IC
August 7, First Day of School
On the warm, sunny summer day that would kick off the start of the new school year in Mana, our story begins in a small, verdant island that sat just off the coast of Lake Superior. The sound of wholesome laughter, heated debate among students and faculty, and gleeful reunion permeated the lighthearted, carefree atmosphere of the Academy courtyard, with it's grounds in pristine condition as students new and old roamed about and observed their new surroundings, most of them only just arriving on the scene.
Though one might expect to see a crowd full of wizards and witches in elaborate, otherworldly garb, a great many within the crowd wore simple, casual black or white clothing in their strolls from place to place. However, some of the more proud students descended from the more wealthy magical families did in fact wear traditional robes, capes, and the like to emphasize their 'noble heritage', or to simply stand out among the black and white shirts and jeans that so many first year students had on.
Deviating from those that stood with their friends near the courtyard's ancient, ornately designed fountain, sat Aria Comnena under the shade of one of the great trees off the beaten path from the stone gray roads to led students to the Academy's main buildings and dormitories, her shoulder length crimson hair swaying in the soft, cool breeze that rippled through the air as she stroked the head of her little drakeling, Nero. Over a simple white blouse, she wore a set of long, flowing scarlet robes adorned with small but elaborate golden embellishments, signifying her lineage as a maiden of one of the magical world's Great Houses.
Aria's calm, emerald colored eyes looked out upon the crowd that had assembled itself at the center of the courtyard, scanning for the faces of the friends she had served her tenure at Mana with last year. Owing mainly to a bit of lethargy on her part and the content feeling she found in the feeling of her dragon companion's scales, her search was not as comprehensive as it could have been, though there was always the occasional interesting character in the crowd. With a warm smile on her pale face, she closed her eyes and let the swaying of branches and leaves lull her into a restful state.
"This is going to be great, Nero...I'm sure of it."