Fay - T (Open)

“Our deadline is looming. If we don’t get them the weapons within the next month, they’re going to pull the plug.”

The meeting room immediately broke out into concerned murmurs as each individual turned to the other. Only the man at the end said nothing, but simply sat back and listened to the talk.

“If they pull the plug…”

“…taken us years…”

“We’ll be…”

“…like throwing us to the wolves.”

The man rose, and all fell silent as they turned to him. He stared at them all for a moment, and then spoke.

“The plug will not be pulled on this operation, because we will get this done. We have a month, ladies and gentlemen. That is plenty of time.” He held up a hand as several started to speak. “I don’t care how far behind we are because of others meddling.” He looked around at all of them, studying each of their faces. He was not their leader, as everyone in the room was an equal, but still they respected him.

“We have everything to gain, and everything to lose. Failure is not an option.”

--------------

A secret war rages on the surface of the backwoods planet of Fay. The planet and its life once depended solely on magic, on Fay, but when it was discovered by more advanced humans two hundred years ago, technology was introduced. Now, a large group of terrorists have contacted some of the people from this planet. This group needed a weapon—a weapon that the League of Planets (LoP) can’t fight, a weapon that can destroy entire planets in a single blow.

For the past fourteen years a group on Fay, the Eta, has been developing this weapon, and are drawing close to success. This endeavor hasn’t remained a complete secret, however, and those that have learned of this have fought back. The battles have never been in the public’s view, however, and the war has been kept hushed, so as to not draw outside attention. Very few wish for the LoP to intervene.

Most on the planet have some idea that everything is not alright, but the youngest generation are relatively clueless to what is going on around them.

There are seven people behind this weapons operation, and the operation is highly organized. The resistance to this operation, however, has little-to-no organization. The list of those in Eta can be found on Page 13.

Fay is magic, an invisible energy that swirls both around the planet and inside of the organisms that live there (nature thrives off of Fay, but animals and plants can’t actually use it). Fay is split into two parts: Natural and Nil.

Natural is automatic. It requires no effort and no thought to use. As such, it cannot be controlled. The Natural comes from inside one, and is simple in nature (as in, no ‘turn into a duck every time the thunder booms’).

Nil is manual, and comes from an outside source—the planet. It cannot be used off-planet, and those without the native blood cannot access it. Nil is connected to nature, and with the advance of technology comes a weakening of Nil. This part of Fay requires the Will and the Word to release it. In other words, willpower is used to direct the magic how one desires, and a word is spoken to release this pent-up energy. Any word will do. However, using Nil uses energy, and so one can’t fire off spell after spell all day long.

The technology found on Fay is similar to today’s, but it is far behind the rest of the known universe. Fay tends to make up for lack of technology, and so it has been a slow transition from Fay to technology.

The Enforcers are like the police force. Once they did nothing more but govern the usage of Fay, but with technology comes more ways to commit crimes, and so their job has expanded to deal with any wrongs that are committed. They are more secretive than our police--almost like a cross between the police and the secret service--and thus they tend to be respected and feared a little more. Their leader is James Folker.



If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Oh, and some credit must go to Shadow Moonseye and Plaguewalker, for it was with them that I first created this world.

Rules
1. Use proper English and grammar.
2. No God-modding.
3. If you’re going to swear, censor it.
4. This doesn’t have to be extremely literate, but keep the one-liners to a minimum.
5. No limit to characters, just make sure you can keep up with them.

Profile
Name:
Gender:
Age:
Natural: (I give the power a name, but that’s just for fun. You don’t have to.)
Personality:
Appearance: (include any weapons here, though weapons are mostly used as backup to Fay)
History:
Occupation/Side: (Eta, Resistance: Branch, Neutral, Enforcer)
[Since the Resistance is unorganized, there are several “branches”, which exist pretty much independent of one another. Feel free to create your own branch, but I’ll only allow three total—one more children one, and two adults. We don’t need a zillion branches with only one member each. At the same time, one can be against the Eta without being a member of a branch. Look at Tadi’s sheet for an example of what to do when creating a branch.]
Other:

Accepted Characters

Eta:
Aaron Raye
Charlie Myaju (Security)

Resistance:
- Occult: Tadi Kroom
- Occult: Aire Faln

Neutral:
Morgan Raye
Kyron Rhensky (Shaman)
Sterling McCoy

LoP
Xorn

Name: Aaron Raye

Gender: Male

Age: 39

Natural: Cloak: those that wish him harm cannot find him

Personality: Aaron’s life is his work, and so it always occupies his thoughts. He is a cold individual, who is willing to sacrifice anything and everything to get what he wants. He doesn’t talk much, and is very much a loner. However, he knows how to work with others, and can get along with them just fine.

Appearance: Aaron’s eyes are a hard brown, and his hair of the same color is cut short. His slightly muscular body is tanned and he stands at almost six feet. He tends to wear dark clothing, usually consisting of dark blue jeans and a long-sleeved button-up shirt. Worn black tennis shoes cover his feet, and he has a small gun hidden in his clothing, as well as a knife in his shoe.

History: Aaron was born into a wealthy family, and so didn’t have to work a day of his life growing up. He was a top student throughout his thirteen years of school, and fell into the scientific community when he was only fifteen. At twenty-two, he threw it all away when he met the love of his life, a young woman by the name of Terri. His family didn’t approve of the match, and withdrew all financial support the day he married. He dropped away from the science community, needing a steady job to support his wife, and the daughter they had only a year later—Morgan.

He tried to be happy, for his wife’s sake, but he began to hate the life he was leading. Only three years after his marriage, he got together with a group of six others, each unhappy with their standing in the world, and they made a deal with a large group of terrorists. It was then work was started on creating a powerful new weapon.

A year later, the group was betrayed by one of its members, and the secret war began. One of the first blows was an attempt on Aaron’s life. Terri died that day, but Aaron survived with only a slight scrape to show for it.

The years flew by after that. He threw himself into work, barely aware he had a daughter and that she still lived with him.

Now, fourteen years after Eta was formed, they have nearly achieved their goal.

Occupation/Side: Scientist/Eta

Other: One of the seven leaders of Eta; some suspect him of being in this group, but there is no solid evidence



Name: Morgan Raye

Gender: Female

Age: 15 going on 16

Natural: Winner: Always wins games of chance

Personality: Morgan is arrogant, moody, and very much a loner. She is used to getting her own way, and will either argue back or become sullen when she doesn’t get it. She hates responsibility, and spends much of her time gambling. She looks after Number One (herself), and no one else. She is very lonely, but isn’t willing to open up to others in the slightest.

Appearance: (the girl in purple)
Lineart: http://caseyjewels.deviantart.com/favourites/#/d1ukbiu

History: Morgan was practically raised on the streets. She was told that her mother was killed in a car accident when she was only three, and her father was never home to take care of her—or, when he was home, she never saw him.

When she was six, Tadi moved in next door, and he insisted on being her best friend, though she didn’t want one. He looked after her, and tried to help her out of the scrapes she got herself in. She was only nine when she started to gamble, which got her into more and more trouble the older she got.

At nearly sixteen now, she has more of an attitude than ever before, and is in danger of being kicked out of school, as well as being killed by those that she has swindled.

Occupation/Side: Student/Neutral

Other: She is unaware of the secret war



Name: Tadi Kroom

Gender: Male

Age: 16

Natural: Feline: cat-like skills (greater senses [hearing, sight, smell], greater reflexes, can jump five times his height)

Personality: Tadi appears laidback much of the time, but is fiercely loyal and isn’t afraid to put his life on the line for his friends or his beliefs. Rarely does he grow angry, and when he does, he shows it only when alone. He tends to blend into the background, but when he wants to be heard, he has a way of stepping into the center of attention.

Appearance: Same picture as above, the guy in blue, but without the umbrella

History: Tadi lived out in the country for his first six years of life, along with his parents, Pierre and Tanya, as well as his older brother Hale, who is five years older than him. His family moved to the big city of Tigeal, where he found himself living next door to Morgan Raye. He, of course, instantly tried to become best friends with her.

The years passed, and he went to all the same schools as Morgan. He saved her butt many times, acting like the protective older brother.

When he was fourteen, both of his parents passed away in a battle. His older brother tried to hide it from him, behind some “accident”, but that was the day he learned of what was truly going on. He pretended like he didn’t, like he believed his brother’s lies, but that was when he found out about Hale’s involvement in Eta, and it totally turned his world around. Only a week later he was making plans, gathering facts, and soon he had Occult ready to run. It's been two years since then.

Occupation/Side: Student/Resistance: Occult
Occult is the largest of the resistance groups, and the one with the most information. He doesn’t trust the adults to fix their problems, and so his mission is to create an army of kids to take out the Eta. He has many members and many connections.

Other: Leader of the Occult Resistance

I would like to reserve a spot here. I need some time to think of a good character though.

I have decided not to join after all, sorry.

Could I reserve a spot? The plot looks interesting, but I may or may not participate.

Both reserves noted.

IMPORTANT ETA AND MAGIC FAY INFO

The following stuff is mostly about Eta. The quoted words are simply the meaning of their names, because I like looking into that stuff. Oh, and if they have a star next to them, that means that they are alive and a current member of Eta.

Note to go with Kai: In the two hundred years since the LoP discovered Fay, there's been attacks against LoP people on the planet. Sometimes these attacks increase in number and sometimes years will go by without any. In the last few decades before Eta was formed, these mob attacks grew pretty bad and frequent--hence why LoP mostly works off of their orbit station, instead of the one on the planet. These mobs became known as Eta through mistake. At the same time they were dying out, Eta's betrayal happened and the two became crossed and confused with one another. Those that know about Eta believe it to be the work of the mobs, just moved underground and more organized. In truth, they don't have much to do with one another.

Eta

*Aaron Raye “revered”
Cloak: those that wish him harm cannot find him
It was Aaron that pulled Eta together. He is not the leader anymore than any of the others are, but he is considered the founder. He is the most dedicated to what they are doing, and he is usually the one that deals with any problems that arise, as well as the one that usually speaks with Eta’s employer. It is also he who takes on any tasks that the others cannot deal with at the time, and it is he who oversees the whole operation. Aaron Raye is the mastermind behind it all.

*Kayla Eels “sweet”
Phobia: with either touch or eye contact, she knows one’s fears
Kayla was the first to agree to work with Aaron. She loves causing trouble and wishes that the LoP did not exist, so that she could do as she pleased. She loves pain, and loves watching others squirm and squeal. She wishes nothing more than to walk a path of complete ruin. It is she who hunts down enemies of the Eta and silences them before they can do too much damage.

*James Folker “dependable” “watchful”
Wordsworth: always knows the right thing to say
James knows the worth of words, and thus it is no shock that he has risen into a position of power. No one would ever dream that the head of the Enforcers, one who tries so hard to stop Eta, is actually one of its seven members. It is James that keeps the Enforcers out of the way of Eta, and who helps to bring down anyone who is causing Eta problems. He joined only a week after Kayla had signed on, but yet the two of them have never gotten along.

*Pierre Nawroki “socially skilled”
Architect: can create blueprints that are both stunning and practical
Pierre is famous for his architectural work on buildings, but he now calls himself retired from that line of work. Instead, he is the owner of Nawroki’s Diner. His brother and sister-in-law had died years ago by the hands of Kayla, leaving behind a young Vince. Pierre has raised the boy, and it is Vince that is the master chef of the place. However, Pierre is anything but retired. It is he who draws up the ideas that the rest of Eta comes up with.

*Rihana Hawkins “pretty”
Focus: sees/hears the living being whose belongings she is touching with her bare hands
Rihana joined Eta the same day that Pierre did. She wears gloves almost all of the time, in an attempt to control her Natural. As long as she is touching the object with her bare hands, she remains in the vision. However, her power is very draining, just as it is powerful, and so she tries not to use it for more than an hour at a time. Too long, and she would drain her body of energy and end up killing herself. It is she who keeps tabs on enemies, as well as on fellow members of Eta and any other people of interest.

Kai Sorus “ocean”
Scientist: can tell the chemical makeup of any liquid
For years Kai was a prominent member of the unorganized mobs attacking the LoP. It was him that offered the little funding that they had. But then several members of the still-forming Eta approached him, offering him a chance to get back at the LoP like never before. He joined immediately, but he quickly grew to hate Eta, missing the immediate satisfaction of fighting back against the LoP. It was he who betrayed Eta only a year after the group was organized. A big battle ensued, involving Eta, the mobs, the Enforcers, resistance groups, and any innocent citizens that got themselves caught up in it. In all of the chaos, Kai vanished. It was this battle that led everyone to believe that the mobs called themselves Eta. Then “Eta” went underground as the mob attacks died down to a halt.

Annie (Ann) Bells “gracious, merciful”
Detection: can read the minds of any males in the room/close proximity
Ann joined Eta because of Kai. She lived in the apartment across from his, and while she didn’t agree with his mob methods, she helped him out however she could. When he joined Eta, she was aware of it the next time she saw him, and she asked to join. However, Ann had a gentle spirit. Because of her love for Kai, she said nothing when he started his scheming for betraying Eta, and then she ended up dying in the ensuing battle.

Pierce Kroom
Owl : can see perfectly fine in the darkness
Pierce had gone to school with Aaron Raye, and the two of them have been close friends since elementary school. He graduated a few years before Aaron, and then married and moved away. However, after the betrayal within Eta, Aaron contacted him, and he and Tanya became the new sixth and seventh members of Eta.

Tanya Kroom
Shield: another’s Natural does not work on her
She is the wife of Pierce, and became a part of Eta at the same time as her husband. It was she who said something of Hale’s Natural to the rest of Eta. Two years after they joined, they moved back to Tigeal, so that Eta would have an easier time working with Hale. Two years ago, she and Pierce were killed in a battle, but their deaths were reported as a car crash.

*Hale Kroom “heroic”
Construct: can build anything exactly like its blueprint
Hale took on the job from his parents. He enjoyed working with Eta and how important that work made him feel, plus he had grown to hate the LoP because of his parents. When Pierce and Tanya were killed, he stepped up to become the sixth member of Eta. It is he who builds any and all prototypes.

*Keith Burrel “witty”
Genius: can grasp any subject
Keith is the newest member of Eta, and he is the only unwilling one. Hale had worked with him once or twice when Hale was in high school and he was in college. When Hale became a part of Eta, it wasn’t long before their partnership in the past was spoken of. Only a month later, Keith was approached by Eta, but he refused. That is when his girlfriend disappeared. After that, he became the seventh member of Eta. It is he who does much of the research on the project, and who deals with the more complicated aspects of it. However, it is also he who has been slowing down the process as much as he can, without risking his life or his girlfriend’s.




And lastly, I'm going to run over the magic system again, because there seems to be some confusion still.

The magic system is meant to be fairly simple, and I think that part of the problem is that it's becoming overly-complicated.

I think that the Natural is pretty well understood, so I'll just explain Nil. David Edding's The Belgariad series uses a similar type of magic, and Wikipedia explains it pretty well, I think, so I'll just borrow some material from there and tweak it a little.

This type of magic system is usually referred to as the Will and the Word.

Essentially, a person borrows energy from everything around him (which is why Nil can't be used off of Fay, because Nil requires the energy found on that planet) and concentrates it through willpower, then releases it with a word or phrase symbolic of the action being done.

The word itself is not important, but how the completed effect is envisioned by the sorcerer is. In other words, imagination is very important in using Nil. There is no certain spell that does a certain thing. It's all in what a person comes up with. Nil requires concentration and energy, and channeling that much power can be physically tiring, especially the more complex the use. The uses of the Will and the Word, or Nil, are almost limitless.

What's the check then? If everybody on Fay has the same power, then it's not really as powerful as it seems. If somebody can create an earthquake with some willpower and a word, then somebody can stop it just as easily. Really, those that come out on top when using Nil are those that are smarter and know how to properly use it. And with the advance of technology, Nil hasn't been needed as much, and thus most have lost the sight of what Nil can really do. Oh, and the Enforcers do govern the use of Fay, especially Nil. So, there are laws and rules to follow. I'm not listing them all out, as it's things like not stealing with the use of Fay (or at all), etc.

Also, the more powerful the use, the more energy it costs from the one using Nil. A young child simply cannot handle the price of energy it takes to create a large earthquake. Someone that young also wouldn't have the concentration or the willpower. It's like trying to run a ten-mile race the first day you try to walk. The muscle just isn't strong enough.

And to touch on such things as raising the dead and whatnot, something like that requires a life for a life. Of course, there are magical items out there that cancel out this cost, but those have been lost long ago.

So, there are some little things that complicate the magic system, but most of the time the use of Nil is meant to be pretty simple.

Just make a wish with all your heart and speak it out loud. That's basically what Nil is. There's no readying a spell or whatever. One just focuses on the magic one is about to use, in order to get ready for it. And the term 'Nil' really isn't used much. Everyone knows that Nil is there, but they simply just use it, without naming it.

Just look at any of my posts where Nil is used, if you're confused still.

And here's an example:
Tadi glanced down at the sleeping form of Morgan. She looked so small, so defenceless, and it didn't help that image at all that her head was resting on his lap--something she normally wouldn't do. With a sigh, he glanced over at the light switch on the other side of the room before glancing back down at her. He didn't want to risk waking her, not right now.
"Off," he muttered as he stared up at the light. With a soft click, the room was plunged into darkness.

The use of Nil is small, and so I don't mention anything about energy leaving him. If it was something bigger, than I probably would. Also, the bigger the use, the more concentration.

A complicated explanation of a simple magic system... But my simple explanation was too simple. So, hopefully this helped in making things simpler. Don't be afraid to ask me questions if you're still not sure. I'm trying to explain this so everybody understands, but just because it makes sense to me doesn't mean that it'll make sense to you.

Nil is simply a wish with power behind it. Maybe thinking about it that way will help.

Name: Aire Faln
Gender: Female
Age: 17
Natural: Temperature: Aire is not affected by the change in temperature and is able to stand hot and cold weather
Personality: Aire is a simple girl and is very kind. She is hardworking and doesn't give up easily. She doesn't let a lot get her down, but when she is committed to something she won't stop until her goal is complete. Aire is very loyal as well but doesn't trust easily. She is shy and quite mature.
Appearance: https://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd40/PainfulxLies/Neon%20Knight/?action=view&current=21.jpg
History: Aire was born in Tigeal as an only child of her parents. Her father has to travel for work and her mother works as well and so from a young age, Aire was a latchkey child. She never complained about this and worked hard to should her parents that she could handle being on her own. But she was very lonely as well. Aire had trouble making friends because of this but was able to make a few of them.
Eventually her father and mother separated over work and Aire remained with her mother, still visiting her father sometimes. She heard about Eta from him and she did not like the idea of it. She eventually met Tadi and joined Occult.
Occupation/Side: Student/Resistance: Occult
Other:

Name: Sterling McCoy
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Natural: Empath: Can sense others emotions
Personality: Sterling is a hothead. He doesn't like being told what to do, but he isn't too aggressive. He likes his independent and won't let anyone put his down or tell him how to act or what to do. He is a good friend, but his angry issues make him somewhat hard to be around. He can come off as snide at times as well, but he is actually friendly if you know him. Sharp and observerate as well.
Appearance: https://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd40/PainfulxLies/Neon%20Knight/?action=view&current=l_1c2127db0189e4e5e0db7f5308c05c5a.jpg
History: Sterling had a pretty normal life. He grew up as the youngest of three boys and so he had to deal with teasings, which his brothers said was to 'toughen him up'. Sterling very really cared about being tough but he didn't want to seem weak to his brothers. Eventually both headed off for college and Sterling was the only child at home.
He never really focused on what was going on, more into his own things. He got a job working so he could support himself, not wanting to be a burden to his partners and to show that he doesn't need to be babied.
Occupation/Side: Student (Works at a store)/Neutral
Other:

Name: Charlie Myaju
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Natural: None
Personality:
Appearance: https://s225.photobucket.com/albums/dd40/PainfulxLies/Neon%20Knight/?action=view&current=dog.jpg
History: Charlie was born off planet which is why she has no Natural. Her family moved when she was two and so she has only known Fay as her home. But because Charlie was born somewhere else she always felt disconnected from everyone else. As a child she had trouble making friends and so she focused on her work. She was pretty strong and so she started to work harder to get stronger. This way she could prove she was just as good as the other children. It didn't work so well.
As she grew up, Charlie stopped focusing on trying to belong and started to embrace her difference from everyone else. But she still wanted to prove herself. After leaving school she got into security work and eventually started to work for Eta. She is not completely aware of what they do but she is loyal to them none-the-less. Charlie has been working for Eta for two years.
Occupation/Side: Security/Eta
Other:

Hehe. Alrighty.

Name: Kyron Rhensky
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Natural: Premonition- He gets feelings about situations; he can tell when something is wrong or shrouded in lies, but he doesn't instinctively know exactly what it is.
Personality: Kyron is at once studious and spiritual, constantly thinking about the philosophy he follows and his studies on the Fay. He is somewhat naive and friendly, though a little shy.
Appearance: http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs45/f/2009/093/c/b/Shaman_and_birds_by_Loreen.jpg
History: Kyron never knew who his parents were. His earliest are of him being raised in the wilderness by Master Mhenlo, a Shaman. Since an early age, he has been instructed in the Shaman's philosophy and studied nature and the Fay. He was taught to avoid dependence on technology for the Shamans believed that it separated one from the Fay and that was the most terrible thing Kyron could imagine. When he turned 17, Master Mhenlo sent Kyron into the city to attend a Shaman's mandatory year of education in the modern world, exciting and frightening Kyron at the same time.
Occupation/Side: Neutral/Shaman:
The Shamans are a relic from Fay's distant past. Until the advent of technology about 350 years ago, the Shamans were very influential. Everyone listened to them and they were welcomed in the homes of kings and influential politicians. Then, of course, Fay began to progress in technological achievement. Slowly, the Shamans lost influence and power. The final blow was Fay's discovery by the League of Planets and its progress into 21st century technology. Shamans today refuse to live in the modern world, choosing to live in the wilderness and practice their Fay and nature-based philosophy.
Other:

I've decided I can't do this RP. You can take me off the reserve list.

Accepted, almostinsane.

And alrighty.

Sorry for the double post, and the slight inactiveness... Homework decided to kick my butt.

I'd like to have at least two more people join before we start, but small RPs can be fun too, so we'll start as soon as you finish your characters, Toko.

Done

Accepted.

I'm pretty busy through the 17th, so this will probably start on Sunday.

Sounds good to me.

Can't wait

And we're finally starting!!!


Morgan placed her foot on the brown ball and wiped her arm across her sweaty forehead. "I'm not going."

The blonde-haired teen sighed in response, then bent down low and clapped his hands together. "C'mon. You miss too many days and they'll send you to Madam Anne's Boarding School For Young Ladies, and we both know that you don't want that."

She made a face and kicked the telhitae ball at him. He caught it with ease, then rolled it back to her.

"School will not kill you, regardless of what you might believe."

"It sucks one's soul out, and you know it."

Tadi rolled his eyes, and jumped up seven feet in the air to catch the ball. He landed on two feet and a hand, before straightening back up. "I have perfect attendance, aside from when I leave to go drag you there. Do I look like a soulless person to you? Now come on, lunch is almost over, and you don't belong in a lady school."

She hmphed and then allowed him to lead her into the two-story house.

---------------------

A silent figure watched from above as the two teens left the house, both with a backpack on their shoulder. Once they were out of sight, he let the curtain drop, casting the room into darkness once again.

He hated the brat, Tadi, but at least the kid managed to keep his daughter out of the way, most of the time.

Now that she was finally out of the house, he could get some work done.

Kyron smiled excitedly as he walked on the concrete pathway beside the main road where high-speed carts passed by occasionally. Sidewalk. That was a simple word to remember. He grinned as he looked around at the city. He had no idea that so many people could live in one place.

It was both exciting, terrifying, and a little sad all at once. These people lived so strangely, disconnected from nature and the Fay. And they wore strange clothes too. Why did they find the need to cover themselves up so completely in such fine weather?

Unbenownst to him, Kyron was receiving strange looks in return. It was not everyday that a teenager went around shirtless with strange tattoos and a skull headdress and pants and shoes made from animal skins.

Blissfully ignorant of his strange appearance, Kyron's eyes widened when he saw two kids his age walking on the other side of the road. Looking both ways and not seeing any of those huge carts, he ran across the road, eyes widening when a huge cart with an even bigger rectangular load behind it (truck) made a loud noise as it sped right towards him. Quickly, he jumped onto the sidewalk that was his destination, landing in a roll. He grinned happily at the kids his age.

"Hi!" he greeted, "Are you going to school?"

"Idiot," Morgan muttered as she watched the weirdo rush across the street. Much to her dismay, he headed straight towards her and Tadi. Maybe if she ignored him he would just go away? Yeah. She turned her head away from him and stuck her nose up in the air.

"Yeah, we are," Tadi said as he smiled at the newcomer. "A little late, but better than never, right, Morgan?"

She didn't respond, still trying to ignore them.

Aire looked around the halls. She couldn't find Tadi. She bit her lip wondering where he was. Then she figure he was going to get Morgan and she relaxed. She didn't particularly like Morgan, mainly because Morgan didn't like her, but she was Tadi's friend.

Sterling saw her and shook his head, bumping into her on purpose.

"Hey watch where you are going girl," he grunted. "And you better get to class too. Don't want to be late now."

Aire nodded, looking down the hall. Then she headed to class. She would see him later.

Kyron grinned at the boy and girl, oblivious to Morgan's obvious dislike for him. He inclined his head, "I'm Kyron. This is going to be my first day of school. My master says that Shamans have to attend at least a year of school so he sent me to live here and go there."

He frowned a bit, "I accidentally lost my map, though, when I ran into someone."

"Tadi." He smiled back and held out his hand to shake. "And we're actually not that far away." His other hand reached out behind him and caught Morgan's backpack as she turned to bolt.

She growled and folded her arms across her chest as she moved back beside Tadi. "You're lucky, to only have to go for a year. School is nothing more than a fancy word for prison."

Charlie walked down the street. She always walked to work. It was good exercise, though she didn't like some of the looks she got. Growing up as a stranger on the planet was never fun. She guessed her strangerness still showed to some.

She spotted three kids walking and she frowned. They should be in school.

"Hey you three," she called out to them. "Not playing hooky are we?"

Kyron nodded and shook the boy's hand before looking at the girl when he heard what she said. He frowned thoughtfully.

"Really? I thought it was a place where they indoctrinated young people into a way of living where you're not connected to the Fay or the world," he commented, remembering what his master said about it.

He looked up when he heard a woman spoke. He looked at her in confusion, "What's hooky?"

Morgan and Tadi both turned towards the woman, and the boy smiled at her. "We're headed to school, ma'am. Just had to take care of a few things first."

As for Morgan, she didn't pay the stranger much mind, as instead she was staring at the Shaman. What a weirdo, indeed. School was boring and a waste of time, yes, but he made it sound like school was responsible for the state of things on Fay, which it wasn't.

She tapped her foot on the ground, impatient to get away from the woman.

Kyron took in what Tadi said, realizing what "hooky" must mean. He turned to the other two kids and smiled friendlily, "Well, school can't be as bad as my Master or you say. Can you show me where it is?"