From the moment he had arrived at Asphodel Academy, Thian had been ready to up and leave again. It wasn't that he didn't like to learn, he was simply of the opinion that he already knew everything he needed to. He might have already run away at his first opportunity had it not been for his glaring lack of survival skills and the one complication he never would have predicted. In his short time here, Thian had somehow made a friend.

The assurance that he eventually would do just that had come from many sources—his caretakers at the hospital, his teachers here, everybody—but the demon hadn't listened, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes whenever the inevitability was brought up. It wasn't any of their business, though they certainly thought it was, even now. Thian bristled at the knowing, self-satisfied glances he and Amory received when they were together, unable to ignore the looks as easily as he could the verbal comments. The grownups might have known that friendship was pretty much inevitable, but that didn't mean they knew anything else, especially about him.

Anyway, Amory's insistence on learning everything by the book would keep him here for now, and since he knew she was ready to move on to Junior classes, he would be ready too. It wasn't like it was hard. He would continue passing his classes, he would graduate, and they would eventually leave this place together. He envisioned traveling by boat to faraway lands, following maps they found in chests full of treasure, having fun without the threat of school or guardians hanging over their heads. The thought kept him going. This was how things had to be for now, but one day he'd be an explorer.

Thian had very nearly been old enough to take higher level classes since he'd shown up here. Now was the time to move on, with his best friend by his side. Thian managed a smile as he thought of it, bright and feral. This might even turn out to be fun.