Writer - PreciousPeach, Character - Elijah Noctis
The sound of chalk grinding against the blackboard in decisive rushed strokes had filled the otherwise silent classroom for over an hour. There would be momentary silence in between strokes or right before the teacher would punch the board to place a dot above the “i”’s, or add a punctuation mark at the end of a sentence.
Though I hadn’t looked up to read the actual words, as whatever was written on the board was not of interest to me. I had perched myself in my usual seat for history class, as far back by one of the large windows facing the backyard of our school grounds, where birds were sitting along the over-bloomed trees, who were yet to lose most of its color, but if you looked close enough one could see hints of yellow curling round the edges of a few leaves. Autumn could not come quick enough in my opinion, it was easily the best time of year, not only due to all the holidays and other activities, but also due to a certain historical event that would take place during November, a full blood moon. The first in over 60 years. It would be a big event for my kind, as it was during blood moons most creatures found themselves the most powerful. It was also an event that garnered a lot of negativity, a lot of darkness would attempt to gain power during such a night and thus the school was preparing for the event, just in case. I had no intention of staying at the school during the first blood moon of my life, I would be going home to my own family, where we would then celebrate the occasion amongst all truebred families, as is tradition.
- Oh, Professor Zauber? How can I help you?
I looked over towards our local lore and history teacher, Miss Tréneer. She was completely still with a small piece of white chalk clutched in her hand. Left on the blackboard was what looked to be an unfinished “H”. Standing in the doorway into the classroom was none other than professor Zauber, one of the school's only researchers as well as vice principal. His eyes were quickly looking over the students present, his eyes beady and almost black if one weren’t close enough to see the rich wooden tones of his irises. I didn't think much of it and was about to turn back towards the window, until his beady little eyes locked onto my own, a small flash of recognition crossing his features- oh no.
- Mr. Noctis, would you mind coming with me for a moment? I would like to speak with you.
There was now a small buzz amongst the students of our classroom, whispers between each other of what could possibly be going on as to call a student, and in particular me, out of class. What could be so urgent first thing in the morning? I simply shrugged in response, not uttering a single word as I gathered my things and got up from my seat in order to follow professor Zauber to wherever he wished. As we closed the classroom door behind us and walked a few steps into the corridor, the somewhat shorter human looked over at me, a nervous smile across his lips as he waved excessively in the air.
- I hope you are not under the impression that you are in trouble young man!
- No, I figured as much, considering I have done nothing wrong.
A request. Now that was odd.
- Is it urgent? Since you are taking me out of the very first class of the day?
- Well, yes. We wanted to have this sorted as soon as possible, and we thought you were our best option, if not the only option.
- Sounds intriguing.
Professor Zauber regarded me with a somewhat pointed look, eyes scrunching up like a dried prune in the sun, hands now crossed behind his back.
- You should wait on making assumptions, this is not an order, but a mere request. You do not have to agree.
As we approached the headmaster’s office, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander. Was it regarding my family, or perhaps my status? While my mind kept conjuring up every possible scenario under the moon, I remained quiet and patiently waited to have my questions answered soon enough. The heavy double doors into the principal's office were swiftly pushed open by the old professor, his frail body more powerful than it seemed as his thin stick-like arms did not snap in half from the exertion.
The room itself was just how I remembered it from the last time I had been in here, which had been almost half a year ago. Thick red velvet curtains were hanging from the ceiling all the way to the floor. They had all been drawn back in order to let in some of the morning sun, which was illuminating the stuffy old office, with its dark wooden furniture and dusty books. On the other side of the large wooden desk sat the headmaster, a man with long gray hair and a slight hunch to his back as he was leaning over papers sprawled across his desk in a seemingly unorganized fashion, though I had no doubt the man himself knew exactly where everything was. His eyes were scanning the contents in great interest, going back and forth behind his thick round glasses. He had apparently not taken notice of our arrival as he jumped half a foot in the air as professor Zauber cleared his throat to garner his attention.
- Ambrose, young Elijah Noctis is here upon your request.
Headmaster Ambrose regarded me with a tired smile, his eyes seemingly much older than I remembered them to be. He rose from his seat and rounded the desk before walking across the room towards me.
- Noctis, a pleasure as always seeing you, I just wish it was during times less straining.
- I can only imagine the pressure on your shoulders of the upcoming blood moon sir.
- Yes, indeed it is quite the task, but enough of that. You are here for a different reason.
I couldn’t shield my surprise, I had thought the request must have had something to do with the upcoming events this autumn.
- Is that so?
- Zauber my dear friend, would you mind fetching our guest?
My head whipped to my side, where Zauber stood, the old professor did not seem bothered by the mention of this “guest” and quickly made his way out of the room after nodding in confirmation. I looked back to Ambrose, his smile still tired but not showing any sign of worry or discomfort.
- A guest?
- Yes, that is actually what my request is about.
I simply motioned for him to go on, not knowing what to make of the situation as of yet.
- There was a young man on our school grounds earlier this morning, the night scouts found him wandering along the inner walls of the school grounds. We don’t exactly know where he came from or why he was here, but he is seemingly of no real threat.
I couldn’t help but quirk my eyebrows at that last remark, who were we to know if the young man was a threat or not. He could be an underling of someone much more dangerous.
- I know what you must be thinking, but we have already made the precautionary steps at assessing his intentions. He is no threat to us or the school. As such we asked if he wished to enroll, and we wanted to ask you if you could perhaps take him under your supervision?
- Me?
- Why yes, you are a person of great respect among most of the students at this school, especially those of your own kind Elijah. We don’t know the young man’s true nature yet and we are afraid he might be targeted for it. You would have him as a roommate for the time being until we can think of a better solution. We don’t ask you to be close at all times, just keep an eye on the boy.
Before I had the chance to say anything further, the door was once again opened, only to reveal a somewhat uncomfortably twitchy professor Zauber, his eyes flicking all around the room, not really landing on anyone in particular. Right behind the old professor came forth a young boy, his appearance unlike anything I had seen before. The first thought to strike me was the unnatural elegance emanating from him when entering the room. His eyes were what caught my attention the most, as they were a striking lilac color, unlike anything I had seen until this moment. Dark half-long hair paired with light blue highlights shifted slightly as he walked forwards into our enclosed space, and as he did so, I finally caught the first whiff of his natural scent. Sweet blueberries and raindrops, a fresh yet sweet combination. When I finally looked up, our eyes immediately met.
His scent was slightly muddled by what seemed to be stress or general discomfort. Though that was not too surprising considering his situation. I gave him a small but genuine smile, before reaching out my hand towards the smaller boy.
- I’m Elijah.
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