<font color='#000F22'><blockquote><font color=#330000 face=georgia size=1>Schism was a rebel, there was no doubt about it. It didn't take much for someone to realize it, either. She always went across the line, tried to see how far she could go before someone stopped her. Many had tried to convince her that her ways were wrong, that they were going to get her killed, but Schi' had never cared. It was part of her nature to go against the authority, to daringly press the edges of the envelope. If someone told her she couldn't do something, they could be sure that she would prove them wrong. Which was a good way to try and influence her, but she wasn't easily deceived into doing something she didn't want to, either. As far as friends went, she didn't have any, so peer pressure was nonexistant. Anyone who didn't deserve her trust and respect didn't give good advice, either. After all, the majority of this world was fools, full of the stable and "safe" ones. But she was what added to the spice of life, what inspired others to dare, to rebel, to realize the censored world they lived in. Somehow, the Sunhawk had managed to get onto Janardan property. She hadn't done anything wrong, didn't intend to harm anyone, and intended to become a "student" here, anyways. Since her Mastery ranks weren't official in this part of Ramath-lehi, she was probably going to take up a fifth trade that she could learn here. Schism didn't feel like learning what she already knew about the four she already owned - and the idea of Hunter as a last trade appealed to her. One of her own trades, Tracking, was something that could be used to assist her with Hunting. Besides, she was rather good with the latter, she merely needed to have it be "official". It would be easy to claim that she was "Advanced", anyways. Out with the tribe, it was often required that she assist with gathering the proper food, which meant scavanging, or hunting. The former was more time consuming, so she had become quite capable with the bow and sling. Schism chortled with glee as she caught sight of a "Staff Only" sign. That door was just begging to be opened. Standing up straight in a bipedial position, she walked silently towards the appropriate entrance. She had worn clothes that were perfect for stealth, too. Tight - but flexible - black pants, and a fashionable dark red shirt with her tribe's symbol - a hawk with a sun clutched in its talons - drawn in detailed black on the front. A single claw hooked forth from her thumb, and she bent it crookedly so that the thick black talon was actually turned towards her palm. Approaching the door, she rapped lightly on it, as if it were an office that she wanted to enter. When no one replied, she grinned in triumph, and moved a hand to twist the knob. Strangely, someone had left it unlocked. Perhaps they were too trusting, or had merely forgotten. Regardless, that meant that Schism was in... or, well, almost in.</font>
<font color='#595959'><center><style type="text/css"> p table {border: 1px #336600 solid; background: white; filter:Alpha(opacity=90)} </style><table border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspaceing="3" width="500" bgcolor="silver" bordercolor="goldenrod"><tr> <td width="33%"><center> What an <I>odd[/i] smell. The Coyote pen-dragon was positioned close to the door that was situated upon the stairs that led down into the dark-dreary basement. The tangent smell of thick dust rose and stung the males nostrils. Wrinkling the coal'ed nose he shuffled closer to the damp musty doorway perking ebon-tipped ears he crept slowly. He shouldn't really have done so but it was somewhat hard to resist. He was new to the Academy and was taking time to adjust-And too find his feet so to speak. Today he was standing casually on hinds dressed in smart yet casual bagged jeans-A deep ebony in colour-A loose fitted white shirt flicked slightly at the collar. For a change usual messy locks were combed down giving him a tidy appearence. Edging to the top of the stairs he slowly began his descent into the gloom glancing sharply about him into the darkness for some sign of life-One paw gripped the banister tightly the other hung limply by side tail tip curled slightly in alarm. Each stair step he bore down upon gave an almighty creek and he cringed each time-Of course he didn't<I>know[/i] this was forbidden but still it seemed sensible to try not too alert anyones attention to his presence. Reaching the bottom he paused tasting the air with nostrils flare fists gripping into one another as he carefully took a step forwards-A lamp swung overhead, it's dull light flickering now and then though this didn't seem to un-nerve the bold and confident he-pen dragon. Courage rising he quickened his pace heavy paw pads creating a dull thump upon the cold hard surface of the stone floor-Was that a noise? Orbs flicked, pinnae twitched in a lively manner as he slowed pace listening to the echoes upon the walls-He could feel his own heart thumping in chest against rib-cage.</table></font>
<font color='#000F22'><blockquote><font color=#330000 face=georgia size=1>Schi' glanced around in a shifty manner, then easily stepped forward so that first one sneakered foot, then the other, was set into the "forbidden" ground. A ear-to-ear grin spread across her lips for a moment, before disappearing as she looked at the ceiling. The lantern that was hung suspended over her scattered light across the room, fueled by a fire that had probably been set off as soon as she stepped in. Eyes slid towards the door once more, and her tail twitched in temporary agitation. Hopefully, that magic-based light hadn't also set off an alarm that informed an adult of an intrusion. If that was the case, though, no one would have been able to sneak around down here. She had heard plenty of stories about the Basement, though, so she doubted it. Then again, they could have been lying, trying to sound "cool". Schism was sure that they had been fabricating some of it, but only a skilled Storyteller could have completely fooled the devious teenager. Only the higher level liars were capable. Then again, she had been thinking about actually going down here, so she could have been more easy to fool. She doubted it, but that was a factor in this equation. Licking her lips as she turned her gaze back to the hallway in front of her, Schism stealthily slinked forward. She had purposefully made her sneakers squeak-less, so that her movements were mostly silent. Sure, a slight footstep here and there, but she even tried to mute those into being nonexistant. Ears were perked most of the time, though they occasionally swivelled as she approached an intersection, careful to keep from being found out. Eyes also flickered across the maze, making sure she memorized the way. Though her memory was, in general, a rather good one, there was no way that she was going to get herself lost. Or so she figured, but it was better to be safe than to be sorry, and every landmark or thought was kept safe so that she could find her way out. After all, there was no point in avoiding capture if she was going to be stuck down here until someone found her, anyways. She'd probably dig her way out of the Basement before she'd allow one of the teachers to spot her down here, though. Or bury herself, maybe. The thought was a bit morbid, but amused the youth, none the less. She halted suddenly as she heard the sounds of another. Ears pricked forward, stiff and attentive as she froze. Before long, Schism heard the other's steps halt abruptly, as well. Had it heard her? Was it going to come after her? Stiffening, and preparing to turn about and run down the maze, the Sunhawk listened carefully. To be caught down here held dire consequences, and she wasn't about to face them. If they tried to punish her, they could be sure she'd get out of it. Schi' always adapted, and often completely escaped, any sort of consequences to her crime. She'd just have Jehayd get her out of here. The Sunhawk leader wouldn't like it, but he'd save her. Confidence boosted, she slipped forward a bit, and spotted the frame of another student - or so she figured. Flaring her nostrils, unable to pick up a scent, she moved forward a bit more, and sniffed once more. This time, it hit her, and she analyzed it with a slight flick of her tail. Ahah! So it was, indeed, a student... too young to be a teacher. Moving forward, then abruptly dashing, she silently - or almost, anyways - moved towards the student. Halting with a screech of her sneakers' soles, she poked one of his shoulders, and grinned wildly. <font color=gray>"Boo."</font> Schism commented in a somewhat soft voice, so as not to draw another's attention to them.</font>
