Undaquinus Academy
Undaquinus Academy is perched atop a small, rocky island rising from Solum’s southwestern shores. Vegetation there is sparse, and the nearly constant wind blowing in from the water causes the plants that do live there to grow close to the ground, or form into a pose of perpetual obeisance. Bleached white by salt and sun, on a clear day, the glare off the rock is sometimes near blinding. At night, it almost seems to glow with its own internal luminescence. Indeed, many a sailor can at-*test*-('") to using Undaquinus Isle as a sort of lighthouse during the darker nights of the year. The academy itself sits on the relatively flat space at the top of the stoney land, with cliffs dropping down to the sea on all sides. Made of white marble, the tall columns and the smooth walls make an impressive visual against the pitted rock and the bright azure sky. Several buildings aside from the main one lay placed about the island with purposes ranging from the study of the local marine life, to a fresh-water bathhouse. Deep steps have been chiseled into the cliff faces to lead up and down from the sturdy docks at the base of each. As for the inhabitants of the island, they all display signs of lives long lived by the sea. Tanned faces, wind-tousled hair and an easy comfort in and around the water are all signs of an Undaquinus-reared mage. When swimming with their familiars or other sea creatures, the students glide along as quickly and effortlessly as any fish. On land, their blue and white uniforms flow around them like so many waves. Regardless of where they may travel in the future, a true mage of Undaquinus will always have some element of the ocean about them.

Time to learn! XD.
The tall, lanky professor limped into the room, and paused to lean on the doorframe. He rested for a moment as his familiar slithered by his feet and into a large, low tank next to his bare desk. The room was quiet, the only sound coming from the chattering seagulls outside the open window. The room was a stark white, the only furniture being some random chairs strewn about the room. Well, he didnt use them much, anyway. Sanyir Fallon sat down at his desk, and immediately put his head between his hands. The dark circles under his eyes were more visible than usual today. Another whole night of sleep lost. Again. He sighed, and looked through his hands at the empty room. The students would be going to lunch now, if his timing was right. So a little moment of silence, unless some brat came into the room wanting something or other. "It's just my luck that the moon is new tonight." Sanyir said to his familiar. That makes you as giddy as a drunken sailor. Minoha grumbled, closing her eyes. Sanyir's insomnia affected her as well. "Yes, but I have to stay in tonight!" Sanyir threw his hands up in the air. "Another useless faculty meeting!" Oh, yes. Minoha blinked. I remember you cursing about that. "You know, for a familiar, you can be awfully insensitive." Sanyir snapped, laying his head against his desk. His hair fell into his face. Well, should I mention that you're not exactly a sweet person either? Minoha asked, tilting her head. By the way, I'm hungry. Sanyir smiled faintly, and looked out the window, opposite of his desk. "I really am too, now that you mention it. But that's the way it works." Yes. Minoha said, flicking her tail in the water. Her eyes flicked to the door. Your students have a tendancy to be familars with very tasty things.

"...if you want it so bad?" Sanyir's head flew up, his eyes suddenly narrow slits. "For Lunes' sake..." He hissed, and grabbed his cane that was resting on the side of his desk. He crossed the room with amazing speed for someone with a bad leg. Minoha raised her head, and flicked her tail to the side. Who's that? Minoha asked, starting to slither after Fallon. Does it matter? He snapped. Sanyir almost would have mowed down Nadia if he had not glanced down in time. He came to an abrupt halt then, looming behind the girl. His eyes were on the boy holding the paper. Perhaps any other teacher at the school would have taken time to hear both sides of the situation, maybe talk it out with the children. But Adept Fallon remembered how it felt to be ridiculed. "May I ask boy..." Sanyir growled, his voice like ice, "What the hell do you think you're doing to that poor girl?"

“P…playing?” Sanyir hissed in indignation. “Just…playing? You…” He paused, and took a deep breath. Minoha hissed softly. If there was one thing he hated more than a bully, it was a liar. The pains that were running up and down his leg intensified. Fallon’s hand tightened around the cane, his knuckles snow white. “Don’t any of you try to run off,” Sanyir snapped at the boys. “I did not dismiss you yet.” He looked at the paper in the bully’s hand. “If I were you,” He said, pointing to the paper, “I’d give that back.”

"That's more like it." Sanyir glanced down at Nadia, and for the first time noticed that the poor thing was scared stiff. For a moment, he considered patting her on the back, maybe a word of reassurance, or something; but Fallon was lost for words. Comfort wasnt really his thing. He leaned on his cane, and tilted his head to the side. Well, he had never seen her before. Curious. "I would make you apologise," Sanyir sniffed to the crowd, "But I doubt you would mean it." Minoha hissed again, and lifted her head. Her tounge flicked in and out, waiting for Sanyir to- Well Gods, Minoha. You can't attack a student. We've been through this. Sanyir frowned, annoyed. Minoha looked up at him, and lowered her head. You're tempted. And I still am hungry. Sanyir smiled openly, and his eyes lit up with an almost childlike joy. He turned his head to Minoha. Chase them down the hall and... He shook his head. Damn it, Minoha, keep that to yourself. Sanyir looked back at the children. "I was quite enjoying my quiet time when you all came screaming. If I ever hear so much as a breath from any of you while you are walking down this hall..." He glared at their leader. "I will not hesitate to take matters into my own hands. Now, get out of my sight!"

Fallon raised an eyebrow, suprised. Ususally they all ran away. "Well," He paused, and turned his head to where the boys had run off to, "it was nothing." Sanyir did not notice the stutter much; he passed it off as Nadia being simply nervous. However, he was curious of the fact he had never seen her before. Sanyir looked at Nadia, and then leaned in a little bit. "And who are you? I've never seen you before. Do I teach you?" His blue eyes blinked, as if trying to fend off sleep. I don't remember her. Minoha commented, her tounge flicking in Nadia's direction. She's so nervous...I wonder why?

Ahh. He did know of her. Sanyir had heard of her, at least. Whispers amongst the teachers about that ''poor, bright girl'' who was always writing. But Fallon had never really invested in finding the girl; it had never crossed his mind. In his opinion, she did seem vunerable, but not a target of ridicule. The students seemed to be looking for younger and younger peers to taunt. "Well, thank Lune I dont teach you, eh? You can't believe how many times I've forgotten who I teach." He laughed suddenly, though it seemed completely unnatural for him to do so. In fact, it sounded less like a laugh and more like a pained villan's cackle. It quickly died. "Now," Sanyir said, sounding grim. "Would you mind telling me why you let them get at you like that, Nadia?" He bowed his head twoards the paper. "Is that little peice of parchment really that important?"

Fallon frowned. "I see." He looked down at his cane, thinking of his own childhood, his own tortures. "Hey, Sanyir, how's your mom?" A boy sneered, lingering on the edge of the dock. They were all about to board the ship. Sanyir had said nothing back. The class boarded the boat. Adept Fallon looked at Nadia for a moment, and sighed. "It isnt, you are very much right in thinking that. At least you know it's not your fault." He leaned on his cane, and smiled. "You're very strong for such a young little girl. I envy your stamina, and that you don't satisfy them with letting it get to you. " The boy turned to Sanyir, and snickered. "I hear youre mom's a whore, that she sleeps with nobles for their money. Did you know that?" Sanyir took a weak swing at the boy, and missed. The boy pushed him off the boat. Sanyir felt the dock against his leg, felt his bones giving way. Saw the bone sticking out, almost peircing his skin- "If you ever need help, however...if they ever push you around too much...tell me. Please." He looked pained.