Sunlight peeked through the leafy canopy overhead, dappling the ground in a lovely, warm display. To Kieran, who glided effortlessly over the grass and dirt, it only served to make his day more lackluster.

That was the problem; daytime. He was supposed to be asleep at this ungodly hour, so why was he awake? Oh, right.

School. His first day had been only yesterday, yet he was so tired.

The change had been a welcome thing, before; it gave him elongated limbs, strange additions like hair and a nose and an allover different appearance. He had no idea duties such as "going to school" and "being awake during the day" would be tacked onto that. It felt as though he was being punished, and he didn't particularly like the feeling. When he inclined his chin to stare up at the makeshift roof above him, his face screwed into a scowl and he brooded and brooded.

Learning was a treat. He enjoyed being able to sit and learn about things that had previously escaped his grasp, and he liked seeing new faces. Interacting and making friends was an altogether different challenge, however; one he was not certain he was ready to tackle just yet. Every time an opportunity presented itself, he shied away from it and beat himself up about it later. He had been told to focus on his studies, take his time settling in.

Settling in to what? He closed his eyes against the sunlight and brought his head back down. The forest was his home. It had been his home since he was a duskull, and even after the change had taken place. He had hoped to seclude himself in there for a bit longer, but when those... people came by, wanting him to enroll himself in something they had called an 'academy', he couldn't deny himself the opportunity to go a bit farther out into the world.

Still. With a shaky sigh he drew his cloak tightly about his shoulders, still feeling a bit miffed about his direction in life. The sunlight was so foreign to him, so strange. It was excessive and harsh and blinded him, nothing like the gentle wash of the moonlight. The shade hindered the sun's efforts to evaporate him some, but not enough. He longed to sleep through it and awaken in the comforting embrace of the night.

When he drew out of his own thoughts, Kieran found himself lingering next to the creek he was so familiar with. It had been his friend for as long as he could remember, and he appreciated the way the water bubbled over the rocks and sent soft murmurs his way. He remembered looking into it when he wished for company. He remembered touching his own face in wonder, feeling his hair and clothes for the first time.

Flowing to one knee in front of the creek, the man let his cloak slide from his shoulders and pool around him. He was finished with his lessons and did not feel like returning to his dorm, but he was also feeling a bit lonely. Pale fingers rose to his lips and he traced them, back and forth. Then his hand felt his cheek and chin, following the shape of his mask but not removing it.

What he saw in his reflection did not surprise him: bored, disinterested, and going about an old task as if he had nothing to do. Well, it wasn't far from the truth. He could sleep or he could look at himself and wonder how he had gone from being a few feet tall to this overnight.

Life was something of a mystery.