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 Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2015 4:25 pm
Kobe followed along side Tobias, watching everything play out. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little scared but having Tobias there certainly did help. He watched the Nixie woman, noticing her ailment after the other had pointed it out. He certainly didn't notice till then... but Myles did say that Athena's mother was attacked by a shark. It had to be her. Still, he kept quiet... he moved a little closer to his packmate and rubbed his neck shyly. Perhaps he should say something but the adults were talking and his bravery moment was over with all the adults and older nightmares around. For now, he would just listen and absorb as much as he possibly could... if the right moment should arise, he'd say something.
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Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 6:18 pm
 Ava watched the two settle, busily checking over her students from the corner of the room. She didn't say anything, however a thin frown remained on her lips. Kirket was going to receive plenty of patients soon. Her eyes locked on Neptune briefly before rolling to Tobias, tail flicking absently behind her. Those two had achieved plenty today, and now she briefly worried for their mental health. How draining was this on the two who had lived such a worried and quiet life recently? Her eyes flicked back to view Zahneel, another frown forming. She had asked a lot from a child. It was her duty to be the reliable protector, and yet Zahneel had been the one to lead her to the trouble.
The woman stood up straight despite her want to lean against the wall, fingers tapping against her arms once they folded. She caught Elena's look, sighing internally. She might as well say what she had to say.
The Nixie, from what she had seen, knew little of this world. They had been cut off, which was their choice. The recent words from the woman had only served to worry Ava. How little did they know? What did they assume? Were they a danger now? Especially after the trouble at the academy?
What did the children know?
"While this evening was.... interesting, I have a thought I wish to share." She finally spoke up, eyes rolling to view Elena and Ryuuichi from her spot. "The Grimm were sent here to find their people. You were sent here to discuss matters. Both of you have shown little understanding of Below in its current nature. It isn't a surprise what happened today, considering how cut off your people have been from ours." Athena. That girl she sympathized with, and for a second Ava wondered, now that she knew the world and word would eventually get out, how many more kids would arrive at their doors without the permission of their Elders?
"We know of you now, which means word will get out. People will become curious, on both sides. Instead of returning to your previous life, where you remained separate from us, I suggest we allow communication to remain open. Instead of allowing the previous situation to continue, and this leaving both of our sides at risk, I am willing to offer to keep my doors open to your young, if they wish. A peace option, simply. Judging by the words of the Grimm, the situation with your kind and the Grimm from their does not seem tolerable for long. Perhaps we can both benefit from one another." She paused, briefly watching Ryuuichi. She mostly expected a rejection, but it was a thought. Something to consider. It'd be a lie for Ava to say she wasn't interested in extending her hand to assist the young Nixie.
"As for Ryuuichi and Athena; I would also like to mention that while, due to your rules and culture, they have betrayed the Nixie, this was going to happen sooner or later. You cannot keep an entire population of people within one area without curiosity appearing, and eventually someone slipping past defenses. Instead of choosing to approach this negatively, perhaps this can be viewed as an evolving point? A chance for change." With this, the Headmistress grew silent, having nothing more to offer.
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Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 6:28 pm
 Tobias was slow to join the journey to the art room, but eventually he made it. He trailed after Neptune, paw reaching out to touch his arm in attempts to settle his own anxiety from raising any further. Once they settled in the room he watched Ava flick her gaze over him, tensing. Was he in trouble? Did he mess up? Was he about to be kicked out? Her gaze left his and the boy felt his body deflate, legs shaking.
He'd need to see the guidance counselor after this!
As Ava spoke he found himself unconsciously nodding, tail wagging here and there. He liked that idea, primarily because it meant peace. Something that wasn't this. Something that would make their family bigger. Yet, he doubted The Scary Woman would allow that! That, and if she viewed the world like this.... did they even want the Nixie here? What if they all were scary and like The Scary Woman? What if the entire race of Nixie would bring only negativity?
What even was the right choice here?
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Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:18 pm
 Ryuuichi wasn't sure if he should respond or not. He was torn of course, but deep down he agreed with the blue Demoness. If Athena had been this willing to do something so drastic, how many others were there? Those that just went from colony to colony, town to town just trying to get away from everything they knew and understood only to never accomplish that? He sighed quietly. On the other hand, the Headmistress was essentially asking them to give up part of their way of life. To allow others in.
Hadn't they been doing that for years though? That small rebellious voice whispered in the back of his head. The Imp traders from before the war, the Grimm. Their society wasn't really much better than voyeurs, watching things happening, making judgments, embracing aspects of their culture, while at the same time dismissing it? Weren't their theaters full of imported movies, half the plays on the stage as well? The music in the nightclubs. He sighed again and shook his head just slightly. The Demon was right. They couldn't continue on like this, they couldn't pretend the world didn't exist.
"You're right." he said very quietly and ignoring the glares he was going to get from Elena. There was no way she was going to agree with him on this.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 2:48 pm
 Elena couldn't help but frown as she listened to the Demon speak. She still wasn't quite sure that she was trustworthy at this point, arms crossed as she chose to stay silent. She at least hadn't been sent here to discuss matters, she was simply here to retrieve two of her own who had no business being here in the first place. It was annoying, and her skin was already starting to feel parched, especially in the places that didn't yet have a towel. What she'd give for the ocean air again...She could barely restrain herself from picking at her skin, thinking maybe it would feel better if she did...but she knew it wouldn't. She didn't, however, enjoy that a decision she hadn't even made was getting her chastised. It wasn't only her decision, it was the decision of the council of elders, of which many were wavering on coming out. This, however, was making her reconsider her choice. "It's not our decision alone." She frowned, shaking her head. "There's many others this decision rests on as well, and they'll be listening very closely to what I have to say. This environment is not hospitable to us or any other of our people, and there's a current lack of resources to solve this. I doubt anyone wants to walk around with towels constantly." She was very careful with her wording, especially because she was sure that the woman would do anything to steal the children away. It just simply wasn't safe for them here though. "And if our children have families, what of that? You can't simply expect to steal children away as Kestrel did." Elena disagreed more the more she talked. She had no idea how their culture worked and seemed to be stepping on it every chance she got. "We aren't simply in one place. We are probably more widespread than you've ever dreamed of. Travel has never been impossible for us between our cities or colonies, and before this, there hasn't been any large interest in the outside world. Athena is a rarity in and of herself." She was not too thrilled with this, it seemed like it was aimed more at the Grimm, who were absent from this conversation, than at them. It wasn't a surprise that the traitor would agree, though she chose to not talk to him. It was his choice whether or not to reply.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 3:11 pm
Neptune listened as Ava spoke, nodding a small bit with what she was saying... He didn't really have any say in this but Miss Ava was making sense. Of course they'd have to open up more now, they'd come all the way to Asphodel and revealed themselves. More Athenas would come.... but he really hoped they wouldn't actually be like Athena. He wasn't a big fan of liars... Especially liars that got everyone else into trouble.
"But... um..." He started up again, speaking before he really thought about it. It wasn't his place, but... "J-just because it's c--currently not um... good... doesn't m-mean it can't become g-good..?" He fidgeted a little, looking to Tobias for some support before he continued. "A-and um, a lot of k-kids here h-h-have families... They c-c-come here because th-they want to and then um... th-they go home after classes end and o-on breaks and st--stuff...." He nodded. This was a boarding school, as he'd been told, not a prison. The only kids that didn't leave were the ones that didn't have families to go to!
"S-so... Miss Ava wouldn't t-take anyone that didn't want to be here... um... she seemed re--really mad.... that maybe the grimm would w--want to take us... so... it doesn't make sense that um....... she'd do the same thing back........... at all........" He slowed down as he spoke, thinking maybe he was being a little too confrontational at this point but it literally didn't make sense that Ava would be mad about kidnapping, and then say she would do the same thing. Clearly Miss Ava was not the kind of person who would do that.
"S-so... if we figured out ways to make it okay... um... they could come if they want a-a-and.... then they can go home on h-holidays and breaks. O-or maybe even the weekends because... portals..." He nodded again and wrung his hands together worriedly. That last thing she'd said didn't make any sense........
"Y-you mean.... In all of the time... a-all of history... n-no Nixie has ever wanted to um... leave? Or uh... a-actually left? Not one....?" His ears flattened... that sounded more like a prison than a city where everyone was happy.... Especially if there were lots of them spread out all over. How did they keep everyone inside?
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 3:26 pm
 Zahneel's tail wagged slowly as Ava spoke. Really, her suggestion was sensible. Surely, the nixie would see this and agree. She smiled a little at Ryuuichi when he agreed. Surely Elena would agree... And at first, she seemed to be at least considering the idea. It was the words that came after that had Zahneel's fur bristling as she fought to keep from baring her teeth and growling at this awful woman.
"Don't you dare accuse Headmistress Ava of wanting to kidnap children," she bayed. "She never said she wanted to force children to come here!"
She clasped her arms tightly around herself as she fought against every instinct to attack this woman who had insulted the one person in the room that she considered to be her Pack Leader.
"No wonder Athena wanted to escape if all the nixie was as inflexible and ready to see the bad in everything as you are! You aren't even giving us a chance! You've already decided to believe every rotten traders' tale out there and you don't want to see anything else."
By this point, angry tears were leaking silently from her eyes as she glared at the nixie female. The sheer gall of this... this person insulting Ava and accusing her of wanting to steal children from families! It was disgusting!
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 3:41 pm
He frowned deeply, and despite the fact she had not addressed him at all, did not mean he was going to stoop to her level. The person she needed to talk to the most was him, not the Demoness who was also making a decision probably far above her pay grade, but him another member of her own race, and well, until this entire fiasco a respected member of their government.
"Yes, this decision is far above just the decision of you or me, but you are just as ready to rush in and denounce a whole world of people, not just a culture, an entire world, based on this experience. Granted it is not a very good one to found a relationship on, but it could be far far worse." he sighed. "Do you speak often with the youth of your colony, Elena? The children of the floating cities? How do you know Athena is a rarity? I am beginning to think that perhaps she is becoming the norm, and we their Elders, opened this door. We allowed outsider movies and plays in our theaters, and on our stages. We welcome their music into our homes, along with their fashion and slang, yet at the same time forbid them to learn more of these people that we are so willing to steal from." he shook his head. "We are hypocrites, a whole race of them. In all honesty, the world should be turning it's back on us, we who have sat idly by and watched, and done nothing. Oh, you can argue we saved the Grimm, but look at them! Except for Kestrel and a few stragglers, most of them are as Nixie in thought and action as you or I. They say they still follow the old ways, but outside of the Trials and going to their rituals, they are no more Grimm than I am."
He waved a hand, or at least seemed too as the cuffs restrained his action from achieving full effect. "As for the conditions, I'm sure there are things that can be done to make life bearable. There must be moisturizing salves and balms that can be applied to the skin, and if there are not, there are about to be. As for dehydration, that is what water bottles are for, not to mention the children can swim in their off hours or take long showers. Life here would be inconvenient yes, but not impossible as you make it out."
He then leveled a look at her. "No one has said anything of stealing children, Elena. They will come of their own accord or not at all. It is their choice. That is what we teach our young isn't it? To be self-sufficient? Independent? Be responsible for their actions? Are you saying that we were wrong to do that? Perhaps we should change our entire way of life and forbid our children to make life changing decisions, and make them all for them? We are so much older and wiser after all." he snorted. "You also act as if there are not orphans in our Colonies and towns. Children that no one has the means to care for." he raised his hands and motioned around him. "Here is a whole school, dedicated to tending for those children that no one else has the time for."
He put his hands back in his lap and sighed. "We've taken some much from these people, whether they know it or not, isn't it time we gave something back?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 7:48 pm
 Yue had just wanted to help the two, to show that while they were mad at how things where playing out they were still decent people, she hadn’t wanted to embarrass Ms. Elena and it seemed to have maybe even made her a bit hostile. So she had stayed silent in the back next to tobias. Well up to a certain point. “I’m a cache baby so I never got to grow up with my family. I never got to find out do I look more like my dad or mom or what kind of people they were and if I was even a younger sibling to anyone. I was lucky in that my caretakers where all geist and could tell me about my culture, even so growing up during my freshling years wasn’t easy. People were like you say Ms. Elena and I got bullied a lot because the other kids didn’t really understand what being a geist was all about. I was blamed any time anything got stolen.
However there is a reason I’m telling you all this. Over the decade that I’ve been in the academy the different races are becoming closer. I have really close friends that aren’t Geists. My boyfriend is a fallen, and we met because he actually wanted to learn about Geists from a geist. In fact he actually leaves things for me to steal in his backpack. I have two younger siblings that are Grimm.
As a child myself that I can tell you that Ms. Athena is not a rarity. All kids want to know what’s out there what they’re missing, and while this place is obviously not where you come from, I can also tell you that the second we found out that Ms. Athena needed water and moisture we were finding her damp towels and fountains and some students even made sure that Mr. Ryuichi over here had water as well. We’d help change the school to be more welcoming even if that means a few clubs get together to build some fountains or chemistry club tries to come up with salves or something.
We aren’t here to steal students or keep them here. My friends were able to take a portal home every weekend and every break. Asphodel is a boarding school though and it’s a nice home for those of us who don’t have anywhere to go. You see here at this school we have a place where we’re slowly fostering understanding between other races and why they act the way they do. It’s a good place and I hope that one day we’ll all be connected again that nothing like the 50 war happens again, where people like tobias wonder who they are, why they are, and why they had to be born different from everyone else, or babies like I was where they will never get to know their parents or family.
Staying isolated and alone in your cities isn’t good, what if something like the sickness comes for nixie. How will your people survive if you’re all isolated in your cities with only other nixie around? Who would you be able to turn to for help? Yes you say you’re further spread out than we were lead to believe but then you get cities like Mr. Kestral’s pack… who wouldn’t know if other nixie where out there. Joining the world you might even get more that survive because they’ll have stronger Anti bodies. Miss Ava isn’t demanding that you just hand over your children, she just wants to give you guys a peaceful place to emerge into the world with.” Yue replied. She didn’t think it would change anything but she had to say what she thought of the school. It had given her a lot and it was a good place. A good starting point.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 9:31 pm
Elena just sighed in frustration as the children talked, rubbing her temples briefly before stopping, skin stinging as it had become too dry. Unsure what to do with them, she adjusted the towel, a tight frown on her face. They were impossible. It didn't help that the traitor was trying to lighten his sentence, hoping for mercy if they managed to sway her. She wasn't about to let that happen, there had to be justice for what he and his daughter had done. Unconcerned with his earlier recognition of her, of him calling that girl their daughter, she simply waited until they had finished. It was only polite to not interrupt after all. She briefly considered the cultural expectations of the other races, though it was difficult to take things into consideration because none of them were Imps... Gods, what had they gotten her into? Why couldn't they have sent one of the more fit elders for this? Her hip was still screaming, chair somewhat uncomfortable for her position. It would probably help if she adjusted her posture, though she wasn't about to lower her guard. "I've seen the youth of my city, and frankly all they seem to be concerned with is the waves so they can surf, or pearl diving to propose to their significant others." She frowned, glancing over at the other Nixie. "Perhaps it is different for your city, yours is the only one with a portal, after all. There is less curiosity over the outside world in mine, because we simply have no contact with it. The stories the Grimm spread about the War did well enough to quell their thirst for adventure." She shook her head slightly, though now even her neck was suffering from the lack of humidity. She was starting to hurt all over, despite the towel, and it was becoming more and more painful to be here. Didn't they have something like a sauna here? Somewhere humid and wonderful? She didn't care if it was hot, maybe that would help ease her hip... The mention of swimming made her wrinkle her nose. In her search for him across campus, she had indeed come across the swimming pool, and had made the mistake of dipping her foot in it. It had turned red now from whatever chemicals had reacted with her skin, and she was sure that the children wouldn't fare much better. "Their water isn't pure in those pools." She bent down to remove her shoe, wincing as she finally got it off. "I made the mistake of putting my foot in it, and I have never reacted so badly to something." The worst part was it itched and burned at the same time, and she wasn't sure what would stop it. Surely scratching it wouldn't help... "Unless they're willing to completely redo the way their pools are, and do gods-know-what to their living quarters or classrooms..." She wasn't sure of the financial situation of the academy, not yet at least, but the mention of orphans made her huff a bit. Yes...he was right about one thing...but she at least had taken it upon herself in her city to try and find them families...The other elders, she knew, didn't have the time or resources to try and do this...but she didn't like seeing a child without a family, and the mention of Ava taking some of theirs didn't sit well with her. "It would have to be discussed." She settled, shaking her head again. "I'm still unsure of how they would even get here, the only portal accessible from us is through your city...to a rather gloomy warehouse. It wasn't a very pleasant experience, and it might scare some of the younger ones." Maybe she was being vaguely cooperative...all she wanted was a sauna to go soak up the moisture in...or even find a pond at this rate. It was better than feeling like she'd been set on fire than the pools here, even if she did emerge scummy and disgusting. "You may be lucky to have those who can teach you about your culture here, but there are also no Nixie here to make sure that the children, if they do come here, would have the same experience." She sighed, having to clear her throat after. Why was it so dry?! "Besides, would there be a promise that they could even return home?" Home...that was an odd word for her, no matter how many times she said it. Somehow, her city had never quite felt like home, she felt like she was a stranger in it no matter how many times she walked the streets...Even the orphans who lived there felt like they belonged.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 9:52 pm
Ryuuichi leaned down just enough to pinch the bridge of his nose. She wasn't listening. He hadn't really expected her too, but he'd had to try. Reason was his most powerful weapon, but she was evidently too far gone to listen to it. Yes, he could tell she was uncomfortable with the climate here but she didn't have to act like a child about it. Didn't she have any dignity?
He shook his head. "While I am certain I could continue on and on with you over how you are very incorrect, or how thing could change, you will not listen. You are too far gone in your own opinions and no longer accepting reason and logic instead relying on your feelings no matter how many times you are told you are wrong or misinterpreting things on purpose to support your own cause." he snorted derisively. "You make the young of your colony sound like empty headed fools. Don't be so naive, Elder Elena." he gave her a look that made lesser men wish they were elsewhere before leaning back in his chair. "You are acting very much a fool right now, and not like a respected member of the community." he said before silencing himself. He was in enough trouble at this point and there was really no point in continuing at this point.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 10:01 pm
 Having left the cafeteria, Myles had immediately set to tracking the group that had gone to slow down Elena. Thankful for all those tracking lessons from his mother he quickly caught the sent of the pair of Nixies, along with the three Grimm students and hurried along the path only pausing here and there to figure out where exactly Elena had turned and when. It seemed that the Grimm kids had lost her a few times or perhaps were not well versed in scenting, he smiled internally a bit, at the thought of them spending a weekend with his mother and the things they'd learn because of it, before squashing the thoughts and focusing on the task.
He got confused at one point when new scents joined the old ones...that dark Grimm girl and the Headmistress? Well they'd found Elena and Ryuuichi at least. He sniffed a bit and then followed them into another building and raced down the hallway, tugging Athena and Sara along with him before bursting into the room occupied by the others in a most dramatic fashion.
All eyes turned on him and the two girls with him and at a loss for what to say after such an entrance, merely waved a clawed hand. "Hi...?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 10:08 pm
 Sara came pelting down the corridor alongside her new friends, her heart thudding in her chest. They had a plan. They had a way to turn this all around. Now all they had to do was carry it off without a hitch. Simple--right? She paused for breath every time Myles paused to sniff. Tucked under her arm were three water bottles--one for each of the Nixies in the room. Now she just had to run to keep up with them...
They burst in in a moment of glory...ous embarrassment. Sara looked around, seeing the tense lines in the people in the room. And it was a bit of a bigger crowd than she had expected. Zahneel had found the headmistress, for one thing. And there was Elena. She looked...well, she didn't look good. Sara walked over to her, still panting from the run, and handed her a water bottle. "Ah don't know whether y'd rather drink this or pour it over yer head. Ah know our clahmate ain't the best, and we're sorry fer that." As much as she didn't like Elena...Elena was their guest. She had to be polite. It was The Rule. "If there's anythin' else we can getcha, just let us know, and we'll fetch it."
She turned around, daring her fellow students call her out on her kidness towards the hateful old lady. No one seemed to be challenging her, so she opened a water bottle and handed the open bottle to Ryuuichi. "Here y'are, sir." With that task complete, she handed the last bottle to Athena and turned to watch Myles. It was his move now...now or never.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 11:01 pm
 Athena was scared, to be honest. She wasn't sure if this was really the correct idea, and couldn't help but cling to Myles every step of the way. Was that woman really her mother? Could she possibly be related to that monster? Maybe...Maybe she shouldn't be calling her a monster. Maybe she was just hurting so badly that she had to take it out on everyone else, as much as she didn't want to believe that of her. It wasn't any excuse to act that way, and so many of the other kids were hurt...She worried so much over them, especially that one Grimm who had panicked when her dad had been taken away...Her stomach sank. She didn't know what would happen when she saw her father again, she could only expect disappointment from now on. He probably didn't even love her anymore... Regardless, they made their way into the room, and seeing him, handcuffs and all, hurt. Had he fallen?! She couldn't help but rush over and start attending to him, dabbing his face with the wet towel, fussing over him. She really did care, even if they fought all the time...even if she was too much like her mom for him...She eyed the other Nixie, not quite sure what to think of her, but focused back on her father...He'd never forgive her, but she didn't like to see anyone in pain...
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 2:50 am
If anything was going to snap Zahneel out of her anger, the arrival of the trio was that thing. Part of her wished that they'd waited to burst in. The rest of her was simply relieved to have them here. Especially if it meant that there was a better chance of protecting Athena and her father if they were in the same room.
And even if she frowned a little as the baphomet gave Elena the water, she couldn't fault the action. The older nixie female really did not look well. Silently, she began to explore the art room. After a bit, she found an old bucket that had held clay at one point. Well.. clay wasn't a harmful chemical was it? Taking it to the sink, she filled it up and then carried it back over to Elena. And if her voice was a bit gruff, who could blame her?
"Your legs might get kind of muddy, but it might help to stick your feet in."
Glancing to the side, she saw Athena tending to her father and nodded. Sidling over a little, she patted the other girl on the shoulder in a friendly way. And now that she could see the two female nixie together, the resemblance really was startling.
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