Selakir & Alexander
Stern waved off Alexander's question "The utmost care will be taken with your belongings, as with all things." He continued to walk the two though the back area of the pier, before the sound of wooden boards was replaced with steps upon cold stone. He accompanied them into a small room off from the pier, after sharing a few words with the butler that had been by his side. Stern looked at Alexander and addressed the young elf on his arm. This room was colored in a vastly different variation from what they could see from outside, complete with two attendants that appeared to be dressed in a coloration. That was specifically made to resemble the rooms and they both bowed as Stern escorted the two of them in.
Both of these men, though that is all one could tell from the two. As their outfits concealed most of the defining traits to their identity's.
"We will be ascending to the upper floors, as the master should be taking account of todays activities. Word has been placed to ensure you have a meal ready as well, so we will not be long."
He looks down at Selakir for a short moment as he could feel her periodically tense up from one time, or another. "There is no reason to be worried, the master helps everyone who is in need. He motions out for one of the attendants and the man pulls a long lever situated on the wall behind him and the room begins to slowly rise up the spine of the building.
He keeps at cleaning her face and hair, moving slowly and calmly. With a small laugh as he lifts her chin "So there was a pretty girl under all of this after all." Though his intention to help clean her features was not misplaces, the amount of overbearing dotage he exuded over her was somewhat strange. Stern paid more attention to the young elf as he worked and only addressed Alexander without directly looking his way.
"I know that things for you both may be somewhat jarring for some time after, but it is of no worry."
"The first days are always different and somewhat difficult" He finishes with Selakir and returns the cloth back to the pocket he originally pulled it from before turning his attention back to Alexander. "The master will be happy to see that we have another artist with us and so too would my lady. The little miss does enjoy a good student, especially one that is skilled driven. You may even have the luck of playing this years ball." He looked back down at Selakir for the time being and pulled her hair back over her shoulders as if he was inspecting her. "Do you have any questions?"
Akhira
The young dragon was in fact right, for she had gotten herself lost. Even looking from one side to the other, she could see that the hall stretched on for what it seemed to be like leagues. There wasn't even a guard to be readily seen in either direction.
It was so hard to actually discern a difference between the floor, though she could see variations. It all began to bleed together in from one hall to the other. Only for colors to stand out instead of objects, or people. This mixed with the propensity of the workers to wear concealing garments, it was harder to get one's bearings when the destination is unknown.
As she rested her head against the wall for a moment, to try and help get her bearings back. She began to hear the sound of voices come to her ears. I rang out like a discussion had come to light in the distance and being the only source of direction on this floor, she was mostly being forced to follow its source. This would most likely be her only means of finding someone to help her get back on a nominal path.
As she rounded the far corner of the hall, her nose began to pick up the smell of the ocean once again and the sound of voices breaking through the crack of a partially opened door. Peering in she could see a literal crowd of what appeared to be students. Due to the arrangement of the room and the way some of them were dressed, it was rather obvious. Though passed the fact that they were students it became apparent that most of them were not in fact normal. While looking over the group she could see strange eye colors, skin tones and even patches of hair that shined with very vibrant colors. It was a somewhat strange sight with a least a bare majority of the students were outwardly human. The class, who all looked to be barely within their maturity. Sat at desk before a raise section of the floor, stood upon by a much older man. He was telling the students of a story, with acting out motions with his cane and lightly moving back and forth upon the stage. While the sounds of the ocean poured into the room from large, open window in the back of the room.
"..so with the defeat of the last lord of the wild lands, the heartlands were secured and quickly grew into the vast sprawling lands you see it as today. With the crown as its highest held jewel and at its seat a conclave of the city states that keep it contained." Several students raised their hands and the older man pointed in one girls direction, before she stood and asked her question. "You told us that the last lord was Gorman of he dales.. how could he have lost?"
"He was a peerless fighter and its written that he was beaten in a duel.. how?" The older man, who now that Akhira looked at him. Could tell that he was a man who had lived a long and arduous life. His flesh bore many wounds from ages past and even his walk told why he would need the cane.
He stepped forward towards the girl and laughed as he stopped. "Gorman was by all accounts a peerless warrior, no many in the imperial army, nor man of his own army would dare stand against him. So when the first king of Amesha first challenged him. It was believed that he was going to die like all the others."
"Little did Gorman realize, was that the young king was not an honorable man and when he walked down to the field in which battle was to be had. The last lord was set upon by hundreds of archers... so much so that the sun was nearly blotted out and with his death the rebellion's forces were decimated in spirit. Only for their actual defeat to come moments later." The students passed a sad look between one another as the teacher finished and he even sympathized with his own somber stare.
It was at that moment, a bell struck mere feet above Akhira. Apparently right above the inside of the door. looking up she could see a small metallic string, set to pull the bell and let it slap back against a steel nob.
With that, the students began to gather their things and move towards the door. Their teacher waving the last of the students out as they went. Those that passed next to Akhira didn't say much, though not many of them did pay her much attention. Those that did gave her a quiet smile and nod before moving on. Only for Akhira to hear a voice call out as the last student passed. "You can come in now.. is there something that you needed?
Babble
The show that ensued with Babble's punishment was only somewhat disruptive. Kicking up the rug and throwing Agni's tray table aside as everything loose within several feet was dislodged.
Misha giggled as she began to fix her hair, strands being sent sprawling around her in a rather evident order of discord. "He is pretty strong despite his condition.." The pins she used to set her hair in the back, having been replaced within a few moments. "Anymore and he might have ruffled my dress." She said with a lite laugh as Chlorra leaned up from letting Babble go to slump on the floor.
"Oh please."
"Your still in there and you are perfectly capable of moving.. it may just seem somewhat limiting that you are now completely confined to that shell." A cursory twitch of his toes and the curling of his lip did confirm this. He was perfectly capable of moving, but it felt strange. Like being the flame of a candle, trapped within the cup of a bell.
Babble's eyes caught the shoes of Chlorra as she walked a circle around him, exclaiming all the way.
"The main reason for our home being here is not the training of slaves, because I like to believe we heal those brought our way. Given the chance even one such as yourself can aspire to great things. Though we have always run into those who keep pushing back." As babbles eyes look up to see as she completes her circle around him. An object was now hanging in front of face and as his eyes began to focus. It came to his realization that it was the mask Chlorra was wearing, now complete with a large crap spreading across its left cheek. Something that was now donning on him, that was most likely his doing.
"Have high hopes for you.."
Before his eyes could trace up to see her, the mask had already been replaced onto the front of her outfit and the same two white dots were staring back through its slits."You will get used to this new state and when you show signs of improving. The bonds will be pulled looser and looser." She rubs the top of his head like before and threads several strands of his hair into her fingers before withdrawing the hand.
"Now stand if you would... and be recognized."