was nice to see them again.

It surprised her to see her sister's sullen face as she went to greet them. Natalie, however, beamed brighter than ever, even more so when she spotted her 'mother'...

...and then, everything seemed to freeze.

Hikari's eyes widened in fear, an unreasoning terror she thought she had put behind her, as she saw what Natalie held up so happily.

"Look, Mama!"

A doll.

"It looks like you, Mama!"

A little rag doll with fuzzy red hair.

"Now Mama can always be with me!"

"NO!"

In a blind fury, she grabbed the toy out of the small hands and threw it away with all her might. It crashed against the wall, causing an already loose seam around its neck to burst.

For a moment everything was silent but her own panting.

That was until a small whimper brought her back to reality. As she whirled around, her heart was gripped by a terrible feeling of guilt as she saw Natalie looking at her in disbelief and hurt.

"Wh... Ma...?" Her sobs even cut her words off. With watering eyes, she looked to the now-broken thing that had been the reason for her happiness just a few moments ago. Then she looked back to Hikari. It wasn't hard to guess what she wanted to ask, her eyes saying more than enough.

Why had she done this? How could she, Natalie's 'mother', hurt her like this?

Hikari, however, had no answer. And Natalie's low wail grew louder, into heart-wrenching sobs.

"Natalie..."

But as Hikari stepped hesitatingly forward to reach out for Natalie, the little girl flinched away from her.

"Natalie, I..."

But Natalie spun around and ran, crying, out of their room and down the hallway, not knowing where she was going, and not caring at all.

Hikari wanted to hold her back, to say something, that she was sorry, that she hadn't want to hurt her, but when she opened her mouth her voice failed.

What have I done? She fought back her own tears. How could she have hurt Natalie so badly?

"I'm sorry..." Kasumi, who had been silent the whole time, muttered as she picked up the doll's remains. "I tried to convince her to pick something else. I knew that you might react... badly to that. But she--she wanted it so much. She looked so happy, I just couldn't... I couldn't do anything... I'm so sorry."

"...You have quite a bit of attitude, for a lost little puppy like yourself..." the person muttered, stepping forward a little as he spoke. He was quite tall, much taller than Katelyn, and he was dressed in sharp, dark-purple robes that gave him the look of a reaper. His light-blonde hair, pale skin, emotionless frown, and dead blue eyes only completely the look. "...It is too early in the morning to be seeking a fight, petite chiot," he continued. Of course, this was only a lure of sorts. If Katelyn looked down at his left hand, in it he clenched a wicked-looking scythe. It was enormously long, and one could just feel the dark aura rising off it like a hot steam.

[Archembalt]

As far as sleeping in goes, Scott enjoys waking up in a comfortable bed at approximately noon. It made him incredibly sluggish after the first few hours up, but soon he would be back to relatively mellowed state. Sleeping in for such an unnecessarily lengthy amount of time made him feel as if all the burdens of his world had been lifted off his chest for a few extra hours. It made him feel as if he was enjoying a nice lazy Sunday back when he was in his small town.

But then there was Bertram at eight o' clock.


"ROOoooooOO!" he howled, his stocky stature residing at the front of the door. Needless to say, Scott's eyes shot wide open immediately upon hearing his dog's wailing. Instead of casually rising out from his bed, Scott simply closed his eyes in the hope that he could catch a few minutes more of sleep before Bertram barked again. That would be nice.

But why the fuck would anything nice happen?

"Rrrrrhhh . . . ROooooOO!" the basset hound resounded only a few seconds after.

Augh, fuck. Morning walk.

The mage pushed the covers and comforter off of him and sat up in his bed, going to close and open his eyes cyclically in order to adjust his eyes to the darkness of his room. He couldn't see a thing now. Last night, he had just jumped into his bed and got a feeling for where the seam of the covers and comforter were and just worked from there. Unfortunately, he didn't know where much else was. He kicked the covers and comforters off of him and slid out of bed onto the thinly carpeted floor. And, promptly, he yawned and executed generous amount of stretching, letting out a groan or two as he did such.

Alright, let's figure out . . .

Scott knew that he was in between the beds now, and he would deduce that the television was straight forward. He walked forward from there and then took a right turn. Bertram's whimpering became more audible and he decided to follow that. After five or so steps, he felt the clothes he had shed at the door beneath his feet. Then he bent his knees, lowered himself, and went to put both of his hands on Bertram's back. The hound's whimpering stopped some, and the dog turned around to face his master.

"Simmer the fuck down, Bertram, alright? Just wait."

And you're stepping on my dress clothes, you fucker. Whatever. It was going to go to the dirty clothes pile anyway.

When Scott stood back up and began to hug the wall, extending his arms along the surface to search for a light, he could hear Bertram turn around and waddle right up to him. Dogs could see better in the dark.

There we go.

Scott had managed to find the room lights, and he succinctly flicked them on. The room's layout had become apparent, finally. Things looked quite nice. Anyhow, Scott had only managed to distract Bertram for a short while. In a moment, the stout hound would go shuffling back to the door and begin barking once more in order to signify that a morning walk was in order. Responding sourly, Scott had emitted another groan and began his morning routine. The boy walked into the bathroom and turned on the light. Taking a quick glance at the counter, he spotted his toiletries in a Ziploc bag. Scott arched a brow upwards. He didn't recall putting that there . . .

He took a peek around the door and then swiftly opened the shower curtains. Nothing suspicious. Hm.

Returning to his usual morning activities, he first withdrew his toothbrush and paste from the bag and started. However, Bertram had walked into the bathroom, sniffing around his feet and looking about with those tired eyes of his. Scott rolled his eyes when the dog entered and attempted ushering him out with an outreached foot, lightly poking and prodding his big toe into the side or face of Bertram.

"Out. Out. Come on, get out. Get -- Ah, ah. No. Get out." Finally, once Bertram was outside, Scott shut the door. The last thing he wanted to deal with was Bertram barking in the bathroom. Scott reminisced on how Bertram would sometimes come into the bathroom while he was getting ready to go to school. The damn dog would bark constantly whenever Scott pulled the shower curtain back. Scott never knew why. His parents had entrusted him to take care of the dog, so it was also his responsibility to walk him every morning. And he loathed it immensely. Particularly during the winter.

Now then. First, the sun mage brushed his teeth, then showered in approximately seven or so minutes, and then stepped out, grabbing one of the complementary, stark white towels offered by the hotel. As he began to dry off, Bertram began his incessant wailing once more. "ROOOO! . . . ROOooOOrrrrr . . . "

So fucking annoying.

Scott was particularly peeved since he was only mid-way through drying himself off when Bertram began to bark. If he just let Bertram be, there was a chance the mutt might piss the floor, so now he had to be rushed. And he hates being rushed.

And Bertram kept on barking, and barking, and barking . . . And Scott became aware of how many other sleeping hotel guests there might have been next door or above and below him. He stepped out with the towel wrapped around his waist and gave Bertram a light tap on the side of his head with his foot.

"Shut it." Bertram remained silent for some time, slightly distracted by the contact, as if somehow expecting that it meant the walk was to occur soon and thus the barking was unneeded.

Scott moved over to the side of his bed where he had laid his suitcase and opened it up. And then he clothed himself in something casual and comfortable. He put his wallet into his right pocket and his phone in his left.

"ROOO! ROOOooooOOOO!"

It was then that Scott had finally finished fitting his other sandal on and, with widened, furious eyes, rushed over to Bertram. The hound took note of his owner's presence, turned around, and looked up at him with that dull, tired stare. Scott knelt down, went to tightly grab Bertram by his drooping jowls, and firmly sounded to his dog: "Shut the fuck up."

He might have been just a little too loud.

While Scott had been taking in deep breaths, his little fit now contained, Bertram emptily stared at Scott's face. The fat hound didn't seem all too bothered, really. But at least he had stopped barking. Then Scott opened the room door and let his dog rush out. Bertram wasn't quick with his stubby legs, but it did make Scott have to follow after at an expeditious pace. And he would have to stop the plumper since he didn't exactly know where he was going in the first place.

And so Scott's day began.

[Prusselanden]

"....Huh? Natalie?" Ignis looked on as Natalie ran out.
She put Cheese in her bag and ran after Natalie. "Hey, wait up! Don't go too far!"
Shit, what would happen if people saw a living doll running around!?
Man Natalie was speedy. Ignis had to sprint up to Natalie to catch up. She lifted her up by the collar and held her up by her armpits. "Natalie...?" She cocked her head and noticed the little girl's crying.
"...what's wrong?"
These humans happen to have quite dramatic lives...I bet this is a kind of Christmas gift drama. Typical. Someone gets girl a gift, she doesn't like it, conflict ensues and may or may not be fixed.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor dreamed of water, still as glass. In fact, he was floating in it, in an endless clear blue sea. He stared at the wide expanse of the sky above him, some occasional puff of clouds floated nearby. It was peaceful, even with the glare of the sun beating at him, and he felt as light as a feather. He found it weird that staring at the sun didn't feel painful or blinding at all. He just laid down there in the calm sea, his back to the water and his face towards the sky.

He then noticed something at the edge of his vision. It was the moon slowly covering the light of the sun. As the solar lamp was extinguised, he felt ripples in the water and hands grasped at him, trying to pull him into the deep. When he tried to shout, a hand covered his mouth and the legions of appendages drowned him into the still black water.

That's when he woke up, sweating and breathing heavily. He noticed a weak ray of sunlight sneaking into the room through the gaps of the curtains. 'It's morning.' He looked at himself and realized that he slept on his clothes. He quietly left his bed, making sure not to disturb Henry's more than peaceful dream that his, and showered before changing into a casual attire of shirt, jacket, jeans, and shoes. He strapped the enchanted rapier he commisioned with Annice by his side. He then left the room, searching for a courtyard or training hall and perhaps a sparring partner.

[Charlia]

"..."

Katelyn turned around, her eyes narrowing.

"I don't speak French, so whoever you are, if you've got somethin' to say to me you can say it in English or not at all. Wanna repeat yourself, then?"

"...You have quite a bit of attitude, for a lost little puppy like yourself..." the person muttered, stepping forward a little as he spoke. He was quite tall, much taller than Katelyn, and he was dressed in sharp, dark-purple robes that gave him the look of a reaper. His light-blonde hair, pale skin, emotionless frown, and dead blue eyes only completely the look. "...It is too early in the morning to be seeking a fight, petite chiot," he continued. Of course, this was only a lure of sorts. If Katelyn looked down at his left hand, in it he clenched a wicked-looking scythe. It was enormously long, and one could just feel the dark aura rising off it like a hot steam.

"Sorry, I'm not a dog person. And I ain't seekin' a fight, but if you want one I guess I can oblige you. Or you could direct me to Madame Whatshername's office and all this will be settled easy as pie."

"....Huh? Natalie?" Ignis looked on as Natalie ran out.
She put Cheese in her bag and ran after Natalie. "Hey, wait up! Don't go too far!"
Shit, what would happen if people saw a living doll running around!?
Man Natalie was speedy. Ignis had to sprint up to Natalie to catch up. She lifted her up by the collar and held her up by her armpits. "Natalie...?" She cocked her head and noticed the little girl's crying.
"...what's wrong?"
These humans happen to have quite dramatic lives...I bet this is a kind of Christmas gift drama. Typical. Someone gets girl a gift, she doesn't like it, conflict ensues and may or may not be fixed.

Natalie squirmed unhappily, covering her face.

"Put me down," she mumbled. "Wanna talk to Bunny-Man."

[Luminesa]

"...You have quite a bit of attitude, for a lost little puppy like yourself..." the person muttered, stepping forward a little as he spoke. He was quite tall, much taller than Katelyn, and he was dressed in sharp, dark-purple robes that gave him the look of a reaper. His light-blonde hair, pale skin, emotionless frown, and dead blue eyes only completely the look. "...It is too early in the morning to be seeking a fight, petite chiot," he continued. Of course, this was only a lure of sorts. If Katelyn looked down at his left hand, in it he clenched a wicked-looking scythe. It was enormously long, and one could just feel the dark aura rising off it like a hot steam.

"Sorry, I'm not a dog person. And I ain't seekin' a fight, but if you want one I guess I can oblige you. Or you could direct me to Madame Whatshername's office and all this will be settled easy as pie."

"....Huh? Natalie?" Ignis looked on as Natalie ran out.
She put Cheese in her bag and ran after Natalie. "Hey, wait up! Don't go too far!"
Shit, what would happen if people saw a living doll running around!?
Man Natalie was speedy. Ignis had to sprint up to Natalie to catch up. She lifted her up by the collar and held her up by her armpits. "Natalie...?" She cocked her head and noticed the little girl's crying.
"...what's wrong?"
These humans happen to have quite dramatic lives...I bet this is a kind of Christmas gift drama. Typical. Someone gets girl a gift, she doesn't like it, conflict ensues and may or may not be fixed.

Natalie squirmed unhappily, covering her face.

"Put me down," she mumbled. "Wanna talk to Bunny-Man."

The young man stared at Katelyn blankly as she spoke, and then he gave a slight, cruel grin. "Such a peaceful person. Very well then, I'll let you through. I saw you were quite itching for a fight yesterday, at the ball, but if you are not in the mood, I understand," he answered, calmly. He then turned and began to walk away in the other direction. As he did so, however, his grin did not fade. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he knew Katelyn would fall for it. "It's quite the pity, though. Here I was expecting the best of the Americans, and I can't even get the little hothead to duel me," he muttered, loud enough for her to hear.

[Charlia]

"Sorry, I'm not a dog person. And I ain't seekin' a fight, but if you want one I guess I can oblige you. Or you could direct me to Madame Whatshername's office and all this will be settled easy as pie."Natalie squirmed unhappily, covering her face.

"Put me down," she mumbled. "Wanna talk to Bunny-Man."

The young man stared at Katelyn blankly as she spoke, and then he gave a slight, cruel grin. "Such a peaceful person. Very well then, I'll let you through. I saw you were quite itching for a fight yesterday, at the ball, but if you are not in the mood, I understand," he answered, calmly. He then turned and began to walk away in the other direction. As he did so, however, his grin did not fade. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he knew Katelyn would fall for it. "It's quite the pity, though. Here I was expecting the best of the Americans, and I can't even get the little hothead to duel me," he muttered, loud enough for her to hear.

"...Y'know what, screw it," she declared. "You implying I'm a wimp or somethin'? 'Cause I don't like that at all. That pisses me off." The spear appeared in her hands, and she spun it expertly, planting the tip in the ground and tossing the papers aside.

"If you want a fight, come and get it."

[Prusselanden]

"...You have quite a bit of attitude, for a lost little puppy like yourself..." the person muttered, stepping forward a little as he spoke. He was quite tall, much taller than Katelyn, and he was dressed in sharp, dark-purple robes that gave him the look of a reaper. His light-blonde hair, pale skin, emotionless frown, and dead blue eyes only completely the look. "...It is too early in the morning to be seeking a fight, petite chiot," he continued. Of course, this was only a lure of sorts. If Katelyn looked down at his left hand, in it he clenched a wicked-looking scythe. It was enormously long, and one could just feel the dark aura rising off it like a hot steam.

"Sorry, I'm not a dog person. And I ain't seekin' a fight, but if you want one I guess I can oblige you. Or you could direct me to Madame Whatshername's office and all this will be settled easy as pie."

"....Huh? Natalie?" Ignis looked on as Natalie ran out.
She put Cheese in her bag and ran after Natalie. "Hey, wait up! Don't go too far!"
Shit, what would happen if people saw a living doll running around!?
Man Natalie was speedy. Ignis had to sprint up to Natalie to catch up. She lifted her up by the collar and held her up by her armpits. "Natalie...?" She cocked her head and noticed the little girl's crying.
"...what's wrong?"
These humans happen to have quite dramatic lives...I bet this is a kind of Christmas gift drama. Typical. Someone gets girl a gift, she doesn't like it, conflict ensues and may or may not be fixed.

Natalie squirmed unhappily, covering her face.

"Put me down," she mumbled. "Wanna talk to Bunny-Man."

"Alright, let's go find Bunny man. I'll carry you there, k? It's not safe for you to run around here alone. You could bump into something hard and your li'l noggin'll pour out." She started to walk to find Rabbit's room. Of course she never knew where it was, but she still could track him down by his scent. She flicked her tongue around and cocked her head to her right. "Ok, he's down that way."
Cheese poked his head out of the bag. "Na'alie, what's wrong?" he asked in a concerned voice.

[Charlia]

"Sorry, I'm not a dog person. And I ain't seekin' a fight, but if you want one I guess I can oblige you. Or you could direct me to Madame Whatshername's office and all this will be settled easy as pie."Natalie squirmed unhappily, covering her face.

"Put me down," she mumbled. "Wanna talk to Bunny-Man."

"Alright, let's go find Bunny man. I'll carry you there, k? It's not safe for you to run around here alone. You could bump into something hard and your li'l noggin'll pour out." She started to walk to find Rabbit's room. Of course she never knew where it was, but she still could track him down by his scent. She flicked her tongue around and cocked her head to her right. "Ok, he's down that way."
Cheese poked his head out of the bag. "Na'alie, what's wrong?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"C-Cheese?" Natalie mumbled, and started crying harder.

"...hug?" she finally whimpered, holding out her arms. She needed a hug very badly.

[Luminesa]

The young man stared at Katelyn blankly as she spoke, and then he gave a slight, cruel grin. "Such a peaceful person. Very well then, I'll let you through. I saw you were quite itching for a fight yesterday, at the ball, but if you are not in the mood, I understand," he answered, calmly. He then turned and began to walk away in the other direction. As he did so, however, his grin did not fade. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he knew Katelyn would fall for it. "It's quite the pity, though. Here I was expecting the best of the Americans, and I can't even get the little hothead to duel me," he muttered, loud enough for her to hear.

"...Y'know what, screw it," she declared. "You implying I'm a wimp or somethin'? 'Cause I don't like that at all. That pisses me off." The spear appeared in her hands, and she spun it expertly, planting the tip in the ground and tossing the papers aside.

"If you want a fight, come and get it."

He turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder at his opponent, and he frowned again, putting his game face on. He then turned completely around to face her, and he held up his scythe. The bulbs around the blade itself suddenly opened, revealing themselves to be a cluster of tiny eyes. All of them turned toward Katelyn and leered at her unblinkingly. Once they seemed to be coordinated, he twirled his scythe once and then slammed the staff into the ground. From there, the ground beneath the hotel rose and broke through the floor, shooting right at Katelyn and throwing her into the wall far behind her. "...Your move..." he answered, as he finished his opening move.

[Charlia]

"...Y'know what, screw it," she declared. "You implying I'm a wimp or somethin'? 'Cause I don't like that at all. That pisses me off." The spear appeared in her hands, and she spun it expertly, planting the tip in the ground and tossing the papers aside.

"If you want a fight, come and get it."

He turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder at his opponent, and he frowned again, putting his game face on. He then turned completely around to face her, and he held up his scythe. The bulbs around the blade itself suddenly opened, revealing themselves to be a cluster of tiny eyes. All of them turned toward Katelyn and leered at her unblinkingly. Once they seemed to be coordinated, he twirled his scythe once and then slammed the staff into the ground. From there, the ground beneath the hotel rose and broke through the floor, shooting right at Katelyn and throwing her into the wall far behind her. "...Your move..." he answered, as he finished his opening move.

"...That's cute," she mumbled, pushing herself off the wall. "But not very intimidating."

Her eyes gleamed, and she separated her spear into fragments, wrapping them around him and smiling the whole time, then pulling him forward and slamming him into the wall, and then the floor, and then the wall again. That would definitely leave some bruises, if not a few fractures. "Whatever," she sighed, pulling the fragments back and letting them float around her as she stared. "What're you going to try next? I hope it's interesting."

[Prusselanden]

"Alright, let's go find Bunny man. I'll carry you there, k? It's not safe for you to run around here alone. You could bump into something hard and your li'l noggin'll pour out." She started to walk to find Rabbit's room. Of course she never knew where it was, but she still could track him down by his scent. She flicked her tongue around and cocked her head to her right. "Ok, he's down that way."
Cheese poked his head out of the bag. "Na'alie, what's wrong?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"C-Cheese?" Natalie mumbled, and started crying harder.

"...hug?" she finally whimpered, holding out her arms. She needed a hug very badly.

"....."
I dunno...I might crush her windpipe...wait, she's a doll, she doesn't have one..right?
She reluctantly nodded. "Alright, but I give tight hugs."
She hugged her as slightly as she could, but it would still feel like a big squeeze. Cheese jumped out of the bag and landed on Ignis's arm. He hugged Natalie too. Ignis then carried them both down towards Rabbit's room.
Yep. After this I'm going. I just don't get mushy stuff like this.

[Luminesa]

He turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder at his opponent, and he frowned again, putting his game face on. He then turned completely around to face her, and he held up his scythe. The bulbs around the blade itself suddenly opened, revealing themselves to be a cluster of tiny eyes. All of them turned toward Katelyn and leered at her unblinkingly. Once they seemed to be coordinated, he twirled his scythe once and then slammed the staff into the ground. From there, the ground beneath the hotel rose and broke through the floor, shooting right at Katelyn and throwing her into the wall far behind her. "...Your move..." he answered, as he finished his opening move.

"...That's cute," she mumbled, pushing herself off the wall. "But not very intimidating."

Her eyes gleamed, and she separated her spear into fragments, wrapping them around him and smiling the whole time, then pulling him forward and slamming him into the wall, and then the floor, and then the wall again. That would definitely leave some bruises, if not a few fractures. "Whatever," she sighed, pulling the fragments back and letting them float around her as she stared. "What're you going to try next? I hope it's interesting."

He was rather big, at 5'11" and 160lbs, so pulling him around would not have exactly been easy for Katelyn. However, she managed to pull it off, and she threw him around like a heavy bowling ball. The only problem was she did not cause as much damage as she had hoped she would. Thus, when he was finished being thrown around, he merely pulled himself out of the wall, his eyes closed as though he was thinking deeply about something. However, when he opened them, he revealed that had not been the case. His eyes were a glowing dark-red, and they stared into her soul.

"...Little puppies should not ask for loads they cannot carry," he answered. He then tapped his scythe again, and it glowed a dark, forboding burgundy aura. He then aimed it at the wall behind her, and suddenly long, bodiless, liquid-like arms reached from out of the wall and grabbed her arms and legs. She was unable to control herself, and thus found herself flying backwards and slamming into the wall again, her head snapping back from the impact and slamming into the wall. He then moved out of her general direction, and he repeated the same spell on the other wall, dragging her forward now and throwing her headfirst into the other wall. Once she had crumbled to the ground, he slowly walked toward her, his body now glowing with the same aura as his scythe.

"...So I carried it for you. You should thank me, little girl. I'm teaching you how to fight properly," he taunted, stepping on her shoulder as she was down.

[Charlia]

"C-Cheese?" Natalie mumbled, and started crying harder.

"...hug?" she finally whimpered, holding out her arms. She needed a hug very badly.

"....."
I dunno...I might crush her windpipe...wait, she's a doll, she doesn't have one..right?
She slowly nodded. "Alright, but I give tight hugs." She hugged her as slightly as she could, but it would still feel like a big squeeze. Cheese jumped out of the bag and landed on Ignis's arm. He hugged Natalie too. Ignis carried them both down towards Rabbit's room.

Natalie buried her face in Cheese's side, clinging tightly to him until she could talk to Bunny-Man. Bunny-Man knew a lot of stuff, so he could help make everything better, right? And Mama liked Bunny-Man, she'd listen to him. Right?

Why did she yell at me? I thought she'd be happy...

"...That's cute," she mumbled, pushing herself off the wall. "But not very intimidating."

Her eyes gleamed, and she separated her spear into fragments, wrapping them around him and smiling the whole time, then pulling him forward and slamming him into the wall, and then the floor, and then the wall again. That would definitely leave some bruises, if not a few fractures. "Whatever," she sighed, pulling the fragments back and letting them float around her as she stared. "What're you going to try next? I hope it's interesting."

He was rather big, at 5'11" and 160lbs, so pulling him around would not have exactly been easy for Katelyn. However, she managed to pull it off, and she threw him around like a heavy bowling ball. The only problem was she did not cause as much damage as she had hoped she would. Thus, when he was finished being thrown around, he merely pulled himself out of the wall, his eyes closed as though he was thinking deeply about something. However, when he opened them, he revealed that had not been the case. His eyes were a glowing dark-red, and they stared into her soul.

"...Little puppies should not ask for loads they cannot carry," he answered. He then tapped his scythe again, and it glowed a dark, forboding burgundy aura. He then aimed it at the wall behind her, and suddenly long, bodiless, liquid-like arms reached from out of the wall and grabbed her arms and legs. She was unable to control herself, and thus found herself flying backwards and slamming into the wall again, her head snapping back from the impact and slamming into the wall. He then moved out of her general direction, and he repeated the same spell on the other wall, dragging her forward now and throwing her headfirst into the other wall. Once she had crumbled to the ground, he slowly walked toward her, his body now glowing with the same aura as his scythe.

"...So I carried it for you. You should thank me, little girl. I'm teaching you how to fight properly," he taunted, stepping on her shoulder as she was down.

Katelyn screamed as her head was slammed forcibly into the wall. She could feel blood running down her neck, and then she was pulled forwards and tossed headfirst into another wall, hearing a very frightening crack as she struck it. Her vision blurred. Black spots swam in front of her eyes, red obscuring her vision as she crumpled slowly to the floor, her head aching and her body not responding to her commands.

Mama... she thought, unable to recall her true surroundings. Please... Stop hitting me... I won't be a burden anymore, I promise... Stop... stop hitting me... please...

[Prusselanden]

"....."
I dunno...I might crush her windpipe...wait, she's a doll, she doesn't have one..right?
She slowly nodded. "Alright, but I give tight hugs." She hugged her as slightly as she could, but it would still feel like a big squeeze. Cheese jumped out of the bag and landed on Ignis's arm. He hugged Natalie too. Ignis carried them both down towards Rabbit's room.

Natalie buried her face in Cheese's side, clinging tightly to him until she could talk to Bunny-Man. Bunny-Man knew a lot of stuff, so he could help make everything better, right? And Mama liked Bunny-Man, she'd listen to him. Right?

Why did she yell at me? I thought she'd be happy...

He was rather big, at 5'11" and 160lbs, so pulling him around would not have exactly been easy for Katelyn. However, she managed to pull it off, and she threw him around like a heavy bowling ball. The only problem was she did not cause as much damage as she had hoped she would. Thus, when he was finished being thrown around, he merely pulled himself out of the wall, his eyes closed as though he was thinking deeply about something. However, when he opened them, he revealed that had not been the case. His eyes were a glowing dark-red, and they stared into her soul.

"...Little puppies should not ask for loads they cannot carry," he answered. He then tapped his scythe again, and it glowed a dark, forboding burgundy aura. He then aimed it at the wall behind her, and suddenly long, bodiless, liquid-like arms reached from out of the wall and grabbed her arms and legs. She was unable to control herself, and thus found herself flying backwards and slamming into the wall again, her head snapping back from the impact and slamming into the wall. He then moved out of her general direction, and he repeated the same spell on the other wall, dragging her forward now and throwing her headfirst into the other wall. Once she had crumbled to the ground, he slowly walked toward her, his body now glowing with the same aura as his scythe.

"...So I carried it for you. You should thank me, little girl. I'm teaching you how to fight properly," he taunted, stepping on her shoulder as she was down.

Katelyn screamed as her head was slammed forcibly into the wall. She could feel blood running down her neck, and then she was pulled forwards and tossed headfirst into another wall, hearing a very frightening crack as she struck it. Her vision blurred. Black spots swam in front of her eyes, red obscuring her vision as she crumpled slowly to the floor, her head aching and her body not responding to her commands.

Mama... she thought, unable to recall her true surroundings. Please... Stop hitting me... I won't be a burden anymore, I promise... Stop... stop hitting me... please...

Ignis knocked on Rabbit's door loudly.
"Hey Rabbit if you're awake I got some visitors here for you." she peeked into the peephole to see if he was inside.
".....If he's anything like Cheese, he'd be sound asleep right now."
"Oi! Oi'm no' tha' lazy!" Cheese glared at her, patting Natalie's head gently.

[Archembalt]

He was rather big, at 5'11" and 160lbs, so pulling him around would not have exactly been easy for Katelyn. However, she managed to pull it off, and she threw him around like a heavy bowling ball. The only problem was she did not cause as much damage as she had hoped she would. Thus, when he was finished being thrown around, he merely pulled himself out of the wall, his eyes closed as though he was thinking deeply about something. However, when he opened them, he revealed that had not been the case. His eyes were a glowing dark-red, and they stared into her soul.

"...Little puppies should not ask for loads they cannot carry," he answered. He then tapped his scythe again, and it glowed a dark, forboding burgundy aura. He then aimed it at the wall behind her, and suddenly long, bodiless, liquid-like arms reached from out of the wall and grabbed her arms and legs. She was unable to control herself, and thus found herself flying backwards and slamming into the wall again, her head snapping back from the impact and slamming into the wall. He then moved out of her general direction, and he repeated the same spell on the other wall, dragging her forward now and throwing her headfirst into the other wall. Once she had crumbled to the ground, he slowly walked toward her, his body now glowing with the same aura as his scythe.

"...So I carried it for you. You should thank me, little girl. I'm teaching you how to fight properly," he taunted, stepping on her shoulder as she was down.

SCHUNK.

Scott stopped in his tracks, while Bertram continued on ahead. The sound of the earth rising through the floor wasn't exactly quiet, and resounded throughout the hotel. Were students already fighting each other before the tournament? It made sense, he supposed. But another pressing matter had to be dealt with -- Bertram had gone out of Scott's sight. "Shit." He could hear the jingling of the bell on his dog's collar, and he ran forward, looking down the right hotel hall first. And there he was, about to hit a dead end. He speedwalked over to his dog and quickly went to scoop him up from behind before they both reached the end of the hotel, the hound's cumbersome weight causing him discomfort in the process.

CRSCH. THNK.

He then glanced over the railing once he returned with his hound, spotting the two combatants. Immediately, his mouth went agape some as if he was astounded by the fight.

Really? Right in the middle of the hotel? People are sleeping. And our school's have to pay for any damages caused -- or their families do. Fucking idiotic cunts.

Scott decided to keep holding Bertram as he looked over the fight, narrowing his eyes at each belligerent in order to get a more decent look at them. It seemed as if the one dressed in dark clothing had the upperhand here. He then began to wonder when they'd all stop or be stopped. Surely there was someone -- like the teachers or guards -- who would stop this before it went overboard?