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Hall
Sept 10, 2009 22:47:58 GMT -5
Post by The Storyteller on Sept 10, 2009 22:47:58 GMT -5
Everything in here has been scattered, and much of the furniture has been chopped to pieces. There's paint on the ceiling, and bits of furniture stuck with superglue. Painted on the floor is a strange red symbol: a circle enclosing what seems to be a four-armed stick figure with a snake's head, holding four curved swords.
The symbol seems to have shown up during the night.
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Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr.
Keme
Academy Freshman: Were-Korean
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.
Posts: 229
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Hall
Sept 19, 2009 11:47:26 GMT -5
Post by Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr. on Sept 19, 2009 11:47:26 GMT -5
Kemekin froze where he stood, still breathing rather heavily through his nose from the effort of pushing open the heavy doors. His backpack slipped from his shoulders and dropped to the floor-- he left it there, slowly stepping further into the ruined room.
His original idea had been get some homework done in here-- unoccupied a majority of the time, it was almost guaranteed to be more quiet in here than the mess hall or the library (Well, maybe not the library, but Kemekin was highly adverse to having to deal with Fable this early in the morning.) His dormroom was out of the question-- he was sure Aramis would not appreciate the extensive curses that usually accompanied Kemekin's unaided attempts at geometry.
Needless to say, this was a sufficient distraction from schoolwork.
"What the hell..."
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Hall
Sept 20, 2009 21:11:30 GMT -5
Post by jonathanharris on Sept 20, 2009 21:11:30 GMT -5
Jonathan did not like Ian. He did not like the way Ian looked at Jonathan every time Jonathan walked into the room. He did not like the way Ian talked. He did not even like the way Ian smelled. It wasn't unpleasant, he just... didn't like anything about the boy. He also didn't like the way Ian consistently tried to meddle in his personal life.
"...because I can do whatever I damn well please at night! It's not your neck on the line, I don't see what the big deal is to you." He was in the middle of saying as the two walked into the Assembly Hall. The plan, the two had decided on the way, was to go into the Hall and resolve their argument, as it was out of the way and the two would not be disturbed. "Besides, does it bother you that I might actually enjoy doing something? I'm sure you'd rather I was chained up in the base...ment..."
Jonathan's words trailed off the second he and Ian walked through the doors to the assembly hall. For a moment, he closed his eyes, and then opened them again. The mess was still there. He shook his head in confusion. This was just weird.
But then again, he himself was weird, so he didn't feel as though he had room to talk.
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Hall
Sept 20, 2009 21:15:47 GMT -5
Post by ianharris on Sept 20, 2009 21:15:47 GMT -5
When Jonathan had stopped talking, Ian turned his gaze away from the boy and looked in the direction Jonathan was staring. His jaw dropped. Something had happened in the middle of the night and left a massive mess. Ian's eyes traveled from the smashed chairs to the strange symbol on the floor, growing wider every second.
"What the hell?" He muttered to himself. Looking around, he saw another boy standing nearby. He didn't know the boy, but at the moment, Ian's normal shyness melted away and he called out. "HEY! HEY YOU! Do you have any idea what's going on here?"
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Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr.
Keme
Academy Freshman: Were-Korean
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.
Posts: 229
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Hall
Sept 20, 2009 23:39:33 GMT -5
Post by Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr. on Sept 20, 2009 23:39:33 GMT -5
Kemekin, who had stopped to run his hand over a section of the symbol on the floor, stood and inspected his palm to find that the paint had not yet completely dried. His skin bore little smears of glistening red. He was, for once in his life, utterly speechless and unable to respond to being addressed other than a surprised look and a shrug. He moved his hands, trying to find the words to say throught gesticulation, but failed. All that came out was a faint, "No way," accompanied with a shake of his head.
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 12:08:51 GMT -5
Post by jonathanharris on Sept 21, 2009 12:08:51 GMT -5
"You know what I think happened?" Jonathan stated. He stepped out from behind Ian and joined the strange boy at the symbol. "I think some academy freshman was feeling mysterious and decided to break into the art room and paint symbols everywhere. Of course, our beloved headmistress is going to skin them alive in full view of the school. Which might be pretty funny, actually."
In truth, Jonathan didn't believe a word of what he just said. This was way too big and... as much as he hated to admit it... well-planned to be a student's work. Besides, few students, Jonathan included, dared to just wander the halls at night. No student in their right mind would dare pull a stunt like this...
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Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr.
Keme
Academy Freshman: Were-Korean
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.
Posts: 229
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 17:11:21 GMT -5
Post by Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr. on Sept 21, 2009 17:11:21 GMT -5
Kemekin wasn't sure if the speaker had meant it to be a joke or not, but nonetheless the idea a skinning made him smirk-- which was odd, because Kemekin was sure that if ever he had to watch a skinning he would probably puke. He couldn't even watch his father gut fish.
"There are symbols in other areas of the school?" he asked, curiosity piqued now the initial shock had ebbed.
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 17:24:20 GMT -5
Post by jonathanharris on Sept 21, 2009 17:24:20 GMT -5
From the very confused look Ian was giving him, Jonathan could tell that Ian didn't know what was going on either. He sighed. Where did his creator spend all of his time?
"Yeah, there are a few more about. There's one on the library doors - Fable's probably blowing a blood vessel over that right now - and a few on the office doors. That's all I know of. Where are you people spending your nights that you don't see them? Oh, right, asleep, or something equally boring like that."
Jonathan studied the symbol intently. His heart was racing. Whatever it was, this was big - and Jonathan liked big. More of a chance to make himself look really good. And Ian look really bad.
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Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr.
Keme
Academy Freshman: Were-Korean
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.
Posts: 229
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 18:29:52 GMT -5
Post by Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr. on Sept 21, 2009 18:29:52 GMT -5
Kemekin's lips pursed slightly at the quip. He turned instead to Ian, saying calmly, "You strike me as less of a douschebag-- what have you seen?" Immediately after asking this, he held up an index finger to the previous speaker. "You-- don't answer."
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 18:44:56 GMT -5
Post by ianharris on Sept 21, 2009 18:44:56 GMT -5
Jonathan looked as though he was going to verbally rip this boy apart, so Ian decided it would be best if he talked and Jonathan didn't. Jonathan had this habit of... making people very angry, very quickly. And the last time Ian hadn't been around to make sure he didn't get anyone too mad... well...
"I know as much as you." He answered honestly. "I'm just finding out about this. What do you... um... think it is? Could it be... that other school? The one nobody likes to talk to me about?"
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Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr.
Keme
Academy Freshman: Were-Korean
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.
Posts: 229
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 18:50:15 GMT -5
Post by Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr. on Sept 21, 2009 18:50:15 GMT -5
Kemekin arched one eyebrow, tapping his lower lip in thought. "Now you say that," he mused, "it makes sense. They're our rival school, after all... but I think there's someone we can ask." He looked Ian over, pointedly ignoring the other person in the room. "Do you know Kazari? She's the big girl that refers to herself in third person. I've heard she transferred here from that school."
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 18:57:41 GMT -5
Post by ianharris on Sept 21, 2009 18:57:41 GMT -5
"Uh... I don't know anybody by that name. I mean, it just seems likely that a rival school would vandalize us... I mean, if there are other reasons, I can't think of them. Maybe... um... what's his name? That kid who's got it out for the headmistress. Pulling a prank or something."
Truth be told, Ian had a sudden desire to steer the conversation as far away from the rival school as possible. He did not like the look that had crossed Jonathan's face when the other boy mentioned a rival school. And as much as he disliked Jonathan, he didn't want him running off to some other school where Ian couldn't at least keep an eye on him...
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Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr.
Keme
Academy Freshman: Were-Korean
No man is exempt from saying silly things; the mischief is to say them deliberately.
Posts: 229
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 19:07:42 GMT -5
Post by Kemekin Evans-Barros, Jr. on Sept 21, 2009 19:07:42 GMT -5
"Well, it certainly seems like something whatsisface would do..." Truth be told, Kemekin had just taken to referring to the crazy student as Lickity-split, but he felt that kind of humor was wrong for the situation. He eyed the bigger boy now, having not missed his expression when he heard about the other school.
"Loch-loss, or something like that," he said in an attempt to be helpful. "Maybe we can speak with the art teacher..."
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Hall
Sept 21, 2009 20:10:11 GMT -5
Post by jonathanharris on Sept 21, 2009 20:10:11 GMT -5
"You might not have to." Jonathan said quickly. He was very aware that neither of the other two wanted to hear him speak, but he didn't care. He just remembered something from his wanderings the night before, and something that could knock out a lot of theories. Feeling all eyes on him, Jonathan quickly explained.
"You know the symbol on the library door? I actually walked by the library door just before it showed up, and walked back by a bit later. It was already on the door when I came back. And the time in between wasn't very long at all. Certainly not long enough for it to be as neat as it was. Whatever did this, I don't think it was human. At it certainly wasn't a not-human that I'm aware of."
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Seele Steiner-Finlay
Keme
University Sophomore: Vampire
L? ?igin sul a n-?agfaidh mo R?is?n Dubh
Posts: 153
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Hall
Sept 22, 2009 17:41:50 GMT -5
Post by Seele Steiner-Finlay on Sept 22, 2009 17:41:50 GMT -5
Seele certainly hadn't meant to eavesdrop. Passing near the doors, the echoes of voices had caught her ears, and it was at this point in the conversation that she chose to step in. Kemekin and Ian she immediately recognized. Who was the third lad?
"Hey. what's goi--" she stopped when she reached the three of them, at first addressing the mess but being cut short by the symbol on the floor. "It's... here too?"
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Hall
Sept 22, 2009 21:51:47 GMT -5
Post by ianharris on Sept 22, 2009 21:51:47 GMT -5
Ian actually let a small smile sneak out at the sight of Seele. After being followed around by Jonathan all the time, the sight of a friendly face was a welcome one indeed. "Apparently..." He said. "Jonathan says they're all over. We're just trying to figure out how this could have possibly... er... happened."
He scratched his head and stared at the symbol again. He was a literature student, for crying out loud. He read about all sorts of weird things. The symbol SHOULD make sense... only, it didn't. "I think Jonathan's... uh... right. If they appeared really quickly then... um... we don't know who - or what - did this."
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Seele Steiner-Finlay
Keme
University Sophomore: Vampire
L? ?igin sul a n-?agfaidh mo R?is?n Dubh
Posts: 153
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Hall
Sept 23, 2009 19:57:58 GMT -5
Post by Seele Steiner-Finlay on Sept 23, 2009 19:57:58 GMT -5
Seele arched one eyebrow, taking the few steps that brought her to Ian's side. Her heels clicked on the floor as she did so. "It's a very strange symbol, en't it?" she mused, leaning her arm over Ian's shoulder. She wasn't sure whether the graffiti was creepy for just odd... she decided on both.
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Hall
Sept 23, 2009 20:03:23 GMT -5
Post by ianharris on Sept 23, 2009 20:03:23 GMT -5
Ian felt something touch his shoulder, and his body reacted without thinking. He jerked away, moving quickly a few inches in the other direction. An involuntary shiver went through his body.
When he regained control of his movements, Ian felt every eye in the room fixed on him. "Sorry..." He muttered, staring at the floor.
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Hall
Sept 23, 2009 20:08:46 GMT -5
Post by jonathanharris on Sept 23, 2009 20:08:46 GMT -5
Jonathan couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Ian's reaction to the girl touching him. Within seconds, he was doubled over, laughing. "Come on, Ian. How are you ever going to get a girlfriend if you can't even let a girl put her arm on your shoulder? Pathetic... just pathetic..."
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Seele Steiner-Finlay
Keme
University Sophomore: Vampire
L? ?igin sul a n-?agfaidh mo R?is?n Dubh
Posts: 153
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Hall
Sept 23, 2009 20:24:15 GMT -5
Post by Seele Steiner-Finlay on Sept 23, 2009 20:24:15 GMT -5
Seele bristled-- not at Ian, but at the other boy. She should have known better than to be so brazen with Ian; he was so very shy...
A quality that made her feel instantly protective of him. She stepped up to Jonathan, eyes flaring and fangs bared. He wasn't taller than her by much-- maybe an inch or so at best. Nevermind that she was wearing dangerously high heels.
"I suggest," she said in a soft voice that did nothing to hide the threat beneath, "that you back off."
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Hall
Sept 24, 2009 20:06:48 GMT -5
Post by jonathanharris on Sept 24, 2009 20:06:48 GMT -5
Jonathan almost laughed. Almost. This girl was threatening him? Ridiculous. She couldn't even touch him.
"Or what?" He challenged. "You'll hit me? Good luck."
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Hall
Sept 24, 2009 20:10:26 GMT -5
Post by ianharris on Sept 24, 2009 20:10:26 GMT -5
"Stop!" Ian said in a voice that was uncharacteristically loud for his tiny frame. He stepped between Jonathan and Seele, gradually pushing them apart. "We don't have time for another fight. Right now, we need to figure out who painted these symbols, how, and most importantly, why."
Ian dropped his voice just loud enough that Jonathan and Seele could hear. "You're only still here because of me." He snapped at Jonathan. "I don't want you out in the real world, and you don't want to be there. Learn to control yourself. You think people don't like you in here... wait until you see what life's like out there."
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Seele Steiner-Finlay
Keme
University Sophomore: Vampire
L? ?igin sul a n-?agfaidh mo R?is?n Dubh
Posts: 153
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Hall
Sept 24, 2009 20:23:08 GMT -5
Post by Seele Steiner-Finlay on Sept 24, 2009 20:23:08 GMT -5
Seele, her eyes still narrowed at the taller boy, spoke in a voice that was surprisingly calm. "You're right, Ian," she said. "And this..." she indicated the unpleasant one "I don't know your name... had a point I overheard when I walked in-- it looks beyond the ability of those here at Dunhelden."
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Hall
Sept 26, 2009 20:21:01 GMT -5
Post by jonathanharris on Sept 26, 2009 20:21:01 GMT -5
Jonathan glowered at Ian. The boy was right - no denying that, unfortunately - and he had picked just the moment that Jonathan was itching for a fight to grow a pair of balls. Regardless, he was right about the symbols - they were the important thing right now. So Jonathan turned his attention from kicking the ass of the girl that thought she was above him and towards the symbol.
"Yeah... could it have been a mage, though? Levitation is one of the things they do... isn't it? Someone could have used magic to paint the symbols so quickly."
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Seele Steiner-Finlay
Keme
University Sophomore: Vampire
L? ?igin sul a n-?agfaidh mo R?is?n Dubh
Posts: 153
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Hall
Oct 1, 2009 20:01:23 GMT -5
Post by Seele Steiner-Finlay on Oct 1, 2009 20:01:23 GMT -5
Seele tapped her lower lip, feeling her sudden ill mood ebbing away by the second. Soon a smirk played across her features.
"I don't think there are too many here dumb enough to do that, if at all," she told him. "Veronique would have their head. And their innards...." the smirk turned into a wicked grin. "And their extremities..."
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