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☆═━Maeza Lee━═☆

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As she listened to Viola speak to Tom, Maeza grew increasingly annoyed. Her hands balled into loose fists at her sides. Obviously, this Viola Edendottir was not a fan of her, either. Maeza couldn't give a damn how excited the kingdom was. She forced a smile and glanced around. "Well, good for you, Viola. I can tell you're a real ray of sunshine, so I'm just going to find my room before you kill me...Tom, I guess I'll see you later," she said, placing a light hand on her friend's shoulder before almost stalking back to her luggage.

[Exit to Dorm]

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Tom's scowl could have sliced metal. Viola was right, but he couldn't let her see it. He watched with forced helplessness as Mae's hand left his shoulder and picked up her bags. He wanted so badly to help her, escort her, but what could he do that wouldn't earn him a reprimand? He wasn't safe anywhere anymore. His gaze followed her up to the residence halls, wishing and wanting but never acting.

"Spare me, Viola," he spat, returning his attention to the little Lurker before him. "Politesse is your last concern. Mae hasn't done anything. You bother her again, and I swear on everything you hold dear you'll never see a crown."

He stared his fiancée down, backing into the shade of his tree by the lake. "Just stay out of our lives." He vanished down into the darkness of a knot in the tree's roots, thinking of where best to go now.

[Exit to Elsewhere]

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Princess Lizzy
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The horse's hoofs hit the ground at a steady beat, the Lizzy riding atop of one. She'd gotten her parents to agree for her and a few servants to go alone unlike last year, where she'd had a small army dropping her off, it was ridiculous. Her laugh rang out as she threw up her hands in delight, the sun shining bring on her face. It was glorious and she loved it so. The entrance to the school appeared ahead and she slowed her pace to a light gallop as to not run over anyone else on the grounds.

Once inside the gate Lizzy pulled her horse to a halt, sliding off just before the others pooled up ahead. Opening the saddle bag she took out a small purse as all her other items were sent ahead already. She lightly petted the horse, though to those around it would appear normal, her touche was muted by the gloves she had concealed with a glamor. With a slight frown placed her face against its skill drawing a little bit of energy from it but not enough for it to notice or have any effects. She just needed a boost to get her through the task of getting to her dorm.

Nodding to the few servants as she handed over the reigns, she set off toward the other students. It seemed some sort of verbal altercation had occurred by a tree so she steered clear of it putting her closer to some of the other students. The faces of some familiar from last year and other new she just smiled and made her way to the main buildings, not sure if she should greet anyone.

Kenton hesitated as he walked with the Duke, a hint of sheepishness flashing in his eyes. Whoops. Was it his place? Had he been the only one who did the research before applying for studentship? He supposed there was no point denying it now. He knelt down and touched the surface of hte lake.

"This lake is not natural. The crater was made by an explosion of some persuasion last winter. There was a massive battle," he said. "Here, at the school. Royal lines died in a single night, staff buried each other on the grounds in the aftermath. I believe that is why the faculty has allowed students like you and I, of non-royal birth, to enter the school. They are suffering, losing staff and students dozens at a time. Some do not want to return here."

He frowned. The finer details were a bit fuzzy; the press releases he dug up regarding the deaths of the staff and students had been vague and altogether quite uninformative as to cause of death. "All I truly know is this. The battle is over and we have missed it, but many of the returning students took part. I would be surprised if they do not acknowledge it in some way. This is why I, a lord of the military, am here. Should this place prove dangerous, we will keep our Crown Princess at home."

Kenton stood up, surveying the lake. "But perhaps we heard wrong. Without a firsthand account, I have no way to back up what I say."

Kenton's expression went from contemplative to alarmed as a girl appeared. Her eyes were unnaturally red, as though painted, and she appeared to have been bleeding from the eyes quite recently. Though the flow seemed to have been stemmed, Kenton remained cautious. Was that normal?

"Yes, madam. I am Lord Kenton Pelagius, and with me is Duke Vincent Milano," he said, sweeping into a bow. It had become an automatic response, drilled into him as soon as he knew that the overwhelming majority of his peers would outrank as well as out-age him. "With whom do we have the pleasure of speaking?"

He kept a close, wary eye on her, wondering in the back of his mind where he ought to bring a student who had taken ill should the occasion arise. The hospital wing was bound to be labeled on his map. Kenton's wings gave a nervous flutter as he tried to rationalize a medical condition with that symptom and came up empty.