Jäger walked calmly towards the DWMA, it was the beginning of a new year and everything would different. Save for his madness, but who could say for sure. Soon Shinigami would be greeting everyone to the academy. For Jäger this was rather bitter sweet, as he had gone to the school for quite some time. Each year he found a new partner, each year his duality drove them away. He expected this year to be no different. Still, Jäger pressed towards the school, head full of thoughts of the future; every once in a while wondering how his garden was doing. Then, despite his distractions, Jäger drew lose to the growing crowd, there were just as many new faces as old, but none of that concerned him, he was looking for the tags that differentiated Weapons from Meisters.

Malcolm walked slowly under the many guillotines that lead to the main office of Lord Death. He had been here many times over the years, mainly picking up and dropping off messages and packages. This day was no different, he was delivering a package addressed to Lord Death. He always felt uneasy when he walked through the halls of the DWMA. He had taken a few classes there, but only for a month at the most and never had a partner. He never really wanted to, sure he wanted to fight kishin eggs, but he never showed up for the first day........or first 2 weeks for that matter. Today was different though, it was the first day of school and he was there, though only as a delivery boy.

Malcolm walked onto the platform at the end of the hall and approached Death. He turned to Malcolm and spoke. "Heyo Malcolm! Whats up, whats up?" Malcolm stared blankly at him. "I have a package for you, Lord Death." "A package for me? Well, whos it from?" Malcolm looked at the tag and frowned. "That can't be right, it says it's from.....Lord Death." "Why don't you open it Malcolm." Malcolm stared strangely at him, but opened the package. The second he opened the box, a death jack in the box popped out with confetti and the sound of cheering people. The Death in the box was a holding a card of some kind. When he looked at it closer, it was a name tag that said Weapon. He turned and looked at Death. "Ive been worried about you Malcolm. The only time I ever see you out of your house is when your working. You need to make friends and see that the world is a beautiful place. Besides, we need more Weapons, we keep getting more Meisters than Weapons, so we need as many as we can. You don't have a choice in the matter, even though I know you want to. Now, get downstairs and find a partner!" Malcolm looked from Death to the name tag.".......yeah, ok." Malcolm grabbed the name tag and stuck it on his chest. He then turned around and headed downstairs toward where all the kids were meeting.

Lythrin picked up the camellia flower from the floor of her room, somehow it always ended up on the floor. "Why do you keep moving little one..." She tilted her head and stared at it intently, but it did not respond. "I guess you'll talk when you're ready." She sat it down on the table beside her window. Something gleaming in the distance caught her eye, It was the DWMA. 'Oh! Today starts the new year... I almost forgot..." She grabbed her leather satchel and jumped out the window. Even though her room was on the 5th floor she landed with ease and without hurting herself. She looked up at the camellia flower once more before turning and running to the school.

She never liked the city, there wasn't enough plants and everything felt cold and hard. But what other choice did she have, the monks turned her away once they discovered she was a weapon for war. She was lost in her thoughts as she slowed to walk and climbed the stairs toward the entrance. She stared at the stone ground and kept walking, she missed the roots and grass and dirt of the forest.

She broke into a run trying to clear her thought. She didn't want to meet the other students eyes. Not paying attention to what was infront of her it's no surprise she ran into someone. The force of the collision knocked her down. "Oh, I'm sorry..." She looked up at the person she ran into trying to apologize but was cut short when she saw that he only had one eye. "Exucse me." She said in hurried voice before picking herself up and running into the school.

Tavkhor looked around the loft apartment that he had leased for the next year. Its getting there, he thought as he finished packing his school bag, the kitchen is usable and the new rug covers the old burn spot. The biggest thing he missed from his old apartment was the piano. But pianos are expensive and he didn't have the money right now, but if he.... .Beep Beep. Why is my watch going off he thought before realizing that he had set it to go off five minutes before the opening ceremony. Well I guess its the roof route today. He opened the window and stepped onto the roof, stuck on his meister badge and headed for the DWMA.

"... This is an important year here...."Death was in the middle of his speech when Tav finally made to the the DWMA. Since he was in search of a new partner and the next half an hour or so the teachers would be talking at them he decide to listen to the crowd's soul symphony. At first all he heard was the dissonance of such a large group of souls that are lacking purpose. Then he listened smaller. He easily found Ted soul, whose sound was as familiar to him as the back of his hand, but something was off. No, he realized, it the soul behind him. It had the two toned music of a witch's soul, but the strange part was that second tone wasn't playing the melody of magic. He would have to tell death about this just to be safe. Leaving that enigma behind he let himself be carried away in the music. It was made up of the average souls DWMA students but there were a few exceptions, from death of course he heard no music, there was a melody that seemed average yet promised so much more, a melody that seemed too organic to be coming from a person, and one that so precise and cold that it kind of nudged souls away which was near almost the complete opposite, soul that sounded so happy it lifted the spirits of the souls around it. This will prove to be an interesting year he thought as he slowly came back to reality.

Kira woke up to the sound of her alarm clock, she got of bed and went to brush her teeth, take a shower, etc. As she moved around her apartment she skipped with excitement knowing that today was the first day of school at the DMWA. After she got cleaned up and ready she sat down and started making adjustments to her arms and legs. She got up grab her tag that said meister and bolted out the door. She was in such a hurry she forgot to shut her door. Kira ran faster and faster, the metal of her legs banging against the pavement. When she finally got there she rushed toward the assembly hall. She took her seat and began to listen to Lord Death, there was a unwavering smile plastered on her face. She was so excited that she couldn't control herself, her giggling was growing loader and loader until the people around her could clearly hear her. Kira couldn't believe she was finally here.

"Phew... Finally finished." Kor said while she stood up straight, raising her hands above her head to stretch out her stiff back. She had just finished taking down chairs from the two-person cafe tables that lined the front of her families cafe, 'Tea and Bits.' It was one of many things that had to be done before the cafe could open. Along with prepping the kitchen, setting the stoves to boiling water, get the dough made the night before in the ovens, and of course setting out the beautiful tea cakes and other sugary sweets into the store-front window. Every morning Kor and her grandmother would wake up early in to finish these common chores before the usual morning customers arrived.

"All done out here grandma! Go ahead and switch on the open sign, I've gotta get going or ill be late!" Kor yelled into the store as she quickly grabbed a black messenger bag laying on a nearby table before taking off towards the tall towers of the DWMA.

While she ran forward, careful to others passing by, she thought of all the possibilities that awaited her. A fresh new year, new people to meet, more missions to get, tons of ass to be kicked, and of course a new partner. Last year she had left her partner, simply because she had been too powerful for him. She needed someone new, someone who wouldn't hold her back, someone who could handle her capabilities. A new partner also meant getting stronger and closer to achieving her ultimate goal of becoming as powerful of a death scythe as her father had. 'Papa....just you wait...I will make you proud. I will become the greatest Death scythe ever created.' She prayed silently and kissed the Celtic band ring on her right thumb finger. The ring was the only thing left she had to remember her father by. It was found buried underneath a pile of bodies after the madness had been defeated. However to Kor's dismay, her father's body was never found among them. When Kor was of age and her weapon form blossoming, ready for action, she had applied to DWMA making it her ultimate goal to become the world's greatest Death scythe.

After a few minutes of running she arrived at the grand set of steps leading to the DWMA and the new year. Kor straightened her shirt, pushed a lock of jet black hair behind an ear and flipped open her cell phone to check the time.

"What better way to start the year then arriving early?" Kor then chuckled to herself, "Then again, when am I ever late?"

Jäger walked about in disappointment, most of the meisters were little better than thee average human, the weapons seemed to be in the same boat. Just then, his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden soul surge. Turning around to face the source , he saw a weapon, but she didn't seem like the others. Normally his yang side would've kicked in and he would've raged at whoever bumped into him; yet, he was unusually calm. The weapon in question looked up and said:

"Oh, I'm sorry," then paused unexpectedly before saying:

"Exucse me," and running off. Jäger stared blankly in shock until he couldn't see her any longer. Turning back he resumed gauging the new talent; they all had potential, but Jäger was looking for latent ability. As time flew by, Jäger started to notice the talent begging to arrive. He could make out four spirits with weights greater than average. It was hard for Jäger to tell people's spirits apart in an area swamped with spiritual energy, but hoping against hope, he started to move towards the more powerful spirits. Maybe they'd be able to tolerate and resist his madness.

Lythrin ran inside the building to get away from all people. She never liked people, they were too noisy and undependable. She wandered around the school's halls and rooms, thinking about the person she had ran into. Their connecting had felt like an jolt of electricity, but it wasn't unpleasent. Her mind went back to her camellia flower sitting at home and enjoying the sunlight and crisp breeze while she was locked up in this building of death, war, and stone.

Then she smelled it. The warmth of plant life growing in a heated and protected environment. "I didn't know the school had a biotancial garden..." She made her way closer and closer to the smell. Soon she could feel the plants joy at having found life and feeling safe. The urge was unresistable as she stood in the door way. Her face burst into a grin as she saw the huge room full of plants of all kinds from all regions of the world. The room was circular and the roof was a glass dome, the air was thick and musty, it reminded her of home. Her feet took her around the room in childlike wonder. She hadn't seen the likes of this since she first arrived in the city six months ago. Before long she kicked her shoes off and layed back in the grass. She layed her head back on her outstretched arms. "I think this place may become my new room." She chuckled at her notion and had half a mind to really move in here. "I'll just close my eyes for a moment... Death won't mind..."

She awoke several hours later by a dark shadow standing above her. "Well well, it looks like someone missed my orintation" "Lord Death!" She bolted upright and grabbed her things. "I'm so sorry! I'll be off to class now!" With that she ran out of the garden leaving a bewildered Death behind. "I was only joking with her... Oh well."

Malcolm waded through all of the other kids as they were screaming and running and laughing. It all felt very alien to him, he had an overwhelming sensation that he just did not belong here. He ended up walking to the balcony that looked over all of Death City. He came here often, watching the world from a high view was very serene to him. He would stand for hours on any high point, he just felt safe for some reason. Though, today there were tons of kids out on the balcony as well and he was beginning to feel claustrophobic. He noticed a gargoyle about 30 feet above the balcony. "That'll work." Malcolm muttered to himself. He started to climb to the top and he reached it after about a minute. He then stood on the head of the gargoyle and simply looked down at all the people. He knew he was supposed to be looking for a partner, but, he just didn't feel ready yet.

After the introduction speech Kira was looking around the building. She walked out onto a balcony, Kira looked up and saw a man sitting on top of a gargoyle.
"Hey Mister,What are you doing up there? If you slip and fall you will hurt yourself, so why don't you get down silly." A warm and innocent smile breaks over her face as she looks up at the man, the sun is right behind him glaring right into her eyes.

Tav was glad when the speech was over. It was kind of pointless for returning students, they had heard it all before, but after the fight with Ted, he needed to find a new partner. The hallway was full of students and it was easy to tell the new teams and the old. The old by their causal silence,friendly arguments and the new by the get to know you questions. As he came close to the greenhouse he saw a frightened girl run out, then Lord Death poke his head out and mumble something.
"Lord Death?"
"Yes Tav?"
"Well I heard something strange during the opening speech."
"Something interesting doesn't tell me much"
"Well it was a soul that sounded like a witches but wasn't. It was almost as if there were two souls in one."
"Don't worry. I know who you are talking about and he's not a threat. Hurry to class now or you'll be late."

When finally he got to his new class on the other side of campus he was greeted by his teacher.
"hmm... Tavkhor Synthion. One of the new kids. Transferred for..... Fighting? Interesting. well just pick any seat that isn't already taken."
Tav half listened as he looked around the room. Then he saw it, the perfect seat. Close enough to the window to get a breeze yet far enough away to avoid the glare."yes ma'am" He replied as he hurried to his seat. He took out his blank sheet paper and started to compose as he thought about what death had said.

Malcolm heard a girl telling him to come down from his perch. When he looked down it was a girl that looked to be about his age with white hair and green eyes. He wasn't exactly sure why, bu he smiled at her comment, if only briefly. She seemed innocent, yet legitimately concerned for a total stranger. She just seemed, pure. He jumped down and landed next to her, fully squatted to absorb the blow of the fall. He then stood up and looked at her. He didn't really know what to say so he just stared at her. Malcolm was not the most socially adept person. He then heard the bell ring and he knew he was late for class, and her too obviously. He looked at her and spoke. "Come on, I'll walk you to class." He then turned and started to walk towards his class, and seeing as she is probably new, her class as well. He then stopped and turned around to see if she had followed. "Are you coming?"

Kor's sly smile grew wider as she listened to Lord Death's welcoming speech. It was the same as every year, no matter how entertaining and nostalgic Lord Death's personality was: it was simply boring. However, it never lasted to long and the introductions for the school finished, giving way to the loud, excited, nervous, friendly and even challenging sounds of the new and old students chatter. Kor just stretchered her arms above her head in a nonchalant sort of way, and ignored all the mindless chatter of her fellow students as she head inside DWMA's main building. Along the hallways the chatter and friendly conversations continued. Most of them coming from old teams as they found their other group members, shared a few words of greeting and walked towards their classrooms. Though Kor had no partner or group to find she didn't miss out on these formalities. Every few steps an excited hello or a shout promising a to visit her cafe reached her to which Kor returned with warm smile. After walking though a few crowded hallways Kor turned a corner to where her classroom was located. However, she of course, was early again.

"Oh! Well if it isn't Kor Myuzashi. Come on in and pick any seat you feel comfortable with." Her teacher told her with those patented 'teacher smiles.' "and say hello to that grandmother of yours for me. I'm over-do for one of her famous tea-cakes." She added as Kor walked toward the high-rise set of wooden seats.

Kor looked over the many open seats and going with her usual choice, sat on the left side of the classroom in the second row. The seat had an open view of the whole room, not close enough to be stuffed together with other classmates, but not far enough to avoid being social. Once she had set herself and her bag down, Kor gave out a relaxed sigh and took out an unfinished good-luck charm to work on while she waited for class to begin.

Jäger had no luck finding the others, they were moving targets of course. Before long, Jäger decided to postpone his search and head to class. Pulling out a piece of paper, Jäger unfolded it and saw he was assigned to Class Crescent Moon. Gradually, he began to make his way into the building and down the halls. On his way over, however, the bell rang, making him late, so he picked up his pace and started to sprint. Not long after the bell rang, Jäger was standing in front of the door, taking deep breaths. With his composure regained, he opened the door as inconspicuously as possible and quietly made his way to one of the few remaining seats. Fortunately, the teacher had just began taking roll.

Jäger, having been fortunate enough to slip in unnoticed, began to take in his surroundings. There were quite a few people in the class, few however, were worthy of noting. Despite the regular students, Jäger began to notice some more potent wavelengths, similar to the ones he sensed earlier, but this time they were much clearer. One was a few tiers higher near the window and another on the second tier to the left. "I'll have to look into them after class, hopefully all goes well." Relaxing, Jäger turned his attention to the teacher, waiting for class to end, the first day never was vitally important, especially to those who heard it before.

Tav came out of his reverie as the bells rang for class to start. While he was lost in his thoughts all the seats next to him had been taken by other students. To his dismay all of them had been partnered for at least a year. He scanned the rest of the room for other any weapons that had no obvious partner. He saw a few but they were all sitting near meisters who didn't have partners. There were a few empty seats and a girl who was putting things in her backpack so he couldn't see her tag. But right as she was about to turn around the teacher called the class to attention. "In this class you will be...."She listed off classroom rules, expectations for homework and other assignments etc. She then proceeded to take attendance. After the first few names had been called a student slipped into the room and sat in an empty seat on near the center of the classroom. Tavkhor promptly lost interest when he saw the meister badge. A couple of minutes later two more tardy students walked in, a spiky haired boy and a girl with prosthetic limbs. He got excited when he saw the guy's weapon badge but then it occurred to him that since they came in together they were probably going to be partners. So he waited till class was over so he could mingle and try to meet a weapon without a meister.

Lythrin didn't feel like going to class on the first day, it was always rules and expectations. She didn't do well when someone told her she had to act a certain way. So she just thought it beter to skip it, no reason to start trouble on the first day. Instead she popped her headphones on and turned her music up til nothing else could possibly be heard and walked out of the school. She decided to check out more of Death City since she was fairly new to the place.

She grinned as her favorite song came on and jumped though the city. In the forest with monks she had been a regular Tarzan, but this city provided a playground for her. After all, with hardly any plants around she might as well do her second favorite thing, parkour. She climbed walls, jumped from building to building, until she came to a cafe. At the moment the scent of fresh baked things hit her nose her stomach bellowed at her.

It was an interesting place called 'Tea and Bits'. She decided she'd have to check it out later, she wanted to get back to the school. Classes would be out soon and she still needed to find a partner.

The rest of class went by quickly and Tav was anxious to be out mingling with his peers. On the way out of class he wasn't paying attention and tripped into the girl in front of him, knocking the books out of her hands.
"oh, I'm so sorry, let me help you pick these up, are you hurt, sorry I totally space out, I probably sound like a babbling idiot don't I?"
"A little bit."
"Sorry I'll shut up."Tavkhor finished picking up her loose papers and noticed a good luck charm on the ground. "Do you make these? If you do could i buy one? I was going to get a present to send to my mother for her birthday and this is beautiful. I was going to buy her a glass figurine from this shop down the street from my new apartment, but this is so much cooler. Wait I didn't even let you respond. So first, do you make these?"
"yes"
" Then let me buy one from you. I like the style of this one but could you do it in Midnight blue and lavender, that would great, and... wait i didn't even ask you what colors you have." Tav noticed that she was getting a little impatient."you know you look like you have to be some where, I'll ask you about this tomorrow at lunch. See you then." He sped down the hall embarrassed at how he had just gone on and on without letting her speak. But it was such a beautiful design and mom would have loved one. "You know tied shoes will keep you from tripping like that." Tavkhor turned around to see the guy with the bandage over his eye smiling. He looked down and indeed his shoes were unlaced. He quickly tied them
"Thanks, ....."
"Jäger"
"Jäger. Hmm interesting name, German? You know once I went to Germany with my parents, well they aren't actually my parents they adopted me, my mom found me wandering through the streets after the madness and they took me in. You know my boss told me about this great cafe that makes amazing Blechkuchen I think its called Tea and Bits. If you want i could show you it. but if you don't want to go that's cool too."Stupid you sound like a desperate loner.
"Sure, Why not?"
" Cool meet me in front of the suit store on Purgatory, you know where that is right?"
"Yeah"
"Kay, see you then."