꧁ The Last Hope HBD IC (semi open- PM ME!) ꧂

❖ Byxem Arros |:| ϟ Neha

Byxem had gone to bed early last night, and yet, they still seemed to lack the proper amount of sleep. Neha didn't seem to have slept well either. Despite her uppity attitude, Byx knew that she was very worrisome, much like Byxem. Dark bags had formed under Byx's eyes, and their skin was paler than usual. They stood at their open window, staring up at the sky and breathing in the crisp air.

They should've gone with Neha last night and just flown around a bit, but they had been so tired.

Letting out a heavy sigh, they rubbed their face before running their fingers through the hair, turning and leaning against the window frame. Byx was used to getting up early, but today, they'd give anything to be back in their nice warm bed, curled up with Halvor. They had, however, very reluctantly gotten dressed already, selecting a deep blue coat with a white undershirt and mustard trousers.

The dog lifted his head from his paws, as if hearing Byx's thought about him, and tilted his head at his master. Byx smiled, stepping over and scratching his head. "About time you woke up," he mumbled, stifling a yawn with the back of their hand. "Let's get going, yes? Nikita should be awake by now."

Besides, they needed to get ready. An anxious twist in their gut reminded them to grab their papers, and they snatched them from their desk, before closing the door behind them. Halvor gave an excited bark, causing Byx to shush him with a smile on their face. "Not everyone is awake yet, friend," they whispered, rubbing his head again.

They made their way to the dining hall again, still fussing with their papers, their mind wandering to last night. They had never heard of an egg shifting elements... they bit their lip. They had forgotten to ask Ilia about the strange occurrence with Kyle last night. They made a mental note to talk to her about it this morning, preferably away from any of the students. They shivered at the cold wind, pulling their coat closer to their body.

Passing the stables, they heard the gentle nickering of Calliope and Ida's mounts, stirring awake at watching the headmaster and their companion with wide eyes. "Good morning," they said, nodding to the horses, smiling. Poor things must be so tired from traveling all night, they thought, waving to the horses. The closest one let out a snort, and Byx laughed softly.

Byx lifted their head to the sky, sensing Neha swooping down. Landing heavily, she crackled softly, nudging Byx affectionately in greeting, and Halvor cowered slightly, hiding behind Byx's leg. Neha bared her teeth smugly at him, before turning her blue eyes onto her rider.

"Good morning, Neha," Byx said, reaching up to scratch the underside of her chin. She let out a rumbling coo as she tilted her head back, thumping her foot on the ground. Even her tail began to wag, leaving grooves in the soil.

"I hope you're ready because I'm not," they said, chuckling coldly. They let out another sigh, dropping their hand, and Neha let out a concerned rumble, pressing her forehead to Byx's face. They hugged her face, petting the scales on her cheek, standing there in silence for a moment.

It was peaceful.

After a couple of minutes, Neha pulled away with a gentle snort. "Thank you, Neha. Breakfast?" they said, and the wyvern let out an overjoyed crackle, jumping to the side to let Byx pass. They laughed and shook their head, before resuming their journey to the dining hall.

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「」Nikita「」

At seven, Nikita knocked on the door once again, calling out a good morning as she let herself inside. Hmm. She'd have to try get Ilia to arrange those travellers to dock... maybe the students would be able to go choose clothes. Otherwise, the village. Later she'd bring it up.

Not seeing anyone in the main area, Nikita went up the stairs, knocking on each door and calling a soft good morning as to not startle anyone. "Breakfast soon loves, you have about an hour before classes start!"

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꧁ Ilia Farra || Kyrena ꧂

Very unlike sweet Nikita, Kyrena was much ruder in her awakening of those in the valley. A decently sized elk was clutched her talons, following Neha's example of bringing back food as a gift but this was more for herself than for Nikita to cook. The wyvern
circled around the valley, perching on one of the lower rings with a proud roar, clawed wings digging into the stone.

Ilia, far below sitting at the desk in her room, peeked through the window at Kyrena's proud arrival. Apparently it was time to get up properly.

Minutes later Ilia was dressed somewhat decently. Her mother's words ringing in her ears, reminders to dress as befitting of her station. As always, Ilia wanted to laugh. Imagine that. Wearing... frilly dresses and foolish pinafores. Dark pants, cinched at the waist and ankle with decent boots. A simple top, white, with slightly wider sleeves and a somewhat decorated collar. The fold where the buttons lay was carefully embroidered as well and after tucking the top into her pants, Ilia figured she best fill a small bag with various books and pens, use a simpler belt to keep her pants in place and hold some of her more simple daggers as well.

Good enough.

Setting the books full of ink aside, out of the sun, Ilia left her room and headed for the dorms. Nikita was already there and she figured that it'd be a better idea to go and greet the students instead of waiting in the dining hall instead. After all, she had to check on everyone. See who wanted to leave. A small tray was sitting on the closest chair, four glass containers on it. A silver liquid swirled within, shifting as Ilia picked it up. She sighed, picking one up and checking over it before setting it down again.

Time to see the students.

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❖ Byxem Arros

Byxem entered the dining hall, surprised to see that not everyone had arrived yet. They hummed thoughtfully to themself. They are just children, after all, they reasoned. They'd have to ask Nikita to be a bit more... stern when waking the students up. After all, they didn't have enough time to dawdle.

"Good morning, Madam Nikita!" Byx called loudly to the homely lady. "Did you sleep well?" They sat down at a table near the kitchen doors, facing the dining hall entrance. They couldn't help but drool at the delicious scents wafting into the room, and their stomach rumbled loudly. Byx gave a grimacing smile.

"Happen to have any coffee brewed yet? Or would you like me to do it?"

Having Byx do it probably wouldn't be a very good idea, seeing as how they always seemed to burn the beans. How did they manage to burn the beans? Who knows. They smiled at Neha's retreating figure, clicking their tongue. "Well, there she goes. Most likely off to bug Kyrena, I bet."

They stifled a yawn. Maybe if they ate quickly, they could go for a quick flight before classes began...

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ϟ Neha

As Neha peered around the dining hall, she snorted, upset that Kyrena was nowhere to be seen. Letting out a rumble and nuzzling Byx's shoulder, she turned and lumbered out of the dining hall, raising her head to breathe in the scents around her. Where could Kyrena possibly be?

She growled quietly, swiveling her head around like a meerkat, squinting her eyes to scan her surroundings. Two students, close to one another. The others were probably asleep, no doubt. She bared her fangs in a mischievous grin, getting a wicked idea. She flared her wings out, took a couple of steps forward, and stretched her neck up as far as she could, curling her tail slightly and standing on the tips of her talons.

She paused, taking a deep breath, before snapping her wings together twice, the sound resounding through the valley, and then slapping them against her chest as she let out a thunderous roar. As she pounded her wings against her chest, the sound buffeting like the wind and rain of a hurricane slamming against the cliffs.

It was terrifying to anyone that wasn't used to it, and no doubt would not only let Kyrena know that she was awake but would also wake up those lazy bone children.

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「」Nikita「」

At Byx's overly polite call Nikita chuckled, raising her voice to call back. "Well enough! Did you manage to sleep at all, hmm? And yes, yes, the coffee is just there by the door!" She gestured in the general direction at the door between the hall and kitchen. A few tables lined both sides, usually full with cutlery and the like, but with so few students Nikita had already set up the table Byx had luckily chosen to sit down. Six for headmasters and students, two extra for herself and Raymond - afterall, Kyle was a student now! - and then Ida and Calliope had their own table. The pair didn't always arrive with the rest.

Soon enough, a small bell rung and Nikita reached into one of the 'ovens' to pull a plate of lightly toasted bread out. Soup from last night as well, ladled into bowls, and then a few glasses for water or coffee.Water pitchers, along with plates and cutlery, had already been set along the table for when they would show up but the warm food would be kept away.

"Have a plan for the day yet? Whaddya think, history and just some basic reading and maths?" Nikita questioned, a soft grimace creasing her face at the thought of all the... words and numbers printed onto the page. She could read. Mostly. But she'd had no need for math, all her recipes were passed down or experimented on by herself. No need for numbers there.

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꧁ Kyrena ꧂

The thunderous roar followed by the pounding of wings against a scaled body pulled Kyrena's attention away from the elk she had been ripping apart to eat. It didn't stop immediately and the fire wyvern let out a snarling roar, taking to the skies.

Her sister-wyvern, of course, was the cause of the disruption. Swinging her talons forward, Kyrena sailed down and sent a harsh swipe at the other's face, careful not to actually clip the storm wyvern. Pulling away from the dorms, trying not to slam into them, she roared a playful challenge at Neha, dark wings beating at the air to hold her aloft.

Ilia's slight amusement, slight worry apparently for the kids being woken, pushed at Kyrena who sent a gleeful, playful shove back at her bonded. Exasperation before nothing, gone back to whatever she was doing. Kyrena rattled her spines letting out another roar as she wheeled away, circling above the valley.

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