((original thread made by Nauleth; recovered))

The Circus had been, admittedly, pretty amazing. It was voted unanimously worth the risky escapade and long ride through the dark to see. In fact, it was enjoyably worth all the trouble.

The motley group of Brunnhold students found themselves hovering outside the main tent after the show, watching the crowds thin and feeling a bit of the travel and excitement begin to sink into their bodies. Nauleth had spent most of the ride and spare moments during the show debating whether or not his pre-planned decision was a good one or not for the group. Their earlier nap at the inn was probably not enough to tide them over through another long ride back, especially considering none of them really knew what they would be facing upon their return. It would be best to be well-rested and ready for action.

It was with no small lump of trepidation that the dark-eyed boy finally cleared his throat and spoke up amongst the still-raving chatter over the wonders of the show they had just witnessed. Hands in his pockets, he ventured from behind his bangs, "So, I'm going to guess that we're tired. I'm also going to guess that our experience at wherever that was this morning may not have been the most ... comfortable ... for all of us. With that in mind, I have recommendations for a bit of lodging before we make our way back to school. It will require a bit of traveling and a lot of trusting me."

He produced a set of keys on a ring from his pocket, "My, er, my family's house isn't far from here now that we are outside the city proper. It's late enough that we won't be seen, especially because the guest house is separate - if we're careful - and we can leave before anyone knows we're there. It's safer and perhaps less conspicuous than staying in town, as long as we don't get caught. We can just get our moas in the morning and be on our way." He grinned a little, as if he honestly didn't think that was something to worry about. If they could get all the way to Vienda from their own dorms, then surely they could sleep a few hours absolutely anywhere and leave before they were noticed.

"I'm not really feeling open to debate, but if you're going to argue, you can at least do it on the way."

He wasn't about to admit he had personal reasons just yet, however. He really did think it would be a better option than another inn. Naul rocked on his heels a little, as if he was ready to start walking at any time yet curious to see potential reactions.


----




Athrym giggled and spoke excitedly to Ali, arm in arm with the girl. Her favorite bit of the show had been the finale, it had been spectacular. The whole thing was so rich, vibrant and beautiful. The blonde couldn't believe the majority of the thing was humans. The atmosphere left her feeling happy and excited and just in a wonderfully wonderful mood.



The blonde turned from Alisoina to face Naul behind her, raising an eyebrow. Looking around at the others, she waited with curiosity brewing.



Athrym grinned to match his own. Sneaking into Nauls family estate to stay the night in the guest room? That was definitly a good idea, well, in her mind.



Nodding, the blonde let go of Alisoina and grabbed Naul's arm, eyes bright with excitement and possibly too much sugar.

"Let's do it! I bet we could totally pull it off."


----



Ellie hovered near the back of the group, feeling slightly dazed. She had never seen such a wonderful, enchanting sight. The fireworks show at Clock's Eve was nothing but loud pops and bangs compared to the tapestry of color and life that was the circus, and she felt extremely wistful that it was over.

But she was feeling something else, too. Exposure to all these humans, these wicks...she wasn't used to this. Her parents had always done their level best to keep her away from such influences. They were joyous, but there was a sadness in the civilians' eyes, a heavy weight that made them shut down emotionally as they looked upon the group of students. She felt isolated and outcast, an entirely new emotion to her.

Noticing Athrym and Ali becoming close again, she smiled with some chagrin; the closer they got, the less likely it would be that they'd waste time on a kid like her. She supposed it had been inevitable, but, childishly, felt slightly miffed all the same.

She turned to Fowler. "Did you like it?" she whispered.



-----



The boy nodded his head vigorously, eyes still wide with excitement; they'd been that way since that wick had first started singing.

"It w-w-was am-mazing! The c-c-colors, the m-music, the c-costumes, d-d-did you s-see that one g-g-girl ch-change cl-clothes so f-f-fast?! And the b-b-boy with the wh-whip! And h-h-he st-stuck h-h-his h-head in a ch-ch-chrove's m-mouth! All of it, I've n-n-never s-seen an-anyth-thing l-l-like it!" The boy's grin was evidence of that. "And d-d-did you s-see all the p-p-people th-there? I've n-n-never r-really b-b-been ar-round w-w-wicks or h-humans b-b-before, b-but they d-d-didn't seem as b-bad as I'd al-always h-h-heard." Although, he neglected to add, it did seem as if they all got a little less excited when they saw the bunch of students walk in. [i:2r3mco5t]Almost as if they expected us to tell them to leave...[/i:2r3mco5t]

"Wh-wh-what w-was your f-f-favorite p-part?"


-----



"That girl who did acrobatics! It was amazing!" Ellie's eyes lit up as she remembered her. "I wish I could do that...I'd probably break in half!"

As they walked with Nauleth and the others, chatting about the various aspects of the circus that they had enjoyed, Ellie glanced over at Fowler. He looked totally different than when she had first encountered him. He was glowing with excitement, and his stutter didn't seem to bad now; indeed, she had no trouble understanding him.

"Say," she said, after a while, "how do you suppose we're going to get back into the school? Won't they be awfully angry that we left?" The thought left a leaden lump in her stomach, but she had to ask; it had been driving her mad with worry.



-----



Ali was gushing to Althrym about the entire performance. "And that music at the beginning... it gave me chills! And oh, everything! Amazing! So worth it! Ahh!" She actually squeezed her eyes shut and squealed like a small child, all out of excitement. Leisant mewled from inside her bag, but she ignored it.


As Athrym moved forward to talk with Nauleth about their lodgings for the evening, she turned to talk with Ellie. But the brunette was enraptured with the young boy.

Sneaking a glance at Nath, she wondered if she should say something or not. She had been quiet during the ride, but she had snuggled quite excellently, making it seem accidental. Now she felt alone and seperate from everyone again and it would be nice to just go up to him and begin to chatter away. Instead, she sighed a trifle loudly and wrapped her arms around herself, stealing glances at the older boy.

Notice me... please?


----




The boy had expected some resistance, and couldn't help but blush at such enthusiastic encouragement instead.


Nauleth smiled as reassuringly as he could at the girl, "Well, we'll either have to come up with a really good story, or just tell the truth. Sure we'll get in trouble, but it's just the Circus. We didn't hurt anyone and we're only missing a day of class." His voice became hard, "Worse things have happened on campus lately, and the discipline was light enough. It'd be clocking ridiculous to come down hard on us, given the slap on the hand that Br–"

The boy sneered and looked away, "Nevermind. We'll be fine, in the long run. Trust me, Ellie, if anyone gets in serious trouble, it won't be you or Fowler. You're young enough that a few tears will work in your favor. It'll fall on shoulders like mine for being old enough to know better." He sounded distant, remembering the professor's words from Nathaniel's accident on the Lawn before lunch the day before. They had stung a little. With a shrug, he added, "It'll have been worth it."

He didn't know what else to say, or if he could find anything else to say that would make things sound more hopeful. He had resigned himself to whatever disciplinary action awaited them, deciding instead to enjoy the Circus and their escape for what it was.

"So, I take it we're all game for my suggestion, then?" Naul wanted to make sure before they wandered too far from the city gates. He continued to lead them away from the outskirts of town, but at a slower pace. The road they were on was a familiar one, and he could find his way home blindfolded from here.


-----



Athrym came down from her sugar rush a little at Ellie's concerns. They were in trouble. She knew that already. It didn't take a professor to figure that one out. But what the hell?! They were having a ball, and it was only the Circus.



The blonde narrowed her eyes a little, noticing his hesitation to speak about the incident in the cafeteria.



A bitter laugh escaped her lips then, and she shook her head.

"Or shoulders like mine for being such a rebellious trouble maker." Looking at Ellie with cool eyes, she shrugged.

"Don't worry so much Ellie, I promise you wont get in too much trouble. Okay? Cry your clocking heart out and point the finger. I don't care what those foolish kensers have to say. The whole place is run by idiots." Huffing a little, she pouted. The staff at Brunnhold grated on her nerves, and now the circus was over and the sugar was leaving her system, all this standing around was starting to make her realize just how many humans there were out here. Her thoughts started to wander, and her temple throbbed. What if she just tried something like Conflagration? Surely wiping some of the disgusting things out would help the galdori keep them in line.



Athrym nodded and followed as he started to walk.


----



Ellie felt scandalized and somewhat nervous by Athrym's insistence that the school was run by idiots. Dare she disagree? If anything, she felt far stupider than anyone she'd met at that school, teacher and student alike. They all seemed to know so much. Having the older students cast doubt upon the infallible faculty made her distinctly uncomfortable.


----




"Well, I for one couldn't do that. I'm as much in this as anyone else and I won't stand for allowing someone else to take the blame. Especially since it's been so much fun!" She stepped away from Nath, going to link arms with the older girl, smiling broadly into her icy eyes. She felt like the apprentice of a sorceress in her old fairy tales; to everyone else the blonde was evilly cool, but to her select few she was a brilliantly cynical friend. And everything Ali wanted to be, someday.

Turning to Naul, she smiled up, trying to be subtle and appeasing. "If I have to, I can sleep on the floor or something. You know. To make it easier..." She didn't want to, but it was easier than fighting about something as stupid as a bed.

Glancing back at Nath, she made a decision right then and there; time to stop chasing boys. It was difficult and confusing and felt silly. She remembered the odd sweet arguments between Athrym and Nauleth; she deserved that too. They can chase me from now on. And if they don't... well, then they're too dim for me anyway. Straightening her dress, she shook out her hair and reattached herself to her heroine.


-----




Nauleth glanced at Athrym sideways from under his bangs, and frowned. It was almost a scolding look, as if he didn't entirely approve of such a statement whether or not it was true.


The boy chuckled, coming to what seemed like a determined stop. The very low wall that had begun to rise on one side of the road was made of well-kept, evenly-cut stones, but it was still not too high. If anyone were to want to climb it, it wasn't high enough to be challenging even for the smaller children. On the other side, the shapes of trees and perhaps a small wood could be made out in the moonlit darkness. There were faint hints of a small footpath.

Leaning a hand against the stones with a grin of familiarity, he turned and shook his head at Alisoina, "That won't be necessary. There should be plenty of room. All three of you girls should be able to share the larger room's bed, and you'll have your own wash room. Fowler and Nath can share the smaller room. And I ... I'll take the sitting room, I guess. It has a comfortable enough sofa."

He shrugged; keeping to himself that he probably wouldn't be sleeping right away. Even by the time they got settled, Naul knew his father would still be awake, in his office, as always. It would make for an interesting surprise, to say the least.

The dark-eyed boy slipped his arm from the blond's to place both hands on the wall, "This is our way in, by the way. There's a little path in the woods here. It's a bit of a walk, but it's a safe back way right up to the guest house. This late, we won't be seen. The servants should all be asleep." Strangely enough, he made it sound as though he had been this way too many times before.

Hopping the wall without effort, feet finding familiar footholds, Nauleth landed on the other side and turned to offer assistance if necessary. He muttered to himself thoughtfully as he waited, "I wonder if my girls have missed me ..."


----





Athrym smiled back at Alisoina, thankful to be away from the bustling humans. She was just beginning to ponder the very same thing. But surely this guest house would have more than one bed. Nauleth had stopped at a fairly low stone wall, hand resting on it almost nostalgicly.



The blonde felt a sort of tension release in her chest she'd not even known was there. So the girls could have their own room, away from the boys, with a chance to talk. Brilliant. She felt a little regret that Naul was to sleep in the sitting room, she would have liked to have some quiet time alone from the others with him as well. Well, the icy eyed girl thought, you can't have your cake and eat it every clocking day. Watching Naul deftly scale the wall, she waited till she heard the soft sound of feet landing and withdrew from Alisoina's grip gently with a smile. Taking hold of the same places she'd seen the older boy grab, she climbed the rock wall, somewhat awkward in a dress. When she reached the top, she turned to sit her rump on the edge, spun her legs over and proceeded down the other side.


----



Alisoina nodded amicably, happy that she wouldn't have to be uncomfortable on the hard floor. See, he can be reasonable. I was silly for being scared. She opened her mouth to say something, climbing over the short wall, when she lost her grip and spilled down onto the ground, bag flying from her shoulder. Gasping at the pain, Ali totally forgot about her special cargo for a moment.

That is, she forgot until he shrieked as only an osta can and sprang from the bag, sprinting into the dark of the streets. Ali gaped for a moment, totally shocked by his behavior. What...? Realization sank in, and standing, she took off after him, totally ignoring the rest of the group as she followed the frightened kitten.

"Leisant! Leisant get back here you stupid waste of an osta!"



----



Nauleth was reaching up to offer his assistance to Athrym from the other side of the wall when he heard Alisoina. His expectant face fell into something dark and instantly unhappy. It might have even twitched a little.

"Clocking hell; I knew that thing would be trouble." He hissed, looking at the blond through his bangs, "Back over we go?" His voice was slightly reluctant, hands lingering on hers, but he had no desire for anyone to get lost.

The dark-eyed boy was obviously the only one who knew his way around the area in the dark. With a scowl, he hefted himself back onto the wall, sitting on top of it, glancing after Alisoina in the moonlight, thankful he had not whistled for the family banders with an osta on the loose, wall or no wall.

He waited for Athrym as if still weighing whether or not it was worth his while to pursue the younger student and her pet.


----



There were rustlings in the brush ahead between two trees. Clearly something larger than an osta. Leisant's distinctive yowl sounded again, followed almost immediately by a low throaty growl. From somewhere else nearby came a wolf call.
"Aroooooo!"
Only it didn't quite sound like a wolf.

The growl resolved itself into a series of small barks, followed by an answer to the wolf call. A healthy bander poked its head out of the bushes at the base of the tree.
"Arooarooaroo..."

The bander wolf launched itself at Alisoina's heels with a series of short yips.

Seconds later an even larger form launched from the bushes in a different direction.
"Arooaroo- ah, uh-oh, um. Hello?"
It was a galdori, pale-skinned and dressed in well-worn clothes topped by a striped cloak. Frederick Vespasian, known as Hunter by some, was struck speechless. It was one thing to locate one's roving companion with wolfspeak, it was quite another to have a girl catch you making animal noises in the woods at night.

The bander ran a circle around the boy and gave a short bark before returning to the base of the tree and sitting with his nose pointed up to the lower branches.


---



Alisoina followed the osta into a slightly wooded area, perhaps a small park, panting as she tried to keep is maroon fur in sight. She saw him dark up a tree, and was catching up when she heard a howl that chilled her to the bone. What... what was that? Suddenly, the bander burst from the bushes and began to rocket towards the redhead, and she screamed loudly, jumping back, the shriek slowly turning into what sounded suspiciously like sobs.

"Gat away from me, get away from me!" She didn't want to leave Leisant, but she was not utterly spooked, much like her quarry. More noises came from the brush, and Ali let out another choked cry. What was that? A pack of hatchers, come to eat her up? She backed up against a tree trunk, covering her face with one arm.


Instead of some monster from her nightmares, it was instead just a boy. He was only a little taller than her (making him short for a boy his age), but strong looking. In his ragged clothes, he look like all the 'carefree farmlads' that appeared in her fairy tales. She would have spent more time looking at him if she hadn't been tired and scared, however, she was both of these and sassy on top of it all. Looking at where the bander had settled, she looked from the mini-monster to the boy, and drawing herself to her full height, attempted to start into a tirade.

"How dare you let that thing run around loose! He could have snapped up my osta or bit me! That seems very careless of you..." She paused, weariness taking it's toll on her, and suddenly her haughty expression fell and she looked into the tree with a look of despair. It had been a long day, and she was wound up tight. All the stress of the past few days just came out, all at once, and hugging herself, she gazed at the tree branches. "I don't know how I'm going to get him down in this dress and your bander scared me and I just want to be with Athrym and giggling and happy again." She took a little step forward, blinking back the tears in her eyes.

"Will you please help me get him down...?"


----



"Streak wouldn't bite a girl, he likes girls."

Was she from Brunnhold? She looked vaguely familiar. What was she doing here? Hunter decided to be a little vague with his identity, just in case.

"An' as fer that osta – that'd be bad eatin': too much fat on 'im."
The boy clucked a little raucous laugh.
"Dze. Don't know why you'd need to get him in that [i:xioxrvbg]dress[/i:xioxrvbg] though. I'm sure it looks much better on [i:xioxrvbg]you[/i:xioxrvbg]. But," the boy continued as he rolled his sleeves down and wrapped his cloak around one arm, "I can take care o' the fetchin' fer ya."

With that he took a quick leap at the tree, grabbed a low branch, and swung himself up quick as you please. Up, and over and around until he was near the treed osta. He hunched over to make himself look as small as possible and made a few cheery chirruping sounds while slowly scooting forward.
"'Atta good li'l nanabo..."
As good as he was with animals, Leisant still wanted nothing to do with him: he smelled of the bander and of something worse.
"Vrunta! Ouchnoyoudon'towie... Maguala!"

The descent was less graceful with a cloakful of uncooperative osta, but eventually Hunter made it back down. Both of his sleeves were pretty ripped up and there were little droplets of blood.

"Here ya go."
To his credit, he didn't fling the unpleasant little beast at the girl, but gently handed the pet over and unwrapped the cloak.
"We didn't mean to scare anybody. Streak here just caught scent and wanted to play."


---




Alisoina blushed right up to her hairline. "I meant I couldn't climb that tree in my dress. But. Urm. Thank you. About my dress. And for getting Leisant down." How did you take a compliment like that? From a boy like him? She was suddenly awkward and off balance. Sighing she waiting anxiously at the foot of the tree, standing on tip-toe to follow his path with her eyes.

"Be careful! Don't fall down." She couldn't help it; she didn't know if she could perform a healing spell on him in her state. She looked uneasily at the bander, uncertain how to deal with this creature on ground level without the boy.

"Nice doggie..."


Alisoina looked up into the tree, suddenly concerned again. "Please be careful with him! He's still a kitten and very easily frightened! Oh do be gentle with him..." It felt much like he was rescuing her from a tree, instead of her pet, she was so worried.


With a happy gasp, Ali picked up the bratty osta and snuggled him, even with his flailing claws scratching her cheeks and arms. "Oh Leisant you clocking monster I was so worried. I ought to wring your cute little neck, oh my Leisant!" She looked up from his frightened yellow eyes and into the boy's face, eyes brimming with happy tears this time.

"Thank you so much, I don't know what I would have done. I'm not supposed to be here in the city, and my group was getting ready to spend the night at a house when he ran away and I just didn't know what to do. I live outside the city and..." She looked around, and like her osta before her, she tensed and mewled pathetically. "...And now I'm lost and don't know where I am! Wah!" She suddenly wanted to blubber and cry, and her lower lip did quiver, but she managed to sniffle it back. "I'm sorry for getting you mixed up in my problems. Thank you again." She looked back to where she had thought she'd come, holding her shivering osta to her shivering frame. What a mess I've made of things.


----





Athrym heard the sound of pain and Alisoina yelling at her osta. She swore under her breath. She was currently halfway down the wall.



The blond looked back at him with a scowl, clinging to the wall like some sort of dark blue bat.

"Are you moony? She'll be back. I am not climbing that wall again!"



Athrym's head snapped back to look up the wall and she started to climb it surprisingly fast, perching on the top, legs either side, propriety out the window.



The blonde's temple throbbed furiously and her heart sped up. Without a second thought she jumped down the other side, landing painfully. Ignoring the pain, and the other students, she limped at a run towards Alisoina's voice. Not hearing her screaming any longer didn't calm her either. It in fact made it worse. Images of her own past fueled her adrenaline.

"Ali! Ali!" The girls field was ahead of her, and out of panic, she drew her field in, already speaking the monite for Lumination, hand outstretched towards Alisoina's voice. There was another field with Ali, and without pausing her casting, the incantation for Push left her lips, other hand aimed at the strange field.


---



Athrym may have been worried and slightly out of breath but violence only ever seemed to sharpen her resolve. The mona reacted to her fear the way it always did. Athrym's spell lit up the forested area like daylight, momentarily blinding her and anyone else within range. Her field was pulsing and the mona seemed momentarily discombobulated. Hunter had a good relationship with the mona but that didn't really help when he was in the way of a spell cast by an angry young compatriot.

The push spell collided with Hunter, shifting him a few steps back. He teetred, poised between getting his feet back or taking a fall. The Lumination spell began to fade, leaving the illusion of twilight around the students. Their night vision was gone though and it was going to take a few minutes before their eyes adjusted again after the flash.


----


The noises from down the road made Naul realize he had let too much time pass. He knew that there were other families with banders in the area, but not all of them were as well-trained as his own.

It was when the sounds stopped that he got nervous.


"Ath– damn it." Nauleth scowled frustratedly, jumping down off the wall with a grunt. He managed to pause and hold up a hand to the other students, "Stay on my family's side of the wall and be quiet."

With a stumbling start, the boy turned to pursue the blond instead. He hoped the girl found Alisoina and the osta first, for their own sakes.


The dark-eyed boy knew the general direction they were headed; the small, well-manicured park was a favorite of his siblings for the swing set. He felt Athrym gathering her field, realizing that this whole situation probably caused her more fear than possibly necessary, but he didn't bother to make a move to stop her once he recognized the second field with Ali's.

Wild boy?

Naul frowned under his hood, squinting ahead in the darkness, recalling formal dinner with discomfort.

What the clock is he doing here?

We are so busted.


"Clocking hell, was that really –" The boy struggled to keep calm, pausing in his pursuit to rub his eyes as if it would make a difference. The memory of Hunter's remarks at dinner rose to the surface of his mind as he heard Athrym finish intoning Push, "–necessary?"


Naul blinked furiously and could just make out Alisoina, holding her osta. The boy with her was definitely the slightly feral one who sat at his table two nights before, and he watched the effects of Athrym's spell with slowly recovering vision. He slowed his pace to approach carefully.

Sliding his hood away from his face, the dark-eyed boy came to a stop a few yards from the two of them, resolved not to care that Hunter would know immediately who he was. He glanced sideways through his bangs at Athrym, snatching one of her hands to bring her to a stop and giving her a reassuring look that the situation was far from dangerous in the way she had obviously first assumed. Not that it was completely safe, considering at least Naul knew this boy was another student, but Ali was in no personal sort of danger.

"Wild boy," He hissed, just making out the stumbling student as the Push spell found its mark, "Fancy meeting you here in the middle of the night outside Vienda ... rescuing kittens."

He sneered, looking at Ali as he finished his sentence with no small amount of frustrated malice. His field simmered a little, for this was far from on his agenda for the evening.


---



His attention focused on the girl with the osta, the usually more alert Hunter barely had time to register other voices – other fields really – before the light caught him full-on. The momentary flash-blindness made him an all-to-easy target for the Push.
Great combination. I’ll have to remember that.
He managed to steer himself so that a soft shrub broke his fall, but couldn’t quite get to his feet by the time Naul reached them.
Hunter couldn’t help himself – the situation was too ridiculous and was a pleasant break from the more dire subjects with which he had been wrestling. He broke out into a fit of boisterous laughter.
“Haha, is that hehe supposed to be some type of thank you –hoo!”
He tried to get up but landed butt-first back in the shrubs.
“Oho-haha!”
As his vision cleared, he caught sight of Athrym’s labored movement.
“Hey, is she alright?”


---


Fowler's eyes grew three times the size they already were, and he scrambled to climb the wall. No way I'm going to sit here and let some hungry animal eat me for dinner! He reached the top and turned, holding his hand out for Ellie to grab. "H-here, I'll h-h-help y-you up!"

Fowler nodded his agreement, and ducked down beside the wall, sitting on the ground. His heart was pounding in his chest, the fear a little more than evident on his features. Turning to Ellie, the boy whispered, "Wh-wh-what h-hap-p-ppens if s-s-someb-body c-c-comes out of the h-h-house an-and s-s-sees us?"


----


"We have to hide," said Ellie in a hushed and frightened voice. "Here, quickly!"

She pushed with all her might on a nearby bush, making a small crawlspace, and ducked into it. As a small child she had often hidden in her neighbor's hydrangea bushes; this one was different, though. It pricked and its berries smelled sharp. She motioned for Fowler to follow her, thinking ruefully that at least he'd have a bit of fun identifying the bush's genus.

The moment the older girl crashed into the clearing, Alisoina was moving. Athrym cast both spells effectively, and just as she completed them the smaller redhead glommed onto her, holding onto one of Athrym's arms, Leisant clutched to her chest with her free hand. Thank goddess, I thought I was going to have to pick my way through the alleys and goddess after what happened at Athrym I'm scared of even thinking of doing that... She snuggled into Ath's side more, trying to hide from Naul somewhat, but also for comfort.


Ali had been wondering the same thing. Looking at Athrym, she turned her concerned lime eyes up into her heroine's icy ones, and suddenly realized what her damn kitten had caused.

She dropped Athrym's hand guiltily, knowing that she'd been the cause of her best friend's pain. Looking between the older students, one set of accusing or confused eyes to the next, and realizing what a fool she had made of herself she had only one recourse that she could see.

"Fuck." And with that tears started falling down, and she let her red hair fall in her face in an attempt to hide herself.

Athrym watched the strange boy stumble and fall back into the bushes, still advancing as she was blinded by the flash. A redhaired blur came towards her and latched onto her arm.



The blonde snapped around to look at him, out of breath from running and sheer terror. All she could see was a dark silhouette on dark background as her eyes slowly adjusted.



Catching her breath, the icy girls eyebrows drew together.

"You know him? Do you often have friends lurking around the place pretending they are some sort of animal?" Her blue eyes began to see the boy properly. It was highly unlikely that Naul set this up, considering the anger in his field, but Athrym was upset and angry. And now the clocking kenser on the ground was laughing. Was he laughing at her? The blondes temple throbbed savagely. She turned her head to Alisoina.

"Are you okay? If he hurt you..." She asked quietly, ignoring the pain in her ankles, and the brooding Nauleth. It was just a little sprain and it would be fine later. Thats what you get for leaping of walls, she thought bitterly.

Nauleth was quick enough to put things together. Obviously Frederick had for whatever reason been nearby and managed to rescue Ali's stupid clocking osta, much to the boy's displeasure. He knew his family's banders would have had the sense to just eat the thing, but apparently wild boy's bander was too friendly.

The laughter only made the dark-eyed boy a little more incensed at the situation. He glared at the other eighth year, "Thank you? For what? Clocking scaring the hell out of the girls and actually being nice enough to rescue an animal I would've left in the tree? Hell no, I am not thanking you. Alisoina can thank you all she wants – she should be grateful you were mysteriously here to rescue her osta instead of me." He sneered at her with an impatient, knowing sort of expression that totally reminded her of how much he was uncomfortable with the animal from the start of their trip.


Naul tilted his head at the blond, at least remotely understanding the frustration in her field was perhaps more from the situation than from himself, "He is not my friend ... This is the wild boy who called me a broken vessel ... at formal dinner. Were you asleep for that part on the way here?" His voice was almost teasing, but the edge of hurt was still there. He looked away from Athrym, sliding his hand from hers to his pockets uncomfortably.

Looking back at Frederick in the bushes, he sighed, "What the clock are you doing here, anyway? Shouldn't you be ... at school?" It was the obvious question they should all have answers for, but the dark-eyed boy wasn't really in a talking mood. He was anxious to get home and settle a few things before finally sleeping.

"I wasn't speaking to you, Siordanti. Clearly that casting had the signature of someone more competent."
Now that his vision had returned, he recognized the perpetually furious girl. She had a reputation, and it was one that Hunter would not have wanted but could still respect.
"Nice combination, Miss Bruthgrave. I'll be sure to remember it if I'm in a similar pinch."

Ordinarily, the reminder would have caused a twinge of guilt in the (perhaps overly) conscientious lad. But then he had much more serious things on his mind and they quite overshadowed any sympathy he felt for someone whom he (justly or not) considered an over privileged whiner.
Having regained his footing and vision, Hunter decided it was time to leave. Girl and Osta were safely reunited. Creepy Boy would take care of Scary Girl with Hurt Ankle. Everything seemed resolved and there was a long ride ahead. The "wild boy" let loose a low whistle which resulted in the appearance of a rather disgruntled looking sooty grey moa.

"Independent study."
With that, he turned, deftly mounted the riding bird, and signaled Streak to follow with a snap of his fingers. The bander still wanted to "play" with the osta, so Hunter had to reinforce the command with a vocal "Hsst."
He couldn't resist tossing a rather rakish wink Alisoina's way before heading off into the night.

The blonde hadn't even put the two together, but now that he mentioned it, she realized it was one and the same. She looked at him as he withdrew his hand and felt her heart skip a beat. He was hurt? She'd hurt him? A new feeling hit the girl. Guilt, shame and almost heartache. Restraining herself from reaching out and embarrassing him, she shoved her own hand in her pocket.



Athrym looked around at the wildboy very very slowly, blue eyes narrowed and glaring icily through her hair. She pulsed her field once and her temple throbbed. How. Dare. He. She ignored the compliment, barely heard it. As the boy turned and rode off, she tagged him for later discussion. Gritting her teeth, she looked at Naul.

"Let's go. No more delays." Looking at Ali, she made sure the girl saw she was being serious.

"No, no, he helped my rescue Leisant... he rescued him..." She wiped at her eyes, trying not to give in to the invective of curses and tears that was about to erupt. Clinging to her squirming kitten, she hung back, trying to stay out of everyone's way.


That did it. She tried to be as quiet about it as possible, but Ali had started crying in earnest, and the disgusting sniffles were a sure sign. The dusky world had gone blurry, and she wiped at her eyes with the heel of her hand, trying to keep Leisant under control.


Alisoina was used to boys not paying attention to her unless she did something on purpose to get their attention. Fred's wink made her blush scarlet through the tears, and she wondered why she suddenly found herself inundated with conflicting emotions.


She waited by Athrym's side, sure that the older would want nothing to do with her. She looked down at the likely twisted ankle and felt another wave of terrible guilt.

"I'm sorry. I am so sorry." She sniffled again, deject and lost and frightfully depressed. She couldn't do anything right. The walk though the woods was quiet for Ali at least, and she tried to give the older students as much time with each other as she could.

Naul's eyes narrowed and his face slowly twisted into something caught between discomfort and furious. He found himself gathering his field in a menacing, angry sort of way, hands becoming white-knuckled fists in his pockets. Competence was not the boy's issue so much as self control, and Frederick's words were quite the challenge.


The dark-eyed boy opened his mouth to retort the student's comment on his casting abilities just as he finished his strange compliment. Instead of speaking, Naul let his mouth hang open briefly in surprise, if not an unbidden wave of jealousy. Who is this feral excuse for a galdor to be complimenting her?


Now was no time for all the things that suddenly flooded his thoughts; all of what he listlessly found himself wanting to unleash on this wild boy would have to wait until the Lawn.

Naul would be sure that boy ate his words.

And it would be terrible.



Glaring after Frederick with a sort of look that would wilt flowers and put out candles, Nauleth turned around sharply on his heels with a grunt, field still simmering with tangible, crackling emotion. Without really acknowledging Athrym or Alisoina, the dark-eyed boy took his hands out of his pockets and pulled back up his hood, stalking back to the wall of his family's property without another word.

Climbing it once more, he landed on the other side with practiced ease. He turned and waited on the blond, offering to help her down safely by the expression of his hands instead of choosing to speak up. He didn't feel like talking, worried that he was only capable of a string of angry words.

Nathaniel was nothing less than blown away from the Circus. The flashing colors, the poetic movements, the exotic animals, the exciting stunts. It was all more than enough for Nathaniel to forget his troubles for a little while. He ate all the sugar he could fill himself with.

Between all of the joys and the food, Nathaniel was in extremely high spirits, feeling his heart racing and his head spinning. He fulfilled his duties of watching over the young'uns, Fowler and Ellie, he later learned were their names, and even generously bought them some snacks, to their delight.

Even through all of this, Nathaniel couldn't help but notice the guarded and resentful glances in the direction of the direction of his group. He felt unbidden twinges of guilt on his race's behalf whenever he caught their stares. It was weird, because he actually liked wicks and humans. He was polite and treated them well whenever he interacted with them, and this misplaced guilt was very foreign indeed.

He now wandered along with the group, headed for wherever they were going to stay tonight before making the trip back for Brunnhold. Now that he was out from under all of the distracting lights, his mind now began to keep wandering back to a certain copper curly-haired young girl.



Really now? Sounds interesting. He noted a curious weight behind Nauleth's voice, full of a hidden tension. Family troubles huh? That would explain everything. Or at least a lot. He quietly walked along next to Alisoina, wanting to grab her hand, but more than a little hesitant about how she would react.

He listened to Ellie's worries and Nauleth's reassurances. Nathaniel didn't give any input on the matter because frankly, Nauleth pretty much took the words right out of his mouth. He wasn't unduly worried about how the teachers will confront them when they made it back tomorrow, at least him personally. He had a relatively clean record and was a favorite among many of his teachers. The only one who had to worry about anything from the faculty was Nauleth. Nath felt a moment of pity. Almost all of them really had it in for him, it was no secret. He would have to do the talking when they crossed over through the Brunnhold gates.

As they got to the wall and crossed over it, Nathaniel was not quick to react to the loose osta, so occupied he was with his thoughts. By the time he and the group caught up with Ali, all the helping anyone could have did was already done. Fredrick was suddenly there, almost suspiciously. Nathaniel remembered the friendly boy from the gardens with the bander wolf now sniffing around by his side. He meant to catch up with him later after that morning, but unfortunately couldn't find the time.

He stood back again, not finding the time appropriate as Hunter and Nauleth shared their snappish exchange. Goddamn, you really don't play well with others, don't you? he silently jabbed at the salt and pepper-haired boy.

As Hunter summoned the moa to leave, he brought his hand up in a silent gesture of acknowledging greetings to the slightly older boy. Another time indeed.



"How long will you keep walking that particular path," Nathaniel said quietly. until you realize what you do brings self-inflicted anger and pain upon yourself? He finished the thought only in his head.

He trod to the wall, jumping up on top with athletic ease.
Squatting on the stone, he turned and offered a hand to hoist Alisoina up.

Athrym walked quietly with Alisoina, not really saying anything to comfort or accuse the girl as they walked. She decided this was better left till later, when they were alone. Nauleth was angry right now, damn angry, and the blonde didn't think it was a good idea to push him anymore. It was an effort not to walk without limping, but she managed it, biting the inside of her lip. Taking her arm from Alisoina, she climbed the wall gingerly, swung over and proceeded down again, reaching out and gently taking Naul's hand as she did so. Landing, she dared a look at his dark, scowling face and squeezed his hand. Taking, what she hoped was the right chance, she quickly raised on her toes and kissed him on the cheek, trying to let him know she was sorry and to try and make him feel better.

Ellie, flushed and smudged with earth, poked her head out of the bush as the older students approached. She had a leaf in her hair.

"What happened?" she whispered loudly.

((sorry. lllllonnnng.))


Naul sighed and closed his eyes briefly, muttering with lingering frustration, "Broken, my ass." The boy blushed despite himself and returned the warm squeeze to Athrym's hand, offering quietly, "Thanks."


The boy couldn't help but let a very slight smile creep across his face at Ellie. Something about the girl made him nostalgic for the more friendly, familial times of home back when he actually spent time there. Even though he planned on sleeping in his own guest house, it still didn't much feel like being home anymore. He forced a calmer voice, "You didn't miss anything too dangerous, El. I'm sure Ali would love to tell you all about it once we get to the house." He smirked.

Nodding in the direction of the small footpath, Naul instructed the motley group of students, "There's a couple of paths back here, so just make sure you follow me. It's only a few minutes' walk and we'll be in the back yard behind the guest house. I've got a key, so we'll just go in through the servants' entrance. They're all in the main house and asleep by this hour. We might be able to light candles, but I don't think we should light a fire. It shouldn't be that cold inside." He hoped. He'd never really spent a lot of time in the guest house, but there would be plenty of blankets around anyway.

"Oh. I should probably take care of our alarm system." He actually chuckled, resisting the urge to sneer at Alisoina as he let go of Athrym's hand brought two fingers to his lips. He whistled once, crisp and loud, confident that he wouldn't be heard from indoors from previous experience. There was only a few moments of silence before noises could be heard from the small copse of trees that made up the woods they were soon to walk through.

Snuffling, whining, and finally a few excited barks grew louder until three large bander wolves bounded from the darkness. They were dark and well-groomed, collars glinting in the moonlight with their eyes. All three of them came to a brief, growling halt, hackles raising at the collection of students.

Naul laughed, "Down, ladies. You have guests, so behave." He made a hand motion and the animals immediately gave their full attention to the boy. They didn't seem to care that there was an osta anywhere, even in Ali's bag, and they seemed to recognize by his hand motion that whoever was here with him were not threats. He waved his hand one more time as a sort of dismissal, and the banders sniffed the other students without any malice. In fact, they were rather friendly, if not skittish. They were obviously trained for other things, but might have been a little sweet on the boy for whatever reason.

Despite his mood, the familiar animals finally brought a grin to his face, "Oh, I've missed you three."

He stepped forward to pet them all and get nosed and stepped on with another laugh before raising his arms and shooing them off, "Now, go on before someone notices. Get, all of you." The banders whined in objection, but dispersed just as quickly and quietly as they came.

"Well, now that we won't set them off, let's go."

Naul relaxed a little, but his field was obviously still angry. He sort of held onto it somewhere inside on a low simmer. With another sigh, he took Athrym's hand again and wordlessly led the way through the path in the trees. It was nothing complicated; just a footpath that may have been conveniently made by many years of use by a particularly troublesome sort of person who may or may not have been a younger Nauleth. It was slightly overgrown, as if it hadn't been used in a few years (two, to be exact), but was otherwise completely safe and uneventful in the darkness.

The trees parted soon enough to reveal an impressive expanse of well-manicured lawn with some tastefully arranged bushes and flowers. The guest house was right in front of them, a well-meaning sort of stone cottage. In the darkness, the main house sort of loomed in a very old style of impressiveness; it was obviously something of a family estate and had been around for quite some time in the Siordanti possession. There was a light on, downstairs, but only the dark-eyed boy knew it was his father's study, for the curtains to the expansive bay window were drawn tightly.

"Well, everyone keep their heads down and quiet." The older student whispered before cutting a quick and silent path up the yard to a wooden back door to what might have been the guest house kitchen.

Fumbling around in his pocket for the right key, he sighed and opened the door without a word, listening briefly to make sure there were no noises from inside. Satisfied that the guest house was empty, he waved an inviting hand to the other students and held the door open. He might have been smiling with a strange, rebellious air of satisfaction on his face. Once everyone was inside, he closed the door behind them and relocked it.

"Well, here we are then. Make yourselves at home, but just be quiet about it."

He smirked, shrugging off his satchel and hanging his coat on a peg near the door, not particularly caring at the moment that it was the servants' closet, "Poke around if you want. There might not be anything much in the kitchen, but I could be wrong. The bedrooms are both down the hall. Washrooms, too. The sitting room is through the other door here. There's a small study in between." He motioned with his hands as he gave a verbal tour, slowly packing away the evening's frustration for later.

Once he was finished, he yawned and sort of hovered, leaning against one of the counters in the kitchen.

Quite sure of himself, Nathaniel reached out and grasped Ali's hand gently in his. If she asked about it later, well....he wasn't entirely sure what he would say to excuse himself. Maybe to comfort her from earlier. But whatever, he tired of holding back. He made eye contact with her through the darkness as the pair traveled through the darkness, giving a kind, genuine smile. Alioe, she's so pretty, thought Nathaniel as he looked into her eyes.



Nathaniel paid almost no thought to Nauleth as he called for the guard dogs. At least, until the three huge bander wolves arrived. It's awfully hard to ignore huge animals when show up like that. Nathaniel took a moment to admire the adorable and obviously well-trained dogs, and then relaxed his eyes back into Ali's.



The rest of the walk was uneventful, and Nathaniel couldn't help but notice the quiet sophistication of the Siordanti estate. He regretfully let go of the younger girl's soft hand as they passed through the yawning doorway into the dark guest house.

Athrym felt a little relieved at the warm return, glad that Naul was relaxing a little. As they moved forward, she looked around. It was rather overgrown back here. The blonde picked her way through, a tad disgruntled at the way her boots sank into the ground. The three banders gave the blonde a bit of a start. It wasn't that she was scared of them, but she just wasn't used to the big, toothy creatures. But they lightened Nauleths' mood considerably, which was a bonus, and she couldn't help but laugh a little at how childish he became with them. They were lovely animals.

As he took her hand and let them to the cottage, she sighed a little in relief. It felt good to be here, finally. The angry boy unlocked the door and let them in, Athrym followed, removing her cloak and draping it over her arm.



Turning back to Alisoina and Ellie, the blonde gestured with her head.

"Come on girls, let's go find a room before the boy's claim the good one." With that, she wandered off down the hall.

Nath attention to her, right after her ordeal, was enough to set the off balanced girl into a mush. The way he was looking at her, his presence so near hers... with a whispery, filmy sigh she took a step next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder for a moment. Fighting back tears and whatever else could have possible exploded from her, she attempted to gather herself together long enough to make it to the main house.

She loved Athrym and Ellie, though it seemed that ever since becoming friends with them her every weakness was flaunted in front of her face. Now she was cracking under the strain.

The older boys hand in hers was a distraction, and something solid to focus on. The redhead hadn't even been so jumbles; her heart and mind was a puzzle, and someone had just thrown it against a wall. Cuddling the calm Leisant, she tried not to think about anything but getting to the estate. Yet faces swam in her vision; Nath's, Hunter's, Naul's. Athrym and Ellie. Her parents, her nanny. All of them seemed to be chastising her. Her lime eyes filled with glistening tears, flashing in the low light. I want Athrym to tell me whats wrong with me...


Ali followed like a puppy, though not before placing a small hand on Nath's arm with a smile.

"Thank you. For everything." She was tempted to try more, but she shook it off. It wasn't her place.

The lavish hall of the guest house reminded Ali of her own home, which couldn't have been too far away from Naul's. Her father kept many houses, one in the city for his work as a judge and one in the country where Ali had grown up.

Since Athrym had detached herself from Naul, Ali grabbed Ellie's hand and then Athrym's, smiling a little now that she was away from the boys, and from the rest of the world, she was trying to get out of her turmoil.

"Well, tonight was sure exciting."

Nauleth dismissed himself with a wave of his hand towards the study, pausing briefly in the hall to dig a few blankets out of the linen closet. He pointed to the smaller guest room for Nath and Fowler, sticking his head in to make sure it would be sufficient.

"Good night, then." He muttered distractedly to whoever was listening, secretly hoping that everyone else was a lot more tired than he was.

With that, he wandered to his sofa.

((For now, everyone is welcome to get settled in their spots and hang out or fall asleep or whatnot. Naul will be sneaking out for a bit to here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1120, but will return in the night if anyone is still awake to notice ...))

"It sure was!" said Ellie excitedly. "All those colors and dancers and sounds! My head was plum spinning off my neck!"

She clambered onto the bed and sat down cross-legged on the mattress with a springy bounce.

"I've never seen so many people," she went on happily, smiling at the two of them, glad to be back in a warm house. "All those wicks and humans! There were so many! I've never been to the big city before, at least not that I can remember."

Athrym dumped her satchel and jacket on the other bed, opening it and rummaging for her grey pajama pants and singlet. Pulling them and her brush out, she quickly changed. Stuffing her clothes in her satchel, and pushing it on the floor and mimicked Ellie's crossed legged position on the opposite bed, motioning for Alisoina to come and sit with her.



The blonde brushed her hair and nodded, smiling without a hint of her usual harshness.

"I don't remember coming into the city either. I remember being in Vienda, but not actually exploring it. Did you see that chrove tamer? I thought it was gonna bite his mangy head off." She laughed gently.

Ali nodded an smiled, perching on the bed next to Athrym after changing into her nightgown.

"Yes, it was amazing, I don't think I've seen so many pretty people..." There were so many colors, so many ideas and dreams dancing across the stage in the form of players and actors.


"I was distracted by... eep!" She threw a hand over her mouth as she amost said distracted by Nathaniel. Looking arouns at her companions, she said quickly. "distreactedbythethoughtofthecircus. Thatsityes."

She flushed again. "But I thought that chrove trainer was kinda... well... for a human..." She giggled, fanning her face. She had boys on the brain, it seemed.

Athrym giggled and raised an eyebrow at Ali, before looking down at her foot. The ankle was pretty swollen and bruised, but it didn't hurt as much as before. Reaching behind her, she grabbed the pillow and dumped it in her lap.

"I don't think your talking about the circus people, Miss Denore. As much as I think he is a clocking fool, it would take a bigger fool not to see you've got an eye for Nathaniel." She grinned at Ellie.

"And of course, he's got an eye for Ali." Sighing, she shook her head.

"He's just a bit mouthy, its hard to keep my temper as it is. As fir that human? No thank you. I tell you, they are nothing but thugs and theives." Her face darkened a little and her words were slightly clipped, but she shook it off with a smile.

Alisoina flushed, the silly smile as much proof to what she said as anything spoken. Tossing her coppery ringlets over one shoulders, Ali rolled her eyes with a grin.

"Well... maybe a little. Do you really think he likes me too?" Nath's pleasant face flashed into her mind and she sighed girlishly. However, eyes like bander's niggled at her memory. Well... they never said I couldn't dream.

Ali paused, thinking about what had happened to Athrym, and her own offhand comment. Naul really is fixing her... or they're fixing each other. Either way, Athrym has thawed... and become stronger for it, I think. Less brittle. She haughtily raised her chin, her form that of a galdor among galdori.

"Yes. Of course, critiquing one of them... it's more like admiring a bander, only without the good qualities. Purely form and no function to the best of them." She said the words and meant them, not a thought of equality or rights crossing her mind. She was a product of her environment, and easily shaped.

Shrugging off the racial anger, Ali looked to Athrym's ankle and cringed guiltily.

"Sorry for scaring you like that, by the way. And for making you hurt yourself. Want me to cast Heal for you? I'm getting pretty good at it by now." She brought a hand to her mouth in an excited giggle. "I didn't tell you about...! Ah! It shall wait til after the spell, but you'll absolutely split with laughter!"

Nathaniel nodded at Nauleth's instructions for room arrangements and then watched him slump off to the living room with some blankets. He clapped Fowler on the back.

"Time for bed, I suppose."

He walked into the guest room, finally taking off his cloak and unfastening his satchel. He glanced around the room. He needed a hot shower after the days events. He picked up his satchel again and nodded at Fowler.

"I'll be back."

He mozzied down the hallway past the giggling and low voices of the girl's room and into the bathroom. Closing the door after him, he stripped and hung his satchel on a hook, and wasted no time in climbing into the warm shower. Nathaniel closed his eyes and let the water run over him and sighed. It felt so good.

As he cleaned himself, his mind wandered again. Eventually, it made its way back to the young girl who caught his attention. And from what he saw, he caught her attention too. Maybe, given enough time, they'll have a really good relationship...His train of thought stopped as it ran straight into reminding himself of his sorry situation with the Mona. Suddenly, the warm water seemed a lot cooler. How the hell do I properly apologize for something so stupid and impulsive that I did?

He slumped into the side of the shower, tears trickling down his face.
"I never meant to misuse our bond. I'm sorry." He whispered brokenly. "May we please be together again?"

He paused. Waiting for any sort of sign of yes or no to manifest out of thin air. He reached for the faucet and turned off the water, stumbling out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and wrapped himself tightly.

He extended his field, trying desperately to feel anything from the Mona.

Ellie dissolved into giggles at Athrym's comment. She was useless in a discussion about boys, still considering them to be relatively gross, but she felt she had better keep her opinions to herself around the older girls.

Athrym found Ellie's giggling contagious and laughed with her, rolling her eyes extravagantly.

"Ali, he couldn't be more obvious if he came right out and wrote you a serenade!" The blonde said through giggles.



The blue eyed girl snorted with a scrunched up nose.

"Even worse then banders. Kensers. Only, without the good qualities." It felt weird talking about the humans so peaceably.



Athrym thought about it for a moment, looking at the purple appendage. She was going to say yes, but even as the word went to escape her lips she stopped.

"No, but thankyou. If you cast here, Nauleth's parents might feel it, and then he'd get in so much trouble. And then he'd be mad." She rolled her hand as if to say you know how it goes.

"But tell me? Tell me what?" She asked in a sort of hushed excited voice.

"Ahahaha! YES! SQUEEE!" Ali shook excitedly, smiling broadly and giggling herself. "He likes me he likes me!" She grinned at the other girls, and with a decided bit of sass, stuck her chin in the air.

"Well, I mean. Of course he does. I am Alisoina Denore, and a damn sight better than all the other fourth years." She maintained the pose for a second before rolling back on the bed in peals of childish glee.


"Mmkay, mmkay! WELL, after Naul beat the snot out of our beloved Nath, he began the long walk back to where ever he was going. Now, Leisant was scritching at the window, and when I looked down I saw him! Of course I immediately ran out to fix him up." She bit her lip fiendishly, eyes narrowed with feral glee. "Let me tell you, whatever happened he was pretty knocked up. Thanks for that, by the way! I'd have missed out on this little gem if he'd been healthier.

Anyway! I got down to him, and as I was getting ready to fix him up he up and trips on a tree root and falls into me! And we land on the ground, and he was blushing and I was blushing and then his head injury ruined everything so I lead him tot he tree and healed him." She began to giggle self-conciously, but with a quick glance around, whispered loudly.

"We were so close I could have just up and kissed him, there on the ground! Hahaha! And now he owes me one, hahaha!" She picked up a pillow and hugged it to her, smiling all the time. Girls can be fun!