//------------------------------// // CH 8: Scuttlebutt // Story: Border Chronicles: Book 1 Friendship in Chaos // by Sirion123 //------------------------------// Location R-13 Farway, Caelum Cygnus, Belfiore Academy 2039 P.C.E. (Post Creator Era) It had been a few days since the rest of the other worlders had shown up. After they were deposited at the new house, they huddled together to go over what they now looked like. The general consensus between them was disappointment, confusion, fear, and sorrow, with each one of them not liking their new human form (A little less so with the girl who introduced her self as Twilight). Sleep came early for everyone, the stress of events sapping the strength from Trevor, magical exhaustion due to the immense draw for power the portal needed, had done in the others. When the morning came the girls and Discord were rounded up and sent off with the CO, for reasons, Trevor couldn’t have begun to guess. Not that it really mattered to him at the moment, blissfully reading a book in a quiet setting, alone. Like how he was, less then a few days ago. Though a small sliver of worry had been made it’s way into Trevor’s mind with what Discord had said before leaving with the group. ”Now that some of my close~est friends are here…I think I’m going to follow a certain pink pony’s example and set up this house properly for a welcome. I only need to send out the invites to your friends and family.” The grin on the mischievous creature’s face sent shivers down Trevor’s spine. Still for now, it was a day free from the distractions he had been saddled with. So naturally, Trevor had retrieved the history tome he had assaulted Discord with, found a comfortable chair, and continued where he had left off. Location: R-13 Farway, Caelum, Cygnus, Belfiore Academy, Nearish the Volcain House. 2039 P.C.E. (Post Creator Era) He had been back at the academy for a grand total of three hours, and already he was tired. Classes haven’t even started yet and I’m already bored here.*Yawn* I think I’m just going to find a nice comfortable spot to nap for a spell. Max will handle the paperwork. He thought bringing up his hand to cover his second yawn that had snuck up on him. Searching his surroundings for a brief moment, he spotted a seemingly comfy bench, well, at least it should be enough for a nap. slowly he paced toward the bench, fully intending to lay down, yet, before he could, he heard someone shouting his name. What was more annoying, was he knew exactly why he was being shouted at, and the fact that who was shouting would undoubtedly not let him nap. “LANDCASTER! THOMAS LANDCASTER! WHERE IN THE VOID ARE YOU!?” Damn, time to find a new spot before he can find me. Thought Thomas. Moving with much more energy, now that his nap was at stake, he shot to his feet and bounded off, searching for a new hiding/napping spot. Ten minutes of running about campus, avoiding what ever direction the shouting had been coming from, Thomas had found his elusive hiding/napping spot. It was to his personal opinion, a very comfortable tree branch, big enough to hold him without too much magic being expended, and high enough that no one would think to look for him there. After all there were any branches lower then 15 feet high, so as a bonus if any of his limbs were to hang off the branch it wasn’t very likely to be seen. Lastly and by far most important, the climb would be too difficult for any passive magic users to climb, so naturally they wouldn’t think to look there. Thomas wouldn’t have the climbing problem, his inherited active magic would make the climb for him. He wasn’t born caelish, his ancestry came from one of their closest allies to the west, Terra. While Caelum had a bizarrely disproportionate level of passive magic to active magic users, Terra had quite the opposite conundrum, high active magic births to low passive. So as a Terran, Thomas naturally had quite a useable amount of active magic, sufficient enough to cast spells of almost any element. His preference was fire, though many guessed that immediately upon meeting him, his affinity matching the young man’s blazing red and orange streaked hair. That wasn’t to say he could call upon any other types of magic, just he had a harder time doing so. Making the necessary mental magic arrays, Thomas focused on the arcane symbols he was taught as a child. Calling forth the mystical forces that existed in Farway, he reduced his gravitational weight. To further the spell without weakening the mental array, out of instinct lead by many years of strict tutelage in Terra, Thomas made simple hand gestures to cast a spell that would created a powerful gust of air. Rapidly ascending to the desired napping branch he reduced the amount of magic powering the spell before gaining both a foot hold and firm grasp on the tree. Once that was done he cut off both spells entirely before casting a “safety net”, in much the same manner as the two previous, Thomas got into position, sitting slouched on the branch, his back resting on the trunk, were he promptly fell asleep. It was a slumber that lasted only seven minutes before he was found. “THOMAS LANDCASTER!” Shouted a voice from directly below the tree. “Damn it…” whispered Thomas, hoping not to be heard, and the originator of the voice to disappear. “I know your in the tree Thomas.” The voice sounded annoyed. “No, No I’m not. I’m somewheres else, and all your hearing is the hallucination brought on by the stress of a new year.” “Yeah, it certainly has nothing to do with the house leader’s laziness or anything.” “How in the void do you always manage to find me? I’m in a tree no one could climb, high enough you wouldn’t typically be looking up at, so how did’ja do it Max?” “It wasn’t hard, I just look at unaccessible places you would somehow find a nap at. Even if they're on the strange side of things. Though once again, Stop calling me MAX! Either call me by my full last name, Maxwell or by my first name Travis! I don’t like hearing my last name being SHORTED!!”Thomas just stared back at Travis indignantly. Travis just sighed, knowing full well what he was saying would be blatantly ignored. “Look, Thomas, I need to go over things with you. With the previous class graduated and the students returning, we need a new muster sheet. One with all the cadets currently in Volcain.” “Is that all you were hounding me about? Void, that’s what I have you for. To do all the paperwork so I don’t have to. Regardless, we have a whole week to figure it out and turn in the paper work. So there was absolutely no reason to wake me.” “LANCASTER!! Your the leader of House Volcain for Named sake. this muster sheet is due tomorrow! and we don’t have anything to turn in!” How could our house leader be so flippant about his duties…or for that matter ever make it to house leader? Travis thought. “Meh…Just turn in the last one we used spring semester…we already took off the graduates from that one, so it should work. There problem solved. Stop making mountains out of mole hills.” Travis’ jaw just dropped…He didn’t think about that. “How, How the—“ “They made me house leader for a reason. If your doubtful you could alway double check the muster yourself. But if your going to to that, your doing it, alone.” Travis just lowered his head and sighed. When he had taken up the position of assistant house leader, he knew it would be difficult, but he hadn’t predicted it would be like pulling teeth from a voegle*. suddenly, an errant thought crossed his mind, causing him to look up. Travis remembered something he heard earlier in the day. “Say, Thomas, Did you hear the current rumors?” “Gonna have to narrow that down a bit Max.” “The new ones about Fields?” “Again, Have to narrow it down. Hill’s spread so many, it’s hard to tell if they're new or not.” “The one where he started his own House over the stand down?” “WHAT!!?” Thomas shot up from his napping position, “Woah….” Thomas’ sudden movement, with the added distraction by the news Max had given him, had broken his concentration, so, naturally, his safety net spell failed. It took him half a second to realize what had just happened, before Thomas came speeding down to earth. A sickening thud was heard when he hit the grass patch the tree grew on, followed by intense pain. Thomas thanked the small miracles that, one, it was grass he landed on instead of the less friendly concrete, and two, natural instinct had unconsciously cast an air cushion to prevent the fall from really messing him up. With the house leader sprawled out on the ground, Travis sighed again. He just looked at his “superior” shaking his head in defeat. Thomas’s fiery red and orange streaked hair, once gleaming bright in the sun, now was dull, filled with dust, dirt, twigs and leaves. His crimson eyes glowed warmly (though under the right circumstances could be smoldering in rage, usually when Landcaster was in the presence of Oaklandus’ house leader) despite holding back his pain. His slight build would have one believe him weak, Thomas trained hard and held a hidden strength, though Travis often wondered if it was really do to illegal strength enhancement with active magic. Slowly, Thomas rose to his feet, dusting off his now dirtied service uniform the students were forced to wear on duty days. Normally pristine white collared shirt outlined in blue trim, now had large splotches of grass and dirt stains, his trousers followed suite, made of the same white. The normally mirror polished shoes now had several distinctive scuffs ruining the efforts made by a junior student Thomas had paid to shine them. All in all, Thomas looked like a mess. “That hurt.” he stated pointedly “Maybe it wouldn’t have if you were smart enough not to sleep in trees.” Responded Travis with a smirk. “You’re not my mother, Max. I do what I want.” Thomas only stared at his assistant leader. Unlike Thomas, Travis Maxwell was born caelish. Though unlike his fellow countrymen, Travis could cast small active spells, but he was just below the threshold to be considered an Active magic user. While his leader had a fiery passion for all things, Travis often was cool and collected, and his appearance reflected this. Often he was found wearing collared shirts and dress pants, finding this to suit his often serious personality. His sky blue hair was well shaped and trimmed, reflecting his desire for a neat appearance. His face was rounded and friendly and just a bit on the pudgy side. His eyes a nice, yet rare, copper color were, caught, behind his half framed glasses. His eyesight had been so poor he was practically blind without them. One other thing that furthered their polarity was while Landcaster was a thin build, Maxwell was a medium build. Though both were quite the opposites, their sense of humor, plus their skills in all things sarcastic, had solidified their friendship, not matter how much Thomas shirked his duties. “Usually do.” “Quiet you! Anyhow, So what’s this about Fields and making his own house? That doesn’t sound like anything he would do. I know the man, and he would never join a house much less make one. Too many distractions or what ever… The rumor doesn’t make a lot of sense.” “I thought the same till I saw LCDR seemed too, er, happy, for me to dismiss this outright.” “Which LCDR?” “The only one that kept asking us to invite Fields into Volcain.” “Ah…well, I suppose that if he’s this giddy, there might be something to this. We need to investigate this at once!” “WE don’t have time for this!!” “Yes, we do!” Shouted Thomas, before bolting, running toward the lower house district of the academy. A reluctant Travis followed soon after. (*large reptile like seal creature with very sharp pointed teeth) Location: R-13 Farway, Caelum Cygnus, Belfiore Academy, House Oaklandus 2039 P.C.E. (Post Creator Era) If the rumors around campus were true, she had bad news to give. Not that bad news was a terrible thing, it was just something she really didn’t want to deliver. After all the leader of the house did not take bad news that well, if at all. Often he’d scream and yell, curse out the Named, or Creators, possibly break things…the visible level of rage match only just how bad the news was. The house was still under repair after he had learned they were placed second in the academy’s standings last spring, by three points, behind, Volcain. Hesitating before the door before her, gathering her thoughts, she knocked on the office door. “Yes? What is it?” A rich pleasant, and calm voice answered the knock. It was an almost friendly tone, though she knew it wouldn’t last for long. “It’s me, Masters. I have some pre-semester paperwork to go over with you.” She replied. “Ah. Come in. Come in.” Slowly she opened the door, and shuffled her way into the room. It was sort of an accepted fact that the members of Oaklandus were considered snobs. Several things helped support this notion. For starters through some bizarre coincidence most of the members of the house came from very affluential families. Their opinion of the lesser houses and those students, based mostly on Oaklandus’ academic and PT scores, and how they treated them only help to solidify the snob stereotype. Logan Hill had tried to lessen this, by seeming to be anything but a snob, but had little to no success in that regard. The way his office was set up did more damage then good, but he could never make that connection. Masters took three paces into the room, and knew immediately why they couldn’t dispel public opinion. The office screamed luxury. The carpet a lush red velvet that was imported from a small village in Reatus half a world away. Three square feet of the material would cost more then the entire tuition of Belfiore, which wasn’t cheap by any standard either. Gold trimmed mirrors hung on the wall tastefully, reflecting the light of the specialized solar light constructs bathing the room in what was as close to natural sunlight as possible. The couch, and several chairs arranged int the room, were made from the finest leathers and stuffings. All the wood furniture was of solid mahogany, which like almost everything in the room came from some obscure town in some of the more restrictive imports from less then friendly countries in Farway. The whole of the room could be described in one, single, word. Superfluous. “Masters, What do we need to go over?” Inquired Hill. “We need to turn in an updated muster report for the start of the year. With last years graduating class gone we need to give LCDR Mirkovic the new roster.” Masters responded. taking a moment to study Hill’s current mood. The leader of Oaklandus, being such a parallel to Volcain’s leader, actually looked and acted the part. His dark, earth green, hair was slicked back, and kept neat and trimmed. His face was sharp and angled, with very defined lines shaped his eyes and nose, giving him a hawk like appearance. His amber eyes slightly off putting, looking as if they measured the weight of your achievements and found them wanting. This effect was lessened when Hill was in a good mood, but amplified when ever his anger got the best of him. Though Hill wasn’t on duty for the day, he dressed in his service uniform anyway. He found the uniform much more appropriate for a house leader then any civilian clothing he had. “Yes, yes. I was already aware of that and sent Silcox off with it to turn in to admin. was that all?” Logan’s tone a combination of disinterested and annoyed. “For admin side of things yes…but there was something else I thought to inform you about.” Here we go…*sigh*, “There seems to be a particular rumors gaining traction on the academy grounds…” “I don’t care about such things less they affect our competition negatively, you know this. So why are you bring this up?” barked Hill, now looking up at Oaklandus’ assistant leader. Angela Masters stood center of the room, moving back and forth on the balls of her feet, a signal that she was uncomfortable. Though Hill, wasn’t on duty, Masters was. So her usually long flowing auburn hair was done up in a bun, to keep with military regs. While Hill had certainly found her attractive, her body curvy and her bust on the smaller side but still ample, He had never once thought of her as girlfriend material. No, he often thought of her like a sister, having known her since she was a child. He would have offered her a place in Oaklandus based on her grades alone but he would have never have placed her as his assistant based on those alone. If he was to be honest, the real reason behind his choice for assistant lay in her eyes. Masters’ light violet eyes, sitting behind a remarkable pair of treated glasses, were the result of a passive magic backlash. A faulty refrigeration construct had overloaded when Masters was fiddling with it and it had overloaded the magic in her person. had it not been for a happy accident, his childhood friend would have been killed in a gruesome manner, instead an incredibly rare reaction to her sliver of active magic had dissipated the magic saturation and had given her a special condition. Acute Field Indication Syndrome, AFIS for short, had taken away Masters’ original eye color and given her the ability to physically see the magic field on Farway in the form of auras. However because of how intensely bright the auras were, if she was without her glasses, which filtered out the normal ambient levels of Farway, it would be like staring straight into the sun. “It was who the rumor was about Hill. It seems that over the stand down…” Masters trailed off. “During the stand down what?” “It seems Fields might have joined a house…” “WHAT!!?" howled Hill, his gaze growing ever more intense, “Who’s house did he join?” “Well that’s the thing…The rumors also say he founded it himself…” “You mean to tell me, that after my repeated attempts, and his repeating spurns against us, he made his OWN HOUSE!!!” Is Fields hoping to supplant us? Take away our standings? Fields has enough pull, and charisma he could very well poach have of Oaklandus and Volcain before the first month of the fall semester was over. there would nothing I could do to stop it. My previous campaign to discredit him didn’t pan out as much as I hoped…I need to confirm this…I need to start planning for the worst. We need to destroy Fields if the rumors turn out to be true. It’s the only way to keep Oaklandus on top. Logan deliberated. “This…This is unexpected to say the least. We need to find out if these rumors are actually true and then plan accordingly. For now let’s just cover bases.” Hill paused, a calculating look crossed his face, “No one in Oaklandus is to talk to or engage Fields in anything, effective immediately. It will also be perfectly permissible to... convince Volcain members to defect from their house to join what ever it is Fields might have founded. Speaking of…Do you know what he named his House?” “The rumors never stated, but I due know where it’s located at.” “Well that’s a start. Show me.” Moments later Oaklandus’ senior leadership left to investigate. Location: R-13 Farway, Caelum Cygnus, Belfiore Academy, House Equus 2039 P.C.E. (Post Creator Era) So far Discord’s plan was working flawlessly. All it took was a few well spoken words to start the ball rolling, and the students did the rest. Discord watch proudly as the information spread like wild fire sowing fine seeds of chaos all over the naval college. While it was fun to sit and watch, there was still one more person to attend to. Sadly, he couldn’t involve her until later, as Discord hadn’t the faintest idea where she was currently, but she was due to arrive on the train tomorrow. Sitting on a lamp post, pondering what to due next, something moved in the corner of his eye drawing his attention toward it, only to gain a smirk. Oh, I forgot just how much I love humans. If Trevor was to look outside the bay window located in the study, in the general area of the shrubbery used to give a sense of privacy for the house, he would see quite the oddity. A splotches of fire red and sky blue were clearly visible. “Why are we doing this?” Asked Travis trying his hardest not to face palm. “Because we need to find out if the rumors are true.” “We?” “Of course!” Thomas replied cheerfully, “I need my second in command with me if I get caught. Visiting another house like this is against the regs…I think. So if we get busted, buddy, your my scape goat!” “First, thanks. It means so much to me that you think that way.” Travis deadpanned, “While visiting a house isn’t against regs, us hiding in the bushes could be considered destruction of property. So yeah, I guess you really did need me, so if an instructor came by to smooth things over, or Named forbid Hill...” He shivered, “I should be working on all the paperwork and reports like you should be doing! Instead you drag me out here for this nonsense. It’s really a wonder why anyone in belfiore would be confused when I tell them I’m not the leader of the house. Considering just how much leadership you get done napping on benches, tree branches, tables, ground, chairs, lamp posts!” “That was one time!” Thomas wined. “It should have been zero times Thomas.” Travis harshly whispered, “Besides, why are we doing this now? All we had to do was wait a few days for the heritage ceremony. They announce the the current and new house leaders then. So this,” he gestured between themselves and the house, “Is entirely pointless.” “N-No.” Pouted Thomas, “it isn’t entirely pointless. I want to get a leg up on those snobs at house Oak-Lord-Over-Us.” It was then Travis noticed movement flirting with his peripheral vision, slowly he turned his head, and once he recognized what he saw he sighed. “Speaking of the Creators” Thomas grimaced, sighed, then his features hardened, knowing just how unpleasant the next few minutes were going to be. “No doubt to verify the rumors as well. that way he can start to sabotage and dismantle the house. All in his efforts to destroy the competition so no one could remove him from the top spot.” “Indeed.” Travis assented. “Well, I guess your right, hiding here is pointless, *sigh* we’ll find the answer at the assembly. I’d rather not know then let Hill poison a budding House.” Thomas’ statement might have sounded mature, if it wasn’t for the fact the two of them were still hiding in the bushes, and had some how managed to wedge themselves in such a way that the only means of freeing themselves was to crawl out of the foliage. Something that wasn’t missed by the cadets from Oaklandus. One looked bemused, not quite certain how to handle what was before her. Those from Volcain were always eccentric, playful, or rebellious, but even to Masters, this seemed odd. Hill, on the other hand, looked disgusted, both at the lack of decorum and over all lack of responsibility his rival perpetually showed. “Crawling on the ground again, like the rift raft slime you are? Sneered Hill at the sight. “Better then lording over people who are more talented then Mr. Daddy-doesn’t-love-me.” retorted Thomas, “Seriously Angela, why are you following him?” “Please, Thomas, don’t get me involved with your feud with Hill. Anyways, what were you two doing hiding in the bushes?” Masters inquired, also hoping to stop the pissing match the House leaders often had when in each others company. They’re getting worse. Last few times it was just them with out me or Maxwell, they almost went to blows. It doesn’t help that Hill’s campaign against Volcain is quickly dividing the campus. If the animosity between Hill and Landcaster doesn’t lessen then it will only be a matter of time before the whole academy will riot. “We were simply trying to ascertain whether current rumors surrounding Fields were true. Much like yourselves if I had to hazard a guess.” Answered Travis, following Masters’ lead, hoping things would end as amicably as possible. “I seriously hope you are not insinuating that I would debase myself by hiding in the bushes like that desert bumpkin that is the “supposed” leader of your house Maxwell. Honestly your efforts are wasted in trying to keep that dysfunctional mess of a house going.” Hill’s tone and features took on a softer look and tone, “As I said before, there is always a place for you in my House Maxwell. You need only tell me and I will save you from that sinking ship.” “I’m afraid I must decline. I am committed to Volcain. It is a pity that your honeyed words can do nothing to change that.” Travis replied. He knew full well the kind of man Logan was, and with that knowledge Travis also knew he’d want nothing to do with it. “So be it,” Hill snapped, his previous facade gone, his disgust returned, “I suppose there is no helping it. Can’t save those who won’t save themselves. At least I can take pride in the fact that members of Volcain will amount to nothing in their naval careers.” “WHAT DID YOU SAY YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!!!” Snapped Thomas, no longer could he stand the insults slung by Hill. Quickly he formed a fireball in is left palm and reared back to throw it. “Thomas stop it!! THOMAS!! DONT DO—“ “My, my, my. What’s this I see before mine very eyes?” Came a velvety whimsical voice, cutting through the tension that had built up like hot knife through butter, “It can’t possibly be the leaders of Belfiore’s two top houses about to fight now? Am I right? By all means, if I’m wrong, then continue. Just give me a second to get popcorn.” Confusion colored all parties present as they studied the person before them. There stood a skinny, and very thin man. His height seeming taller do to the matchstick thin arms and legs. His narrow chest looked higher than a normal humans, his legs long as they were, helping to accentuate the odd look. His face was sharp with its features, straight angles, showing his cheek bones, and gaunt. A pointed chin, and turned down nose, giving him the look of a hawk. Dark brown hair spiked in all directions, white well trimmed sideburns near his ears. He seemed off with the snaggled tooth grin, white goatee, and lastly the eyes all giving the students a shiver. A golden yellow iris in one eye, a blood red in the other. Slightly sunken eyes with dark rings underneath giving the man before them a little evil to his look. For the students, it was like staring into the eyes of their Creators. The man just smiled his crooked smirk and with a flash a bucket filled with a generous helping of popcorn was in his hands. “Now, Go on you two. Heck, I’ll even make you a deal. If you come to fisticuffs I won’t tell the CO.” What in the void? Who is this? Thought Travis. The others mirrored similar thoughts, though Hill was the only one to vocalize them. “I, my dear colt,” Further looked of bemusement colored their faces with the unknown term, the man just smiled further, “Am a foreigner, cast astray by those whom I would call my friends, in a strange land filled with mystic powers, strange customs and even more curious animal and floral life. Just trying to carve out a temporary place for myself before my journeys inevitable end and I am to return home. Though if that was too long winded for you, It could be summed up as I am a new instructor here, and supervisor of the new, and not quite christened, House Equus.” the figure gave a bow, sweeping his arm to his chest as he did so, “My name is John de Lancie? hmm…not my best idea…I suppose it’s better then John Doe, or Q. All the same just call me Discord.” Three out of the four cadets had their jaws open in disbelief. Only Landcaster found him to be entertaining. I think I like this new instructor. He’s a void of a lot better then that psychopath that supervises PT for the school. “Oh, dear. I do believe I created one of those…awkward moments? Because of that,” Discord puffed out his cheeks, “I won’t be able to see a fight, much less run the betting bracket I set up!” From nowhere, again to much the confusion of the cadets, a black board appeared. Masters’ confusion dissipated a bit, Her special eyes noting the black board was nothing more then a spell, though the chalked out tables listing the odds and pay outs confused her. (Maxwell vs Masters 2:1, Hill vs Landcaster 15:1) Logan saw the odds and growled in rage. Landcaster just laughed know full well he’d destroy Hill in a “fair” fight. How could I be the unfavored choice to that sack of delmick* droppings. Thought Hill bitterly, before realizing he was being swept up in what the deranged man was playing at. Thomas was clutching his sides still laughing. A moment later the board disappeared. “If all of you are interested to hear, I have some facts about the rumors I’m certain you can’t help but want to know. I’m here to put an end to these unscrupulous rumors.” The cadets all leaned in closer, hostilities temporarily forgotten. “Yes, It was I that has been releasing unsolicited information regarding a certain officer to be, all in good fun of course.” Discord’s ever present smile grew impossibly wide. the dumfounded looks he was privy to were priceless. “So, um, Discord sir? So does this mean the rumors are false?” Travis inquired hoping to clear up the confusion by all. “I didn’t say that now did I?” “So they're true then?” “I will neither confirm nor deny that the rumors might be possibly true, or nothing more then a lie.” Discord’s smirk faded and he turned serious, “While it has been fun chatting with the lot of you, I must insist that you leave. And until the time that heritage has come and passed that you are not to set hoof, er, foot on this House’s grounds. Is this understood?” “Yes Sir.” All four of them replied. “Now move along now younglings. And absolutely no fighting…unless I can be there. I don’t want to miss out on the action.” Discord finished with a chuckle. And with a snap of his fingers, Discord had sent the four of them off to their respective houses…sort of. he sent the assistant leaders to the wrong houses. Masters to Volcain, Maxwell to Oaklandus. He did so to further his own goals to get home, the chaos born from the confusion was just icing on the cake. (*cow like creature)