House of Bells (IC)

[Epimetheus]

The start of a new term at the House of Bells is always an auspicious occasion. New students enter the academy for the first time, eager for the chance to learn, or else achieve glory and honor for their House. Often, they don't truly realize what they're in for, at library not yet.

Orientation was a surprisingly brusque affair. A small speech from the faculty before the assembled students, then off too recieve dormitory assignments. All of the new recruits are divided into Fangs of five, who room together, eat together, train together, and perhaps most importantly, are graded together.

The five of you are one such Fang. You may not all be the same age, but each of you is about to begin your first year at the academy. Your dorm is smaller than you might be expecting, more austere in nature than you might be accustomed to. Also unexpected is that rather than five beds, there are six, one of which is already occupied.

A young woman sits on the bed farthest from the door. She's not very tall, or muscular, but she has an air of experience. Perhaps she's not a first year. She's dressed in white, and her dark hair is cut short, though the bangs on one side are longer, keeping her eye out of sight. She stands when the five of you enter.

"Good evening, recruits. My name is Nellens Xiulan, and I'll be your commanding officer for this term. Older students, like myself, play the role of officers during our weekly trainings and mock battles, while those in their early years play the part of rank and file soldiers. I hope that one day, you'll all be where I am now." She clears her throat before continuing, "I'm not sure if you've all gotten a chance to know each other yet?"

[Binks]

Canaro had listened patiently to the orientation and been pleasantly surprised by how quick it was. As he walked to his new Fang's dorm he took a deep breath and smiled at finally being here, having almost felt like it was a dream.

As Nellens Xiulan introduced herself Canaro listened carefully to her explanation, straightening his posture and putting on a respectful neutral expression the moment the word 'commanding' reached his ears.

Canaro cleared his throat with a slight cough before chipping in after it seemed she was finished. "Mnemon Canaro. Pleased to meet you...uh, maam? ... Sir? ..." he says with some hesitancy, not knowing what kind of title his new commanding officer would want to be addressed by. "I just got here and haven't had the chance to meet much of anyone yet, but I'm looking forward to working with and learning from all of you." he says, the last part directed at his fellow Fang members as well as Xiulan.

[Justanotherhero]

A young man with brown hair and green eyes his heritage betrayed by his slightly green skin tone. Enters the room cautiously. On his back a sea sack accompanied by a tied in pan, multiple smaller bags, on top a wrapped gift in red wrapping paper. On the right side of the sea sack what appears to be a small fishing rod, on the left side a relaxed bow. He appears to be looking for the extra space this room in his mind obviously had. All in all it looks like somebody packed to be sent abroad right away.
Raising his fist to his chest and bowing his head. Senar greets his new superior with what appears to be a earnest but badly performed imperial greeting. Although he appears to be tall for first year standards during the tour it was easy to notice Senars governess packed heavy and he is not used to carrying heavy weights for a long time.

"Good evening. My name is Senar Cynis. Glad to meet you!"

Nodding twice once to Canaro once to his new CO.

[Seanfall]

The moment orientation had ended Ryoko had gone off to the stables to see Rokash. She spent some time making sure he had his food and stroked his scales along his head and just behind his the ridges on his skull. After making sure her companion was being treated well she made her way to the dorms, which were about what she was expecting. Less then she was used to, but Cathak was a military house she'd seen the barracks for her house's soldiers before so it wasn't that big a shock. Though even then Cathak barracks weren't as spartan. Benefits of being house military she supposed.

Ryoko smirked and saluted. "Cathak Ryoko, I just got back from the stables. Had to make sure Rokash wasn't causing any trouble."

The girl had ashen white hair, copper-colored eyes, and a thin scar between her eyes. She was dressed in military-style clothes bearing the sigil of her house. She laid down daiklaive, wrapped in silk onto what she hoped was her bed and stood at rest in front of it.

[Justanotherhero]

Senar turns around to the door.

To the gathered: "What exactly is like the plan or the schedule after well now? Can we bring our own horses? I did not know that was a possibility."

[Seanfall]

Ryoko smiled, "Oh, Rokash isn't a horse," her smile widened eyes closed. "He's a tyrant Lizard! Had him since he was an egg. I still have the shell back home!"

[Justanotherhero]

Senars eyes widen: " Tyrant Lizard , as in those big big.. that is brilliant ! We all receive a horse as a birthday present around our 12 Birthday but Rensika would have real problems if I unleash my Anima for to long. I guess you do not have that problem. How does he fit into the stable? Can I see him?"

[Seanfall]

"I don't mind if you want to meet him, he's still rather young and only about the size of a Claw Strider. Though a lot thicker." Ryoko chuckles. "I was planning on having a saddle made to help with the whole Anima thing. I'd hate if I hurt Rokash while fighting an Anathema."

[Justanotherhero]

" I would gladly take a look, if we do not have other things to do now?"

Hearing about Anathemas Senars face becomes serious for a second. "I kind of hope that those will be back where they belong until we graduate. I mean I know there are some but ... well the immaculate order and wyld hunt will take care of it or...?"

[Seanfall]

Ryoko sighs. "That's my hope too, my Grandmother died slaying one of those beasts. I don't know the finer details it was before I was born. One of the Moon Mad ones, the shapeshifters. Least that's how the story goes." She brightens up again after a moment. "I'm fine with you meeting him. Long as I'm with you he'll be pretty docile."

[Kobold-Bard]

Ledaal Kiburi
Stats: Personal 8/12, Peripheral 27/27 (0 committed), WP 5/5, Anima: Dim, Aura: Fire
Initiative -, Parry 5, Evasion 1, Soak 10, Hardness 2 // Resolve 3, Guile 4, App 5

Austere is relative. Compared to the homes the Fang had left behind they were obviously stark. But there is a hierarchy in everything; and compared to some of the worn down and ramshackle dorms, the one the Fang entered was freshly painted with battle honours of former high-achieving occupants adorning the walls.

A few well placed slips of silver had crossed the administrator's palm as Kiburi registered, ensuring she and hers were redirected to the nicest barracks. Soldier or not, she wasn't about to put up with second-rate accommodations. She arrives with another junior classman in tow, bringing her trunk and wardrobe. She thanks him with a brush of her hand on his face, he leaves blushing despite his obvious strength and martial bent (those with keen senses might note a jade obol vanish into his pocket as well.

Ledaal Kiburi arrives wearing finely made blue and silver clothes. Her hair is long and pale blue, her eyes swirl revealing her high breeding as well as her effortless beauty. An iron dagger sits in her belt.

"Hello boys and girls. Ledaal Kiburi, an absolute pleasure to meet you Canaro. Ryoko, Senar, I hear excellent things about you." Her tone is warm and animated, and she has intentionally addressed her Fang-mates first. Her voice and chills to formality when reaching the CO, nodding in a short but deliberate bow. "Fanglord Nellens, a privilege to work with you. Your victory in last year's war trials was inspirational.

-----
Kiburi has Resources 5, let me know if anything in this is an issue.

Inspire - Create a attractive emotional response to Kiburi in her Fang-mates vs Resolve
Charisma+Socialise (8) + Stunt (2) + Loquacious Courtier Technique (+1 sux, 2m personal):(10d10)[1][7][5][1][7][5][9][1][8][3](47) + 1 sux = 5 sux

Instill - Positive Tie towards Kiburi in Nellens Xiulan vs Resolve
Charisma+Socialise (8) + Stunt (2) + Loquacious Courtier Technique (+2 sux, 4m personal): (10d10)[10][9][4][5][1][2][3][4][9][4](51) + 2 sux = 6 sux

Regardless of outcome, triggers Fire Aura.

[Binks]

Canaro greets Senar and Ryoko as they enter with a polite dip of the head and says nothing as they discuss mounts, having no real experience himself to chime in with. As the discussion turns to the anathema he frowns and his eyes narrow for a bit. It seems like he's about to chime in with his own comments on those...things...when the fourth member of the fang arrives.

Canaro turns to greet them in the same way he'd greeted the others, but instead freezes up for a moment.

After a few failed attempts to respond to her greeting, his jaw clearly moving as though he's about to speak but no noise coming out, he settles for a polite nod and turning most (but clearly not all, as his eyes dart Kiburi's way once or twice) of his attention back to their commander to wait for their response.

[Epimetheus]

As the introductions roll in, Xiulan greets each of you, in a not-quite aloof fashion. It's professional. Respectful. But until Kiburi comes in, there's little real warmth behind it.

"Canaro, ma'am will do. Or Fanglord, if we must resort to titles."

When Ryoko mentions her Tyrant Lizard, Xiulan's one visible eye widens with an almost childlike sense of wonder. "That sounds like quite a sight, I'm certain he'll be quite useful of the battlefield. And..." she sighs heavily, "I've heard the tale of your grandmother's bravery. It was a terrible loss for all the Realm when she died."

After Kiburi enters, her demeanor changes. Flattery, it seems, goes quite a way with Nellens Xiulan. (And being pretty doesn't seem to hurt much, either...) "Oh, how kind of you to say so. Though I doubt that Mnemon Ruomei and her Fang will forgive me for getting the better of her any time soon. I expect she'll attempt to interfere with our progress this year, in any way she can. I'd advise you all to stay on alert."

Her gaze turns back to Canaro. "You wouldn't happen to know her, would you? If it's not too presumptuous for me to assume you're familiar with her simply because you're from the same House."

[Seanfall]

Ryoko smiles at Xiulan's words but she looks away for a moment and wipes her eyes. "He'll be a force to reckon with...and thank you for saying so. I wish I could have met her at least once." Ryoko sits down on her bed and listens to the rest of the conversation. Mnemon wasn't a house she'd dealt with personally but she was aware of its reputation.

[Binks]

"I would not say I know her, but I certainly know of her ma'am." Canaro says with some hesitation, clearly uncomfortable at being called upon for something he probably should know but does not. "I've been told we met a long while back in one of the larger family gatherings, but I do not honestly recall it and I doubt she would either."

He looks as though he's about to add something else, but simply shrugs, deciding to wait to find out why anyone would bother interfering with the progress of their fellow students. After all, are they not all here to learn from each other?

[Justanotherhero]

For a moment Senar just stands there not entirely sure what to say. House Cathak was renown for its heroes and his own family may be due to a lack of martial talent remained relatively safe in comparison. What comfort would the words of a supposed soldier be, genuinely afraid by the mere idea of facing such a beast?

Senar needs a bit of time until he takes his eyes off Ledaal Kiburi and decides to move in her direction.
Stepping forward Senar bows a bit and holds his hand out to kiss her hand if given.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Kiburi!"
Senar probably does not know who this woman is although if she or her family line are well known it is possible. But then again, nobody ever heard anything good about Senar as a soldier so I am more than willing to live with a pleasant lie or two.
No matter if successful in offering pleasant greetings or not Senar turns to the fanglord and others: "Well then this probably is a good thing ? Nobody would want to slow down a family member from graduating so there is no reason we cannot all get along?"