OOC: So everyone knows, we are officially kicking this game back into gear. Take this opportunity to read over old threads and familiarize yourself if you need to. Let me know here or on Gchat if you have questions. We are losing Alani and Alameth , but we can sort of fiat that as them separating from the party at school. If you will bear with me, I'll be fiating us through a little bit to get us to this opportunity to get back into the swing of things.

Back IC:
The headmistress seems unmoved by all the things that come to pass. Even AJ's strange collapse. Though not much seems to faze her, one seems to get the feeling she had almost already known these things were going to happen. That or she's just used to a certain level of insanity. Who could tell?

Milo had fussed over AJ like a blithering idiot for a few minutes, seemingly unable to collect a coherent stream of thought while talking to the opposite sex. Eventually he proclaimed he had to get to his biology lesson and scurried away looking rather relieved to be out of the situation. By then, however, a small collection of students had assembled in the courtyard around them in the role of curious spectators. There were more than a few hushed whispers and fingers pointed at the villains. They were being talked about. No shock there.

Headmistress dismissed the flock of students with a severe reproach, reminding them that studying is a far greater use of their free time since they seem to have so much of it. None of them really seemed to like this idea but it certainly beat catching her wrath, and the villains got the sense that even though she seemed matronly and proper, she was not above throwing her weight around.

"Now, you'll follow me and we'll conduct the tour," she said loftily as she led the villains into the main building. The castle itself was magnificent and ornate. The floors were shining marble and the granite walls were flecked with mica, giving it a sheen as the light hit it. There were many carvings and reliefs built into the stonework as well as intricate stained glass windows; most all of it depicting the great war and the heroes who triumphed over evil. A reassuring thought for them as they passed underneath the monuments to the people who banished them to the island and whom were now expectant of trust.

"This school is founded upon the principles of truth, justice, courage and  grace. All paramount qualities in a leader. You will see our motto upon the crest. Lux, veritas, virtus. Light, Truth and Courage. All qualities that allowed Grimmarians to overcome our darkest days and build ourselves up once more." She almost cracked a smile at that. Almost. One could believe that if she actually ever smiled, reality as we knew it might shatter. But maybe she was just moved by the ten foot portraits of Arthur and Arthur the second hanging on either side of the enormous gold crest that marked the main hallway out of the foyer.

"Do try to keep up and don't get lost. No dawdling," she called as she strolled past classrooms gesturing to each in turn as she explained. "History of magic. Advanced  spellcasting. Grimmarian history. Politics and Nobility. Swordmastery. Fine art. Maritime studies. Creature sciences. Nature and biology. Ah, yes, and deportment. I trust all of you ladies will find it quite... edifying." As they looked through the window into the room they could see at least a dozen polished young women currently trying to drink tea while balancing a book on their head. A frizzy haired redhead lifted her cup to her lips and the book slid forward, falling and hitting the teacup out of her hand. There was stifled laughter as tea spilled on her lap. The headmistress quickly moved on after that.

Finally they found themselves in a gigantic banquet hall. All the banners of the independent nations hung above them as well as enormous gold chandeliers. There were rows of wooden banquet tables lined with chairs that had red velvet cushions. A large head table, likely for faculty, was at the back of the room beneath a hanging tapestry depicting the map of Grimmaria in great detail. "The dining hall. Make yourselves at home and I'll be right back with your class schedules," the headmistress explained before leaving you all to your own devices. Probably something I'll advised.

Morgan looked around with a whistle of appreciation. "So this is how the other half lives?"

Lola settled into one of the plush chairs with a groan. "Oh a girl could get used to this."

"Don't get too used to it. You'll be leaving soon," came a voice from behind them. A few of the students who sat around studying and eating snacks seemed to have come over. One was a tall boy with red hair and an impressive physique. He had ocean blue eyes and chiseled good looks. But the one talking was the real attention grabber. His tailored school uniform was impeccably fitted to his masculine physique. He had jet black hair, azure blue eyes and was what most would consider to be ridiculously good looking.

"My name is Emeric. This is Aeric. Consider us the welcome wagon. Welcome. Enjoy it while you can," the attractive boy proclaims.

Henrik haughtily folds his arms and steps forward. "I don't care WHO you are. Nobody speaks to me like that."

Emeric laughed. "You must be Westergaard. Used to having it your way back on that rock? You'll find you have little sway here. I represent the house of White and we have a long history of putting villains in their place."

Eva looked ready to strangle him briefly, but instead chose Henrik as a target. "My oh my, Henny. Looks like you're not the fairest of them all anymore."

Henrik had a little vein bulging out on his forehead and had started to turn red with rising rage. "You listen here you... you ... Nasty person! I will not stand for being impugned!"

Aeric snorted a laugh at that, previously having been quiet. "I thought I was the fish out of water. This one has no idea what he's in for."

Eva was busily glaring daggers at Emeric. "Oh I've got an apple with your name on it..." she muttered under her breath.

Gisela raises an unaffected eyebrow at Emeric.  "Peace Eva.  He clearly cannot understand basic decency, as he should never have approached ladies he hadn't been introduced to.  However, that aside, he also lies, as he claims a dead house.  The House of White, as I recall, the heir was Princess Snow, an only child as I recall which was the biggest reason she was vulnerable in her own lands."  Gisella speaks as if recalling from a history lesson, but she knows this story all too well.  "However, as I recall, she did marry a certain King Adalbert Landau.  And anyone with a basic understand of how lineages work would know that her line would have been then absorbed into his, making it, at best, the White-Landau line at that point and nullifying the House of Snow."

She gives him a small smile.  "I see the arrogance of the family line has remained, however.  You're young, though, Emeric, so I assume a grandchild perhaps?  If from the White-Landau line, your parent likely married well, and I'd be curious as to which family you are now intertwined so I can be sure to avoid it.  Now, you want an even bigger laugh, Eva?  I'm sure he considers himself a rightful heir to the White-Landau House, but there's another that could claim that throne, if she is ever discovered."  She looks to Emeric once more.  "At least, as the story goes, there's a princess yet out there that is the true heir.  That's the story I heard as a child, with the country still mourning the Lost Princess."  She shrugs it off as if it is of no significance to her, and in truth, her only point was to put him in his place.

AJ, on the other hand, might recognize the story from ones Gisella has told her, though she has never explained the significance.  Oh, but the world would know soon enough...

Sulf'r plodded past Aeric on his way to Wolf and sat. "That one smells like fish," he said loud enough for others to hear.

"You smell like dog," Wolf countered.

"You smell like dog," the dark wolf corrected, "I smell like blood."

Wolf narrowed his eyes at Sulf'r, "You do smell like blood. Why do you smell like blood?"

"Have to eat sometime," the murder wolf replied in an eerily cheerful tone.

Wolf looked back toward the room with the ladies and their books and tea  a little worriedly. There were no screams so it couldn't have been that bad, right?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:30, Wed 09 June 2021.

In reply to Wolf (msg # 3):

Drizz seemingly materialized out of the shadow of Sulf'r as the large animal sauntered into the tableau unfolding in this ridiculous court of fools. Humans were soo weird but this Emeric guy was a particularly odious example of two legged idiocy.  By the tone of Gi's voice though he had now somehow offended his Human, and though she is just a human, she is his and he was the only one allowed to piss her off.

So it was that the big black tomcat slinked along at shin level till he lazily reached Emeric's shoes...upon which he promptly hacked up a gooey hairball and strolled away like his field of fucks was as barren as that small genitalia bearing male was.

In reply to Drizz (Cat) (msg # 4):

AJ for her part was still in a minor stupor as they walked around and everyone conversed, aggravated by the full hip flask of grade A moonshine she just chugged down in the foyer after having her...Vision?

Divorced a bit in time now from the immediate gut reaction to that emotionally traumatizing waking nightmare, she started to doubt what she had actually experienced. Maybe she was just finally losing her mind. So many people on the Island had little to no contact with actual reality that insanity was probably contagious as well as hereditary there.

That had to be it. She was just losing her mind, that was all. It certainly wasn't a real vision. Her mom could NOT have been a villain too.  She followed Gi and the group around though in silence for the tour as she steadily convinced herself she had only had a stress induced psychotic break. Nothing to worry about...nope she was fine just needed to clear her head.

Needed to find something Wild and Exciting to do. Maybe some kind of gambli...Did Gi really just make a veiled reference to herself while putting that upstart lord in his place? Oh..she did...oh that was just petty and beautiful.

Suddenly AJ was grinning again, a bit drunkenly but eh, and snickering beside her best friend in the world. Hell even the damn cat disliked this dude enough to actually do something instead of just eat tuna and lay in the sun.

Emerics smile doesn't even flinch as Gisella addresses him. He actually seems, for his part, amused. "Gisella. I recognized the eyes, but the forked tongue was the biggest giveaway."

Aeric chuckles "She doesn't know."

Emeric smirks. "They don't really consider penal colonies when it comes to keeping people in the loop."

Another voice is raised from behind the group of VK's. "Why are you two such bollocks? Literally the right and left one." A girl with long blonde hair and a blue and pink dress is behind the group clutching a book. "Ignore them. Men suck. Though I'm lax to call them men."

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 6):

Gisela instinctually shifts to be able to keep the newcomer in sights as well.  Concern touches her mind as Wolf's S'ulfr joins the group, but no need to draw that attention to them as well.  Maybe he'd found some other arrogant House of White contender to eat?  No, that wasn't nice.  Maybe if S'ulfr had eaten this particular contender....  And the amusement at Drizz's behavior, realizing he might just need extra treats tonight.

"Mmm, power plays and bullies.  They really did go all out to make this feel like the Isle!  Is this the point I'm supposed to acknowledge defeat and beg for the knowledge, or would you feel better if I went back and forth a few more times with you while you lord it over us?  Do you feel like begging the almighty House of White, Eva?"  She knows the other girl has as much dislike for Snow and her kin as Gisela does herself.  The thought of either begging the House of White for anything was laughable.  However, why Gisela has such a distaste fort he princeling is questionable as there were no ties between the two.  Perhaps she just doesn't care for the attitude.

"Now that, however, is an entrance that I can appreciate and needs no introduction."  She turns her attention to the newcomer.  It had been a long time, but Gi could vaguely remember the girl.  Her features had matured, granted, making the recognition more from the girl's resemblance to her mother.  "Eva, AJ, this is... I'm sorry, the name escapes me, but Sleeping Beauty's daughter.  As House of White and his Jester have already stated, I am Gisela.  It has been a long time.  Pleasure?"  The last line is questioning, feeling out the other princess and where they stand for the moment.  She would have introduced Wolf, as well, but no need to draw attention his way just yet.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Sun 13 June 2021.

"Dawn," the girl replied with a smile. "I was just looking for a rabbit. The animal empathy class is missing its rabbit," she explained with a shrug. "Good to meet you all though. and Don't mind those two." She gestured to Emeric who was sullenly cleaning cat barf off his shoes. "He's been insufferable since he had his coronation scheduled. And Aeric pretty much has nothing but seawater between his ears."

In reply to Her Majesty (msg # 8):

"Perhaps you'd like to enlighten us as to where he's being crowned?  Is it Buchholz like his, I assume, Grandmother?  Or the land his family married into?  He seems to have forgotten the name of his family and his home, other than riding Snow's coattails so far."

Sulf'r licked his chops at Dawn's mention of the rabbit. Wolf shot him a look, "Are you kidding me?"

"Have to eat some time," the murder wolf repeated, "Animal empathy must include that their lives are shorter then humans, right?"

"Yours is about to be. We're trying to ingratiate ourselves here, not eat their pets."

"Fine job you're doing ingratiating, looming in the corner like some kind of henge. Besides, there's a suitable replacement right there," Sulf'r said with his head indicating Jack.

Wolf growled quietly and sighed. He straightened up- stopped leaning on the wall at least. He walked up to where Gi and Dawn were conversing but failed to actually say anything. So all seven plus feet of him was just standing over them...too close he now realized.

"Men suck," Sulf'r called from the corner. He would have done a slow sarcastic clap if he possessed the appropriate anatomy.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Mon 14 June 2021.