Welcome to Gaia! ::

The walk to Solomon's tower was short and straight forward. Maverly had made a mental note of each turn and each doorway they took in order tor each it. She imagined she would be coming back her frequently during her stay at Hope Academy. She followed behind the group, being sure not to overstep herself in being the newcomer. These people knew each other, she on the other hand did not know them, nor did they know her. After ascending a spiral staircase, they finally emerged into Solomon's tower. It was a large round room made of light stone. Everything was polished, and bookcases lined some of the walls on either side. An emerald green carpet outlined a path straight ahead towards Solomon's desk. It was large, and made of a dark, expensive wood. Maverly recognised it as something only the elves of Loren'del could craft - a gift she imagined. It looked old enough to have been here for decades, or longer. Behind the desk was large, expansive windows which overlooked the academy beneath them. As Solomon rounded the table a gigantic machination moved past the window, sweeping. It was a giant pendulum, and as it came to a stop at one side the distinct 'tik' sound could be heard in a hushed tone across the room. This was the pendulum of the giant clock face that could be seen from outside above Solomon's office. This made Maverly look up, where she discovered a mural painted onto the domed ceiling above her. There were images of war, of darkness... of hope - and celebration. It was the story of the Jewel War. This event it effectively what caused Neutral City to be formed, and therefor Hope Academy. There were already 4 chairs on the opposite side of Solomon's large circular table. Maverly took a seat, as did Lumina and the others.

Solomon sat upright, fingers clasped together at their tips before him. He looked studious. "I really am quite proud that we have come together. Miss Truesvale, I understand the world has been unkind to you, and I offer you any and all assistance I can with finding the missing Overseer."
"Thank you, although you must not waste your resources. I know that Neutral City and your school have offered surveillance to the Overseer Regent Celeste in Skyfall already." Alexis straightened up, not breaking eye contact with the professor. "You are correct" Solomon began, "though that is a political matter. I offer you my assistance personally should you require it. Peace... is something Lucas Purevelion always strived for. That is the very thing this institution stands for." Alexis seemed silent, contemplating her answer before she quietly settled for "thank you."
"Lumina, Ivan. You are my most trusted tutors at this school, and you two, also, understand the price of pain and loss. Furthermore, your adopted daughter's recent affairs have shown what fragility this can bring. We've come together to discuss such a disturbance to peace. Yes - this festival has been put together to unite our schools and to appease the hopes and dreams of our students. However - there is something of concern that has brought Miss Asche to us." Solomon stopped for a moment as he turned to face Ivan in particular. "I understand you have a good taste in beverage for such a discussion. If you wouldn't mind preparing something for us" he gestured towards a cabinet a few steps away from them. It was of similar expense to the desk, and through it's glass windows various alcohols and glasses could be seen. Not too often, but on the odd occasion Solomon had allowed Ivan to make them both something strong for the late night discussions of somewhat important situations. As Ivan began to move, Maverly spoke up. "Tsuna. How is she?" Lumina felt a weight move over her, unsure of Maverly's intent exactly, but felt care in her tone. Lumina didn't speak however, and felt perhaps Ivan would like to answer. "I heard about the Hope student that fled the school and found herself in a chase for evil. I understand what it's like... to distract oneself with physical dangers and excitement to hide from the sorrow of one's mind."

Solomon sat patiently, allowing Ivan to explain the current situation with Tsuna. He had to admit, this was a subject even he was quite interested in knowing. Solomon cared deeply for all his students, but especially for Team Sun, who have shown him tremendous courage and wisdom... as well as a respectable pinch of deceit - in the name of greater good. Ivan described the confident young girl Solomon understood, but also revealed to them that she had left to pursue her fears. Solomon didn't react at all, as he knew this part already. Maverly narrowed her brows, then nodded calmly understanding now what sort of young woman Tsuna was shaping up to be. However the next part about lapses in her memory concerned all of them. Ivan returned with their drinks as he finished speaking, Lumina placing a gentle hand on his as he placed the freshly made beverage before her. "Thank you, dear" she began softly, "Tsuna doesn't like to be in one place for too long. It is all she's known, all that she is comfortable with."
"Perhaps what she encountered in compartmentalised in her mind until she is ready" Maverly reassured them, looking down at her drink and raising a brow. She was used to wine on most occasions, she had no idea what this was. But to keep with formality, she took a sip without much of a reaction besides a small smile when she noticed it's unique but warming taste. "Hmm" Solomon murmured, pushing his lips into his interlaced fingers in thought. "We ought to keep those lapses in mind. For now, I will move onto the subject at hand. Whilst discussing the winter festivities with Miss Truesvale, she informed me of Miss Asche's arrival to her city."
"Please, you may call me Maverly in this circle" she softly interjected. "Maverly" Solomon repeated, "has come specifically upon my request to join us alongside Merlin Academy."
"Something you have yet to explain" Alexis chimed in, looking perplexed. "Yes, yes" Solomon parted his hands to rest on the table around his glass of drink. "Maverly, I must apologise for bringing up the past. But I believe you were in Entei because of your brother."
"Roswal? I can assure you that my travel to Entei was strictly personal, and my connection with Miss Alexis is strictly professional. My family's company owes Magus-Bane many things for his trust and support over the years"
"And I fully believe you. However you assume I do not mean Aber Asche." Maverly suddenly went cold, and her expression stiffened. Alexis seemed mostly unfazed if not for a side-glance with her blue eyes. Maverly clenched her jaw for but a moment, before relaxing. "You are smart"
"I am observant" Solomon said calmly, continuing with a very delicate tone. "I know that your brother unfortunately passed from an unknown illness - one that I imagine has similar symptoms to the illness that recently took the life of Professor Magus-Bane. That is why you have been meeting with each other."
"Solomon" Alexis began, "I must urge you to explain your point. Whilst I am delighted to join our academies for the students, I do not appreciate it being used as a charade for your schemes. L-... Lucas had told me of your great ideas... your ability to understand the unknown and your foresight to locate evil and vanquish it. In fact, it was you that first proposed my Teams formation, correct?" Lumina glanced at Ivan, surprised to hear this information. "Quite right, Miss Truesvale" Solomon replied, with a small smirk, "I merely suggested the formation of a team, and that the Isle of Elixer be a good starting point. Overseer Purevelion did the rest. I have gathered you two here alongside my two most trusted tutors - and partners - to uncover a new threat I believe is taking hold here. Whilst it may or may not uncover any truths about Aber, or Magus-Bane, it will certainly help us ensure a safe future for our students. Ivan - please could you explain what you discovered on your mission north of the academy?"

((Letting you make something up here! Could you make it something related to disease/illness? Could be one person or several dead because of it - but seemingly of no relation to anything else, and treated as a freak accident/unfortunate circumstance?))

"... an avian plague" Maverly mused, taking another careful sip of her drink. This time she savoured its sharpness a little longer before swallowing. "Spreading to the townsfolk, this is hardly a mystery for us to solve, Solomon" Alexis rolled her eyes, swirling her beverage as she looked to Ivan and back at Solomon. The headmaster then took in a deep breath and was about to speak when Maverly spoke up instead. "With eyes frosted over blue" The half-elf stared at Ivan, as if with a sort of silent agreement that this was indeed something they could help with. She tilted her head slightly to the wizard, conveying something silently. "Very well" Alexis admitted, "it is strange for a frost to only affect the eyes, especially of birds."
"Perhaps it is magical?" Lumina softly chimed in, it is the only thing that may make sense. And I suspect a magical illness is exactly what you two are investigating."
"It is" Maverly said, not waiting for Alexis this time. "I will endeavour to assist you three with my expertise. My magic is strong, not as strong as that of Alexis here, but I do have unparalleled knowledge of nature and its ailments, as well as some research into magically inclined symptoms. I would very much like to visit Duobus with you Ivan, if you wouldn't mind taking me there when we have some time from the festivities. I have not visited them before."

"A marvellous plan" Solomon agreed, pressing his fingers together before him. "If this plague is in fact tied to something magical. We may have something more sinister on our hands than we originally thought. Is it natural? Or did someone cause it? To what end would that benefit anyone?.. and what unrest would it cause?" Solomon brought up very notable points, points that stirred Alexis. "I'll get my researchers to investigate frosted eyes immediately. Has anyone else noticed these Occurences?"
"No" Solomon replied, "not to my knowledge. And I would suggest we try to keep it that way for the time being. Between us... I understand the Circle have a history of intervening on things like this. And my own intuition tells me it doesn't always end well. Anyway. Thank you all for coming. Please, be on your way and enjoy the rest of your day. As Ivan says, the first sparring matches begin tomorrow. I am certain the students will be quite unruly for the rest of today."

Solomon appeared, as if by magic, from a dark corner of his tower when Tsuna began fiddling with his alcohol cabinet. A piece of furniture he doubted Tsuna knew Ivan had drank at on numerous occasions, sometimes with Solomon. He was in his usual green and gold clothing, accents of black dripping around him to pair nicely with his hair. "Merely dropping by" Solomon responded to her, calmly and with a short smile. He had a hot mug of coffee in hand, as per usual. It seemed he always had a hot mug of something. He didn't like to go anywhere without something warm to sip - especially in the winter and with Christmas looming around the corner. He watched as she put away the drink she was about to pour, making a comment about being a dog. "Hm" he sounded as though to ponder it for a moment, wanting to make a comment but he allowed her to speak as he stood calmly behind her. As she turned he carefully looked over her, making sure to appear casual whilst he tried to look for underlying issues. There was a lot one could learn from posture and demeanour. "Is this not something you ought to be asking Ivan? He is your legal guardian now" Solomon said as gently as possible, now turning to make his way towards his desk. "Please sit, Miss Miki" he said, taking a seat and placing his mug down. The steam appeared to spiral above it, vanishing into the air. "I know as much as Ivan has wanted to tell me. As for his pipe - it was a gift from me when he first agreed to become one of my professors." He then leaned forwards, eyes pressing down gentle on Tsuna as he stared into her. He placed his fingertips together in thought before asking "what is it that's bothering you, Tsuna? I know you well enough to understand you wouldn't come to me unless you wanted to know something specific." His tone was still gentle but... he was subtly pressing.

Solomon allowed Tsuna to get her thoughts off of her chest. He could tell these thoughts and curiosities were holding a heavy weight on not just her shoulders - but her heart too. She was right to want to know about her new guardians, and he could understand why she was questioning their new familial relations. Lumina was a spellcaster once a part of a dreadful witch cult, and Ivan once an assassin. What kind of discussion would that be to teenager? Tsuna's sudden outburst against herself however was unexpected, as Solomon had actually believed she had progressed since her time in the south. However, he knew not all wounds healed with time alone. Solomon didn't flinch when Tsuna had broken her pace by punching a bookshelf. As it crumbled and crackled, throwing pages to the floor, Solomon took in a breath. She turned to him, locking eyes. He saw her puffy red cheeks and watery eyes gaze upon him, begging for help silently. He also noticed her pure red eyes - symbolic of some Therian transformations. He gave that a brief though, taking a mental note but choosing not to bring it up now. He did however intend on calming her down so that she didn't accidentally make more of a mess in his pristine office. Her last remark forced a chill to move through the air as she hung her gaze upon him.

"You are lost" Solomon began, lowering his hands, weaving his fingers together on top of the desk. "But you have been found. And not like some lost puppy. You are not wrong to wonder what lives your new guardians have lived in the past. And you are not wrong to question their sudden guardianship over you. But I can assure you that that decision was no easy question for them to answer. Sometimes... distractions are what people need - if it helps to heal, if it is meaningful. Not all distractions are false. Sometimes there are burdens and curses you cannot ever outrun, and so a distraction is all that you have. In your case... love is the distraction, and I do not believe it to be temporary. Unfortunately, I cannot divulge Lumina and Ivan's stories, for that is their story to tell. But I do know with some certainty that they care deeply for you. You are each something that the other thought they could never have. Family. A child. A mother."

Solomon stood up and made his way over towards Tsuna, causing her gaze to follow him as he stopped beside a large window, overlooking the academy. He had somehow come across a new mug of hot coco in his other hand, gesturing for Tsuna to take it with a small smile. Together, they looked outside. "Perhaps you should begin by asking yourself - what do you know? Often, we spend so much time pondering what we don't know - that we miss which is right before us. I know that losing your father was sudden, and traumatising. And you have every right to be angry that he didn't get to explain everything in time. But from what I understand, he wanted you to live. And what a story you have begun to tell, Miss Miki." He then turned to face her, taking a sip from his own mug before saying "we all have our secrets. And no one can force us to tell them. But sometimes - asking is the simplest approach. You might be surprised by the result... and between you and me. Part of Lumina and Ivan's joy is a direct result of you agreeing to be with them. Since that day... I've seen them both smile more than usual. You bring them the one thing this academy ironically failed to give them - Hope."

It appeared Tsuna took in his advise with open ears. Tsuna still surprised him, knowing all that she had been through, how she would always act first and think later - now she was listening. At her comment of being technically older than him in dog years, Solomon let out a cheap exhale. "Age is but a number" he said simply. Taking the mug from her he nodded his head slightly to her as she thanked him for his time. "Of course" he promised, allowing her to leave. He apology didn't go unnoticed, although he still didn't seem to care about the mess as he watched her leave through the arched doors at the end of the office. The sound of the giant ticking clock could be heard flooding into the room again as he was left in silence for a moment. He couldn't help but ponder her, imagining her future. "You never disappoint, Tsuna Miki" he mused to himself, "but what will you do with the time you have been gifted? A great deal, I imagine."