::Wings of a Dream:: PM if interested

[x_Syrazel_x]

One can watch the gulls fly above the port as the ships pass by, seeing the sun glint off the wet and white feathers of the seabirds covering the rocks of a favourite roost amongst the sea cliffs. Too craggy was it for anyone to climb, and thus it belonged to the birds and odd sea creatures stranded at the base during low tide. The world moved on, not paying much more attention to it, aside from using it's tall silhouette in picturesque sunset images and paintings. Yet despite it's normal attire of the white seabirds...it held secrets the world had long forgotten, let alone seen in any recent times.

Academia lays beyond a portal hidden on this same cliff from the world, and guards the passage into the hidden world and dimension that lies atop our own. It is one of two academies in the entire world that remains from the Magus Wars fought long ago. A hidden war, of great sorcerers and alchemists, a battle for a devastating power that was lost when the war had ended, both sides having lost too much to continue. The academies were allowed to remain, in secret, to continue teaching future generations of alchemy and magic and their ancient lore.

The palace like academy houses thousands of individuals, some human, some not, some alive, some not. Students are sent from the families that remember, hidden or not, and wish their children to know and learn the arcane arts and continue on their magical lines. The odd student is also sought out by the school, and asked to join them. Inside are shops and vast dorms, he classrooms, staff rooms, and permanent living quarters of the staff and few students who call this great place home.

The world Academia exists in is one written about by authors for centuries, but never found. It's the magical forests, the elves, the cat-people, the wolf clans, the dwarves, ogres and orcs and other fantastical folk in nature and appearance that have long been absent of our world. Small towns and few cities exist in this world, and the fastest way to travel is by airship or water, as the world is broken apart into large islands rather than continents. A world of peace, of magic, of a general happiness rarely threatened any longer.

[x_Syrazel_x]

Students are required to gather their own ingredients for their classes and home work, which means researching where to get them in the grand library the academy possesses.

Students are not allowed in the private and forbidden sections of that library, but have full access to any of the public information to accomplish whatever tasks their teachers have beset them with. The ingredients are usually easily found outside of the grounds of Academia.

Thusly, all students are required to be able to use a weapon, or magic, or help others who can by healing or supporting magics.

Students are not allowed out in a group smaller than two people, for their safety.

Students will remain in the dorm of their gender after curfew, and should not be up and about after curfew for any reason.

Fights between students may occur, and it is advised to try and avoid these confrontations if possible. Fights are not allowed to occur in classes, hallways or anywhere enclosed, and those involved will repair what damage is made and heal any outsiders who get hurt.

Students are forbidden from crossing back through the portal to Earth, and should not try to bribe, harass or beat the guards at the post there.

Students who begin are given 100 Credits to buy what they will with, but it is advised that they find a job among the shops or classes to get more, unless they have families that donate to the school.

Jr Students - ages 12-15 - are not permitted in certain areas, such as the Atrium, senior rooms and studies, or anywhere on the top three floors. Senior students are asked not to taunt Juniors about this, and focus on their studies.

[x_Syrazel_x]

The wind blew hard against the cliff side, attempting to pull him from it's rocky face and send him cartwheeling into the sea to smash against the other sharp rocks down there. His hands were sore from continuing to cling to the rope, pulling himself and the added weight of the bag over his shoulder up the several hundred feet to where the base of Academia lay atop the might stone precipice that overlooked the ocean. It was a rather chill night, and the sea spray that somehow was sent up to where he climbed didn't help in the slightest, but through it all, he wore a grin, of victory, of determination, and his eyes held a spark of sapphire perseverance that none could equal!

His name was Haruka, the Prince and senior male student of Academia. He was their star, their light, none passed without bowing to him! He owned this school, and held power over every student within it. Every lady swooned when he passed, and each little man who thought anything of it was quick to walk the other way, for none could challenge the Prince, Haruka, and survive!

These were but a few of the stretched truths Haruka repeated in his mind as he continued to climb, taking nearly an hour to reach the base of the academy, and then continue to climb to his and his sister's room still so high up.

He was indeed considered the prince, and the girls did swoon, and few men challenged him. He held less power than he thought he did, but he never had a need for more than what he had. And he was also supposed to be in bed, it was three o clock in the morning.

Haruka...had a love for Earth. One spawned by an accidental trip when he was very small. He had come to love the science and technology, everything from the food to the many cultures of the humans that he so closely resembled. Their terrible manners and wars shocked and appalled him, but there was always something that he found to charm his spirit once more.

Earthen goods not passed through the inspection squad at the academy were considered contraband and evidence of breaking the single most forbidden of rules; crossing the Portal back to Earth. He had quite the stash in his shared room with his sister, and what was worse, he was sporting two markings of that more modern realm; one, a custom rose tattoo on his shoulder to match the first rose tattoo with his sister's name on it in a traditional style on his belly near his navel. The first was supposedly only a rumor amongst his fangirls. Secondly, he now sported a black eye and a cut lip and bruised and cut knuckles. He had finally managed to find a fight, though for his grin you'd never thought he would lose such a trifling match.

Finally, with a very tired heave, he rolled over the railing of the room's balcony, and lay there in the night for several minutes, his chest heaving as he recaptured his breath and let the weight of his new prizes and loot fall from his shoulders.

It was also in the sliver of moonlight, the wind pulling his shirt up, that one other fact was made very clear to any who could watch, which of course there was none.

Prince Haruka of Academia...was a girl.

[Hailay]

Hailay was pacing back and forth in the bedroom she shared with her sister waiting for her adventurous twin to return from her misson, she was gone a lot longer than normal. Hailay raked her fingers back through her long tresses before tying it back with a pen, when she heard the long await arrival of her sister climbing up the face of the cliff.

Moving out onto the balcony she gazed down into the darkness watching the ascent of Haruka, and the pure look of determination fixed on her sisters face. When Haruka was resting on the floor, Hailay bent down and pulled Haruka back to her feet, fixing her with a hard yet playful impatient look.

"What took you so long? They've been here four times tonight already to check on us. Its not easy keep our illusion in place for hours and hours on end," Hailay told her sister pointedly and than changed the subject. "Sooooo, what did you end up with. Other than your battle scars?"

[x_Syrazel_x]

Seeing her sister, Haruka grinned and bounced up, with her help, as if the climb had never been and she pecked her on the cheek before picking up the heavy bag and whisking into their room. "Soon, soon, but let me get warm and rest my weary bones, yes?" She chuckled, glad for her sister's enthusiasm in her short adventures. She moved her shirt back down to where it was, then shrugged and started stripping, quite intent on washing her new 'battle scars' as well as re-dressing in a pair of her own warm pajamas. "Have they been troublesome?" She asked, looking over her shoulder as she dropped the bag on her bed and then slipped into the well-furbished and beautiful bathroom that came with their luxurious room as well. Seeing herself in the mirror made her groan, knowing how much coverup she'd need to use on that very black eye.

[Hailay]

Hailay watched her sister mildly amused a smile tugging at the corner of her lips after hearing the groan escape Haruka. "You know how they are at the start of the year. They know you go on your escapades right around this time," she made a disgruntled face. "Or at least suspect it."

Hailay turned and headed back into their bedroom deciding it was time to don her own night clothes as well. "You know, I can fix your eye if you wanted. It's up to you." Once dressed she preceeded busied herself with preparing tomorrows outfit while waiting for Haruka to finish up in the bathroom.

[x_Syrazel_x]

Haruka's cheeks puffed up as she slipped her fingers back through her silken, almost silver short hair and she sighed heavily in defeat. "You're going to have to...I don't know if I can cover that...and it's going to swell by morning if you don't. You should've seen the monkey that dared hit me!" She fussed for a bit more than gave up and came back out, slipping on the shirt that matched the silk pajama bottoms and leaving all but one button undone, as was her custom when in their rooms.

As soon as she was out though she sprang for the bed and with a grin started taking out the new items. "But it was so worth it! I got another tattoo, and I got your new ayumi cds, and ohoh! Close your eyes!" She told her, hugging the bag closed so her sister couldn't see so she could surprise her with what she had found.

[Hailay]

Hailay turned and started for Harukas bed once her twin started riffling through the pile of things she had brought back with her. "Oooo, we'll have to take a closer look at the tatoo when we're done than."

Once seated comfortably on Haruka's bed, Hailay gave her sister a questioning look and than obiendiently closed her eyes, wondering what else had been brought home for her. "So, did you win the fight wiht that guy that picked a fight with you than?"

[x_Syrazel_x]

Haruka scoffed as she dug through the bag. "Of course I did! But gods, he was big! He was over six feet an I swear he weighed about the size of a baby whale, just a monstrous fellow!" She had a flare for telling things a bit larger than what they were, but this time she wasn't lying, and she had honestly been shocked to have to fight the guy. "You know how girls look at me, right? I don't pick fights over there, what if I can't get back? It was fine, I was exploring when I saw this pub, and ventured in. I was going to order something, but he shoves up next to me demanding why I had been eyeing his 'woman'. Ugh, his manners were abysmal, 'his woman' as if she was a trinket. So I glanced at her to see what he was talking about, then he shoved me back and told me to stop eye balling her. I dn't know what had gotten into his head, I assume she had been looking at me. I am the prettier, but that doesn't matter, or shouldn't."

She paused as she pulled free a white, fuzzy teddy bear tied with a ribbon around it's neck and a silk rose tied to it's small paw. He often brought gifts back for her at her request, but not so often were they gifts that she didn't expect. She even blushed a little as she gently laid the thing in her lap. "Okay, you can open your eyes."

[Hailay]

Hailay laughed at her sisters story, knowing that for once that she was not exaggerating on the details of her outting. "You're right, I don't think it should matter, but maybe they think differently on Earth than we do here." Hailey shrugged it off and glanced down at the bundle that Haruka had placed in her lap, once told to do so.

She picked up the teddy bear to inspect it unable to mask her excitement about the unexpected gift. She placed the teddy bear down on the bed and turned towards her twin. "Its beautiful, Haruka." She said excitedly while throwing her arms around her sister, and nearly toppling off the bed in the process.

[x_Syrazel_x]

She laughed and wrapped her arms around her sister, ignoring the pain of moving her arm. The tattoo hurt, and her arms hurt, damn, her whole body hurt, but she didn't care since Hailay was happy. "I just kind of saw it...you know?" She offered sheepishly, giving her another peck on the cheek and her customary grin.

[Hailay]

Hailay smiled reclaiming her spot on the bed, placing the teddy bear back into her lap again. "It was very thoughtful of you, I'm touched, really."

Reaching out her hand, Hailay placed two fingers on Harukas right cheek, turning her face to get a better look at the swelling of the eye and the bruising around it. She pressed her lips together, sighed and rose from the bed moving over to her dresser to dig through the contents of the jewelry box resting on top of it. She pulled a fine golden chain from the drawer and attached a small circular diamond surrounded by amethyst stones. She brought the necklace to Haruka and attached it around her neck explaining, "This will fix up your eye and any other hurts you happen to have at the moment." She paused when her sister started to inspect the necklace I know its really girly looking, but you're just going to have to deal with it." She told her firmly.

[x_Syrazel_x]

She pouted and poked the fine necklace and looked up at her sister, thankful, but still unhappy about it. "How long will it take?" She asked, a little subdued by the fact she had to wear something so definitely feminine.

[Hailay]

Hailay gave her sister an impish grin, unable to stop from giggling at the look on Harukas face. "It'll take about eightish hours to make you better. So around noon time tomorrow you'll be better. Just tell the girls that will be falling over themselves around you tomorrow, that it was a gift from someone thats madly in love with you." She gave her sister a wink knowing Haruka would think of some story to spin as to why she was wearing the necklace.

[x_Syrazel_x]

She tried to feign a gasp of shock at such a preposterous story. "Dear Hailay! It would break their little hearts to know I have a secret love! They might even hunt her down and kill the poor girl!" She couldn't hold the shocked expression though and started laughing, despite the sad fact that she didn't doubt certain girls who were charmed by her would do such a thing.

She sat back up and continued digging into the bag, taking the items out. "I got some candies and more pop too...oh, here you go," she pulled out the cd's and handed them over to her. She had fogured out a way to convert the element of lightning into the electricity needed for the batteries she had brought back years ago that ran their cd player. Such small things that brought her such joy.