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 Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:32 pm
She nodded and left him to his thoughts, watching for a moment as he avoided those two words. Sighing she turned her attention forward and hooked her hands behind her neck, adopting an indifferent air. The person had a black mark in her opinions and she silently cheered Antigone on.
Kallisto was curious though, wondering what the rules were. She couldn't care less that it was Bardane who was summoning the words. A robot would suffice as far she was concerned. The messenger meant nothing to her, not now. Not when he so obviously cared nought for the well-being of his students.
Pain may be a factor in life, a large one that determined much, but not the only one. She scoffed as she read the rules, not caring if Bardane thought it out of turn. The sooner this class was over, the better she'd feel.
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Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:59 pm
Yambati kept his eyes fixed on the board through the whole exchange, body tense at the quick exchange of harsh voices. This was why he stayed alone and kept to himself - it caused less problems that way.
Something in the way everybody got up in arms over the pain of one student turned something in him. He wasn't sure if it was good or bad, or even either at all, but he felt a mixture of the touching and the annoying. Something in him wanted friends who would defend him, but another, warring part of him wanted everybody to return to the lesson quietly.
Quietly, as if he didn't know he was speaking aloud, Yambati muttered, "Can't we just move on with the lesson now?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:34 am
Torrid breathed a heavy and relieved sigh as the hullaballoo subsided. There was a pang of guilt in his heart when Aysel got to her feet and he realized Antigone had really left. It seemed she was in a serious amount of trouble, and he regretted having been the cause of that far more than his aching hands. He saw that Grave was working away despite appearing troubled and missed his presence suddenly, though he was very glad for Ubel's.
Torrid tooked to Ubel as he spoke, finding himself warmed and a little stunned at how protective he was. Gingerly, he reached into his bag with the better of his two hands to retrive his writing supplies. The quill was painful and difficult to hold, but he did his best to copy down the words on the board, staring stubbornly at his teacher.
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Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:34 pm
 During all this time, Mat could do nothing more than stare in horror, suddenly distracted from appearing to copy notes while actually doodling. From where he sat behind Grave, he reached a hand slowly over his desk and put it on the other boy's back, offering what comfort he could. He made sure fingers couldn't be seen over the other's shoulder, as he was fairly certain Bardane would have issues with anyone doing anything at all out of the ordinary.
It was difficult for him to keep his mouth shut and opinions to himself when everyone started to cry out against the harsh punishment but ... he didn't want to upset Grave any more. And besides ... he might have a temper, but he kind of figured maybe the middle of class wasn't the time to discuss teaching methods. He made a mental note to go talk to Bardane in the Teachers' Lounge at some point though if he could catch him. Because he most definitely did not agree with this.
He kept his hand on Grave's back, just over his shoulderblade, as more laws were recited. Now, instead of doodling, he actually did write them down. He wasn't about to copy them twenty times or whatever, not right now - couldn't write that fast. But he understood they were important to know...
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:49 pm
As the classroom settled down again, Bardane resumed his clear oratory with only the inflection he needed to emphasize important parts of the Law. He tapped his wand up on the wall, and added the Seventh Law. "Number 7. Only Empyreans on their Transition from Stage 2 to Stage 3 may leave the City, and only with a Certificate of Passage. The Certificate of Passage requires the accompaniment of at least one Gatekeeper for your safety. At no time may you leave the care of your Gatekeeper." Bardane paused in his rehersed speech and blinked. "The world is a dangerous and oppressive place. While things feel safe enough here in the White District, this is only because of how sheltered you are, and your close proximity to the Metatrons. Beyond those outer walls, the world is still at War. Often Tamerind talks about it as though it was something that began and finished years ago. This is not the case. Everyday our brothers and sisters die in the wastes. Some die trying to protect your very lives, some die in the humble pursuit of gathering food, supplies or seedlings. The Outsiders harbour no compassion for us. They will kill on sight, and they will not ask questions. Do not give them this chance." Bardane's hard expression softened, and his voice warmed with feeling. "Each of you was chosen... Specifically selected by the fine Threes of this city to become prosperous and strong Empyreans. You are the precious few saved from the wastes out there. We have given - and continue to give - much to ensure you develope into the best Empyreans you can be. You were chosen for your potential for magic, or to become strong, or to weild great essence. Be your best at all times, because someday, this city will be yours."
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:37 pm
Kallisto sat, impassive, as Bardane issued his speech, his tone only serving to reaffirm and deepen her dislike of him. She scribbled done one note however, the first since the second rule:
Outsiders kill us. Kill or be killed, according to Professor Bardane.
Two underlines were pressed into the space underneath Bardane's name, ephasizing the words. Setting down her quill, she leaned back in the pew and wondered if this speech was meant to be moving. She recognized and knew such events occured, though she did not know the war was still being waged, but Bardane's cold tones made it seem more like a threat made to misbehaving children. She knew that a better speaker would have stirred something within her.
Eyes speaking her remaining disproval, she watched on, hoping this had signalled the end of the class.
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Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:01 am
 Dariyn had been sitting by himself this whole time, and watching silently. Yes...perhaps he was a coward, to do nothing out of the ordinary and avoid trouble at all cost, but the thought of challenging an order scared the Phlegm nearly witless.
He was scribbling notes as fast as he could write...and he distantly wondered where his friends were...Morrow and Zethyr. Zethyr mostly because well...he knew the other, and it was someone he wasn't paralyzed by nervousness around. Noooo...paralyzed would be a very bad state to be in around Zethyr because the Melancholy would surely find an interesting way to take advantage of it.
Dammit. What he really wanted to do was go around and give some of his classmates a hug. But then...he didn't have the guts to do that...maybe he'd give Grave a hug after class. Grave wasn't at all scary, and he sorta knew him, and he most certainly merited a hug by this point in time, probably more.
Oh right. Rule Seven. And he had to think about that one...why had he been outside in the first place. It seemed a perilous place, the Outside. Now that he could remember that.
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Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:06 pm
Bardane tapped his wand against the wall again. The Eighth law took its place. "Number 8. All Empyreans must obey the wishes of Grigori." Bardane paused and thought of Gregor. He cleared his throat and added, "You are not allowed to defy or resist a Grigori, either by trying to disobey their commands, or by trying to use force against them. Grigori are the only ones allowed to bear arms openly within Empyrean City beyond the confines of the Arena or Training Halls. They have full right to use their weapons against any Empyrean who refuses to accompany them to the Chorus Auditorium, or any who try to escape their hands. They have the right to arrest you without explanation. The Chorus will have more than the answers you need." Bardane paused, his piercing eyes falling on Aysel for a moment and remaining there as he added quietly. "If ever a Grigori oversteps their bounds or abuses their power - though rare it has occassionally happened - please direct your concern to a Three you trust. That Three will bring the matter to the attention of the Chorus, an inquiry will be placed, and the matter will be efficiently and appropriately dealt with. Never attempt to deal with such situations on your own." Bardane checked the time and exhaled silently. Only two more laws to go. He found himself inexplicably weary this season. He would be glad to be back in the company of his fellow professors in the Teacher's Lounge.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:14 pm
Mat glanced up at the board and wrote down the latest rule ... then he quickly tore off a corner of paper from the back of his notebook and scribbled "Are you ok?" He slipped his hand under his own desk then and tapped Grave's side, trying to hand him the note.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:55 pm
 Aysel wrote down the eighth law, then carefully looked up to Bardane...only to find that he was fairly staring at her as he spoke of the Chorus, and abuse..and she quickly dropped her gaze to her hands, which were still tender from valentine's. She supposed that must have been what the Professor had been referring to..but wand furthermore...a Three she could trust? If she was to be honest, there weren't even very many Zeroes she trusted. Only Ubel, and Antigone...and perhaps Grave. "Could not a Zero go to the Chorus themself?" She wondered aloud, frowning.
A part of her still strained toward the door, toward Antigone..oh, that she could find the courage that her love seemed to have so much of! She took another hesitant step toward the door, almost hoping that Bardane would question her..even as she knew that she could never do something so bold as to actually leave. But he intrigued her..and that provoked her to test him..try his limits, and see how his mind worked.
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Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:23 pm
She sighed as she read the eigth law. While she agreed with parts of it, she many holes that were potential problems. What if a grigori wasn't around if you needed them? What if a situation demanded instantaneous response? What if you couldn't contact someone who was supposed to handle the situation? If was very much like trying to turn them into a herd of sheep, helpless without a herder as far as she could see. It didn't sit well with her. Law or no, she would defend herself to the best of her ablities if attacked and whther that meant weilding a weapon or not mattered not.
As for a Three she trusted, she wasn't entirely sure who she would approach if something like that happened. She was certain who she wouldn't approach however, and that was Bardane. Kallisto didn't forgive all that easily.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 4:55 pm
 Grave felt the warm hand of Mathiaz snake along his leg, a stiff bit of parchment pinched between his fingers. With an intaken breath and a flutter of his eyes, Grave took the note as stealthily as he could, and saw with relief that Bardane's attention was on Aysel. He unfolded the paper on his lap,
Are you OK?
Grave smiled thankfully to himself. He lay the piece flat on his notebook and carefully wrote beneath Mathiaz' scrawl in his curling script,
I am now, thank you. How are you holding up?
Carefully blowing on the ink to dry it, Grave then folded it up again and hiding the note inbetween two of his fingers he folded his hands behind his head and leaned back so that Mathiaz could take the slip of paper from his hands.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:02 pm
Bardane was about to recite the next law when Aysel questioned him. "Since Zeros are not allowed to leave the White District, it would be quite impossible for you to go to the Chorus Auditorium, as that would require you breaking another of the Laws. There's no rule about discussing such things with a Three you know to be a Chorus... But if the matter ever made it to the ears of the Chorus, if would not be presented as an inquiry, since you need to be a One or higher in order to file an inquiry." Bardane tapped his wand against the wall. the Ninth Law appeared with a shimmer.
"Number 9. All Empyreans must obey the Decrees of the Chorus. Any rules or Laws the Chorus pass are with agreement and power of the metatrons. To cross the Laws of the Chorus is to cross the Metatrons, and to do that is to go against the Will of Empyrean City. The punishment for such a willful crossing is Extinguishment." Bardane sighed silently to himself again. One more law, and then he'd be free of teaching for another season.
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Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:27 pm
Aysel began to protest about the unfairness of that, but then paused. Although she did have strong objections to the fact that Zeros seemed to have little say in anything, she did see the sense in them not being allowed to leave the White District. They did not yet know the way of things...and such a lack of knowledge could very possibly kill them, if the opportunity arose. And so, instead of speaking, she wrote down the 9th law, and resolved to speak to Bardane after class. She wasn't even quite sure where the Chorus Auditorium was..
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Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:38 pm
Mat caught sight of the note between Grave's fingers and took it back with a brush of his own fingertips along the back of the other's hand. He opened it carefully ... then had to quickly write down the ninth law before he could reply. He frowned slightly, thinking. What if there was no Three you trusted? Or what if you didn't know many people? He quickly wrote down, I'll all right, I just have some questions for this guy ...
He didn't know if he should ask now or later though, as he already sort of planned to go and talk to him in the Teacher's Lounge or wherever if he could. He thought for a moment ... and finally decided on later, slipping the note back to Grave.
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