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 Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:46 pm
Kaien narrowed his eyes, concentrating on Damien and blocking out the sudden vibrations he knew indicated some new tremor in the Gateway. "Someone sent you? Do....you remember who? Unfortunately, I can not recall sending for a guardian, as I already have two Watchers. Perhaps you were recruited by one of my associates, though." He maintained a polite expression while trying not to wince under the sudden pressure of the Gateway's alarm system tremoring through his blood. It was one of the 'gifts' granted to him as the official Guardian of the Gateway. The blood-bond was deep and ran through him like a shock.
Sebastian frowned. He could sense something beyond what Evy felt, the source. While one spot -they felt very much like shadows among the luminous existences of the Academy's charges - was mobile, the other was still and pulsing. Each pulse seemed to make it stretch against its own boundaries. It was a tear between the Realms.
Wincing he drew his tuxedo jacket closer to him. "He'll already know," Sebastian said in a gruff, resigned voice. This didn't bode well for the atmosphere of the Ball.
Samyule looked at her with concern, noting that she suddenly seemed more exhausted than she had before. "Yes....let's go back inside." He didn't want to sound overly concerned, or make it seem as though they were leaving simply because of her reaction, so he added, "It was getting cold anyways. They may have fixed it up nicely, but still...they can't take the freeze out of the snow." He smiled as he helped her back into the Ballroom which was still buzzing with the students and their individual affairs.
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:11 pm
 The angel's head whipped around and the fingers of her opposite hand went to the small, half-round of glass that hung loosely around her wrist. Her wings pulled in close and she shifted then paused for just a moment of thought. Something was wrong. She could feel the pulse of the Gateway, and surely could other Keystone students, and not with the normal background-buzz she'd come to find rather pleasant, knowing home - Father - could be so close.
MaryAnne pulled the hem of her gown up slightly as she moved towards the ballroom - Anna, the elf she had met when she'd first arrived and the Principle Teacher, must be in there and, surely, she would know what was going on.
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:14 pm
Damien gripped his head and winced. He had felt vibrations as well. They were the strongest he had felt in the time he had been on the campus. He nervously glanced in Anna's direction, hoping that it hadn't affected her as much. He then remembered the question that Kaien had asked him and lowered his head slightly.
"I'm sorry. I was told that I needed to protect the students and then shoved through the gate in the blink of an eye. I truly am sorry that I don't know." And it was the truth. The angel had been confronted by strange people he never met and was then shoved through the gate. He silently hoped that this wasn't a fact of importance and that Kaien didn't need to know such things. But Damien was sure that it had something to do with what happened at the Water Gardens along with the ripples coming from the Gateway.
A white-haired man walked into the Event Hall slowly and carefully, not wanting to disturb anyone, while shaking the snow that had accustomed itself in his already snow-white hair and on his suit. Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided to pay him a little visit, being that he had taken his time to get here and when wanting to look over the snow covered land scape, it had started snowing, much to his displeasure.
Nathan quickly and stealth fully walked his way through the dancers and then through the beautifully decorated tables before finally choosing a place to sit down. He quickly glanced over the students and teachers, noting on how many angels, elves, fae, and even dragons were currently in the Event Hall. He grinned slightly, feeling even happier then he thought he would. This was the first, and probably last, thing his parents ever did for him that he actually approved of.
The white haired man stood up from his seat and quickly walked over to the table where they were serving the food. He grabbed a plate and filled every inch of it. He once again sat down and started eating slowly, having just noticed how some of the Key Students were acting. Shrugging it off, he continued eating, his foot tapping to the imaged melody of the song he had yet to finish.
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:02 pm
Dimitri looked around at the pathway, the snow, the lights adorning the bushes. This was a sight of an event like very few he had been to, considering social events made him very uneasy and a bit shy. He walked cautiously up the path and proceeded towards the ballroom. The sound of music flooded dimly towards him as he entered. He moved over to the seating area to just sit and relax. Then walked up and grabbed a bite to eat and leaned against a wall a bit away from the general crowd until he got the courage to mingle a bit.
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:09 pm
Arondis had allowed her son to chat with her for a time, but as soon as she felt the gate vibrations, she stood. "I have to see Kaien now."
Pyralis did not argue and immediately stood as well, catching up with his mother who had already set off to find the headmaster. Both were calm as they walked towards the small group, not alerting students to the disturbance. No need for them to worry until they had to be told.
Smiling apologetically, the white-haired woman glided up to the group, inclining her head in greeting to all before her gaze rested on Kaien. "Good evening all. May I say you look dashing Kaien, Damien; and you Anna are radient." Damien had passed through the gate, so she already knew of him and was not supprised to see him there. Though she thought he might not remember her, but that was a matter for another time. "Kaien, I was wondering if I might have a brief word?"
Pyralis took his place beside Anna, gentley touching his mind to hers. I am back A'mael.
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:49 pm
Anna smiled to Pyralis, but before she could give words of thanks to Arondis for her generous compliment, she was already engaged with Kaien. More than likely about what we're all feeling, she thought.
But at the moment, Anna felt that her dear friend needed words of encouragement more than anyone in the current party. Surely all the others could manage Gate frustrations for just a few moments without her.
"Damien," she whispered, "You've been such a great help here already. I wouldn't worry about the details of how you came to be here just yet, as you're safe here with us. Kaien can use all the help he can gather, don't you worry." Her hand touched his for a moment in reassurance.
Again, she smiled in such a gentle way that reached into her eyes, something she hoped he noticed. How she wanted him to feel at home in the Grove like she did, and to feel safe and wanted. Everyone, she had found, needed to feel like they had a place to belong.
Her other hand just barely touched Pyralis' as this reassurance was being sent, her fingertips just meeting his.
You hardly left me at all, being right across the room, she thought with amusement.
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Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:23 pm
Kaien nodded, realizing what Anna was doing. "Quite right, quite right. Never can have too many hands around here. It also seems as though we're amassing a force of Angelic protectors. You should speak with Sebastian and Evangeline when you get some time. They use the guise of students to allow them to be able to remain closer to the students, you should consider doing the same." He looked back through the Ball crowd, seeing what he affectionately considered his 'task force' all waiting to catch his eyes.
Turning to Damien he said, "Please go enjoy yourself. I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting many of the other students." It was a clear, but polite, way of excusing himself from the conversation. Kaien looked at each of his team members in turn: Arondis, Pryalis, Anna, Sebastian, and Evangeline, and indicated that they should all meet outside in one of the enclosed pavilions. There they would have privacy, but still be within view of the Ball-goers.
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:50 pm
The subtle shift in the atmosphere didn't escape Gerald's notice. He and Verdi had been making their way along the outer edges of the ball, continually looking for whatever had caused her fear earlier. Although he didn't feel anything himself, certain groups of people in the room had started acting very uncomfortable in the last few moments. Suddenly, there were veins of nervousness running through the crowd. Many of the affected people he recognized as Keystone students. Tracing the phenomenon around, his gaze locked on a group of adults gathered outside. The Headmaster was there, surrounded by several Academy staff members. They looked to be having a casual meeting, but there was something about their body language that looked off to the young man... tense. Their gathering plus all the tiny little differences around the room consolidated into a bigger picture that sent up a little mental flag, demanding Gerald's attention. This was so soon after the incident with Verdi... could they be connected? He turned to the girl next to him, trying to assess her. "Verdi... do you feel anything?" ((Edited because I can't read properly. XD))
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Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:35 pm
Evy frowned, snatched up the shoulder of his jacket, and pulled him along at a quicker pace from where he was a bit behind her.
" I don't give a damn if he already knows. We need to develop a plan fast, and I'm not sure he can pinpoint how many are here, and what they are. They're coming from that extra rift, which means as many as They like can come through." She sent him a short glare that said quite clearly ' I'm no fool, do not presume to treat me so.'
After meeting up with Kaien, the small group hurried over to a pavilion away from the throng of still-reveling students. The others sat, though Evangeline remained standing, hand at her hip and about the hilt of her hidden sword.
She listened close to their conversation, but kept a sharp lookout with both her eyes and senses.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 6:18 pm
Arondis looked around, meeting the eyes of everyone in the group. "It's getting worse." They had all felt it, but now the instability of the gateway was getting far worse than they thought it would. "Something of evil is in this realm and it is here tonight." It had to be. The crowd would have drawn it to them; most of the people in the school were here.
The ball had called to the evil spirit, and it was back for round two. Verdi lost any color that had returned to her face as she nodded in answer of Gerald's question. "It's here." Without thinking about it, she started to walk towards the evil thing that had been haunting her dreams and depriving her of sleep.
Relishing what the night would become, the spirit grinned evily and circled the middle of the dance floor. It had remained invisible to the everyone except the spirit-seer, but now it started to appear. Slowly, very slowly, it took on a solid form as it cackled. It was the sound that no one could ever forget, but Verdi wanted to stop it. She didn't know what she could do yet, but she had to try something. "No!" Her scream echoed through the room as she dashed towards the gruesome spirit.
Pyralis knew that sound. The instant it started he was on his feet, sword drawn, and protectivly in front of Anna. The spirit now captured the attention of those gathered.
"Kaien, everyone." Arondis was up in a flash and rushing towards the dance floor already muttering something under her breath.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:21 pm
Fern and Rosie both had the same reaction: utter shock and terror. What the creature truly was was lost on Rosie, but Fern, who came from the other realm and who heard gruesome stories about the spirits, released a piercing cry. It was something from her nightmares, made real in front of them all.
Of course her gut instinct was to turn small and fly away, but oddly enough, she only found herself racing out of doors, and into the cold, snowing night.
Anna looked upon the creature with fright, but what struck her heart with true terror was that Verdi, of all people, was the first to go towards it. Ignoring Pyralis' stoic stance in front of her, Anna acted upon pure instinct. She had to protect Verdi. She had to keep her safe from the thing which she was charging against and knew nothing about.
"Verdi, no!" she cried, gathering her skirts and dashing along with Arondis. How effective she could be in her heavy dancing dress, she was not sure, but in that moment, her only concern was Verdi and the surrounding students.
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Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:56 pm
Kaien cursed as he raced after his reckless staff members. "Stop! The students...the rest must be protected!" He knew that there was little they would be able to do for Verdi since they were already so far away, but the other students must be protected from the creature's hungry gaze. He used all the breath in his lungs to whistle, drawing the students' attention to him. "No one approach it! Exit through the nearest door and remain together and calm! Keystone students, please ensure the safety of the others!"
His orders to the students were received with confusion and a few grumbles, no doubt the younger Keystone students wished to be able to prove their strength and viability, but he couldn't have untrained youths taking on a creature this strong. But, as he saw the monster move closer to Verdi, he had to choke back the fear that threatened to consume him. "Sebastian!" He called, feeling the surge of power coming from the rift and realizing that the Grigori was intentionally calling forth more energy.
Sebastian's wings had re-appeared and were spread wide to enable him to keep his balance despite his lack of concentration on the real world. His mind was deep in the rift, calling forward more power for his friends. He knew the beast that was accosting them now...it was a cast off of the Di Yu Realm. It was one of the lesser-beings but its strength had grown upon reaching the Mortal realm.
His head was swimming with the power. It was surging through him, using his own body as a conduit to the others. The feeling was intoxicating, corrupting. He knew he couldn't keep the link for long, but it would give the others the time they needed to bind the creature's power using the protective wards of the Academy. He gritted his teeth despite the flow of energy, begging his will to endure.
Kaien felt the others' strength flooding into their bodies. The seals that once previously held the Keystone students and Other Realms citizens' powers intact had been overridden and the power of the Realms was flowing directly from the rift, into Sebastian, and then into the bodies of those who would call it forth. He looked wildly for Evangeline. "He must be weakened first!" He bellowed, finding the once-warrior-Angel's gaze. He continued on to Pyralis and Arondis, knowing that they too would be able to help diminish the creature's strength. Anna he was reserving to assist him with Verdi, once they were able to distract the creature's attention.
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Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:13 pm
It didn't take long for cold terror to soak in when the creature made its appearance. And then, Verdi was running toward it. Gerald's mind clicked blank for a few precious seconds, unable to make sense of what had just happened. When he finally realized what the girl was doing, the empty fear turned to panic. "Verdi!" he bellowed, but she kept going, whether she heard it or not. He could only watch, helpless, as she got closer to the specter. It didn't make sense. None of it made sense. Movement wasn't even an option. And god, the cackling. Please, if only it would stop. Above the roar that seemed to be filling his ears, he heard the Headmaster's voice ring out. Although his mind processed the command, he couldn't seem to obey it. He was jostled a few times as people started moving, but he just kept staring in shock as Verdi did the incomprehensible. Everything else around him distorted and fell into the background.
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Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:05 pm
MaryAnne dashed forward, meeting Fern at the threshold into the gardens from the ballroom. She caught the fae by the forearms, holding the girl in front of her; her blue eyes were concerned but laced with others fear.
"What's going on?! What is this? Fern, breathe!" She recognized the panic, the terror on her - almost tangible. She herself wasn't quite sure what was going on, too overwhelmed with others emotions; she had to fight to hold onto herself.
Her head turned as, whom she presumed to be, the headmaster shouted orders. She nodded briefly and cupped the fae's face with her hands. "We need to help! It's our duty as Keystone students. It's what we're here for."
The angel clutched her friend's hand and turned to face the oncoming, hesitant shuffle of students.
"Guys! This way. Everyone needs to go back to their dorms, please. Do not go alone, though; go with a friend or a group!"
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Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:36 pm
Fern's wide, dark eyes cleared of panic for a moment. It was just long enough for her to understand the questions she had been posed by her friend, and to formulate a rushed answer. But, because of her panic, her accent was thicker than ever, and a bit shaken because of her fear and cold.
"Eh! To think, tha' don't even know what that thing is? It be a spirit right from th' nightmares an' terrible places of all th' realms! It's evil, an' a fae like myself knows well enow when to fight or flight..."
She knew herself to be a coward at the moment, but not being built for combat made her frightened that she might not have a chance against such a creature.
"I knowed enow to set to runnin', but now..." Fern took deep breaths. There was a difference in the air...
Suddenly she felt as if life was pouring into her again, like a light had been turned on, and though it didn't take the fright away, she did feel stronger. Perhaps having MaryAnne there made everything all the more clear, but she couldn't tell just what was going on.
"I'll lead 'em through th' dark."
With a small nod more to herself than MaryAnne, Fern became her small fae self. Never before had she shone with such a bright light while in The Grove. Her little body couldn't even be seen through the glow, which was sending off little sparkles of light as she hovered.
She flew off ahead of the escaping students, calling out shrill little orders in her small size as she served as a floating light.
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