The elf was yin and yang herself. Equal parts light and dark. Coveted yet shunned by her own. Somewhere out there, Pann had sisters — no, siblings. She had parted ways with them what felt like eons ago. She hardly remember what they looked like. All Pann remembered was that their mutations were identical.
Pann scanned the hallways of the bustling school, silently hoping she'd see one of her siblings lingering.
It was a foolish hope.
Pann sighed, shoulders sagging as she made her way to the administration's office.
* * *
Arceus had yet again landed himself i nthe admin's office. His feet swung lazily from his chair, tail swishing mischievously, as if with a mind of its own. He had been caught swinging from the light fixtures again. Class hadn't started yet, and Arceus had begun to grow restless.
What was so wrong with showing off one's physical abilities, anyways? Was what he did really so wrong? The only person who seemed displeased was the teacher. They had gone so very purple in the face. Arceus thought for sure that they were going to explore in an angry geyser of fury.
That would have been something reaaaal special!
Feeling a bit disheartened and disappointed by the turn of events, Arceus sat hunched in his chair.
The office door creaked open. Arceus' eyes flicked towards the sound.
"Hmmn?"
* * *
Pann slipped in to the office, expression timid and unsure as she walked up to the front desk.
She had noticed the boy gawking at her as soon as she entered. Had he never seen a hallowed before? That seemed highly unlikely to her. Just from the short time in the hallways Pann could see that there were plenty of hallowed children lurking about.
That couldn't by why ... so then ... ?
Pann turned from the front desk — no one was there anyways — to face the boy.
"Can I help you ... ?" She asked politely.
* * *
Arceus didn't know what to say. He hadn't been gawking at the girl, that much he was certain of. So why had she turned to him now? What had drawn the girl's attention?
The girl spoke and Arceus blinked lucidly. Soon a broad grin spread across his face. Help? Help, huh. Yah, he could use some help getting out of the joint. He didn't deserve to be in the office getting a scolding. Nooo way.
"You could say that ... " Arceus smirked. "I shouldn't be here. It's a stupid reason they brought me in. Help me escape? I'll make it worth your while ... "
* * *
Pann couldn't hold back a sneer, as unlady-like as it was. Really! Was a random hooligan actually trying to get her to help in escaping from a problem they likely created? Pann firmly believed people needed to be held accountable for their actions.
"No." Pann said simply, turning away from the boy with a bit of a 'hmph!'
She could feel the boy's eyes on the back of her head, as if burrowing in to the back of her skull. It made her shift uncomfortably. Where was the desk attendant? At this rate, Pann was going to be late for her first class ...
* * *
Arceus frowned visibly. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting from the girl, but outright refusal without hearing his case had not been it.
The boy bounced to his feet, slapping his tail grumpily against the floor.
"Why not!" he demanded to know, chest puffed out as he placed his hands on his hips. "You haven't even heard what I did or didn't do yet!"
The indignity of it all!
* * *
Pann glanced sidelong at the boy, the corner of her mouth twitching involuntarily. Why was he getting so angry? It was completely uncalled for. It gave a rather sour taste in her mouth.
"Listen," Pann said without turning to face the hybrid. "You obviously did something. I don't care what you did or why, but it was either unsafe to you, or someone else. Or, even, just something mean. Perhaps a practical joke. Either way it's at least partially your fault and you should suffer the consequences."
Pann stood tall as she let her wise words sink in, nodding her head to herself.
* * *
Arceus huffed before deflating, flopping back in to his seat, arms limply draped over the arm rests. Defeated. Hopeless. This girl wouldn't help him. What a mean girl.
One of the doors in the far back of the room opened and closed again. Arceus gave a rather crestfallen look down the length of the room, hearing the footsteps of his fate approaching.
"Please ... " he whimpered uselessly. "I don't want detention again ... "
* * *
"Then don't get in trouble."
Pann only felt a little sorry for the boy, but not enough to change her mind. Thoughts of how the boy could have possibly gotten himself in to trouble started to flood her mind.
The hybrid didn't give her the immediate impression of a bully. He was tall and lanky for his age. Awkward, even. In fact, he seemed more like the type to be the class clown. Maybe even the bullied ...
Pann pursed her lips. What if that's what the boy meant? Maybe he got in trouble for defending himself against someone who was abusing their power and strength.
"Wait!" Pann whipped around suddenly as she gasped. She immediately jumped. Instead of the boy a rather tall, towering demon stood blocking her view.
"Dear ... ?" he asked with a worried tone.
Pann fidgeted uncomfortably. "S-sorry! Had a random thought. I'm Pann ... " she said, attempting to change the subject. "I'm here to 'registered' and get everything I need for my classes ... "
* * *
Arceus' ears flicked curiously at the girl's shouts. His heart leapt in his chest, but the girl was too late. The guidance counselor was upon him, and Arceus sunk in to his seat, head scrunching in to his shoulders.
The hybrid gave a queasy smile and tried not to look too guilty of anything. But his expression soon caved as he slid to his feet. He cast the mysterious girl another glance before following Mr. Kirket in to his office to discuss his behaviour.
