Undaquinus Academy

Fallon almost smiled as well when he saw Nadia's face change slightly. "You're very welcome, Nadia." In fact, Sanyir almost thanked her. Nadia was the most interesting thing to happen all week. But he was aware of her quiet nature by now; and wanted to respect that. Prodding her into more conversation seemed unfair. Still, she had provided diversity for the day, and that made him...happy? Sanyir realized suddenly that perhaps he was on the brink of a good mood. He ran one hand through his hair and furrowed his eyebrows. Well, Lune, when was the last time that happened? He looked at the ceiling, as if waiting for a reply from the sky. Even started to hum. Abruptly he remembered Nadia, who had been standing in silence waiting for him to react. "Well..." He said, more to himself than the student. What a shy girl. He thought to Minoha. Do you realize I'm still hungry?!? Minoha hissed at him, eyes narrowing. She started to slither away, cursing. Fallon frowned, shook his head, and sighed again. "It seems my familiar has remembered that I have forgotten breakfast." He started to limp back to his room. Looking over his shoulder, he gave a nod to Nadia. "You may...return to whatever you were doing. It was good to meet you, child."

“B-bye.” Naida called tentatively after him, surprised at herself for feeling a little sad at his going. Strangely enough, she was calmed by the eccentricities that she observed, and it occurred to her that he had provided her with what could pass as the first conversation she’d had since leaving home. It was only after he and his large familiar had disappeared around a corner of the hall that she realized she didn’t know what classes he taught, and thus, how to find him again, should she need to. With a start, Naida realized she was still standing in the middle of the hall, now by herself, while older students moved around on their way to or from lunch, looking at her curiously. She blushed again at the attention, and ducked her head, turning to go back the way she was originally heading. As she walked, she tried to sink into her customary posture of near-invisibility, while wondering if it would be worth it to try and get any lunch herself. Judging by the angle of the sun outside the windows, she still had a little time, but best go stash her precious books and letter in her room in case any more bullies were waiting there. Once clear of the hall and its students, she broke into a trot to save time. Maybe they’ll have pudding today... Her stomach grumbled in anticipation.

Sanyir almost fell into his chair when Nadia turned out of the doorway. Clutching his leg, Sanyir remembered that he hadnt told Nadia where to find him should she need his help. He wasnt in his room much, anyways. "I should..." he rose, pushing his chair back. He winced as he put wieght on his bad leg, and sat down again. "Maybe in a while." Adept Fallon closed his eyes. Well, standing on his leg for that long usually didnt bother him... Did you forget your medicine? Minoha asked softly, concerned. "Suppose not." Fallon smiled sadly. "I'll have to make another humiliating trip to the medic hall soon, too. Theyre almost all out." Fallon opened one of his drawers and pulled out a small, clear vial. He opened the stopper and downed it almost immediately. He coughed, and put the bottle back in. Sanyir waited for a few minutes, to let the pain pass. He could hear the students chatter and shouts as they buzzed down the hall. Is it all the moisture in the air, you think? Minoha asked, placing her head on Sanyir's foot. It's been acting up lately. "I'm not sure." Fallon got up again, and only flinched slightly this time. "We should go to lunch; you're hungry, no?" Hmm. Minoha started twoards the door. Maybe you will see that girl and tell her where to find you. "I should." He followed her. The children had all gone, and the hall was empty again. You feel like you are responsible for her? Minoha turned her head over her shoulder. For a water lizard, she was suprisingly agile on land; the two walked at a normal pace. Fallon's cane and her claws clicked on the marble floor of the now empty hall. "I'm not sure," He frowned, "No one was around for me, Minoha.." She's not at all like you. Minoha laughed. She's not a scarecrow like you. "Oh, well, at least I'm not a disgusting lizard." Minoha shrugged. You choose me, Sanyir.

Naida lurked in the shadowed alcove next to one of the entrances to the dining hall, thinking hard. None of the group who’d chased her her earlier was there, -they’d either eaten already, or hadn’t the nerve yet to show up in a place where they might have another run in with Adept Fallon- but instead she saw a group of her female classmates which was, in a way, worse. They never chased her, nor did they physically bully her, but their snide, biting comments and their well-placed giggles were often even more humiliating, and the sting almost always lasted far beyond the encounter. And unfortunately, they were sitting at a table right in front of the food counter. Should she try to approach, they’d almost certainly start teasing her, and she didn’t think she had the courage to ignore them. Nor could she wait for them to leave, as she had to get to her next class fairly soon. Her stomach grumbled and she sighed. What she needed was a distraction. Something to make them look away long enough for her to slip past and get into the kitchens... She turned her head at the sound of approaching footsteps and almost smiled when she saw a group of particularly pompous students, three years her senior. Perfect. Turning her body to shield any light that the spell generated from the people around her, she focused hard on gathering the moisture in the air into a small puddle on the marble in their path, catching her lip between her teeth in concentration. She silently thanked the Gods that it was a more humid day today, but she wasn’t a good enough spell-caster to do much more than put a faint sheen of moisture on the floor before the students got to it. Breathing a little hard from the exertion, she waited. The first one made it across with only a slight wobble, but as he was turning to see what he’d slipped on, the girl behind him stepped directly in the center of it and her feet slid out from under her. She crashed to the ground with a dramatic shriek, and within moments, a sizable crowd had gathered around to investigate, comfort, and gawk. With a small smile, Naida slipped around behind them and dashed for the kitchens.

"Ugh...what...where DID that come from?!?" A girl squealed as Fallon entered the cafeteria. Fallon noticed a boy helping a girl up, looking quite confused. Most students crowded around them seemed undecided between ridicule and comfort. The teachers had even glanced over from their table to see what was going on. Oh, Lune. The teacher's table. Fallon felt an inward groan swell up within him. The only thing he hated more than the annoying kids were the annoying teachers that taught them. Even among his fellow intellectuals, Fallon felt like he was the only one that wasnt an idiot. More than that, the teachers seemed to think he was a sort of novelty, on the cutting edge of education. Every now and then, a new faculty member would drop by in the middle of a class, "just to chat." When really, Sanyir knew, they were just trying to see what made him so damn special. When it really came down to the discussion of -*test*-('")s, curriculums, and whatnot...Fallon just dissapointed them. But no matter how many times he threw up his hands and said, "I dont know, I make them do it!", they would just start the process again. The teacher's table was the worst part of the day, because they would all gang up on him. Fallon cringed inwardly at the thought of another draining conversation. Usually he had time to get to the dining hall, grab his food, and head to the quiet of the beach. But today's event had delayed him. Gods, arent they all water adepts? Minoha sighed. You think they would be a tad more graceful on their own element. Ah, Fallon realized with sudden delight, I should say something about it. Fallon walked by the students, giving them only a passive glare. "Make sure to clean that up." He said, pointing to the water. "Dont want anyone else to slip, do we?" He walked towards the food counter, and picked up a plate. Minoha started towards the door, her usual routine. She put her head on the door and pushed. Go in, there's the meat, eat it, then leave. Simple, usually never interrupted. But now, it was easily an hour later. She hoped that the cooks had still left it out. Then again, humans didnt like things to be old at all. She hissed in agitation as she entered the room to find her bowl gone. The staff crooned apologies as they bustled by, now busy with the students. Minoha slithered towards the back of the kitchen, snapping at anyone who bumped into her.

Naida stood off to the side, waiting patiently and silently as one of the cooks put together a delicious-looking plate of food for her. She liked the kitchen staff for a variety of reasons, not the least of which being that they let her take refuge in their domain when needed, and fed her besides. That, and they knew her well enough that she didn’t have to speak much. Mostly, she communicated by a combination of pointing and other gestures, and this seemed to work just fine for them, which in turn worked out for her. As the cook handed her the plate, Naida noticed the large bowl of delicious-looking pudding on the side, and she beamed up at the cook in delight. “Th-th-th–” She started, but the man waved his hand dismissively and smiled. “You’re welcome, kid. Now better scoot on out of here before you get stepped on.” Naida nodded happily in reply and turned to slip back out the way she came, when she saw the large, irritated-looking lizard slithering in her general direction. That’s Adept Fallon’s familiar, she thought, remembering. Doesn’t look too happy... She turned around again, and gently caught one of the cook’s sleeves between her fingers, tugging gently. When he looked back at her with a, “Yeah?” she released her hold and pointed to the -*test*-('")y reptile, cocking her head questioningly. “Ah, crap.” He said and sighed. “I thought someone had already handled that. Damnit. Better get her something before she gets really ticked and bites someone’s legs off or something...” He continued muttering as he pivoted, strode over to the meat locker, retrieved a raw slab of something big and came back, slapping it into a bowl. “Hey, kid. You think you could give this to her on your way out? I really gotta get back to work, and I don’t like the way that thing’s lookin’ at me...” He stared over her shoulder for a second nervously before he looked back at her and grinned. “Besides, I doubt you’d be big enough to seem appetizing, so you’re probably safe.” Naida swallowed, eyes wide, but nodded. He was joking, after all... Right? Before she could second-guess any further, however, the cook grinned at her again, and stuck the bowl in her free hand then walked away, whistling. Swallowing again, Naida shuffled around and started walking towards the familiar, awkwardly juggling the two large dishes in her hands. She stopped about three feet in front of the lizard and crouched to set the bowl down on the floor, slightly off to the side so that it would be out of the way of most of the traffic. She even managed a smile as she nodded to Minoha and said, “H-here you g-g-go.”

Minoha hissed at the cook as he walked away. That was the third time he had messed up this week. And when you are a hungry lizard, you dont have time for fools. She fumed quietly. Don't kill anyone, Minoha. Sanyir thought to her, sitting at the teacher's table. Minoha looked up at Nadia, and flicked her tounge. This was the young one that had been given so much trouble earlier. She looked at the meat and sighed gratefully. Your little friend is here. She thought to Fallon casually. "Really?" Fallon said, back at the table. The teacher that had been talking looked up at him with suprise. She blinked through her large glasses as the other teachers shifted uncomfortably. "Why, yes, really," She said, blushing slightly, "I'm on a diet. Really." "Ah, well-" Fallon coughed, "Good for you." Thinking out loud again?Minoha asked, nudging the meat with her nose. Perhaps. Sanyir replied. Minoha rolled her eyes and looked up at Nadia. This was the time when she actually wished she was human, so she could thank the girl. Perhaps she could bring her to Fallon. Yes, a good plan. Or she cuold bring Sanyir to take his lunch within the kitchen. Whatever it may be, she needed Nadia to be thanked. That involved getting Fallon. Minoha turned slightly so her tail lay in Nadia's path. She looked into the girls eyes, and willed her to stay. waiting for a reaction. Come inside the kitchen. She thought to Sanyir. "Why the hell would I want to go in the kitchen?" Fallon growled. The teachers once again looked at him questioningly. He coughed again, and picked up his food. "Ehh, trouble. In the kitchen." He laughed, sounding pained. Fallon made his way quickly twoards the door.

Naida had been about to turn and make her way out when Minoha draped her long tail across her intended path and started staring at her. She didn’t think the lizard was angry at her, but she knew better than to -*test*-('") that theory by ignoring the clear “stay here” command and walking away. Instead, she gave a nervous sort of smile, and sat down with her back to the wall. Balancing the plate in her lap, she started nibbling at the food there. Naida knew that she probably ought to save the pudding for last, but after a few bites of the other food, good as it was, she couldn’t help taking up her spoon and tucking into the sweet dessert. Humming happily to herself, she let her gaze wander idly over the various activities in the kitchen, the people, the foods in various states of preparation, before settling on the lizard next to her. Usually, whenever Naida had seen the animal around, it was always at the same time as Adept Fallon appeared, and since before today Naida had made it a point to avoid most any teacher in the school, she’d not spent much time in just looking at the large familiar. She savored a bite of the pudding as she tilted her head to the side and examined the multitude of scales, and the subtle patterns there. It was actually kind of pretty, in its own way. Without any real conscious decision, Naida started composing the next part of her letter to her father in her head, describing the fierce reptile as she devoured her hard-won lunch.

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