Kai Cavelier's Story

The dull methodical thud was the only sound accompanying Kai as he made his way along the rather open looking road. He had decided to better train his endurance he would walk to the academy for a change, and all would of been well if one of his brothers did not pull a stunt which cost him a day more of waiting. But now, with a heavy sigh, he was marching along at a brisk pace, with his swords and shields on his back. Though the latter was getting a tad warm due to the sun. Pulling his hair back he glanced at the surrounding. It was empty, looked good if you were into sight seeing in the country, but empty. Slinging his bag to one side he carried not relenting in his pace.

Hours passed, and not much had changed, except one little fact, as the time went, a town on the horizon drew closer. That was until he was on its borders. Moving himself up onto a small hillock, he took a moment to himself to one scan the town, and two plan a head. He could grab something to eat from the town and a rest and head out while there was still light and pull a night march. Or he could just grab the food and head straight off again. Either way he was getting food.

Walking into town he did earn a slight curious glance or two, because his weapons were on show, yet he was not in the Archon uniform. Just a black, but slightly dirt splattered pair of trousers, and a blazer over his torso, that was it. Taking a wander through the place, he thought he may of caught lucky seeing what might of been a delivery truck, meaning a shop would be fully stocked. But he soon dispelled that notion seeing no indication of any cargo being moved. Though maybe he could gain the time he lost by hitching a ride. Even if the truck was not heading all the way, any quicker transport would be great.

Coming out the store his bag now containing some food just in case, he gave a sharp whistle. Letting it echo out slightly before shouting over towards the truck. " Hey is that thing heading towards the academy?" He had failed to notice the two round the back with their card game so therefore just assumed it was your average delivery truck. Some people were kind enough to lend a ride. Though if all else failed he would just walk to the academy. Late or not he would turn up.

Peter had moved back to his spot leaning against the side of the truck smoking while the two played their games around the back. A sharp whistle caught his ear and he turned to its' source to see a heavily armed man yelling about the academy. Peter sighed and puffed out a large cloud of smoke.

"Another hitchhiker?" he replied a little concerned after Ethelyn's reaction to the first one. He smiled though, he found hitchhikers to be interesting company, Lyn would at least have to tolerate this one for politely asking. "We're going to the Academy, but I'm warning you now there are snakes in the truck." Peter warned and then turned his head to the back for a moment as he heard Ethelyn yell in defeat.

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Ethelyn's smirk cracked into frown, part of her wanted him to be able to ride with them but at the same time she didn't like that he had to beat her at this card game. Not to mention she couldn't believe that the card underneath her own was the Ace of Spades! He must have cheated she reasoned, it was the only explanation for his confidence.

"CHEATER!" She yelled and brushed the cards of the table in a tantrum. Ethelyn could handle being defeated at combat but a simple card game was an entirely different story.

"You can ride with us but know cheating is no way to survive at Archon." she hissed.

Michale smiled as he raised his hands infront of him helplessly. "I dont cheat..but luck...I am very lucky." Michale admitted and then added. "Hang around me long enough and maybe it will rub in...Also Where i come from its only cheating if you get caught..and assumptions dont count as being caught." Michale said as he carefully gathered up the cards she had scattered. he had owned teh deck for as long as he could remember handed to him by his father. a bit of a family heirloom. His fathers father had been a gambling man and lost everything this was that very deck of cards. Michales most prized possession. as he picked up the Ace of spades last he gently placed it on the top of the deck and then tucked the deck back into his worn cloths. and gave a slight bow. "Bitter or not, win or loss. Thank you for the ride I appreciate it. Michale was aware that another had approached and looked up now to look the newcomer over. He was armed that was to say the least, Michale gave him a small nod as he took a step back. "Seems like your truck might be becoming a new school buss..." michale said with a small smile.

Kai gives a nods at the hitchhiker comment, though his mind was more thinking on the company he would have for the ride since there was another one beside himself. " I would not normally bother asking for a ride, but my travels have been delayed already so anything to make up time is appreciated" he said slightly raising his brow at the snake comment " Oh i will be fine with them" he said. making his way towards the man who answered, though it was then he heard the yell from the back. " Suppose i should greet my fellow travelers" for such a large, well armed man, Kai was generally good-natured, or more so unnaturally calm then anything to do with his nature.

Moving to the rear of the truck he surveyed the scene, the end of a card game. The male had noticed and had given him a small nod. Nodding his head in return he smirked at the school bus comment. He was gonna wait until he had the females attention as well before introducing himself, but either way a ride was sorted.

"Well hello there!" Ethelyn admired the tall muscular man that had arrived on the scene with a seductive voice, what a hunk! Over the brief break she had forgotten how big some of the guys at Archon got, she had gotten used to Peter who was somewhere between these two guy's height. All admiration disappeared as Peter joined them.

"So Michale and... sorry I didn't catch your name." Peter looked to the new arrival. "You'll both ride in the back, don't damage anything or you're paying for it, that includes the snakes."

"If you kill the snakes, or even hurt them, I'll kill you." Ethelyn added before reloading Willow, Pyro, and Branch into their individual sacks.

Michale gave a small shrug as he saw her interest immediately change. Street charm only got some one so far anyways he supposed. Someone of her social standings probably had more interest elsewhere any how. "At this point I'm more concerned about my well being than the snakes... But I assure you I'm not going to be picking any fights with them." Michale said as he Michale began putting the things that had fallen out back into the back of the truck then climbed in himself. He himself figured he could get a bit more sleep before they arrived at the school. As he climbed into the back of the truck he would steal another glance at Ethelyn. and mutter under his breath. "Easy lover boy...She is way out of our league."

Kai nods down when the female noticed him, she seemed slightly family, probably seen her round campus or something during his first year. " Sorry for the intrusion" he said as she explained they were riding in the back " The name is Kai... and don't worry.... i will make sure everything is kept intact." he said as he waited until the truck was loaded again and Michale had climbed in the back before he pulled himself inside, Throwing his bag and his weapons against the wall he sat himself down before glancing one last time at the woman " Give a knock for when we get close to the academy if you would not mind" he said before turning his attention to the one in the back with him " Freshman?" he asked knowing it was gonna be still a fair drive, so a little conversation would not hurt

Michale gave a small nod pulling his cowl back up into place as he pulled out his hat and placed it on top of his head. "As a matter of a fact I am. Your definitely not a freshman though." Michale said as he glanced over all the weapons and Kai. "Im Michale Sear." He said somewhat flatly as he grabbed his only bag which was just a spare change of cloths and his school uniforms. and put it up against a few bags next to him. Fact was he was probably going to have to get a job just to support himself out here unless the kids at the school happened to be as careless with their money as people who bet it in the streets had been.

Ethelyn brushed the dust off of her jeans before returning to Peter's side. At least this second hitchhiker appeared to have some manners.

"You should have made them walk, at least the pesky stow away one, it would toughen them up before they even got to school and they'd get a good beating when they got there." Ethelyn complained and put an arm around Peter.

"Come on, we better get going. We're behind schedule as it is." Peter replied and kissed her on the forehead as he threw his cigarette to the ground and stomped it out. He wasn't in a hurry to get rid of Lyn but now there were two others to get to school on time and he didn't want to stall any longer.

Ethelyn sighed and hopped into the passenger seat. Peter took his place at the wheel and they were off down the road again.

Kai smiled hearing the response, stretching himself out he placed his arms behind his head getting as comfortable as he could. " Second year Specialist Kai Cavelier" he said noting the glance at his weapons but saying nothing " So tell me if you dont mind me asking.... what possessed you to hitch a ride on this truck?" he said knowing that people often went for the train or via a more aerial route to the academy few walked and only a handful hitched rides like this. " Though really what does it matter... we are heading to the same place" his eyes shifting towards the sides of the truck as he was trying to keep a rough track of their travel.

Michale looked over the second year one more time as he introduced himself. and asked his question. "I guess to put it simply I was given money for a mana rail ticket...But I left it with my family, that's money they can use and i knew i would be able to find my own way." Michale replied as he put his arm on the side of the truck and looked out the back for a moment then looked back. So what is a specialist mean?" Michale asked curiously

Kai nods his head slightly " Admirable allowing you family to have it... personally i would of saved it for the academy, that place is not cheap" he said chuckling " Still price you pay for such a prestigious opportunity" though he did raises a brow slightly at the question " For once it means what it says.... i can do things other cant" he said pulling his hair back out his eyes again " Though really it means i am not as versatile but know what i am doing more so then others" he said hoping that explained it for him " If you can guess the specialization i will be impressed" he asked just to create a friendly challenge

Michale gave a small smile as he looked over the man named Kai and gave a small shrug. "Im lucky but im not a mind reader...But with all those weapons Id say your some sort of a combat specialist, specifically up close." Michale would say then add "As for the school. Ill manage With a job or through other means Im sure ill find someway to fill my pockets." Michale finished as he pulled a single coin out of his cloths and began to fiddle with it. "All the talent in the world will be at Archon...And something tells me Im so far behind the curve If i can make it past my first year it will be nothing short of a miracle Guess its a good thing im lucky Right?"

Clink... clink... clink...
Azyr heard the same sound over and over. He awoke from his nap and peered across his dormroom.
Clink... clink... clink...
He saw small sparks fly throughout the air. As his eyes adjusted from sleep and focused the light, he noticed his roommate cleaning and sharpening his sword. "Just my luck to get stuck in a room with mr. soldier boy" he thought to himself. His roommate was a large man and the most patriotic soldier the academy had ever seen. His only flaws were that he was as dumb as an ox and he had an odd infatuation with his sword. However his sense of honor, duty, andy loyalty to the empire was second to none. The vast majority of conversations with him ended with glory to the empire or some other corny slogan. Azyr believe it was a conspiracy having them plaaced in the same room.
Clink... clink... clink...
"Finnally", his roommate yelled, today is the day I become a true soldier of the empire. Azyr placed his pillow over his face in annoyance. Knowing he would not be able to get anymore sleep he arose out of his bed and began to put on his uniform. After his roomate finished shining his sword he saluted Azyr and ran out of the dorms. Azyr's eyes rolled into the back of his head thinking about the imbecile they placed him in the room with. He then put on his uniform and let out an apathetic sigh after looking in the mirror. The uniform was snug, crisp, and sharp as it was fitted to his frame in perfect fashion. He noticed an envelope in his pocket with a circular pin wit a D inside of it. A note beside it said "Alpha Company, Third Platoon, First Squad, D Class." Azyr looked at the not and thought,"Damn, D-Class, I was hoping for E. D just means I will end up having to do more work." He threw the pin in his pocket and left the dorm.

Azyr headed toward the courtyard to await for the ceremony to start. He gazed at many of his fellow classmates being greeted by their families, getting chewed out by superiors, and performing various other tasks. He began to mentally analyze the rest of his platoon when he noticed a young woman being held in a submission hold by an older blonde woman. A moment of exitement overcame him when he noticed how attractive the older woman was. "Maybe this wont be so bad he thought." That moment quickly faded when he noticed here uniform and realized she was not a classmate but just a family member watching the introduction ceremony. He let out a sigh of relief that his sisters were on missions on opposide sides of the world. If they were here they would probably berate him for not making a higher rank class. Azyr layed out under the shade of a nearby tree and decided to take a quick nap before the festivities began.

Staring at the ceiling as the night just seemingly flies by closing his eyes trying to go to sleep, but for some odd reason, he isn't able to do so. Staring at the ceiling as he pulls out the small cylinder out of his pocket, he grips is tight as he sighs and puts it back into his pocket. As his view diverts away from the ceiling and looks around his empty and dark room.

As the sun arises and the light slowly makes it's way into the room Karu is still staring at the light in the same position he has been for the past 6 hours. Looking at the clock, he gets up and grooms himself. His hair disheveled with his bang down his right eye yet again, he dresses himself in uniform making everything is in check and sighs to himself as he stares at the necklace that's blatantly showing in front of the uniform. "I promise." Karu speaking to himself as he speaks to the reflection with resolute eyes. He leaves the dorm room head strong with the words in his head, "Alpha Company, Third Platoon, First Squad, D Class." These words kept ringing in his head as engravings so that he never forgets where he first began, the start of it all.

Walking towards the courtyard as his eyes stare into the sea of people, he feels sick to the stomach as unable to handle wide amounts of people, taking a considerable distance until the very last moment he was allowed. Analyzing the people who enter the courtyard getting thicker and thicker, he feels like he wants to leave the area, but at the same time feels obligated to not doing so; as such Karu swallows his uneasiness and tries to hold it in, just long enough for everything to be over with.

"OMG!"

Lucy instantly got up rubbing her eyes at the noise, her roommate was standing there next to her bed fully dressed in her uniform jumping up and down, screaming with...Joy? Once Lucys eyes had adjusted abit she could see her mother and father standing at the door, "Your father and I decided to come and get you dear," Her mother had said laughing quietly. "Wait, how did they let you guys into the dorms?" Lucy rubbed her hair confusingly.

"I went here to dear, I just simply asked that we could just get our daughter. Now get dressed, we have a ceremony to get to," Her father laughed with her mother.

"Alright I will meet you down there now GO your embarrasing me infront of my roommate," She shoo'd her parents out and closed the door looking over to her roommate. "YOUR THE DAUGHTER OF THE GREAT CHARLIE MARETTA?!" Her roommate excited-ily asked.

"Yes," Lucy replied while smiliing happily, her hair messed up and her beddress still on.

"We have to get you ready! Oh by the way my name is Jana Faye," Jana was going into Lucy's dresser getting her uniform and some of her accesories like her blue bow and placing them neatly on the bed for when they come back. "Lets Go!" Jana grabbed Lucys hand and they were out the door heading towards the showers. Once there Jana turned her back on Lucy and stood their like a personal bodyguard. "Have a shower and be quick!" She quickly said.

Lucy was flustered as she quickly had a shower making sure to wash her hair, she got dry and put a towel on, once again Jana grabbed her hand and now they were headed back towards their room on the third floor. Lucy ran in quickly and Jana closed the door, pressing her face against it. "QUICK GET DRESSED!" She hastily spoke. Lucy got dressed quickly into her uniform which was surprisingly comfortable she felt something in the pocket she reached in and pulled out a envelope with a pin with a 'D' on it. I guess im in Class D then... she pinnded it to her uniform and noticed a note in the envelope aswell getting it out, it said. "Cadet, Second Platoon, Third Squad" She turned to Jana and spoke quietly, "You can turn around now Jana," Jana sat her infront of the mirror while grabbing a brush, stroking Lucys long blue hair, then placing a bow in it.

Lucy stood up infront of the mirror and twirled while nodding, "I like what you did with my hair Jana...Jana?" Lucy had turned around and noticed that Jana was frozen with excitement. "It is true...You are beautiful like your mother" Jana had praised Lucy. 'Thank you Jana," Lucy had smiled at her as Jana suddenly grabbed her hand again running out the door onto Courtyard while asking a few Higher-Ups they were able to find Lucys parents. "Well See you Lucy!" Jana gave a wave and went to find her own parents. Lucy turned to her parents and hugged them both tightly. "Dear you look as beautiful as your mother!" Said her father astonished at Lucy. "Always the hint of suprise father?" Lucy and her father laughed then went on talking.

Ethelyn woke up to her roommate-less double, sure she had a roommate a day ago but that girl didn't understand that Ethelyn's snakes were completely harmless. You would think an Archon student would have the guts to live with a few reptiles. Regardless she enjoyed the extra space for willow's giant tank.

She sighed and looked at her alarm clock realizing today was the entrance ceremony, she had to be at her best today, as Lieutenant she actually had a real title to defend now. To wake herself up she grabbed darts from her bed side table and started with her dart board, as silly as it seemed it was the best way to warm up her wrist for the heavier, far more deadly needles and daggers. Once she could get a bulls-eye every time she unrolled her throwing needle kit. She took a plantless pot of soil from the window sill and emptied its contents on the floor of her room in a simple pile. Hand outstretched toward the soil Ethelyn formed the incantation on her lips and the dark earthy runes formed at her fingertips. Pooling aura at the soil it soon began to coil and move as six small dirt mice formed. That was all it took to set Ethelyn's aura on fire, incantations poured from her mouth as she instructed the mice to scatter and play a game of moving targets.

With a scary level of lethal accuracy Ethelyn pulled a needle out with a single swift movement and hit the first mouse through the eyeball. As her incantations continued the mice began to run faster and evade her attacks. She danced around the small room singing her incantations with her needles firing at the tiny targets until every last one lay a defeated pile of dirt. With a final stretch she sang the dirt back into the pot as runes shined in front of her.

She was no well prepared for the day both mentally and physically. After a shower and dawning her uniform for the first time this year she admired the way her uniform fit her form perfectly, regal, deadly, yet feminine. This year her uniform was actually starting to look professional with the lieutenant decorations and Class B ranking. With a final good-bye to her snakes she left the room for the morning's ceremonies.

Arriving on the crowded scene Ethelyn was able to find the location of her Platoon rather easily, especially since Kai the Giant hitchhiker was in the area already. She smiled as she saw the giant was the firearms leader for one of her squads.

"Specialist Cavelier, I believe we met before under different circumstances." Ethelyn approached Kai standing tall and letting her aura add to her presence. "I see you are the firearms leader for my first squad, it will be pleasure working with you specialist." She greeted him with all of the formalities necessary, she was barely recognizable as the angry rich girl that lost a stupid card game to a street rat of a boy.

Kai watched as numerous cadets where still trying to get everything straight, find their way and generally get a clue on what to do. This was the first of many days the cadets had any opportunity to make an impression, and it was on their own shoulders to do it this time because after today, they would start training and impression there on in would ripple outwards from its focal point, impact not only the trainees but the trainers as well.

Something however broke his thoughts. A rather formal call for him, using his rank and last name. Turning his eyes instantly saw the rank markings of a Lieutenant and from habit alone he came to attention and saluted. They certainly had drilled somethings into him. It was During the salute he noticed actually who it was. He almost did not notice who she was, what with the more confident regal look, and the aura adding to the package.

"Lieutenant Drake, indeed we have been acquainted before... my audacity to hitch a ride made sure of that" he said, his tone of voice level and calm. Just like his aura calm and never imposing at all. "I look forward to serving the platoon and the squad Ma'am". In the back of his mind Kai was starting to wonder if he was being too formal, but then again this first day, the ceremony was all about formalities. Besides any officer who did not like too much formality would normally just come out and say so.

"At ease soldier, but don't relax the formalities, the cadets need good role models." Ethelyn smiled deviously. Kai would be good to have around, he seemed to know what he was doing and his formalities were impressive, she hadn't even expected the salute but I guess that's what you get if you're a Lieutenant.

She glanced over to the end of the grounds past the people to see the sniper from the SDU yelling at her other hitch-hiker. For a moment she thought about joining in on the fun but decided since he wasn't in her platoon there wasn't any reason for her to intervene, what a pity, she was looking forward to whipping the rat into shape after that card game. She turned her attention back to what was important.

"Sergeant Alkard, Specialist Cavelier, gather your squad the ceremonies will be commencing soon and we don't want to be embarrassing ourselves on the first day." Ethelyn gave preparation orders as it appeared the crowds were beginning to settle into line.

Suna

she had fallen asleep during the generals speech as she already knew what he was going to say.she still slept while the vertilift landed nearby and the headmaster walked up to the podium, only when he mentioned the death of their current emporeor did her eyes snap open. Suna wasnt bothered by it all all, hell she never even cared for the old man, her expression never changing. some of the cadets noticed this and whispered about it behind her back but she ignored it {'let them think what they want, is that why mother left'}thinking back to earlier.

Suna scanned the crowd before and behind her, watching everyones reaction to this "sad and shocking" news. looking back at the headmaster she already had a guess of what he would say next; the Rite of the Challenge to Succession. personaly Suna didnt approve of this being as she honestly didnt care for it, all it meant was that she was going to be forced into fighting opponets for something she didnt care enough to want nor didn she care for the cadets who were weak compared to her yet they always tried to fight her thinking they could beat a seeminly weak girl, Suna never understood this. to her those kind of battles were pointless, and she will only acknowledge the truly strong opponents who would actually put up a fight.

but unlike the others she wasnt the kind of person to initiate a fight only going for those who were left was more her style. Suna was so deep in thought she didnt realize that it was time to salute the headmaster and she missed her cue {'not that it matters, to hell with them all,let them think what they want'} a low growl escaped her lips as she waited for further orders.