“Hail the fallen of this land.
Their sacrifice shall not be forgotten.
And their honour is praised throughout the depths of time.
To our saviour XXXXXXX”
-Excerpt from ‘The Fallen’ Plaque in Endro City Hall
The names have been redacted due to vandalism.
Culprit not found yet...
“Do not look at me or talk to me, or-”
Raymond interrupted Francis’s rant with a scoff.
“Oh, spare me, I have better things to do than chasing you, Mr. Celebrity.”
Francis glowered at Ray’s nickname, which only embedded itself further as Ray responded with a smirk. Minera rolled her eyes at the men’s bickering, opting instead to observe the pool of students and parents around her. Today was Tellowania College’s grand ‘Open-Day’ right before the first day of school, serving as an icebreaker and a chance to explore the school grounds (Gran was under forced bed rest by the siblings).
Like every other student, Francis and Minerva wore the standard green long-sleeved shirt/blouse along with black trousers with golden leaf-patterned stitching at the hem and a small black scarf (for Minerva) and a tie for Francis.
After a strenuous hour listening to speeches in a crowded auditorium, they moved to the windy grass to receive their maps and IDs. Raymond, who was meant to leave for the staff rooms, lingered. He sensed that leaving Francis in charge would only lead to chaos he preferred to avoid today.
I’m not ‘embracing’ anything. Wait- never mind, it is useless to convince you.
Cy: I see you learnt your lesson.
“What are you waiting for anyway? Just go already.” Francis waved his elder brother off. Ray furrowed his brows. He might not be human, but even he knew leaving mere children amongst a swarm like this was idiotic.
“Why on Illionas’s name, would I leave you two by yourselves?".
The siblings whipped their heads in explicit surprise at Ray’s questions, which made him flinch. Was that the wrong question? Francis and Minerva shared a quick glance before something passed between them. Francis snorted and returned to goading Raymond into leaving them as the line moved forward.
“You must have really knocked your head on concrete at the train station. Why would you even care? It is not like- cheers, Miss.” Francis cut off his jab as he received his contents from the woman at the desk, who beamed up at them.
“Goodluck for the year! Please make your way to the Upper Student Sanctum. Next!”
The trio was shoved away by the flow of the crowd and found themselves past the greenery onto the concrete sidewalks that led to varying destinations. Raymond raised an eyebrow at Francis, returning to their previous discussion.
“Are you sure you know where to go?” Ray teased. Francis puffed his cheeks in indignation.
“Of course we do! Right, Minerva?...Minerva?” The younger brother turned to his sister, whose expression positively screamed: Your monkey, your circus. Yet, Francis did not let that deter him as he confidently responded,
“See? We do.”
Raymond could not hide the twitch of a smile on his face at the futile perseverance.
“Alright. Lead the way, Mr. Celebrity.” He said as we watched the fiery boy stride in a random direction without a glance at the signs. Francis did not return from his path, which prompted Minerva to hesitantly step forward, but Ray stopped her gently.
“Give it two minutes,” Ray muttered in glee. Sure enough, their eyes were once more cursed with a bird’s nest of ruby hair as Francis stormed back towards him. Ray huffed smugly.
“How did it-?” Yet, a kick to his knee stopped him.
“Not. Another. Word.” Francis murmured darkly as Minerva burst into uncontrollable, silent laughter. Rolling his eyes, Ray took the lead.
“Let’s go. I would rather not encounter certain individuals sooner than necessary.”
Cy: *scoff * That’s a fruitless effort.
DO NOT jinx me.
The Gracis trio walked away, oblivious to another set of eyes monitoring their every move; the energy shifted from the bustling crowd to the quiet edge of the walkway. Near the pathway Francis had just backtracked from, violet and quicksilver eyes stared after the family.
Clara raised a brow, her question poised to Leila, with a hint of bewilderment.
“That’s the newly hired nutcase?”
Leila grunted.
“Compared to the actual nutcase set to arrive, Professor Gracis would have been in last place if not for the ridiculous social skills he possesses.” As the words came out of her mouth, Leila inwardly winced at the memory in the van. The quiet moment where, for an instant, she saw the inner child within the man.
“Lavender…pretty.” She wanted to burn the words from the depths of her mind. If only I had a lab stationed here… Leila’s lips tilted upwards at the thought. Sensing the oncoming sadism the Director was about to enact, Clara diverted the discussion to what she hoped was safer ground. Clara coughed to get her attention.
“So what are you doing here? Was there not a staff meeting occurring?”
Leila composed herself before turning to the girl.
“I’m here to give you a final run-down on our mission-”
“It is practically engraved in my mind at this point.” Clara groaned. The Director prompted with a jerk of her head.
“Run it by me again.”
Clara sighed.
“After ’blending’ in amongst the designated class, during recess, I activate the recon signal and note down possible locations before reporting back to wherever you may be. Good enough?” Clara finished, crossing her arms. Leila did not give way to any emotion as she replied.
“Satisfactory. Oh, and before you forget-” Violet eyes sharpened into pinpricks as she leaned slightly down to Clara. Her tone became grave as barely contained fangs slipped past the twisted smile.
“This paltry ‘prodigee and foster-mother’ charade remains just as it is- A. Charade. Do keep in mind, despite whatever happens during daylight, I am still the Director and you are a squirming, beastly thing of my design. Even without my lab, I could easily unravel you into threads at the slightest mishap. Understood?” Clara shivered slightly at the threat before stuttering in response.
“Understood…Director.” Clara whispered. The Director beamed cheerily before making her own way to the Staff Quarters, leaving a trembling girl in her wake. Please do not let me be in her class. Clara begged the universe as she made her way.
Almost two hours had past since the Open Day began, as Class 10E's professors- one currently running late- lounged around in utter boredom. As they had not officially begun working, Raymond, Leila and Elena had no paperwork of any kind in their inbox. Anwir, on the other hand, was consumed by masses of demands and unsigned forms and on top of that, managing the newly hired professors as well.
“Well, well, look who decided to rock up late.” Anwir chided Mahan as he entered '10E’s Staff Office.' The room was comparatively small, with five desks scattered amid stray sheets and pens on the woolen carpet. Beanbags now seated the professors, broken chairs lying abandoned near the corner, with two windows and a pair of ceiling fans—one hanging precariously—providing the only ventilation.
When Raymond, Leila, and Elena saw the state of the office, Anwir had to explain, with some humiliation, that due to a lack of staff, 10E's office hadn’t been maintained for months. As the staff representative for the group, it fell to him to resolve it with the Headmaster.
Yet another thing on my to-do list. Anwir thought sullenly. He focused his attention upon Mahan, who brazenly dodged the implied question, instead choosing an insult as his greeting.
“Well, this place looks like shit. Where can I hand in my resignation?” Anwir massaged his temples as he felt his blood simmer.
“Victaros, shut up and sit your tardy backside down so we can finally get started. We are already behind schedule as it is. ” Anwir seethed at the impudent man who had the audacity to smirk at him as dual eyes glimmered in mock fascination.
“Yes, Professor Money-Boy!” Mahan saluted. Anwir’s brow twitched as he raged in silence whilst Raymond, Leila, and Elene watched the show in quiet amusement. This is going to be fun. Elena concluded from her cozy spot on the worn-out beanbag. Her eyes rose at Anwir’s heavy sigh as the man continued his orientation.
“Hopefully, you have all acquainted yourselves with the basics of the school layout, though honestly, it may take more than a first glance, so that is alright. I will show you your designated living quarters for your duration at the college at the end of the day. Rest assured about that. Now, we will meet class 10E for a rapid Q&A session as part of their ‘wellbeing’ period on the Open Day timetable.”
“A slight heads up, though, that children may ask questions unsuitable or what you may feel as personally taxing, and as a reminder, you are free to wave the question should the need arise. This session is to make you feel as comfortable as the students, so take your time. Any questions?” Anwir finished, turning towards them. Mahan began speaking,
“How do we-?”
“No questions? Great! Let’s go.” Anwir brushed past Mahan, who grinned in irritation.
“Prick,” Mahan murmured.
Anwir tossed a beanbag out of the way from the wooden slide in the door built in the office, at his signal, the seated professors rose as they lined up. Giving them a once over, Anwir opened the door, being the first to enter the lecture room and welcome the students.
“Hello 10E! Welcome to both new and prior students alike to what will be a fantastic year. Today, I would like you to give a warm welcome to your new professors!” Claps resounded as the professors walked through the door. Although Ray and Leila stood shellshocked at the sight of a familiar red mess and hazel bob, with amber and silver eyes meeting their gaze in matching horror. Unwittingly, the four had the exact thought.
YOU?!
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