The strange, quiet kid in the back of class.

<font color='#000080'>"Deleter" Novox, back to civilizaton.
{Day:  59th )
(Quarter:  Tessera )
(Year:  Year 81377 )

Just as he left the mountains, he returned near the front Foyer.  Palasaj looked around and let his sword drop slowly to his sides, not bothering to shake out his wet fur.

"It looks like I made it back without sending myself into the ocean again...ugh..."

Palasaj tightened his hands into fists, moving his shoulders and arms back in a heavy motion.  The body armor snapped off by their fasteners, then easily came off when he removed the clips from the sides of his breastplate.  How strange would it be for a tall, black Werefox to come in, asking to be admitted in a class.  Not that he had mastered too many forms--far from it since he wasn't a shapshifting guru--but he had just a few useful wildcards up his sleeve.  That wasn't important at the moment.  As Palasaj fell down to his hands and knees, he slowly reverted to his normal Pendragon form.  The rather large, fox like creature with long, sleek black hair and a bushy, flaming black tail.  He licked his paw slightly, the golden anklet on the forward paw dangling slightly.

"Now, I need to get around to having myself a new room."

Palasaj trotted into the Main Office, his anklets bouncing on his rather large paws and the dark crystal bell collar around his neck ringing lightly.</font>

 

<font color='#000F22'><center><blockquote><font color=dimgray face=verdana size=1><span style=letter-spacing:-1px>Hart's pawsteps were confident, calm, as she padded towards the Main Foyer. Having just visited a class - and purposefully made her visit discreet, due to the nature of that particular subject - the female was in a rather good mood. Notes about the teacher and students of the class were carefully tucked in a sack swung carelessly across her shoulder. Whenever on all four paws, she tended to use that particular bag. After all, it swung quite harmlessly at her side, and didn't conflict with moving paws. With her strangely formed hindlegs, it hadn't taken much for the female to learn - at a young age - how to stand up on them. Thus, she often stood on two legs, as well. It was actually rather handy, when she was carrying papers. Besides that, it often surprised those few students who hadn't been here for long. Or there was always the assistance as far as intimidation. Looming over a disrespectful, disobedient youngster was usually easier then trying to do so from a four-legged position.


Tails twisted and moved, curving around each other, then pulling away from each other, and contently waving behind her. A faint jingle caused her to halt for a moment, then continue, with a faintly amused smile. She had forgotten about the loose bangle her daughter - Stina - had sent. It was rather interesting, actually, a flexible silver metal with various runes. Supposedly, they had meanings, but Stina was rather closemouthed - like her father had been, before his death - about what they were. Perhaps that was merely because it had been a sort of daughter-father bonding thing... but that didn't stop Hart from wanting to know what the runes she carried on both her body - and, now, the bracelet - meant.


Hart slipped into the Main Office, weaving through the hustle and bustle, and settling on the comfortable seat that sat behind her desk. A single brow was quirked as she saw a young pendragon who hadn't been dealt with. Glancing around the Office, she shrugged one shoulder, and the mask of Principal easily slid over her face, causing her to look both authorative, and faintly amused.


<font color=#330000>{Can I help you, young sir?}</font> She inquired within the mind of the young pendragon. An authorative click intended to bring his eyes directly to her was within, but a welcome was also within her mental words. In case he didn't look, the Principal was prepared to stand, and walk towards him. It seemed that, due to his appearance, he might be a potential troublemaker. But, who was to say? Some looked like punks that were actually avid students, and some rather clean, scholarly looking ones were the worst.

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<font color='#000080'>It wasn't a condescending look, nor one that foreshadowed some sort of didactic speech later into the time he'd spend at the foyer, but a voice that made him pay attention rather than trail off into space.  The bulky, dark fox merely brushed the wild tail across the floor from left to right, sitting on his hind legs with one of his paws reaching towards the pile of neatly stacked armor behind him, only breaking eye contact with the Pendragon at the desk to figure out why his paw hadn't grasped anything yet.  At last the object was found, a small packet of information regarding his past three employments--all of them in the freelance militia field--and personal information back to his hatchday.  Palasaj lowered his head but stayed his eyes on the female at the desk, showing his normal, grave, blackened expression.

"Palasaj Noxox.  I respectfully request to enroll for instruction, if I may."

He wanted to be qualified to lead is own group, not only by improving his physical and magical abilities, but to get an education.  Palasaj's black eyes didn't leave the other Pendragon's watch, dominantly because he wasn't the kind of person to deal illegitimate business.  It did intimidate him slightly, noted by his earrings glinting as his fox-like ears twitched slightly every few seconds.  Although he was professional, his social skills could use improvement.

Another reason was because of his previous sortie. Intentionally, Palasaj left out information about his last employer, Nilik.  All information was destroyed and the body entrenched in ice.  She didnÂ’t work for the Academy, and Palasaj seriously doubted heÂ’d do anything to another master.  

A master shouldnÂ’t treat oneÂ’s student as a slave and a thievery tool, anywayÂ…

Since it was over and irrelevant, Palasaj put the previous business out of his mind. To sugar coat it, the Pendragon thought of his encounter on the mountains as a learning experience.</font>

 

<font color='#000F22'><center><blockquote><font color=dimgray face=verdana size=1><span style=letter-spacing:-1px>Hart's eyes were sharply attentive, but also held an icy amusement, like laughter just waiting to escape. Those same occuli flickered to the armor behind him in curiousity, a flicker of a frown crossing her lips, before disappearing. At about that moment, his own eyes locked with hers, and a faint smile twitched into the frown's place. There seemed to be no defiance in the eyes of that youngster, yet nor was there any true deference, and independence was certainly sparked there. Her tails twitched and twisted, before curling together, and falling ceremoniously across her forepaws. There was an air of authority that was worn around her form at all times, while on the Academy ground, but it wasn't pressing, nor did press down on or intimidate anyone. Her nose wrinkled slightly, and a slight tilt of her head was made as he turned his head away from her. The signs of amused inquiry disappered as his paws returned in front of him with a packet.


A brisk sense of duty entered her eyes, and she waited patiently for him to explain the information packet. Of course, she knew what was within. Most figured they had to prove their worth to get into Janardan - and, in a sense, they were right. But those that came here, like this male, with a packet, usually had no parents to fund them in their endeavors. While Janardan thrived on donations from richer parents and alumni, as well as the small amounts of money that working students contributed. Some thought they had to pay their way in, though, and she sincerely hoped that the things included within that packet didn't include some sort of payment. Despite his appearance, she doubted he had much to spare.


She took the packet with a single outstretched paw, and nodded in thanks. Claws made quick work of opening the package, though with care, to avoid damaging both container, and contained. Eyes flickered across the words, and she smiled faintly. Past empolyment, eh? Well... perhaps they could put that to use, if she ever found him in detention. Some of the armor that the fighting teachers kept around needed polishing or mending, anyways. And the various handheld weapons also needed some work. She glanced at his own armor, and smiled faintly. Yes, indeed, the teachers would probably appreciate the help. Perhaps they could get him to do it on his own time, too.


After she was done reading through it, and analyzing if it was alright to accept him, Hart gave a slight nod in his direction. Digits wrapped around registration papers, and she passed them over the desk towards him. Various information was required to enter the Academy, after all.


<font color=#330000>"Fill this out, and then I'll assign you a dorm... unless you have a preference for a pendragon you would like to share your room with? Or if you want an empty one, to share later?"</font> She inquired with a faint smile.

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<font color='#000080'>Palasaj didn't say anything at first, mostly because it was a lot easier to get into the academy this time than his first time.  Oh, he remembered that hellish day.  It wasn't even a year ago when he first escaped Nilik's caravan and made his way.  Palasaj was a bit less menacing looking, mostly because his ears weren't nicked and he didn't have a fain scar over his right eye, which was a product of trying to escape in the first place.  Now that he had a second chance to apply, the shimmering black follicles were standing at ends.  He wasn't trying to give of his nervous aura, but was sitting rather stiff on his hind legs.  Without noticing, the large black tail already wrapped in front of his forepaws.

"Ah...ah...and after I fill this out, I will be admitted for sure?"

He read over the form quickly, only glancing at certain spots.  Brief thoughts of what he was supposed to fill out and how trailed across his mind, crowding each other with an entanglement of past deeds and other, less desirable events.  The dark paw pulled the form down beside his armor to fill out after he answered any necessary question.

"I do not mind, really.  Just being here is more than I expected."

The evil yet soothing voice didn't match his mood, a mixture of surprise, contemplation, and a taint of giddiness.  Although, he couldn't help think that there was something, someone that he forgot about.  His sword glinted slightly, releasing an almost inaudible, angelic sigh.  Unseen because of its cloth cover and shell casing, the Fromina containing org of his Wild Fang swirled with azure spirits of ice, and a frantic feeling of danger.  The trembling of the blade only occurred for a brief second, but was certainly out of place.</font>

 

<font color='#000F22'><center><blockquote><font color=dimgray face=verdana size=1><span style=letter-spacing:-1px>Hart was mildly amused by the nervous state of the new student, but also sympathetic. Hopefully, the tension that now tensed his body would eventually leave, allowing him to relax. As well as that, the older lady was relatively sure she hadn't intimidated him, not too much, anyways. While it was good to have a certain, healthy respect for her authority, it would be bad for him to shrink back every time he saw her. Eyes grew lighter at the thought. Students that were afraid of her weren't her favorites, and, often, were the ones that saw her more often then others - in detention, or the like. Those tended to be afraid, because they had reason. She was a hard taskmaster when she needed to be, or when she was teaching a subject that needed such. But never otherwise.


His words caused her to chuckle slightly, her eyes crinkling, lips curving in warm amusement. Nodding in affirmation, she didn't bother to reply verbally. Since he hadn't asked a question that required more then a "yes" or "no", and the movement of her head should give him his answer. For a moment, she considered if there was anything she needed to ask him, or make him say. The Student Oath was a requirement, but, now days, it was merely signed beneath. That was a physical sign that they had agreed, after all, rather then the words, which others could lie about, say they had never said, when they had. Even with witnesses, and the like. Written affirmation could be burned, of course, but they'd have to find the proper papers, without setting off a magical alarm. That alarm directly woke the Janardan Principal, though, and wasn't audible, otherwise. No one knew about it, either, except for the Principals themselves.


Palasaj's comments about the dorm caused her to nod slightly, and move a paw towards the sack that she had dropped upon her arrival. Pulling out the list of assigned - and unassigned - dorms, she considered them thoughtfully. There were few rooms open, at this time of year, and he had seemed to have no qualms with sharing a room... however, she would prefer to get at least one pendragon in the empty rooms, so that they could be cleaned out and inhabited. One was in a far corner of the Dormitory, anyways, which - it seemed to her - was undesirable to most. Somehow, she didn't think that Palasaj would mind. Her left hand reached for a pen, and she carefully scratched his name into the dorm's topmost name slot. Room 8301.


<font color=#330000>"Well, Palasaj, if you want a tour of the Academy - after you're done with your form, either I, or one of the other administrators would be happy to lead you around. Oh, my apologies, I'm Hart Demori, the Principal of Janardan. Do you have any further questions? Oh, and feel free to sign up for however many classes you think you can handle. I'll work up your schedule either while you're taking the tour - if I'm not along - or directly afterwards."</font></font>

 

<font color='#000080'>That was quite a pleasing thing.  He already had a room assignment, just as easily as asking for it.  Coming prepared paid off for once rather than burdening him with even more technicalities.  He wasnÂ’t about to become finicky about a silly room considering that most of his time was either camping out when he did sleep, or traveling roads and fields, even in the elements.  It was a roof over his head, which would be more than needed, if not far from crucial.  He filled out the forms while asking the few questions that he did need.

“May I inquire about your combative curriculum?  IÂ’m not interested in learning to defend myself, rather qualify myself to teach.  My only concerns are becoming a teacher."

It was a start to a quite life after 17 years of blood and gore out of reach from civilization.  Of course, he didnÂ’t feel the need to end his life as an adventurer, merely a way to leave his name behind in a positive way.  Rather, he wanted to erase what little negative name he earned under Nilik the Merchant of Spiders.  Just thinking about that woman caused Palasaj to pause in his explanation.  His mouth stayed pen for only a few seconds, eyes slightly closing before he dismissed the thoughts.  It would be a long time before her damned face would leave his mind.

“…What I do want to improve on is my elemental abilities.  I am not as strong a spell caster as my previous journeys required, and I want to excel in my incomplete studies."

He returned the form, filled out to the paramount of his abilities.  There wasnÂ’t anything that poked too far at his potentially criminal record, which was a relief.

“A tour would be nice, but there are a few things I need to acquire for my room.  Not that I desperately need them, but they will make things quite convenient for me."</font>

 

<font color='#000F22'><center><blockquote><font color=dimgray face=verdana size=1><span style=letter-spacing:-1px>Hart reached underneath her desk, and grabbed a hidden key, suspended on a string on her left side. With a quick flick of her wrist, she inserted it within the drawer neatly set beside her, and eyed the keys within. Each was neatly placed within the appropriate container. The one labeled "8000 - 8500" was her target, and eyes sought the proper door-opener. Since Hart liked to keep things easy, the even numbers were a tarnished golden color, whereas the odd ones were silver. That made it easy for her to find 8301, and pick it up. Sliding the drawer closed, and locking it, she slipped the noose of the string back over the hook that held it - among other administration keys, and their strings. Making sure it was the proper key, with a quick double check on both the attached key ring, and the key itself, she set it on his side of the desk. A slight gleam of approval entered her eyes as he began to fill out his form, then asked a question. Multi-tasking was, often, a good thing. Although some used it to their - or so they thought - advantage, and failed academically.


His words were interesting. It was rare that the only purpose of a student was to gain the position as teacher. Most wanted Master, sure, but they didn't want to be a teacher. They wanted to go out and wreck havoc on the world at large, prove themselves to everyone. Those were the ones that ended up getting themselves killed, often enough, too. Trying to be the buff, experienced creatures that they weren't. Because they were faced against a seasoned mage or warrior, and couldn't handle it. They were the loses that had to be taken in stride, though. If Hart had mourned every student exiting Janardan that had died, then there would have never been a happy smile on the face of the Principal.


As he finished his explanation, the female nodded, and her eyes grew thoughtful. They didn't have an Advanced Elemental Sorcery teacher at the moment, although Jaceen taught the Basics. Perhaps it would be best to start Palasaj in that class, and they could find him a tutor, later. Then again, if Jaceen had the time, perhaps she could take on private lessons with the other, so that he could at least get to Journeyman. That was the level required for teaching, after all, and he could always learn enough for Mastery later. In fact, she had a few friends who were Elemental Sorcery Masters, but they weren't into teaching. Too independent, or they didn't like nioties, or both.


Taking the proferred form, she nodded slightly as her eyes flickered across the words. After a few moments of reading, she pulled out an empty schedule, so that she could fill in his classes. Eyes glanced about the Office, and noticed that everyone was busy. However, his words seemed to suggest that a tour could be arranged later on. Perhaps whatever he needed to acquire would take long enough that Hart herself would be done with his schedule, and could take a break to show him around.


<font color=#330000>"I'm going to start you out in Elemental Sorcery Basics, because we don't have an Advanced class, yet. However, if Jaceen Lapices - the teacher of the Basics class - judges you to be good enough to need to go to a higher level, we can figure something out. Either have Jaceen tutor you privately, or get an outsider to assist you in further teaching. I'm sure that, if she has time, Jaceen can get you to Journeyman, since that is her own rank in that particular trade. As for things you need to acquire... on your own, or do you need letters sent, orders made?"[/b]</font> She inquired, with a single eyebrow quirked.

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<font color='#000080'>It was obvious that the academy as much more superior to the atelier that he studied from on Ajita.  There were a lot more students and much more room, but that certainly didn't mean anything.  He was, however, quite eager to give it a try.  So many keys, and at such a high number.  There must be more students at the academy than in most villages that he purged in the past five years.  Palasaj didn't have the patience to learn Ramathian at a fluent degree, but it would help in his magical studies greatly.  Some of the students at the Atelier spoke Ramathien and had access to mysteries that he couldn't begin to ponder, but lacked the practical knowledge of using them properly.  On the other hand, Palasaj had the common and battle sense, but not the lyrical knowledge.  It was like two parts of a key to a much greater treasure.  No, he wasn't trying to become some grand wizard or might slayer of men, but the living Palasaj had in mind was nothing short grandeur.

Palasaj was slightly disappointed at her comment on setting him into the Basic Classes, but he had no major qualms about it.  For all he knew, there could have been some key parts in their basic curriculum that old witches and dated sorcerers never remembered to instill into their students.  He'd find that out later as well, and the prospect of having an outsider or this Jaceen didn't bother him at all.  No use trying to figure out someone that he never met.  The only variable missing was his private property.

"I can get them on my own quickly enough.  I simply need to make a quick visit to Aita.  It should take an hour or two, depending on if I have to retrieve a few of my spell scrolls, and as long as I can manage another return without burning myself out."

He spoke seriously about going to Ajita--as in the other landmass--in an hour or two.  He did arrive outside of the academy, but it wasn't certain that anyone actually saw his Earth Spell bring him to the academy.  The extent of his magical power wasn't grand, with only a small traveling spell, his blow that murdered Nilik, a concealed fire spell, and a summon spell as his major skills.  The rest were just above the basic level, which was why he wanted to return to school.  To become a teacher and fund his magery studies.</font>

 

<font color='#000F22'><center><blockquote><font color=dimgray face=verdana size=1><span style=letter-spacing:-1px>Hart's mind was swirling with things she needed to do, quickly assessing which were the most important. Foremost was a need to get the schedules done for students - Palasaj among them. There were others that had joined recently, or needed schedules remade as they added on or removed classes. The latter could wait, since the students were the ones that had switched midterm, but the rest needed to be complete before the next school day. It was best if new students started as soon as possible, after all, to adapt to the classes, as well as the fact that it was better if they didn't miss much. Those that came at the end of the term were hardest to place, since they had missed most of the classes, as it was. Most - unfortunately - failed that semester. It was sad, but there really wasn't much that Hart could do about it, except have them repeat the classes for the next semester.


Hart sensed a flicker of disappointment that - even if it didn't touch his body language - had definetely whipped through his mind. It was easy for the elderly lady to figure out why, exactly, too. But in the absence of a true Elemental master, there was now way to get him into more advanced classes. There wasn't enough call for them, as far as she could tell, anyways. That was most of the reason why they hadn't recruited a Master into their group of teachers. They had no real need. Then again, there were always substitutes, and, if need arose, she could alwayse get a temporary Master to teach those who needed Advanced classes. It was just not worth the money or the trouble to fund unused teachers.


His words caused one eyebrow to quirk, claws unsheathing in rhythmatic amusement. Perhaps there was a snippet of arrogance in that? Too self-assured, this young one. He hadn't seen enough violence to reserve his energy, and he was too headstrong. Wouldn't have lasted two hours in strict military discipline. Too much indepedent, defiant fire within that one. Hart could see it, as clearly as she could see that he wasn't as innocent as he made himself out to be. That didn't mean she wouldn't accept him into Janardan with open arms, after all, everyone deserved a chance. Any misdemeanor, though, and a strict eye would be kept on him. Especially if, as she had a sneaking suspicion, he had been among some... less then clean company.


<font color=#330000>"Alright, then... it would be safer to use more... hm, natural travel? But you aren't quite yet my student, so I have no control over that."</font> She replied with a faint smile of amusement, and a slight wave of her paw that was a gentle dismissal, a nod given that affirmed that he was allowed to go and get what he needed.

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<font color='#000080'>((The “fairy tale" illustration could be related to manga, and his uniform would be closely related to a BoyÂ’s gray school uniform in some Japanese schools.  Malachite.))

He nodded slightly, pushing up with his forepaws at the conclusion of their conversation.  It wasnÂ’t that he was trying to show off—though he did have the occasional whim to overkill what he put his paws into—but that he wanted to get his business done with as quickly as possible.  His routines per diem caused him to be a punctual personality by habit, which made him restless during idle moments.  Standing on his hind legs, Palasaj dismissed himself at Principal HartÂ’s leave, since she obviously had something to do as well.  It seemed that she was apprehensive of his abilities.  Being the youthful and still moderately ambitious Pendragon, he decided to be a little less conservative.

“I will not be long.  Two hours at the most to get where I need to be, find my old berthing grounds, and get what little personal effects I have.  Just in case I become weathered."

Palasaj turned around, his glossy black fur glinting slightly with a healthy shine.  The large fox lashed his tail from the base to the tip, increasing his tail flame with a heavy burn.  The contrasting azure tongues of light raced across more follicles of fur, tainting the shade of his black tail to a vile, dark blue.  He crossed his front paws as they became larger, losing their fur in place of small arm hair, not even apparent at that.  His hunched over appearance became more proper, casually losing fur all over his body and gaining a more humanoid build.  Palasaj lowered his head in moderate meditation, imagining the form of which he was to take from a fairy tale illustration about times long lost which were fiction, but inspiration none thee less.  The paws became separated, extending into five fingers with violent claws that shrunk, pulling Fronima into the pores of his exposed, light tan skin.  He wanted to be proper, not expose himself amongst the public in such a degrading manner.  The tales that he read, illustrated in such detail that he couldnÂ’t help but remember as he practiced over the years, allowed for him to attempt at some sort of clothing, something that he thought fit the body as well as the armor did.  It was a gray uniform with blue lining, only a gray jacket with black buttons down the front and matching trousers.  The Pendragon opened his arms and turned his head, the grave face of a dark haired human, cold coal eyes and a dead gaze looking back.  His tail was still coming from is waist, large and beastly as with his original Pendragon body, and ablaze just as wildly.  The fox-like ears perked from the flailing mass of long, black hair as idle black towers, PalasajÂ’s black earrings jingling with smaller rings on the loops.

“Just two hours.  Pagujs."

The left over Fronima from his still in process transformation galvanized into one point, small streams of black light streaming amidst PalasajÂ’s chest.  His hair flew slightly, a contained gale force wind blasting his clothing against his body and whipping wildly.  The whistling air of his only movement spell ended abruptly, PalasajÂ’s being dissipating into only a beam of black light.  It zipped into the air and left with only a small pop, leaving pink leaves fluttering behind.  Only the armor and the backpack that Palasaj arrived with was left behind on his excursion of Ajita, an exploration of his home Atelier.  It was stupid of him to be less conservative and show off for the principal.  Half way through summoning the Pagujs spell, he was already sweating.</font>