Athrym paced back and forth in the shadows around the school gates. It was time, she was ready. Dressed in a black cloak she borrowed from the school and her mugrobi dress, hood up. In her satchel she had a change of clothes, her pajama's, makeup and purse. The small servants gate was unlatched and the guards were playing Kingdoms in their small guard house. It should be easy to sneak past the doorway. Further down the road out of Brunnhold were the moa's. That was their first goal.

"Come on guys." She mumbled, rubbing her hands together to keep them warm.

((Some of us who no longer have curfews or mentors don't need to "escape," so I'm not sure if escaping should be a separate thread for y'all or not. ))

Naul had washed and slept and packed, but mostly slept. He'd rediscovered his gate key, his house key, his guest house key, and even a coat with a hood. He packed light, not wanting to lug anything more around than necessary. It was an accomplished evening all without homework or any more misadventures; this afternoon had held enough. He was pretty sure it was going to be a long night, however. Hopefully, in a good way.

The older student took a leisurely walk with some purposeful out of the way wandering to the gate, even though he didn't really think he would attract any unwanted attention. He had come and gone as he pleased in the past.

Walking quietly, he made sure Athrym noticed him before he got to the gate, avoiding the guardhouse, so as not to surprise anyone and cause alarm. He grinned as he approached, stopping only once he was quite close to her and speaking quietly, "Are we alone then?" He teased, "No one else's out yet, huh?" If no one else made it, he wouldn't be lying if he didn't mind, but he tried not to let that show on his face.

*(Ok, I'm going for it!)*

Fowler had taken careful consideration with what he was going to take with him. A change of clothes outside of the ones he was already wearing (both were as inconspicuous as he could make them, all things considered), a dark coat for the night and the journey, his coin purse, and his trusty copy of Dr. Mann's 12th Edition (it had started going everywhere with him) were carefully packed into his satchel. In his hand, he carried a small stack of meaningless papers, written all over and scratched out. In reality they were rough drafts of letters he'd written to his parents since coming to school, but when flashed about quickly they could easily pass as important notes for a class project. He'd gotten a library pass with flawless ease an hour and a half before midnight and had stayed reading until the clocks said he had ten minutes. On his way out, he had carefully ditched the papers out of eyesight and donned his coat, after which it was only a matter of sticking to the shaddows and heading to the gate.

As he drew closer, Fowler saw two figures standing near the wall in the darkness. He couldn't make out their faces, but they didn't appear to be guards. The boy stepped into the open a bit, just enough to be seen in the light, before continuing forward in the shadows until he reached the two people, the two older students from lunch. I guess Ellie hasn't gotten here yet, he thought. I do hope she is alright. "I'm n-n-not l-late, am I?" he whispered.

Oof...ack...

It was not the easiest window to slide out of. The designers had obviously thought of the possibility of nighttime escapes; nothing but a very quiet Push spell had managed to open it even a crack, and by the time Ellie had wrested it open her hands were red and sore and her tiny muscles ached from the exertion.

She had dressed as quickly and quietly as possible, holding her breath to avoid waking anyone in her dormitory; nine sleeping girls snored on, oblivious to her attempted departure. Packing lightly, taking only her favorite book of stories and a parcel of money, she donned the roughest boots she owned and crawled carefully onto the window ledge.

For larger girls, it might have been an easy job to slip down onto the brick molding and into the safety of the bushes, but the drop looked like a plunge into a bottomless abyss in the darkness; Ellie clung to the sill, the wind whipping her dress around wildly, hoping no one was around to see how absurd she looked. Eventually, steeling herself for a nasty fall, she let go.

Emerging from the bushes, she swept leaves and twigs from her hair and nursed several bruises before glancing back at the window. This is mad, she thought suddenly. They'll know I've gone. They'll tell my mum and dad. What am I doing? Is seeing a circus - is being with friends - worth this?

Her mind flashed to Athrym, and the approving look that was sure to be on her face once she showed up. Her resolve strengthened, and she hurriedly began jogging to the gatehouse.

It was a good half hour's journey across the campus, the Aqueduct and the spooky main street through the Stacks; time seemed to stretch on forever as she hugged herself against the evening chill and wished fervently that she'd brought a coat. Shadows leapt out from every empty alleyway at her, and more than once she let out a little shriek.

Just when she was beginning to regret this effort, she saw Athrym, Nauleth and Fowler up ahead.

"Hey!" she whispered, running towards them.

"Hey, you don't know me, but I've been watching you guys like a stalker. The name's Hex." With a muffled slap, the hoxian wick's hand met his forehead. Suddenly aware of the noise he was making, he turned and looked over the bush at the group gathering at the gate. It didn't appear that they had noticed him, and there wasn't any movement from the guardhouse.

Things were getting complicated to say the least. How could he just walk up to them? He couldn't. So perhaps he'd just follow them to Vienda. It's not like he had to be with them to enjoy himself at Circus. Right...

((After Cart's post, i think its better we assume we are waiting at the exit gates of Brunnhold itself. EG: we're out of the school grounds and through the stacks - Hex included.))

Athrym looked up as Nauleth approached with a childish smile.



The blonde grinned and nodded.

"Alone, but I dont think it will be for long." She could already sense a field approaching.



Athrym shook her head, impressed that the boy had come on time. She was very impressed with punctuality.



Grinning, the blue eyed girl waved at Ellie.

"Hey! You made it!" She said excitedly. It was all coming together. They only had Alisoina and Nathaniel to wait on. In Athrym's mind they only had Alisoina to wait on. Taking a moment to think, she turned to Nauleth.

"Is he still welcome?" She didn't say any names.



The platinum blonde could sense a field nearby. It was slightly off, like it didn't quiet fit with everyone elses, but she shrugged it off. There were bound to be people around somewhere.

((Changed this so we could keep the plot moving. Hex, you're still welcome to follow us, we'd love it!))

The boy shrugged, frustration creeping its way back into his face, eyebrows furrowing one side at a time. He spoke in a low, quiet voice, "I don't care."

He really didn't. He knew who he was going with to the Circus and everyone else was just extra baggage. Not to say he wasn't willing to look out for the girls and the young stuttering boy, but one he was definitely not ready to. Nathaniel would have to earn his place with the older student, just like he now would with the mona.

He sneered a little, and his voice was gratingly hard and heavy, like stone, "If there's trouble along the way, we already know he can take care of himself."


Naul thought he recognized the faintest of fields; someone was nearby enough who was not from his immediate circle. He said nothing, however, for he figured there were plenty of students out for the weekend. He really wasn't paying enough attention anyway, distracted as he was by the arrival of students he actually knew.

With an impatient sigh, he found the closest wall to lean on and did so, watching the surrounding darkness from under the hood of his coat.

"Hullo, Fowler," said Ellie, a bit shyly. She turned to greet Athrym and Nauleth, smiling. "Alisoina isn't here yet, is she?" she asked, looking around in the darkness.

She was thrilled and excited to see what Athrym had planned; with total confidence, she knew the older girl would know exactly how to get them out of the University. Doubt never crossed her mind.

At 28 o'clock, Nathaniel woke up from sleeping off the duel he was part of earlier that day. He had collapsed face down on his bed as soon as he had walked into his room earlier, and so was still wearing bloodstained clothes and having a head full of dried blood.

Yawning and stretching, he saw that night had long fallen, and Nathaniel wasted no time in getting ready for the journey ahead of him. He forgot that he never showered, and was quickly reminded when he scratched his head, dried blood flaking off in his fingers. Oh yeah...first things first.

He peeled off his bloodied clothes as he walked across the room, flinging them in a pile to be sent to the laundry later. He grabbed his towel and other toiletries and walked down the hall to the showers in his undergarments. Most of the students were asleep anyway, and so he didn't encounter anyone.

After washing all the blood and dirt off of his person, he felt a lot better. Hot watered showers always seemed to have that effect on him. It also gave him inspiration. He finished cleaning himself and jogged back to his room in his towel, mind racing. After putting away his things and hanging his towel to dry, he scribbled down what came to him during his shower. One of the sketches looked a lot like Nauleth. Nathaniel scowled heavily, suddenly reminded of unpleasant and embarrassing memories. I have a lot to explain if he ever wants to talk to me again.

A pang of nervousness stabbed into his gut, making him momentarily afraid of what the older student might do to him if he showed up. He stopped sketching. Clock it all, it doesn't matter anyway. I really want to see the Circus again, no matter who's there. He distantly remembered the clowns, exotic animals, and dangerous stunts that he saw and he really wanted to see everything again.

Cleaning out his satchel onto his table, he packed an extra set of clothes, some food for two light meals, some extra pens and pencils, a couple of books for light reading if he needed it, his toothbrush, his reading glasses, and his Static magic grimoire, for studying harder than ever.

He donned a clean set of clothes, and pulled on a pair of comfortable, yet very sturdy pair of boots. He slipped over his shirt a practical vest, comfortable, able to keep him hot or cool depending on the temperature, and full of deep pockets to put various useful items in. In the vest, he deposited his sketchbook, his main pencil and pen, a jackknife, a wallet full of money, and lastly, his beloved pocket watch. He turned and opened up his wardrobe for his final preparation for the odyssey for the Circus. He reached in, and pulled out his traveling cloak. This was easily his favorite piece of clothing in his possession, right after his vest. It was thick, but very light. It kept him cool during when it was warm and warm when it was cold. It was a midnight blue, and as comfortable as a blanket. Nathaniel loved it.

He secured his satchel over the front of his torso, and with a whirl of cloth, wrapped his thin frame completely with his cloak. He fastened the cloak, and dropped his hands to his waist. He stood still for a moment. Did I forget anything? He considered what all he possibly needed.

Satisfied that he didn't forget anything. He crossed the room in two long strides and through his door. Locking it behind him, he set off out of the dorms at a brisk pace, checking his pocket watch.

29 o'clock. I have plenty of time. He crossed over the threshold of of the older boy's dormitory and threw up his hood as he stepped into the spring night air. He walked at a leisurely pace, watching the stars in the expansive night sky with rare, uncontained child-like wonder. Before he knew it, he found that his feet carried him to the school gates. He saw the floating forms of who he guessed to be the two youngest kids (he didn't know their names)....and Nauleth and Athrym.

He checked his pocket watch again as he approached. Five ticks until midnight. Everyone except Alisoina was early. Bracing himself, he stopped among the group, silently nodding in greeting through the hood that obscured his expressionless face.

"Leisant, if you don't stop mewling I am going to cast Silence on you I swear it!" Ali hissed at the tiny osta, narrowed lime eyes meeting the kittens wide, sweet stare. "I told you I'm going away for a few days. You can take care of yourself." Leisant blinked his big eyes once.

Sighing, Ali grabbed some scraps of food from her desk and threw them into her overnight bag. In it was her second nicest dress, the burgundy and ocher one. Right now she was wearing an old dress, a rich brown frock that was a little too short and a little too tight, but it was the darkest thing she owned. It was comfortable for moving around in, and for once she didn't care how she looked.

Scooping up the osta, she tucked him in her bag, and made for the door before remembering the matron. Sighing, she looked to the window. She could crawl down again, but... it would hurt. Slinging on her darkest cape, Ali was now ready for the ride. Gritting her teeth, she swung the pack around and clamored out the window, much more careful than the first time. She managed to not hurt herself, and she made the final jump easily. Glaring at her pack, she waggled a finger at it, walking briskly towards the shadows. Oh goddess I hope i don't get caught oh lady Alioe...

"You even think of giving us away and I'll never feed you again." Ali kept to the bushes and shadows, making he way closer to the gate. Finally she caught sight of her companions after a nerve-wracking walk, and began to move quickly past the shrubs and to the gate. Stopping for a second to smooth her dress (which was a little tighter than she had remembered...), Ali stepped forward and settled next to Athrym, her eyes shining happily.

"I hope I'm not awfully late, I had a bit of a problem with stowaways." The osta took that time to mew, and Ali lifted the top of her satchel so he could peer out. "This is Leisant, my kitten. I promise he won't cause any trouble or I'll toss him myself." She glared at the miniature cat, who merely settled back into the bag. Looking at everyone she grinned lightly.

"Ready when you are!"

Athrym looked at Nathaniel with narrowed, cold eyes. She didn't know whether to send him away or allow him to come. Naul said he didn't care, but she knew he did. As she mulled over the decision, she noticed Alisoina making her way over and sighed with relief. At least now, they could go. The problem of Nath could be sorted out later. She would let him come, but whatever happened in Vienda was free game. No teachers to interfere.



The blonde smiled a little and nodded. She thought the little fur ball was cute, but she saved her cooing for private. Alisoina was dressed in the slinkiest outfit she had seen on a fourth year. It was pretty, but looked a bit tight. Still, it worked for her. Resettling her satchel, she looked at each of them.

"Right," She whispered. "When I open the door, crouch down and get past the guard house as fast as you can. Once you can stand, start running. Stay to the shadows and for clock's sake do not get separated. Especially the girls. The stacks can be...dangerous." Her voice seemed to ice up at the last word. Reaching out to take the handle of the servant's side door, she pulled it open as quietly as she could. Fortunately the guard house was more faced towards the main gates, so it made it easier to get past without being seen. Crouching low, she reached back for Naul's hand and began to move forwards, past the window. Inside, she could see the guards busy with Kingdoms, completely engrossed was an understatement. As soon as they were past, she tugged on his hand and ran to the nearest shadow, stopping to let the others catch up.

Nathaniel registered that it was time to go. For some reason, even thought Athrym's statement was a perfectly valid one, he felt something off with the last part of that statement. It felt like a personal weight behind that last thing she said....I wonder why... thought Nathaniel.



Nathaniel nodded in agreement without speaking. There will be plenty of time for apologies and explanations later when we get to Vienda. For now though, this was hardly the time. And he didn't trust himself to speak right right then.



I guess this is my cue. Taking Ali by the hand, he crouched down and silently snuck under the guard's window. Not daring to breathe or look back. He gently but quickly guided Alisoina with him after Athrym and Nauleth into the shadows. Quietly stopping in a crouched position, he looked back. The guards seemed as engrossed as ever with their cards. Beyond them, the two youngest children had yet go sneak past. All was going according to plan so far.

Ali nodded at Athrym's instuctions, and knelt as low as she could. She assumed that Fowler and Ellie were going to be going in their pair, and Athrym was going to be Nauleth, no question. Which left her with...

As Nathaniel grabbed her by the hand, she had to fight the instinct to sigh. While her head still had that bruise from earlier, and she wasn't entirely certain her rear would like sitting double on a moa, Ali was more pleased than she ought to be by the contact. They crept beneath the window, and she could hear the game going on inside. It made her breath still for a moment. They're so close... if they just look out... but Nathaniel pulled her along, and soon they were out of immediate danger.

Feeling herself pulled along into the shadows, Ali retrieved her hand, torn between relief that they had made it and a slightly wistful sadness that Nathaniel had dropped her hand so quickly. Well, he's watching Ellie and Fowler. Plus he's in seventh form. Alisoina bit back an exacerbated sigh and looked at her dress, really really wishing she had worn something else.

It was impossible to tell in the night's shadows, but Fowler blushed redder than a tomato. "H-h-hullo, El-ellie," he returned her greeting with a shy smile. His bottom was still sore from riding practice.

Fowler nodded his understanding, and watched as first the oldest students ran, then the other boy and girl, leaving only himself and Ellie. He turned and looked at the girl, holding out his hand. "A-a-are y-you r-r-ready?"

Nauleth stood up from the wall as everyone arrived, face curled into a slight sneer. Whether it was because of Nathaniel's arrival or Alisoina's osta, however, was a mystery; the boy kept his thoughts to himself for once. If he were to speak up, his discomfort would've been because of both. He just was not an osta person, in general, and he worried that the animal would pick an inopportune moment to be noisy.


The older student moved to stand closer to the blond girl at her words; he knew what was behind them. He wasn't about to let anything happen to any – well, most – of them if he could help it.

He let his sneer fade, one side at a time, as he looked at Athrym through his hood, speaking with subdued confidence, "It'll be fine. No one here is alone tonight." He wasn't really speaking about anyone else but her, however, and the tone of his voice made that obvious.


Naul let the blond girl lead him until they stopped to wait. Watching as all the students joined them, he looked first to Nathaniel carefully.

"Go last." It was not a request, but it wasn't necessarily an order, either. It was just a statement, only with a sharp edge.

"Keep the younger ones from falling behind through the streets and make sure no one follows us." His voice wasn't mean, just distant. He figured the seventh year could handle it, and it was his way of at least giving him the benefit of the doubt in terms of trust.

Nauleth would've done it himself, but he had what he considered more pressing (if not more pleasant) responsibilities with Athrym. The uncommon desire to protect someone was strange though not completely alien, and he knew only himself and Alisoina properly understood.

He looked at her without waiting for a response from Nathan, "I know where we're going, if you'd rather follow me."

Ellie barely heard Fowler speak; her heart was thumping harder than it ever had, and her blood was rushing in her ears. Excitement had made her breathless. She had never known adventure like this, though she had read about it many times in fairy tales; she'd longed to be the cloaked heroine riding across the lonely moor towards glory and conquest.

Scooting along in the dark like a creepy thief wasn't exactly the same, of course, but she supposed the real riding would take place outside the gates. She headed for Nathaniel's bright hair like it was a torchlight leading the way, motioning for Fowler to follow.

She couldn't help but give his hand a little grateful squeeze. This was going to be an experience she wasn't sure she could handle alone. Already, there was a tightness in her chest she wouldn't admit to, not yet. She waited quietly as the others caught up, listening to Naul instruct Nathan.



Athrym nodded slowly.

"That would be a really good idea, thank you Naul." She said quietly. Taking a moment to glance at the others, she smiled at him.

"Whenever your ready, lead on."

It was a strange sensation, this desire to be protective and ... supportive. Athrym's appreciation and returned attention was a kind of motivation he was completely unused to. He'd always been the one to rub salt in others' wounds, to pry out their weaknesses with words if not spells, and here he was holding someone's hand to comfort them. Because her smile made his heart flutter differently in his chest. It was ridiculous, but apparently nothing Nauleth was willing to fight against any longer. His previous system of personal reward really never cut it anyway, not even with the mona.


In the darkness deepened further by his hood, the boy felt a bit of warmth spread across his face. He grinned almost stupidly, but it was thankfully concealed by the night.


Nauleth waited for everyone to arrive in their little shadowed spot and at least pretend to assemble in an organized fashion, all the while sorting through the best streets in his mind to get to the Brass Uncle. He'd never drank there himself, but he knew where it was. He didn't want to stray into the entirely abandoned alleys, not with the children, but he certainly didn't want to be anywhere crowded now that it was after curfew. He really just wanted to avoid any trouble.

Once he was satisfied, he glanced over their motley group of students with a wry smirk before turning and wordlessly hitting the streets, keeping Athrym's hand encouragingly in his. Once or twice his thoughts strayed forwards to Vienda and the nagging worry about the riot and his family, but the boy was too intent on keeping them from getting noticed and traversing the Stacks safely to dwell on anything else.

He realized briefly during one of their many pauses along the way that he knew his way around perhaps a bit too well. Had he really spent that much of his free time here?

Eventually, the Brass Uncle was in sight. Across the street, even. Pausing in the alley to wait for everyone to catch up one last time, Naul leaned against the wall and looked to the blond girl, "Well. Here we are and there it is. We're not all going in, are we?"

((Everyone is welcome to post and catch up; I just thought I'd get us movin'. Hex, if you're out there, you are welcome to jump out of the dark here or later on the road or even in Vienda. ))

Athrym gripped Nauleth's hand in a vice like fashion, tensing up at each dark alleyway. Her piercing blue eyes danced from corner to corner, and anyone they passed without a field made her heart race. Finally, an eternity it seemed, Naul stopped across the road from a tavern. The Brass Uncle.



The platinum blonde shook her head. She looked at him, then the group, focusing on Alisoina.

"Naul and I will go in and arrange the moa's. Your in charge. Back soon." With that she nodded to the salt and pepper haired boy.

"Let's go."

Throughout the entire trip through the stacks, she had hung back with Nathaniel, keeping an eye on the younger students. She hadn't thought to be scared, until her memory surged with Athrym's admission.

Ice cold fear had shot through her... and suddenly every corner was filled with attackers, each shadow an evil human or wick. However, Nathaniel grabbed her hand and a sense of peace settled over her. He'll protect us, just like Nauleth will. She smiled at him in the dark, knowing that he couldn't see it. She'd tell him how much it meant to her later.


Alisoina nodded once, eyes ablaze with happiness. YES! Athrym trusts me enough to watch over the others! Nathaniel was far less enchanting than the idea of real power, for once. Athrym, I'll do you proud.

Turning to the rest of them, she pulled herself to her full height and looked at them each in turn, head high. However, the image was ruined, for as she looked down, she noticed how high the hem of her dress had ridden, and quickly scrambled to pull it down. She gathered herself together, and tried again at the imperious glance, however the bright blush on her cheeks belied it's coolness.

"We're going to sit tight and keep quiet, is that understood?" She whispered, and after a final little smile of power, sank back into the shadows. I'm in charge, I'm in charge~ the phrase sing-songed though her mind.

Nathaniel took Ali's hand in his, walking quietly behind the marching backs of the two youngest children that he still didn't know their names. The Stacks are a confusing place to get lost in...especially at night. One can get themselves hurt here if they're not careful. Nathaniel scowled at the dark alleyways as they passed them by, looking for any one or thing that would want to give the small group trouble. He found none. He held gently onto Alisoina's hand. The Stacks is a scary place at night for anyone, I'm sure that she'll feel better with someone here holding her hand. When they walked into the alley across from the Brass Uncle, Nathaniel gave Ali a small squeeze and dropped her hand.



Nathaniel nodded, not begrudging Alisoina a bit. Athrym, out of anyone in the entire group, trusted him the least. Well, I can't say I don't deserve that... He watched Naul and Athrym go into the Brass Uncle together. For a moment, Nathaniel's gut twisted in a quiet longing, wishing for what the couple shared with each other.



He smiled through his hood in amusement at Ali's routine of showing off that she's in charge. Nathaniel bowed his head respectfully.
"Of course," he whispered.

Fowler walked quickly, side by side with Ellie and in front of Nathaniel. The last thing he wanted was to get caught by the guards or beaten up in the shadows. He'd never been in the stacks before, and now that he was, Fowler was more than happy to be surrounded by people he mostly knew.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, the group stopped walking, and the older girl motioned for them to sit down.

Fowler nodded in agreement, happy to be resting. His heart was pounding out of his chest, but Fowler's eyes betrayed his excitement. He looked over at Ellie with a grin. "Th-th-this is ex-excit-t-ting!" he whispered.

Ellie jogged along beside Ali, her short legs struggling to keep up with the older students. She noticed that the girl was hand in hand with the new boy; this was a strange, and rather unwelcome, development. All the girls seemed to be pairing off with boys. Didn't they know that boys were icky?

"Where shall we be staying, Ali, do you know?" she asked in a whisper. "Do you think there will be a carriage? I hope there is, at some point. I'd hate to ride all that way on moaback..."