Preposterousness, Open

[Hollis]

It was difficult to come to terms with his new situation. Hollis had, for just over eleven years, been a lame doe sitting at home. In just a few short weeks, he had been accepted and welcomed into The City of the Gods. It was once a City of much seclusion as it was a good distance from any sizable population. With the portals being opened up, connecting it to Corus and the like, there is much more coming and going as well as a constant wealth of news.

It was impregnable to him that he would be in this ancient city, this city that trained all of the famed sorcerers as well as the infamous ones. They molded sorcerer's, it was up to the mage as to which way they turned. Hollis wanted to be a force of good for the kingdom of Tortall. He wanted to fight in the armies alongside other battle mages, as well as protect those that need protected. He wished for adventure and action, not to sit in a stuffy old study like his father did. He wanted to blast armies apart, to splinter enemy spells, and to form strategies with the greatest warriors.

It wasn't a distant dream for Hollis, it was near and real. He had the ability, the Gift, that he knew. His father didn't believe it, but every time they talked of such things he spoke of the dishonesty of those with such power. Hollis' father spoke of how easy they turn to evil, having so much power and ability, and leave Tortall to more open-minded countries.

The sun was just rising, filtering in through his window like a light goes through a crystal prism. It'd be time for the morning meal, and then off to his classes. Hollis enjoyed his courses, the constant flow of information and knowledge that was his to use, to store away for a future time. He never understood how complex spells could be, having only known a few his father had taught him. They were simple, that only required concentration and dedication. Some of the spells he read about required the caster to think about certain things, or to have a certain reason for casting it.

Stepping out into the hallway, he saw a few of his peers stepping out of their rooms too for breakfast, most still sleepy and unaware of the day. He'd hardly spoken to any of the other boys in his dormitory, nor any of the girls in the neighboring dormitory. It was, in part, due to his timidness and his lacking social skills. The only interaction he had ever experienced was with his younger brothers, the snots that they were. Hollis was glad to be rid of them, but he couldn't help but notice some of the boys that act just as they did. The hallways merged, revealing a steady trickle of girls exiting their dormitory to head towards the dining hall. He didn't know what fate would be ahead of him, but he did know he would embrace it.

[Arianna]

Arianna of Kennan did not want to get up. It was as simple as that. She was warm and comfortable, and not entirely sure where she was. Still, for the moment, that did not seem so terrible. Groaning at the persistent racket, she forced her blue eyes open and started. Awareness flooded through her as she took in the girls' dormitory. She was not at home, listening to her siblings get ready for the day.

Grinning like mad, Arianna leapt out of her bed, dressed very quickly and hurtled out into the hall. It just seemed so incredible. I'm really here, she thought with elation. For as long as Arianna could remember she knew she wanted to come to this place and become a Healer Mage. She had always known about her Gift, and it was as much an accepted part of her as an arm. Actually, Arianna considered it rather more important than an arm, since she had two of those.

Elated as she was, it was impossible for Arianna to drag her thoughts back to a more somber level. At that moment, she did not care about her father's relunctance which had been clear though he had always tried to show her loving support. The journey which had been interesting in its own right faded from importance. No, she was here at last.

Arianna was humming lightly when she entered the main hall, merging with the boys. Most of the other girls ignored her, most having already formed their exclusive groups of friends. Really, Ari did not mind. She would hate to be all to herself for a long time, but the euphoric excitement was slow to wear off. There she was, learning to heal, learning to help people the way she could best.

Inattentive, Arianna nearly ran into a boy about her age. Swerving quickly, she offered an apologetic grin and flicked her hair out of her eyes. "Excuse me," she said cheerfully

[Hollis]

Hollis' thoughts and been completely focused on his day. The things he would learn, what he would read, and the spells he would practice. As his thoughts moved this way, he even tugged on the bronze well of the Gift running through his body, the comforting warmth spreading over him as he held it. As soon as he figured out how to manage it as an even younger child, he would often pull on it and make sure it was still there. As simple as that action was, it gave him unbounded comfort and relaxation.

Perhaps it was his fault as to why the girl ran into him, causing him to drop the bronze flow of magic he had sneaking up his hand. An inaudible noise emitted from his mouth, mixing the discomfort and the jolt he experienced. There was almost a sense of pain that went through him, but not from her contact, more likely from the disconnection he experienced from himself and his Gift.

"It's quite alright," Hollis said, his voice choppy. "My fault entirely." His voice was rather nonchalant as he mulled the recent action around in his head. It made little sense, he'd never really heard anybody complain about such things, but it was so futile that he understood why people didn't complain.

Hollis came to a quick decision to put it all behind him, and ask one of the Mithran priests in class. Taking a closer look at the person - the girl - he noticed her. The long, coppery brunette hair reminded him of burning embers, while her blue eyes were as icy as the blue of a clear lake. Hollis was just a bit too young to honesty be attracted to girls, but this one was indeed pretty.

"Haven't I seen you in classes before?" he asked of her, his left eyebrow rising in question. A quirk of his, he never realized it happened. The brown hair that topped his head was ruffled, making it quite obvious he hadn't bothered to comb through it after waking up. Indeed, he hadn't honestly combed it for days, partly due to the fact he knew in a year or so it would be shaved off as was the Mithran custom. Hollis wouldn't miss it, he barely liked it as it was currently.

[Arianna]

"Probably," she answered carelessly, forced to look up at him. He's at least a foot taller than me, Arianna thought with annoyance. She hated being short. It often felt like she was at a disadvantage or made her feel lik e she was younger than her peers. Neither feeling was enjoyable for Ari. There really was not much of a point of thinking like that though, and she knew it.

For the first time, Arianna took a good look at the boy she had run into. Yes, he was taller than she was, but thinner too. Vaguely, she wondered if he ever ate. Arianna knew she was skinny, too, but she thought she looked less coltish than he did. A little sourly, she realized that his height alone would prevent him from being so easily tossed around, if not his weight. The memory of being thrown over one of her siblings hips while they were practicing was still quite strong.

By way of introduction, Ari told him, "I'm Arianna of Kennan, but you may call me Ari if you like." With pure friendliness, she smiled at him, practically bouncing on her heels. It was going to be a great day, she just knew it. Vaguely, Arianna remembered a spark of bronze light in her peripheral vision when she had bumped into him.

"Were you practicing when I so rudely interupted you," she asked, somewhat sheepishly but full of good humor. It never occured to Arianna to be a little more tactful or less exuberant. That was not her, and she was entirely used to being herself. Ari probably couldn't put on a mask if she tried.

[Hollis]

Arianna's words went through him, but he honestly didn't quite know what to say at first. Was he practicing? Not really, he was just. . .checking to make sure his Gift was still there. That irrational fear that he would lose it and would get sent back to his father's estates. That tug every so often on the bronze magic was reassuring. "Err, kind of," Hollis replied, an awkward smile spreading out on his face. "I was kind of just feeling it," he admitted, the awkward smile turning into a frown of doubt.

He always worried about how his actions were received when talking to another. If, perhaps, his responses were less than appropriate, or perhaps formal to the point of stiffness. His pursuance of a mage would also be a test to his social skills, and a growth experience in general. Arianna could be the first step, but he would have to make sure to be respectful and to do all of the things his etiquette teacher had taught him. He hadn't introduced himself to her!

A small gasp emitted as he sucked in air, the realization, perhaps unimportant to Ari, meant the world to him. Quickly, he said, "I'm Hollis, of Nornin. It's a little dump in southern Tortall. My mum's from Tyra." Overly excited, he gave extra information that wasn't quite necessary for the first introduction, Telling her where his mother was from, however, did say something of the location of their estates. Indeed, Nornin was very close to the Tyran border, the road crossing to it going right by Nornin. He'd been to Tyra quite a few times, visiting his maternal family. It really wasn't too different than Tortall, just a weaker economy and government.

Thinking of how to make decent, intelligent conversation, Hollis asked her, "What is Kennan like? I can't say I've ever heard of it, but my father never cared much to teach me of other noble establishments." There, conversation initiated. He could breathe.

[Arianna]

Arianna looked at him in curiousity as his smile turned into a frown. In response, her own smile faded a little, wondering what she could have possibly said. The thought that she might have upset him distressed her terribly. Her quick mind tried to reason what she had done so as not to do it in the future. Perhaps he feels ashamed he must practice, she wondered, the only half-way feasible reason that had come into her head. Arianna vowed to have more tact about his Gift , at least if he ever wanted to speak to her again.

His introduction, however, made her think that perhaps he had forgiven her for upsetting him after all. Her blue eyes lit up with bright interest at the information he relayed. "It's nice to meet you," she said quickly, like the habitual formality it was. Honestly, she no longer gave the meaning of the words any thought; they were simply something she had to saw upon meeting someone, whether she liked it or not.

Free from that, Ari continued excitedly, "I've never been to Tyra before. Is it strange having family there? Kennan's a little small, but home." She shrugged, but didn't take a breath. "My great, or is it great-great--I can't remember--is Sir Cleon who knew the Protector of the Small, Lady Keladry. Isn't that interesting? I wish I knew her. I love those stories, don't you?"

Arianna was watching Hollis closely, vaguely wondering what he could do with his magic. In her head, she knew that she must have seen him before in class, but when Ari focused, she put her entire attenion towards whatever it was. Class was certainly no exception since she was so eager to learn and so eager to please her parents with her progress. And that longing did not even compare to her desire to get out there and start Healing, making people feel better.

[Clover]

Clover watched the two fellow classmates and thought ' Wish i had friends like them' With that on his mind he thought back to when he wasn't going to this school for mages, all lonely and afraid. Never sure as to what is going on or who he can trust. From a young age he has had to gather food for himself and protect him self.

Shaking himself back into the present he decided he would try and make atleast a few friends, an maybe the boy over there who was on the same floor of the dormitory and that girl who seems to be his friend might also want to become his. With only a slight bit of hesitation Clover creeped his way towards them. As he drew near it seemed as though they were talking about the places they came from, which for Clover was a hard topic since he had no idea of what town he came from, only that he was a native of the neighbouring country of tusaine.

He got right up behind them and slowly bringing himself up to his full height of 4'8" he said " Ummm h..h..hey there...ca...can i walk with you guys?" as he stood there waiting for their reply, he started to figet with his orange cloak, which completely mismatched his completely green outfit. Clover started getting very nervous that they would reject him and make fun of him like the kids did back in tusaine.