✥ { CLASS } ----------------------------Charms and Incense

[Baneful]

Zar retreived himself an Auspicious charm and felt somehow doing so was less than auspicious. He'd be happy if he never had to face trials of any kind ever again. A perfectly boring life. Yeah that'd be amazing. Just tedium. Tedium forever.

He took it back with him and saw there was indeed a trial ahead as the people who set things on fire were told to perform an additional task. He cringed. Fantastic.

 

[Syusaki]

Yesterday’s class had been interesting in ways more than one. She noticed the distinct lack of sources of fire within the room, evoking a wolfish grin out of the cu sith. Leave it to the Heir of Conquest to quickly realize that mixing students and fire together was a less-than-ideal idea. Once Dev plopped down on her mat, she shifted her attention toward the box that was currently shuffling around the class. She straightened her posture slightly to try to catch fleeting glimpses of the contents, but it was only when she finally found the container in her possessions that she realized it held charms. She shot the heir a curious glance before sifting through the charms. Unlike some, Dev took her time looking over each of the designs. She quickly passed over the fish and peach, but found herself intrigued by the guard and lock-shaped objects. However, her gaze settled on the unique symbols engraved on a coin and she picked it up between her two fingers. She raised it toward the light while passing the box to the next person.

She placed the charm directly in front of her as she listened to Invictus’ explanation. A quick glance to her coin when the horsemen picked it up. An auspicious charm? Lips twisted into a smile as she formulated a guess as to what kind of gifts the charm brought to the user. She revealed her pearly whites when she realized she was correct. Luck and fortune. It certainly wasn’t something she was going to refuse. Dev mused as she wondered if it would allow her to acquire more knowledge during her stay with the Conquest clan.

The rest of the explanations she listened to with less fervor. Indeed, the lock represented life and security, but the meaning behind the fish charm piqued her interest. What exactly did ‘gain’ mean? Could Dev theoretically gain anything with the charm, so long as she put forth enough work? Questions, questions. They never stopped. A polite nod from Dev at the explanations for the peach and gourd. Certainly something to have, but not exactly what the ghoul was searching for. When he finished, she picked up her coin charm and stared at it. Was this the charm she wanted or did she want to test her luck? She cracked a smile. A little bit of luck could never hurt. With her decision made, she tightly grasped the charm in her hand while she slowly got to her feet to exit the classroom.  

[nekoluch]

The mats in the room on the third day of class had been the same as their first day. Doing as she did before, Levi took a seat on the mat beside the baku and listened in.

Charms?

Each one had a meaning and/or story behind it. This was something that intrigued the ghoul given, well, there was a fish charm. That was her first thought when they are first revealed, but she then became even more interested when she heard the significance behind it.

The ghoul came from a farming town were you made what you ate, wore and lived on. Hard work gained you not only what you wanted but what you needed to sustain your way of living. Levi still got up early every morning at the dorms like she would back home to tend to the crops. By doing this she could gain a sense of pride by doing what her kin did as well as means to provide gifts for her peers. A few times Levi had shared her candy corn spookies with others and she liked to see their expressions while enjoying them.

Levi knew what it was like to work hard for what you gained.

The tatzel had no wavering thoughts on the matter- Invictus' information regarding a fish becoming a dragon had her snicker a bit, but overall, she was pleased with her choice in charm. This dragon enjoyed her fish more than a red enjoyed his shines; or at least equal to.  

[kuumeii]

After yesterday's class Mea made sure to sit through this lesson with greater patience than she had shared the last time. Though that was truly not saying very much and sitting on her knees she could already feel her body sway from one side to the other, tuning out most of his words. While her bright pink iris' were focused on the horseman her mind was filled with piles and piles of delicacies - including some of the snacks from the tea rooms she had encountered very recently.

Fish.

Her ears twitched.

Food.

Clicking her tongue a few times she let out a high-pitched squeal of joy, though only audible to anyone in direct vicinity. Such as wiping a table clear, she found the cloudiness of her brain evaporate and focus as the box came her way. Zealously shifting her hand around her hands clasped onto one tightly. Grinning she pulled it free and offhandedly passed the box along.

"Fish!" She exclaimed. Was fish the charm for more food? Or did it taste good? Only one way to find out. And with that the Mouryou did one of those rather silly things that she had done many times - she attempted to take a bite out of it. Ching! The sound her teeth made against the metallic material of the charm made her cringe and she spat it back out, wiping it off with a sleeve.

Frowning, she stared back it and lobbed it between one hand and the other impatiently. Abruptly she stopped and held it forcefully in a hand. Hard work, Gain. That was it! There was a loud snort from her and she felt herself smile in her amusement. Hard work was alright with her, most of the time it was then she got money for food and that was always a great goal to move towards. With anything monetary you could do a lot too, like travel and buy things from far away places.

Mea felt a lingering sense of happiness even after stuffing it in a pocket and buttoning it inside, nice and safe. The charm was useful and represented something even she could get behind - this made her cheerful even as she gave a shifty glance to those near her.

This was her charm, hers and only hers. It was meant for her alone and knowing that she would keep it close to her.

Who knows? Maybe the charm had already begun to work.  

[Stratham]

Today's class seemed much calmer. And just as well for Ouranos-- he had had a lifetime's worth of anxiety working with incense. From now on, the only involvement he wished to have with incense was to enjoy it... as he did in his personal time. (With no stern, intimidating presence watching his every move...!)

The boil drifted to a mat in his customary faraway manner. Kneeling, hands coming to rest on either thigh, Oura turned his blank gaze to the front of the circle. The dignified boil-professor had begun speaking; today's lessons would be on charms.

A small box was going around the room; Ouranos watched it absently, half-tuned in to the heir's lecture. He was explaining the functions behind the charms-- and there were many. Lucky charms, fruitful charms, charms to promote health. Charms to protect you, or to bring you money. It was really quite interesting. Deep and symbolic things captured Oura's attention quite easily.

When the box finally came to him, the boil paused briefly before putting a hand in. He had no idea what kind of charm would suit him. It was best to leave things like this up to the fates...

He pulled something out, and passed the box on. Ouranos opened his palm, considering the small fish that sat there. The heir had mentioned "hard work" and "gain" as properties of the fish... it was a charm that would bring plenty to those who toiled for it. A charm for one who wished to be greater than they were.

His thumb ran over the smooth metal absently. What was Ouranos, if not always striving to become more? To be a respected sandman, with complete mastery over his trade? Beneath his still exterior, Oura was not without hopes and dreams. And he was willing to work hard, and study harder, for them.

Slender fingers closed around the fish; he slid it gently into his pocket.  

[Baneful]

So this was how it was going to be eh?

Zar hung back as he watched the other students file out of the classroom, looking indifferent. Inside though was a whole other matter, his paranoia had been gradually growing since he arrived in this too perfect place. He liked it, liked the rustic tranquilly of the setting. It was conducive to concentration, but the apprehension there was something he was missing grew and grew into a sense of urgency.

He forced himself not to think too deeply about this though as he was seated, meeting Invi's stare with his own coolly.

I'm not afraid of you. he thought

He didn't know what the horsemen were up to, had no idea what their connection to the hunters was in any specific way. But he would find out. The game of Diplomacy he'd played taught him something, he liked to win. He really liked to win. And having favours, not even necessarily using them right away, was power. Allies and favours were the way to win in these crazy times.

I like your horns.

The other boil was an enigma to him. He wondered what his role in everything was. Was he a sacrificial offering to Amity, part of the grand plan the horsemen had in motion? Perhaps he was unaware of what was going on, sent to live amongst their prey. A judas goat, sent to lead them all blindly into the slaughter pen. Maybe he was well aware, playing them all like fools. Son of the grand manipulator Conquest himself.

How long are we going to stay here?

He wasn't sure how long had passed since the staring session began, but time always seemed to move slowly in this place, like the lazy winding rivers with their lotuses. He could stay here all day anyway frankly. There were no desks, there was no paperwork. He was starting to get the old itches back, the "Incubus illness" as his father called it. Somewhere he'd managed to borrow a very plain robe for the class rather than his burned suit. He found he didn't miss the restrictive layers. This wasn't a good thing.

I should probably focus

It was practically meditative as he sat and basked in the quiet, tail flicking contentedly, a chance to sort out his thoughts and show Invi his defiance at the same time.

He was almost sad when the 20 minutes passed and he figured it was time to leave.

He got up, gave Invi a winning smile and left.

demon_pachabel

 

[Saliru]

Nuru was back in class again only this time lovely scents hadn't greeted the boil. Instead it seemed the classroom was back to the condition it was on day one.

He took his usual mat though and blindly reached into the box to haul out his charm. Staring at it in quiet bafflement before Invi went on to explain.

Gourd Charm huh? Well, it was certainly fitting. He loved food, loved it a lot. Food and scarelings. Both were awesome. Though he frowned, joke or no he certainly wasn't ready for that sort of responsibility yet so he set his charm down in front of himself so he could eye it without touching it. He personally had no clue what the markings meant.

Then the classroom became somewhat divided.

Oooh. Zar. You're in trouuu-blllleeee~

He couldn't resist the smile that crept across his face as Zar wandered over to take a punishment.

demon_pachabel

Not sure if you wanted quotes for final products.

 

[xoxomenai]

Fish?? ... Faustus's attention perked as he heard his instructor mention his favorite treat. A symbol of hard work, and gaining?? ... He never knew they could represent something so close to him. He wanted to work hard for the good of Halloween. He wanted to be able to achieve his lifelong dream. The symbol of the fish fit him as perfectly as it tasted in his mouth ...

Oh Jack, he was so hungry now. If he could drool, he would be. He contemplated sneaking one of the fish from the lotus pond ... surely they wouldn't miss a simple fish?? ...

The basket was passed before him, breaking his concentration. His hunger forgotten, the flame demon stuck his hand in eagerly, feeling around inside before drawing out ... an auspicious coin.

Faussi stared to it blankly. It was round, and small, with a square hollow in the center ... far from a fish.

He would be returning it, for the chance of catching a beloved fish.

That settled, he decided to take a short nap, then find Amarus and see if her luck had fared any better. Considering all the fires yesterday, she would probably be busy ... ehh, having some group time with their teacher. Settling back, Faussi pulled his goggles down across his eyes as he began to doze lightly.

demon_pachabel

Face your demons

 

[keiifuu]

Ah... and what was this?

Fallow's ears curved forward as he examined the charm he'd pulled from the box, smoothing his fingers over the chinese coin and the engravings that were carved into it. His nails scratched over the surface, and he nearly nipped it - though under the teachers supervision, he doubted that would be considered very... proper. Instead, fallow settled back on his heels and looked around, ears twisting and curling in an attempt hear and listen to others, and to see what they had gotten as well. After finishing his inspection of the small thing, Fallow simply rumbled a soft keening note and balanced the charm in the tip of his finger, bright and reflecting the glow of his markings and neon bright eyes.

Luck, fortune.

His mouth curved into a thin little smile, filled with just a hint of the mischief he'd buried deep down to keep from getting him in trouble while here. Well, everyone could use a bit of that, he supposed... Why trade it? Fallow recited the few other charms that Invi had showed to them; the peach, the gourd, the lock, the fish...

Ah, why couldn't he have them all?!

Rumbling in dissatisfaction, Fallow curled his tail around himself and tipped the charm into his palm, covering it with the dark of his hands and the neon blue of his nails in a nearly possessive fashion. Well, at least he had one.

 

[LP]

Willow's tail twitched as she looked at the charms and finally picked up a peach charm. Looking at it as she passed the box around. Protection from evil? This would possibility be a very good charm, a good option at least. Handy for cases where she runs into the hunters.

Willow was watching Invictius as he spoke. He mentioned bringing something tomorrow if they wanted to gamble. Would it be worth the gamble? Willow was looking at the peach charm, and back to Invi. Her eyes trying to see if she could figure out what it might be. Would it even be worth the gamble?

She paused, and nodded, she had a need to find out what Invi had to offer for tomorrow. The tigress offered to Inivictus her charm. "For tomorrow." She said with a small nod, despite wanting to admit it was tempting to keep thte peach it was more compelling to satisfy her curiosity.

demon_pachabel

 

[Marushii]

With no immediate repercussion for "accidentally" setting a good portion of the paper wall on fire, Qlue took the opportunity to graciously slump in her seat with her chin in her hand. Overall she was rather disappointed in the charms. It was true that she was looking into a sort of charm to add to her collection, but not these charms. Qlue was looking forward to trying the incense again and getting something interesting to happen a second time.

Instead, Qlue stared as Invictus showed them the charms. When the box came to her, she reached in and plucked a charm at random.

Qlue gained, Peach Charm!

The astrosphinx looked down at the charm. Then she began to laugh. Loudly and uncontrollably.  

[Marushii]

By the time Qlue had finished laughing, she had rolled on the floor several times clutching her middle, her feet occasionally kicking into the air in a fit of giggles. When she'd get herself back under control, the entire process would start again as soon as she looked at the peach charm.

When the class ended, she joined the rest of the fire-starters with Invictus. Qlue sat down when indicated, clutching the charm. She had made up her mind to ask to switch it out when Invictus' stare chilled the giggles in her throat, and made her clutch the charm tighter.

Perhaps a long life and protection from evil wasn't a bad thing after all. She made it fifteen minutes before her nerve broke and she fled.

demon_pachabel