New Kid On Campus (IC)

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin Alphonse Hughes walked through the front gate of Claremont Academy with a single duffel bag in hand. His parents had, of course, insisted that the rest of his belongings be brought over by a discrete moving firm. They didn't want to see him try to carry things on his own; after all, he might use his powers.

'Typical of them, I suppose. Out of sight, out of mind, maybe it'll stop existing.' he thought with a mental snort.

He looked around at the almost imposing entry foyer, walking slowly as he took in all the sights. He nodded greeting to the sparse staff; he'd have thought there might be a few more people around, but apparently not. He continued on, eventually exiting into the Main Quad, looking around at the grassy square, trying to figure out where he should go now.

Anyone from the school could see the tall boy, but he was very clearly new, and maybe just a bit lost...

[Aoiroo]

The campus wasn't nearly as confusing as when she first came, but holding the map up as she walked she squinted at it as moved around,

Ego haud saluto ut aula utpote ego primoris venit qua did they velieris is?

She knew that it was somewhere near the front building, but when she first came her she was more led there by Ms. Clarissa. Pulling the campus map out from her bag she squinted a bit at it as she walked. Supposedly it was in a building surrounding the Quad, but looking for it to no avail. Maybe she should go to the administration office again and ask but she started to have a feeling they were getting annoyed with her visits.

She had memorized the amount of steps from the classrooms to the entrance hall, so she didn't bother to remove the map from her view since there was few people out at this time in the morning. Keeping with normal, she moved around any other obstacles present in her perifial vision and found that she was only twenty more steps until she was once again in the entrance hall. About eight steps in however, she hit someone.

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin was looking the other direction, still trying to spot anything that looked helpful, when someone collided with him.

He let out a grunt of surprise, but didn't actually move any. He turned his 6'4" frame around to face whoever had bumped into him, and saw...a girl in an oddly old-fashioned dress.

"Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention, or I'd have warned you or stepped out of the way."

He offered one hand out for her to shake.

"Name's Corbin, Corbin Hughes. I'm new around here, and kind of lost. Could you help me find the...I guess schoolmaster's office? I'm not even totally sure where I'm supposed to go at all."

[Aoiroo]

The impact to the larger boy didn't really hurt so much as startle her as she looked up.

"Rumex ego haud ego vilis, I am very sorry, it is my fault."

Backing up for a second so she didn't have to crane her neck so much to meet her face she took a quick appraisal of the boy. He had a very broad frame with not so impressive clothing, but not bad to look at otherwise. Closing her map, she folded it under her arm as she reached a gloved hand out to meet his,

"I am Etain."

She pointed her finger back inside the entrance building,

"They should know, they have maps if you ask."

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin raised an eye. Someone around his age who knew Latin? A rare thing. He gave a slight smile to the girl.

"Is est teres. Illic eram haud offensus donatus. Glad to meet you, Etain. Are you new around here as well?"

He looked towards the entrance building.

"I suppose it would make sense for some sort of "visitor's guide" to be there. You seem a bit lost yourself. Perhaps we can both get some assistance?"

He started to walk back into the entrance building, looking back to see if Etain would follow.

[Aoiroo]

Etain's ears perked up to the sound of her native language. It was strange hearing it from a tongue other then her own since she hadn't since she entered this dimension. He had a bit of an accent, but it wasn't bad. Looking at him curiously she glanced down at her own map and the original endeavor she had sout to achieve.

Is can exspecto.

Quickening her pace to match his much longer strides she kept behind him as they went to the front,

"Ego sententia they haud diutius orator Latin huic universitas."

[KnightDisciple]

<Not many speak it. I am a student of history, so I decided to pick it up.>

"Plus, it's fun to speak in sometimes."

Corbin quickly makes sure Etain can keep up with his pace. He's used to people having to hurry to keep up with his strides. His dad used to say he lucked out, since he was taller than both of his parents already. Something about "dormant Viking genes" or something. A sad smile flickered over his face.

'I miss those days.'

He briefly glanced at the ring on his right finger, before stopping in front of the information desk.

"Um, excuse me. I'm a new student here, Corbin Hughes. I think I have an appointment with someone, but it wasn't made clear to me who it was with."

The large student somehow manages to convey "helplessly lost" in his expression. It's kind of impressive.

[Avenger Assembled]

"Ah yes, Mr. Hughes," said the plump, middle-aged secretary. "You have an appointment with Mr. Summers, the headmaster. You...must not have met him yet, if you've forgotten his name," she said after a moment, nodding in satisfaction. She handed a pile of papers to him and said, "Please make sure to fill all these out before the meeting. Your parents signed most of the paperwork for you already, of course, but there are some disclaimers you need to sign yourself." The top form read CONSENT TO PERFORM TELEPATHY.

She turned to Etain and said, "Ah, Mademoiselle Maher, I believe you're next on the list. Do you need forms printed in French, or would you prefer them translated into English?"

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin took the forms, shaking his head slightly.

"I don't recall if I ever heard his name to begin with. My parents told me the name of this school, that it would be "the best place for me, all things considered", and told me they had "arranged everything". I've never met Mr. Summers. But thank you. I'll try to be quick."

He goes over to one corner of the area, sitting in an available chair as he begins to fill out the forms.

'Telepathy? I...well, I guess that makes sense.'

He diligently filled out the forms, taking only a short time on each to skim it and sign it. It seemed all the non-signature information was filled out. Typical, but helpful. When he was finished, he stood and strode over to the secretary.

"Here you go, Miss..."

He quickly tries to see if her desk has a name plate, not wanting to just call her "Miss Secretary".

[Aoiroo]

She didn't understand why so many people mistook her for French, but she was told not to correct them, besides it is not as if they ever actually asked her where she was from exactly.

"I have my forms, thank you."

Reaching into her purse she flipped out several of the forms she had gone over with Ms. Clarissa already signed and handed them to the person at the front desk.

""

[quotemyname]

Just then, a glass paned door a few feet down the hall opened. A boy stepped out, waving to whoever was in the room he said, "Thank you, sir. Perhaps I'll be seeing you again."

The boy turned to those assembled in the lobby. As he walked towards them, the two could see that he was of average height, and had a rather thin build. The first thing about his features that struck them was his hair. The majority of it was a deep black, but a seemingly random places around shaggy mop of black, there were streaks of bright orange of varying lengths and thickness. Following his form downward, their eyes passed his own bright blue eyes, down passed the small goat beard that was beginning to grow on his chin, and stopped on his shirt. On the boy's black t-shirt they were able to read the name of the popular hard rock band Rage Against The Machine. They finally came to the messenger bag that he was slinging over his shoulder, and the black cargo pants that covered his legs. His feet were encased in red high top Converse Chuck Taylors. As he walked toward them, he was placing a pair of large headphones over his ears, a serious expression on his face.

Eddie Ozan's eyes fell upon the two students in the waiting chairs, and he stopped walking.

He dropped the headphones down onto his shoulders, and smiled. The expression was large and welcoming. It was hard to believe that a smile could light up a room, but in this case seeing was believing.

"Hey. Guess one of you is next. I don't think I recognize you, though. You new?" He asked, "Name's Eddie. But you probably knew that."

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin carefully examined the newest entrant to the room. Apparently, this was the time and place for students to meet with the schoolmaster.

He took a single large stride forward, placed a polite smile on his face, and extended his hand.

"My name's Corbin, and I didn't actually know your name, Eddie. I'm brand new around here. First day and all."

He hand to lean downwards a bit, as he had a full 6 inches on the other boy. Between that slight gesture, and his notable mass (which looked like it could fill out to be even more in a couple of years), it might almost be an intimidating gesture. Somewhat at odds with his friendly voice and body language. He didn't seem to be consciously attempting intimidation, really.

[Aoiroo]

Etain was fidgeting a bit on the chair, adjusting her long skirt to make sure her leg wouldn't touch the metal frame when the guy who seemed to be passing stopped to introduce himself. She waited for Corbin to speak all the while examining this new person,

"Good morning Eddie, I am Etain. I did not know you were Eddie either, I have not met many students."

[Avenger Assembled]

Eventually Eddie collected the packet from Ms. Tessmacher that he'd come to get, a thick file folder bulging with information about something called the "Fairbanks School for Super Students." She gave him a friendly wave and smile as she focused on the other two kids, and Eddie departed with the files under his arm. "All right, Mr. Hughes, I think you're done and you are first on the list. Why don't you go in to speak to Mr. Summers? Ms. Etain, I actually have a meeting for you with Ms Vervain, she's one of our TAs. She'll go over some of our policies regarding powers like yours."

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin was silent as Eddie left. He didn't know what had happened, but he felt it was better to let sleeping dogs lie. He gave Ms. Tessmacher a smile and a nod as he hefted his bag onto his shoulder once more, and headed towards the indicated door.

"Thank you much, ma'am."

And then he headed into the office, to speak with the headmaster.

[Aoiroo]

""

She waved goodbye to Corben and headed to the room number the lady behind the desk had indicated. She didn't miss it this time since there was a plake with her name written on it. The door was open so she walked in and scanned the room. It was cute, there were a few things here or there and a plant in the corner, mostly though there was a wooden and cushioned chair that didn't have any screws visible which was much appreciated after having to sit on the metal and plastic ones outside. Taking a seat she reached into her purse pulled out her little notebook and plastic pencil in case she needed to write anything down.

[Avenger Assembled]

Mr. Summers proved to be a reassuringly paternal presence; not a kind figure, perhaps, but not an unfriendly one either. The old man shook Corbin's hand and invited him to take a seat; offering him coffee before he welcomed him to the school. "I'm sure you've had time to review our orientation material. You'll have plenty of chances to hear more about our academic and personal expectations as your year progresses. If I did not expect you to meet them, you would not be a student here. Do you have any questions for me?"

-

Across the hall, the smiling, dark-haired Serena Vervain was there to talk with Etain about magic. "As I'm sure you're aware, use of magical abilities can be problematic in mundane settings. That's why we make sure to do a short little binding of every student, just so if there is some disaster with your abilities, that your teachers will be able to help you control your powers before something disastrous happens. Are you ready?"

[Aoiroo]

Etain had to resist the urge to stand up and walk out of the room immediately, the words from her mouth as well as the idea seemed completely unacceptable, if not reprehensible for something she always knew was there. Still she didn't let the disgust show immediately on her face, and instead stuck to a thoughtful face at the woman,

"While I am certian that some individuals, yourself included might have reasons for this process, it seems incredibly unnatural to bind a force that expresses itself so naturally in this world. My magic cannot even bring real harm or change, it is merely a shadow of former sights and sensations. Is a shadow such a threat to such a city full of fantastic creatures?"

[KnightDisciple]

Mr. Summers proved to be a reassuringly paternal presence; not a kind figure, perhaps, but not an unfriendly one either. The old man shook Corbin's hand and invited him to take a seat; offering him coffee before he welcomed him to the school. "I'm sure you've had time to review our orientation material. You'll have plenty of chances to hear more about our academic and personal expectations as your year progresses. If I did not expect you to meet them, you would not be a student here. Do you have any questions for me?"

Corbin sits there politely, listening as the headmaster spoke.

"Well sir, I have been able to at least glance at everything. The academic side really isn't my worry, though."

He leans forward a bit and lifts his right hand to around head level, the palm facing Corbin's back, leaving the jeweled ring easily visible.

"I realize I wasn't born with power, and they're not necessarily "innate". But this ring is rather clingy and picky, so I might as well have been. So my question to you is "How can you help me with this?". I do not consider it a problem; sometimes a burden, but never a problem. I want to help people. Can you help me learn how to do that? It's not exactly why my parents sent me here, though...I think they'll adjust to the idea in time."

He lowers his hand to again rest on one of the arms of the chair, leaning back into said chair with a slight creak. His face was earnest and questioning, the very picture of a young man searching for a solid path to walk.

[Avenger Assembled]

"Mr. Hughes, there are those who'd argue that you were born with power. Those philosophers would say that from the moment of your birth, you were fated to find that ring and wield its power. This is not a belief I share." He harrumphed. "If I believed in fate, Mr. Hughes, I would hardly be an educator. Your life has been in your hands from the moment of your birth, and never moreso than this very moment. What do you want your powers to do?"

-

"Allow me to demonstrate." Serena wiggled her fingers and said a few words Etain didn't recognize. Suddenly they were standing over what was clearly recognizable as Freedom City, save that it was burning. The little fairy could hear the screams from below as the trapped population burned, with no heroes beneath visible to save them. "That's a fairly simple illusion spell," said Serena with a shrug. "I'm more advanced than you are, but not by that much as these things as measured." The screams from below grew louder. "If I'd wanted to, I could inflict that on a city block, except _they'd_ be in the middle of the burning, suffering and terrified, never able to tell reality from fantasy until a hero came along to stop me. Illusions are very real, Etain. A lie is not weaker than the truth if you can make people believe it."

[KnightDisciple]

"Mr. Hughes, there are those who'd argue that you were born with power. Those philosophers would say that from the moment of your birth, you were fated to find that ring and wield its power. This is not a belief I share." He harrumphed. "If I believed in fate, Mr. Hughes, I would hardly be an educator. Your life has been in your hands from the moment of your birth, and never moreso than this very moment. What do you want your powers to do?"

Corbin sat in thought for over a minute. He stared at the ring on his hand. Mr. Summers could almost hear the gears turning in his head. Finally, the young man looked back up at the headmaster.

"I want them to help people. And I want to make sure I have control over them. Right now, I only know what it can do, not what it might do. I want help stretching the limits, so that I know those limits when I go help people. I realize it's not an easy life, but I might as well do something useful with the thing since I have it already. I realize that's not a universal opinion with those with power, but it's what I believe. I may not be sure of a lot of things about this world, this ring, and even my own beliefs some days, but I do know that right down to my core. That with this power, comes a responsibility to use it to help. One way or another."

[Aoiroo]

She tilted her head that the scene before letting out a sigh,

"If they believe it, then it is no longer a lie even if it is a shadow then."

Arguing at this point probably wouldn't accomplish anything,

"If it is nessicary to attend, then I am ready."

[Avenger Assembled]

Eventually the two teens finished their conversations with the adults: After a reassuring talk about faith and duty, Summers gently invited Hughes to meet with him at any time before escorting him to the door, while Seven quickly and neatly put what she described as "a little string on the toe of your powers" with a little spell. That left the two of them footloose and fancy-free...well, if you didn't count the need to find their rooms and meet with new people! You had to make friends fast at a new high school.

[KnightDisciple]

Corbin thanked the Headmaster for his advice, and for his open door policy. He hefted his bag back onto his shoulder, and walked out onto the green lawn in the midst of the school. He took a moment to close his eyes, breath deep, and just listen to the sound of the whole place. Very faintly, he could just catch people moving and talking all through the buildings. He opened his eyes again slowly.

"I guess this is home for now..."

[Aoiroo]

The spell was quick and painless, as was the remaining conversation. Now there was the not so quick and painless part, finding her dorm. Though honestly she didn't feel like finding it immediately. The things Miss Cynthia had gotten her had yet to be sent and there would be little to do there. So instead, as she exited the doors of the office she glanced around and found the little blue line that had moved out of the office and down the stairs. The aftershadow was rather faint as it was mostly inactive but an object of that power would often simply use it's magic to stay attached to it's host unless willed otherwise. Though as she got closer it was starting to fade so she picked up the front of her dress and started to quicken her pace to follow it before it was gone.

It didn't take long to spot his back, so she started to slow before she caught up with him.

"