While his partner, Apollo, seemed ever so excited about their moving over to this new school, Arunaida was far from it. It wasnât like the demi-gorgon could do anything about it either though, as Apollon seemed to be too engulfed in his own world- he could even hear the beats that were blaring through the boyâs headphones. It was a wonder that his partner didnât go deaf at all. Though, perhaps that was a wrong assumption, as the boy did like to space out and ignore plenty of things as if he
had lost his hearing. Aruna had a completely unimpressed look to his own face, practically glaring out of his own window in a calm sort of manner. He was lost to his own angered thoughts during their drive. Metim was not his place to be in- it was unnatural and a complete sham. The amount of actual writing he would have to do already had his hands cramping, hands that were now clutched into annoyed fists.
How long had it been that they were driving? 120 years under his belt and
this seemed like an eternity; he could only imagine the horrors of actually attending the school itself. Why was Apollo so excited about this? Well, that was a stupid question, he was always excited about things, it was something that Rune loved about him, but not in this case. Not when it came to having to compact himself into something that he was not- to play by rules he was never destined to be apt under in the first place. How could Aurae possibly expect someone like him- him and many others like him- to play by Metimâs rules? It would be hell on earth, that was for certain.
The limo pulled to a stop in front of a rather massive, ornate-looking building. Rune hardly got the time to actually look at it when he felt a hand suddenly snaking into his own and squeezing, flesh against flesh. It was Apollo; perhaps this wouldnât entirely be hell. Arunaida smirked at the young boy, enjoying the excitement that shown on his face, even if he himself didnât agree with it at all. Aruna suddenly found himself being tugged at by the smaller male, and he allowed himself to be dragged from the confines of the limo, the other chatting excitedly.
âWhat do you think the Metim students will be like? I think they are going to be really cool.â Arunaida quirked an eyebrow at his partner, an amused look to his face at the expense of how excited Apollon seemed to be. It was dropped in the next instance, however, when Rune shifted his gaze from the music lover back up to the building of Metim Academy.
âBoring as hell.â He responded dryly, watching as the rest of the Aurae students pooled out from the limousines to group together. Meanwhile, Rune didnât move an inch, simply remaining lackluster beside his partner. However, at Apolloâs next comment, a playful frown quirked the corners of his lips down.
âIt'll be nice to hang out with people my own age." At this, a dramatically hurt expression filled Arunaâs face as he suddenly leaned forward, draping his arm over Apolloâs shoulder and diagonally across his torso, pulling the boy close to him with this grip. As Apollonâs back came to bump against Runeâs chest, a seamless smirk replaced all play from his face, and an interested expression prowled eagerly within his eyes,
âMm, whatâs this? Are you trying to tell me youâve tired of me already? Am I too old for you?â A teasing smirk danced across his lips as he whispered this to Apollo. However, it seemed as almost as soon as they had touched, they were parted once more, Arunaidaâs hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks and the gorgon following after the group of other Aurae students into the large building.
They walked down ornate hallways- visions of grandeur, nothing more he was certain. A ploy of wealth rather than history. Arunaida was liking this place less and less by the second. The human world could be so exasperating, and not even Apolloâs bright and cheery mood could lessen the effect of such. How were the others finding this place to be as well, he wondered? He could only imagine how many of them would be stifled, agitated, just as he was.
It seemed that they were funneled into a rather large dining hall, where, joy oh joy,
there all the mortals were. Swiveling in their seats and staring, talking in hushed voices amongst themselves about the strangers who had just invaded upon their lives. Arunaida wasnât happy about it either. He was just about to make a move to sit in the empty table far from the masses of humans where many of his kind were aggregating, when Apollon decided to swerve in the direct opposite direction. Aruna would have no choice but to follow after him- he cared far more for him than the others of Aurae, and certainly more than his lack of excitement over the Metim students. It really shouldnât have been a surprise to him that Apollo would do exactly this, but Arunaida had been hoping against hope that maybe he wouldnât want to go sit with so many others. Mingling was far too friendly for Arunaâs personality type, too welcoming when all he wanted to do was shun and estrange all others. But he was an obedient puppy when it came to Apollo- heâd go with him wherever he went, to the ends of the earth for all that it mattered to Rune. His attachment to this soul was still so strange a concept to him- he was a loner, after all. It only made Apollonâs appeal all the greater.
So, as Apollo settled in among other Metim students, Arunaida getting stared at and eyeballed as though he were a caged animal at the zoo, he made room for himself beside his partner without a sound. Arunaida was fairly uninterested in the people around him than the grand walls and architecture of the structure they were in. However, at the sound of a voice louder than the incessant waves of chatter around him, his focus was taken by the headmistress as she presented her speech. It sounded hollow to his ears. Rather than encouraging words, he heard only falsities and pride. They were not rivals by any stretch of the means- Aurae far exceeded that of Metim. No, they would never be family, no learning would be acquired of Aurae students by Metim- it was their job, after all, to keep themselves a secret. Arunaida almost laughed when he heard the headmistress speak of a flipped scenario, where Metim would be in Aurae. Oh what a surprise they would be faced with should that ever happen. The woman hastily brandished her glass of wine into the air to begin cheers, a welcoming of mead to form a friendship between two clans, and spoke of friendships and futures between the two schools. If Arunaida had anything to do with it, he, and many others beside him, would do their best to ensure that a âfutureâ between the schools would never occur. It was necessary for their survival, for peace.
Arunaida saw many, including his partner, raise their glasses to toast this sentiment. He did not. Nothing about this situation was sentimental, nothing about it was pleasant. It marked only the beginning of a mass solitude for him- he would not be allowed to be his self for the majority of the day. However, Arunaâs dark musings were broken when he heard the voice of his partner introducing them to two students that sat across the table from them. Rune tilted his gaze towards them, eyeing them over subtly and analyzing them. Third years. That was acceptable.
Rune made no move nor motion when Apollo pointed to him- no smiles, but no ill intent either. Just a blank expression with those entrapping eyes of his. He hadnât touched his food nor his drink; to be honest, he really wasnât hungry. He almost interjected when Apollo introduced him by a nickname, but found himself to be too unconcerned to do so, really. However, he did nearly wince at the loud, boisterous greeting they received from the female. He didnât know if he liked her yet or not. Not that he had to. He didnât want to be making any enemies either. She seemed nice enough, if not a little naĂŻve. Sheâd be too easily taken advantage of by so many students, he noted. However, as the blonde spoke up, he turned his gaze from the girl to him. He greeted them with honorifics, which Rune had to admit that he was appreciative for. He introduced himself as Shintori, soon placing a hand on the girl beside him in a gesture that Aruna could only interpret as protective- after all, he did the same with Apollo. The boyâs words confirmed this thought when he spoke of her as his princess, a warning that would be hard for any creature of his lineage to miss made, which only amused him. An easy, cool grin of his own now shown- they were alike, and that was good. It would make getting along easier, especially since Haruka and Shin were of his year and he would no doubt be seeing much of them.
Apollo greeted the two of them, playfully taking Harukaâs hand to place a kiss upon it. Arunaida wasnât too bothered by the display- Apollo was just being himself, after all. Aruna soon found Shintoriâs gaze focused on him as the Metim kid asked about the Auraeâs rather obvious pairings. He shifted his own gaze from Apollo and Haruka to meet the blondeâs eyes, about to answer him when Apollo beat him to the punch, not that Rune minded. He sat back as his partner spoke then, looking over at the girl once more in a curious manner. She was a third year, but didnât seem it- she was too young, or rather seemed to be since she was so energetic and blunt. At least that was what he had gathered so far. Hopefully she just wasnât childish, thatâd put a damper on things.
As Apollon gave a shaky explanation on how things worked, Arunaida simply leaned forward then on his elbows, looking straight at the two students across from him once more.
âYouâll find that many of us have somewhat⊠abrasive personalities, so itâs common to find polar opposites in these partnerships. Itâs supposed to help round each student, or so they say. You wouldnât think that it would work, but youâd be wickedly surprised.â The demi-gorgon offered up, strengthening Apolloâs suggestion without technically lying. He knew it would settle Apollo, since he knew that the boy hated to be something that he was not- that was something the two had in common, though in different shades. Apollo was true to his personality, while Rune preferred to be true to his inhuman side.
He still had not touched his food or drink. He shifted his arms so that he was propping his chin up by an elbow, a neutral though interested look to his features.
âSo you two are third years as well, yeah?â
