The House of Night
Her first day in her new life. Zoey's met a couple of people already and she absolutely adores her mentor, who just happens to be the High Priestess at this House of Night. A guy by the name of Jack Green has taken it upon himself to befriend her. And her roommate Stevie Rae is a Okiefied little country girl, but she's as sweet as can be. Soon her classes will start and she'll be thrust into a new world.
Polgara had a vague awareness of what was being said as she slowly emerged from her notebook. She looked at the students gathered, mildly interested in their conversation, but too shy to say anything. She played with the end of the blue scarf that fell over one shoulder with her long brown hair.
Naylinn closed up her journal, and looked around the room. She smiled softly and shyly at Polgara, as she held her leather journal to her chest.
Upon noticing Polgara,
Xander headed over to where she was sitting instead of the tv, clearly having hidden intentions. "Hello, fellow class person, did I mention you look wonderful today?" he grinned cheerfully while sitting down. "so... homework was easy, right?"
Polgara raised an eyebrow, her bangs falling into her face as she cocked her head slightly. "Indeed." she murmured, mildly amused by his poorly hidden ulterior motives.
"Oh, really? I mean... right"
Xander kept grinning innocently. "So we could like, cross-check the answers or something? To make sure we got everything right?"
Naylinn shook her head at Xander's 'innocence', though noticing that Polgara seemed to know what he was up to. Naylinn stood up, grabbing her bag, packing her journal away.
Pol shrugged, "If you would like." she said, not giving anything away in her tone, though her eyes sparkled in amusement. She reached down to grab her school notebook from the floor, but as she did, her old beat up one fell from her lap, landing open on the floor, lose pages scattering on the floor. "Merda!" she cursed under her breath, quickly kneeling down to pick them up.
Naylinn quickly moved over, kneeling down, and helping her gather up her papers. "Here....I'll help you...." she said softly.
"Ops"
Xander started helping her pick up the papers too. He felt a bit obliged to it, seeing as he was the one who made her pick up that other book.
"Thanks."
Pol murmured with a slight smile as she pushed pages back into her beat-up leather notebook. She just hoped that they didn't read what she had written, something about sharing her work with people before it was finished made her uncomfortable.
"You're welcome, Polgara,"
Naylinn said softly, handing over one last sheet.
"No worries"
Xander smiled somewhat embarassedly. "Indirectly, it was my fault, right?"
"No, no,"
Pol she shook her head, "It's fine, nothing got ruined, so no worries." She sat back down with both notebooks in her lap and looked at Xander and Naylinn, "I'm sorry, I don't recall your names." she said, a little embarrassed.
"Well, I don't know her name" He gave a short nod in the direction of Naylinn. "But I'm
Xander"
Naylinn smiled softly. "My name is Naylinn..."
"
Polgara." Pol said, smiling shyly.
"It is very nice to meet you, Polgara....I'm
....new around here...." Naylinn spoke softly.
"I'll use that as an excuse for not knowing your name then" Xander winked jokingly at Naylinn.
Naylinn blushed shyly. "It wouldn't be a false excuse...." she said softly. "How long have you two been here?"
"I've been here almost a year." Pol said, checking the time on the wall clock, "Hmm, let's head for the dining hall." she stood and waited for the other two.
Naylinn nodded, standing up, adjusting her shoulder bag.
"Two years" Xander shrugged rather unenthusiastically as he scooped up his little mess of homework from the spot next to him on the couch and followed after Polgara.
"Uhhh...Sure," Jack said, looking a Zoey, "Heh, maybe we'll even have a class together. I couldn't help but overhear you say something about a theater class."
Zoey smiled excitedly and nodded. "Yeah, apparently I got to choose my arts class. It was either that or Sketching or Music. I can't draw and I can't sing." She giggled softly and shrugged. Pulling out her Schedule she handed it over to Jack. 1st hour -- Vampyre Sociology 101. Rm 215. Prof. Neferet; 2nd hour -- Drama 101. Performing Arts Center. Prof Nolan; 3rd hour -- Lit 101. Rm. 214. Prof Penthesilea; 4th hour -- Fencing. Gymnasium. Prof D. Lankford; LUNCH BREAK; 5th hour -- Spanish 101. Rm 216. Prof Garmy; 6th hour -- Intro to Equestrian Studies. Field House. Prof Lenobia. "I was so excited when I found out we don't have geometry here!" She giggled softly and put her book in her messenger bag.
"Looks like we have two classes then. I'm in fencing too." Jack said with a smile, remembering is classes off the top of his mind, "Vampyre Sociology isn't that hard to find. Just look for a bunch of Third Former's, like yourself."
Nodding her head, Zoey tried remembering what he was say. "Okay. Neferet showed me the...Dinning Hall when she brought me up here, so I can find that no problem. Performing Arts center?" She looked slightly frazzled but was trying to take it all in. I hate new places, I always feel lost.
"I'll find you after first hour. I have to go there anyway. And my first hour isn't that far from your Vampyre sociology class," Jack said, smiling to Zoey.
Sighing softly, Zoey smiled sweetly at Jack. "Thank you. You have no reason to be this nice to me. But I'm glad someone is." She took her schedule back from him. "How are the teachers here? I mean are they strict? Lots of homework?"
Jack shook his head, "Classes aren't bad, and they teachers are great. They realize what all the students are going through. I mean, they all went through the same thing. And the homework here, just like any other school. You get your fair share. As for why I'm being so nice, well, I think it's the book," he said, nodding towards the book Zoey was reading just minutes earlier.
"Oh... You just want my book." Her face feel as she realized her stupidity. Leaning down she got the book back out and handed it to him. "You can start it whenever your ready and just return it to me when your done. No need to be nice anymore, I can find my own classes." Zoey turned her head and began to stand so she wouldn't make and even bigger fool of herself.
"Whoa, hey. That's not what I meant. I meant that the book interested me. I think you're a great person," Jack said as he put a hand on Zoey's shoulder, seeing the new guy that walked in.
Icene browsed the hall, content to listen to his ipod with a single earbud in. He meandered into the dorms. Seeing Zoey he smiled "interesting mark" he said before realizing she might have found that offensive did it again ice... he thought to himself.
Zoey glanced at Jack for a moment and smiled. "Oh...sorry. I didn't mean to jump to conclusions." At the sound of someone close by talking about an interesting mark, Zoey looked up and sure enough the boy had been talking about her. She forced a smile and sighed. "Thanks, I think. I'm still getting used to it. So far I've only been stared at a little." Looking up she inhaled sharply. The guy standing in front of her was breathtakingly gorgeous. Mmm yummy! Smiling softly she held out her hand. "Zoey Redbird."
"Icene" he said softly, as he shook her hand lightly. He removed the earbud and stuffed the ipod in his pocket "I've never seen a mark quite like that, how did you get it?"
Zoey was about to tell him that the Goddess had come to her in her dreams and spoke to her, but right before she opened her mouth it felt like a fist had been slammed into her stomach. "I think it's when I hit my head on a rock." She lied with ease. "But, I'm not sure. I feel like a freak." She reached up to touch it, still not believing that its there.
Icene raised an eyebrow an intricate pattern of marks like that? from a rock...oook he thought to himself. He sat down across from her, taking his ipod out an scanning for the song he was looking for.
Looking back over at Jack, Zoey smiled and slide her book back into her bag. "Okay so, Drama and Fencing are the two we have together? Awesome. I hope I'm not too horrible at fencing. I mean I was in a few plays at my old school so Drama wont be to bad, but I've never held a...sword."
"Well, you're in luck then. They're two of my favorite things to do. Acting and swordplay. Guess I'll see you second hour then? Class' got to be starting up here soon." Jack said, grabbing his bag up from next to his chair.
Stevie Rae skipped into the room just then and grinned. "Come on, Zoey! We have first hour together. Isn't that exciting?" Zoey giggled and nodded her head as she grabbed her bag and was dragged along by Stevie Rae. "Bye, Jack!" She giggled softly and poked Stevie Rae. "Oh my god, Zoey! The two hottest guys in school are talking to you!" Zoey looked over her shoulder and caught a last glimpse at her new friends. "Really? Jack's taking me to second hour..." Stevie Rae stopped abruptly and looked at Zoey like she was crazy. "Why didn't you tell me? That is major information!" Zoey rolled her eyes and continued walking. "It's no big deal, he's a nice guy."
"I have a thing for weapons, so i suppose i could teach you to fence" Icene spoke softly.
Zoey looked over her shoulder at Icene and smiled. "Well if..." Holding up her schedule she read off the name. "Professor D. Lankford, pairs us up, than great!" Stevie Rae snorted. "His name is Dragon. The fending instructor. Don't call him Professor, just Dragon." Zoey nodded as Stevie Rae pulled her into their classroom. "1st hour is also our home room. Come here." Stevie Rae led the way to the back of the room and nudged some guy with her hip. "Your locker is between mine and Damiens's." A cute boy turned around and smiled at her. Instantly Zoey's gay-dar bleeped. "Damien Reinald." He held out his hand for her to shake. Zoey had placed her hand in Daimens when Stevie Rae laughed. "And yes, boy is gay." Daimens face palled instantly then turned a bright red. "Uh...okay." Hurrying away from the girls Damien found and desk and sat down. "Stevie Rae! That wasn't nice, now he probably thinks Im a homophobe." Stevie Rae rolled her eyes as she grabbed her book and sat down behind Damien. Zoey did the same and sat besides Damien. "It's okay, Damien, your still cute in my book." Zoey touched his shoulder softly and his face lit up like a light. Just then Neferet walked in and the class began........... 1 hour later Everyone rose from there seats and went back to their lockers. "This will be where all your books and stuff are, which isn't a big deal since all the classes with books are in this hallway." Damien spoke softly but seemed like a really smart kid. "See you later Z, tell Lover Boy I say hi!" Zoey rolled her eyes as Stevie Rae and Damien left to go to their second period.
Icene nodded, wandering off to his class "this is proving to be an interesting adventure" he mused to himself.
Not too long after Stevie and Damien walked off, Jack showed up, seeing Zoey in they hallway, "Hey, ready for Drama?" He said as he walked up to her, carrying his carrier bag over his shoulder, he put a hand up on her shoulder, "Let's go."
Looking up into Jack's eyes, Zoey smiled softly. "Ready." Pulling her bag over her head she draped it around her shoulders. "So, do we do plays for family and the public? I mean, I hear that the humans really hate us. Wait...are our parents allowed to come and see us?" She brushed her bangs out of her face and looked up at Jack, hoping he wouldn't let her run into anything.
Jack looked over to Zoey, "No, most of our plays are just put on for the staff and students. But as to letting your family visit, they can come visit one day each month."
Zoey looked distant as she followed Jack to class. She shook her head and snapped out of it. "Kind of like parent/teacher conferences?" She giggled softly as they emerged out of the building. It was a beautiful night. The sky way clear and full of stars as they walked towards the Performing Art Center. "Do you get used to the night?"
"I've been used to the night since I was young. Always been a bit of a night owl." Jack said, his hands in his jeans pockets and his eyes on the starry sky.
Zoey glanced around and noticed that a lot of the kids were staring at her and whispering amongst themselves. Looking sad she walked closer to Jack and held her head high whole way into the building. Once inside the building she let out a soft sigh and came to a halt. The building was huge! There was a theater in one part, a gym off to the side a ways and two rooms, one was the Music room, and the other was the art room. Other than that this building was designated to Drama and sports of any kind. "Wow..." She bumped into Jack and giggled. "Sorry."
Jack turned and looked at Zoey as she bumped into him, "Nice place, isn't it? Here, our class is right over this way." He still had his head slightly in the clouds as he was walking around, but he knew right where he was going.
"Yeah. I can't believe there used to be a church here. Neferet took me past Nyx's Temple. It's beautiful." Zoey was led into a room the was lined with swords. Smiling she moved to the side and an angelic voice rang out through the room. "Zoey Redbird! Merry Meet!" Zoey looked slightly confused as Prof. Nolan walked over, placing a fist over her heart and bowed her head. "I hear good things about you, and your mark is as beautiful as Neferet described." Damien came up just then and whispered into her ear. "Merry Meet is our greeting, and the fist over the heart is a sign of respect." Damien stood up straighter and watched as Prof. Nolan twirled away. Zoey sighed as she leaned against the wall. Looking around she saw kids in desks looking at her. "Jack...can we sit?"
Jack quickly placed his fist over his heart and bowed his head to the Professor, "Merry meet, Professor Nolan. Sure Zoey, Grab a seat."
Running a shaky hand through her hair, Zoey hurried to a cluster of empty seats. Damien hurried over and sat beside her. "Hey it's okay." Zoey inhaled deeply and waited for Jack to sit before she spoke up.
Jack followed shortly after, grabbing one of the other seat and slinging his bag to the other side of the desk. Before saying anything, he reached into his bag, pulling out a booklet and a pencil, "Hey Zoe, it's alright, the professor is great."
Turning around in her desk so she could talk to both Damien and Jack. "But guys, I'm not special. I have no idea what I'm doing. She BOWED at me! What is that?" Damien snorted softly. "She respects you, Zo." Zoey rubbed her eyes and sighed. "But why? I don't understand why she respects me."
"Why wouldn't she respect you?" Jack said as he began writing down a few things in his notebook without looking up, "I mean, the teachers here are generally respectful of all their students, and the whole bowing thing? Maybe it was just common courtesy."
Damien looked at Jack like he was crazy. "Jack, you know no one bows unless they truly, deeply, respect someone. She even put her fist over her heart." Zoey cleared her throat and nodded towards the front of the room. Prof. Nolan was talking about groups of three that she could be assigning. Then she went around the room and began pairing people up. When she got to there little group she smiled. "Zoey since your new I'm going to put you in very capable hands. You'll be paired with Jack and Damien. We're working on Romeo and Juliet monologues." With that she smiled and continued around the room. "Okay, everyone's pared up! Have fun!"
Jack looked very seriously into his notebook for another few seconds before quickly scribbling something in it and closing the cover before looking up to his new group, "So, Romeo and Juliet it is. Familiar with the play, Zoey?"
Smiling, she ran a hand through her hair, scratching her head slightly. "Yeah, I'm familiar with it." A pile of scripts fell on her desk from the student in front of her. "Pass it on, new kid." Zoey turned around and met the kids eyes. He had red hair, kind of chunky, and very ugly. So unlike a normal vamp. Taking the stack Zoey gave one to Damien and Jack and passed them on. "Don't worry Zoey, Alex is vile. He's that way to everyone." Zoey smiled softly and nodded her head. "Thanks. Okay, so I can be Juliet, Jack can be Romeo...and Damien..." Zoey eyed Damien and he smiled softly, "I can be Benvolio!" Zoey giggled and shrugged. "If it's okay with Jack, I don't see why not."
Jack laughed softly, "Sure, why not. I've always wanted to read the role of Romeo."
Icene wandered into the dinning hall "What to eat....more importantly what's good today or for that matter palatable" he mumbled to himself.
After having missed the first classes of the day, Xirena made her way to the dining hall. She was of course avoiding most looks that came her way, hiding her face in her hair. One could only take so much attention in a day. Don't look at them, don't look at them, don't look at them, was her internal mantra for the day. If she didn't look, they wouldn't look her way. Hopefully.
Damien led Zoey through the line and then over to where Stevie Rae was sitting. Zoey scooted into the booth with Stevie Rae and Damien sat across from them. Damien motioned towards Xirena, "What's up with Xirena, today? She wasn't in class this morning. Stevie Rae shrugged her shoulders gently, "I'm not sure, maybe she'll tell us when she comes to the table. Zoey, Xirena is another one of our friends." Zoey nodded her head gently and smiled. "Oh, okay!"
Icene grabbed a tray an piled on whatever looked appealing "What i'd give for something alcoholic" he laughed to himself. He wandered to an empty table.
Xirena saw Damien and Stevie Rae sit with a newcomer. Of course, she thought ironically to herself. She walked over and sat next to Damien, staring at the table. Xirena always tried to avoid new people, they tended to stare, but she couldn't see anyone else she wanted to sit with.
Stevie Rae smiled at Xirena. "Hey! This is my new roommate, Zoey." Zoey smiled at Xirena and nodded her head. "Hey, how's it going?" Zoey took a bit of her roast beef sandwich and then a sip of her wine. "I still can't get over how we can freely drink!" Damien snorted softly and shook his head. "It's only because vamps and fledglings don't get drunk like humans do. And, medication, has absolutely no affect on us. Which is why the healing affinity comes in handy so much."
Jack came up behind Zoey, holding a tray of food, setting it down on the table next to her, "Healing affinity, you say? Someone hurt?" He said as he sat down and began in with a french fry.
Icene toyed with the sandwich before him, though he was more interested in the knife and fork...which he was already subconsciously fashioning into a weapon damnit i did it again he growled inwardly.
"No, Damien was just explaining how, alcohol and medication has almost no affect on us, giving us the reason for healers." Zoey gave Jack a little room so he wouldn't feel crowded. "So, why is the food here, so much better than the food in human schools?" Stevie Rae smiled softly. "Well the vamps want us to be healthy. So they make us eat healthy foods. You won't find a single bag of Doritos or anything like that in the school. Unless the teachers horde them away." Zoey just stared at Stevie Rae until she snapped out of it, "Wait, what about mountain dew?" Damien nodded slightly. "They must not care as much about pop/soda as they do food because we have every single kind of pop you can imagine." Zoey grinned happily. Girl had to have her MD.
Xirena smiled at Zoey. "It is a culture shock when you are used to living off the finest junk foods man has to offer." She looked down at her own tray, which held nothing but vegetables and her glass of wine. "Of course, some accept it more than others." Xirena paused again. "How were classes?"
Stevie Rae nudged Zoey's arm. "Yeah Zoey, how were classes?" Stevie Rae nodded to Jack sitting beside Zoey and wagged her eyebrows. Zoey face turned a bright shade of red. "Shut up, Stevie Rae." Looking up at Xirena she smiled softly. "Classes are good, so far. By the way..." Zoey leaned forward to whisper at Xirena. "I love your eyes." Zoey was very close to Xirena so she could see the full extent of Zoey's marks. Zoey smiled softly and winked at her.
Xirena's face shut down as soon as Zoey mentioned her looks. She glanced at her tray and pondered what was said, as if she was actually embarrassed. "Are you a transfer?" she asked quietly to Zoey.
Zoey frowned slightly and shook her head. "I was marked yesterday." Zoey looked up at Xirena and watched her carefully. They could be great friends. So far they had a lot in common. They were different from everyone else. They stood out. Zoey glanced around the table at her new group of friends and grinned. She was going to be happy here. She would be able to build a family. "Oh, Z! By the way, your in luck. We have a ritual tonight after classes. Equestrians is your last class right?" Zoey nodded her head and turned back to Stevie Rae as she spoke. "Anyone here have Equestrians last hour?" Stevie Rae glanced around the table, waiting for an answer.
Polgara entered the dining hall with Naylinn and Xander, her homework and notebook clutched to her chest, as always.
Naylinn smiled shyly as she entered the hall, nervous.
Xander followed behind the two, browsing through his homework papers while glancing up now and then to check out who else was there.
Pol grabbed a tray with some food and found a table. She sat down, pushed her scarf from her shoulder back behind her, and bowed her head for a moment, her hands in her lap.
Naylinn just grabbed something to drink, and then found a quiet table. She pulled out her journal, and began to draw everyone in the room.
Xander sat down at the same table as Polgara, munching on an apple. He'd barely been able to finish the homework for the first classes of the day in time, and figured lunch was an excellent opportunity to finish the rest and maybe some for the next day too. "So, you still wanna crosscheck answers?" he asked jokingly, figuring she knew what he was up to by now.
Naylinn watched Xander and Pol from her table, drawing them. After she had a good sketch started, she finished her drink, and quickly finished up her class work.
Pol looked up at him, "Sure, why not?" she sighed as she pulled out her homework. She'd decided to just ignore any advances Xander might make, she hardly knew the kid, and she wasn't exactly interested at this point. ...Though she had to admit, he wasn't all that bad looking.
"Is that a trick question?" Xander chuckled and found some pages he actually had answered. "We can start with these?" he showed the papers, which on a second look were annoyingly free from doodles and written neatly in cursive. With his "haven't used a comb for 3 weeks" hair and a face that could pass as a junior high schooler, it was almost hard to believe he'd done those notes.
Packing away her things, Naylinn stood up, and headed out of the dining hall. She didn't wish to be late for her next class, and heading out towards the stables.
Pol was mildly surprised when she saw his paper, he had beautiful handwriting, she was almost embarrassed to let him see her own. She pulled out her paper, at the top it was simple and somewhat neat, nothing exceptional, but by the end of the assignment it had nearly become a scrawl. "They look pretty close...What about this though?" She asked, pointing to something, "I'm not sure on that one."
"It looks allright, you just used different words" Xandersmiled brightly. "But I think, if you add that one sentence, it should be perfect" he pointed at a part in the middle of his own answer and mumbled shyly; "You can never have too much information on these things, right?"
Pol nodded, then made a quick edit to her paper, "So, what class do you have next?" she asked, it was getting close to time to go.
"I have German" Xander grimaced a little. "Something tells me I should've studied the glossary a bit harder, since that class tends to enjoy surprise tests" he sighed. "Surprises should be nice, not scary. What do class do you have now?"
"German." Pol answered, rather surprised she hadn't noticed him in there before, "You really think there will be a test today?"
"Really? I knew I'd seen you around, but I didn't know you were in that class too" Xander smiled for a moment, before adding with a pout; "Everytime I don't study properly, we get a test. It's like... faith"
Polgara smiled, "I don't see how it's like faith, but I kinda see what you're saying. You like German?" she asked as she stood, it was probably about time to get to class.
"If it's not faith, somebody must be spying one me" Xander joked and stood up too, tidying up the rests of his lunch. "Mmm, well, I've gone on vacation to Germany a couple of times and I took some classes during junior high. Knowing foreign languages always comes in handy"
Naylinn headed out to the stables and fields, knowing that she was early for the class. She sat down against the outer wall of the stable building, pulling out her journal. She started to work of adding to the sketches she had started earlier. When it got closer to time, Naylinn ran off to the art building. When her class was over, she headed back to the stables for Equestrians.
Xirena looked up at the mention of Equestrians. "Yes." She gave a small smile. "Have you had much experience with horses, Zoey?" Xirena seemed to light up slightly on the topic. Of course, she was raised with some privileged in human society. "It has quickly become one of my favorite classes."
"My grandmother used to raise and breed them. I helped break most of the foals that we born." Zoey shrugged a shoulder and smiled. "So, I guess I have experience." She giggled softly and smiled. "So, Xirena since you two have last hour together, will you bring her to Neferet's ritual?" Stevie Rae asked. Just then the doors to the dining hall slammed open. A beautiful blond traipsed in like she owned the place. Neferet was only a few paces behind her. Neferet bee-lined it for there table, a smile on her face. "Zoey, glad I found you. I was wanting to extend an invitation to the Dark Daughters and Sons ritual after mine tonight. One of our upperclassman, the one who just walked through the door ahead of me, is our High Priestess in training and she will be coordinating the ritual. Since Jack is the poet for those Rituals I'm sure he would be more than happy to bring you to it, wont you Jack?" Neferet's voice was soft and loving as she talked to them.
Magi walked into the dining hall, head held high, nodding greetings to those he saw as friends and fellow classmates. He took up a glass of wine from a table, sipping from the glass as his forest green eyes scaned the hall.
Icene finished what he had, pushing back the plate and pulling a pad of paper from his pack and began writing a song. He wrote in celtic, something his parents had taught him.
Zoey looked up as a kid walked into the dining hall. He was very, hot. Nudging Stevie Rae she whispered. "Who's that?" Nodding her head towards the newcomer. Stevie Rae turned her head and grinned. "Oh, hey! Magi!" She called out. "He's the guy who does the music for all the Dark Daughters and sons rituals. He's a nice guy, sexy too!" Zoey smiled as Stevie Rae waved her hand, trying to get his attention.
Magi looked over in their direction, and smiled a goreous smile. "Stevie Rae..." he said, as he walked over, his glass in his hand. He sat down across from Zoey, some strands of his long black hair falling infront of his face, which he brush aside, allowing for his forest green eyes to shine bright. "Who would your friend be?" he asked, his voice holding a musical tone.
Stevie Rae hugged Zoey's shoulders with her arm and smiled. "My new roommate Zoey Redbird." Stevie Rae had looked over at Zoey and noticed she was hiding her face. "Zoey, he won't stare. I promise." Zoey sighed gently and turned her head and looked at Magi. "Hi..." Her face was covered in markings. Her eyes met Magi's carefully.
Magi smiled kindly. "I was hoping I'd be able to see your face, Zoey...I was half thinking that I may had spilled some of my wine on my shirt and you were staring at it....I do have to say...I may have to spend more time hanging out with you Stevie Rae... studying with two beautiful ladies...." His eyes not once leaving Zoey's eyes. "Zoey... you have beautiful eyes..." he said softly. Zoey could see that Magi not once seemed to just study her face or her markings.
Jack sat back as he took a sip from his wine goblet, laughing gently, if not nervously, at Magi's advances on Zoey, "Such a flatterer, my friend. Are you ready for the ritual?"
Magi looked over at Jack, still smiling. "Of course I am ready for the ritual..."
Stevie Rae cleared her throat. "Magi, you have Spanish right after lunch don't you? Maybe you could take Zoey to her class. Since I'm headed to the arts department." Stevie Rae looked at Zoey to make sure that was alright. "Sure, I mean if it's okay with him." Zoey blushed slightly and smiled softly at him. "Thanks for the compliment."
Magi looked back over at Zoey. "You are indeed welcome, Zoey...and yes I can take you to your class...it is no problem at all..."
Stevie Rae stood. "Zoey I'll show you what to do with your stuff than you can go with Magi." Zoey nodded and picked up her tray as she stood. Stevie Rae took her over to some containers. "Food gets dumped here. Tray goes here." They both did it and headed back over to the table. "Ready?" Zoey said softly as she stood behind Magi.
Magi stood up in a fluid motion, turning on the balls of his feet as he did. Magi was tall, but not big. He had a lean build, but just enough muscle. "And am as well..." he said, smiling down at her. He waved a hand at Jack, nodding to Stevie Rae. "Till later...this way, Zoey..." he said, as he started on his way out of the hall with only a small step to the side to set down his glass.
Zoey looked over at Stevie Rae who was giving her a thumbs up and smiled. Then her eyes feel on Jack. He didn't look happy. "See you at the Ritual, Jack!" Her smiled was soft and friendly as she walked out of the room with Magi. "So, Your name is Magi?"
"It's what friends now and before my marking called me..." Magi said softly to her as they walked. "My name is Nick Powers, but because of...my talents, I was called the Magi of Music..."
"No offense, Magi is cute and all, but I like Nick better. Is that ok?" Zoey's voice had turned soft and a bit timid. She didn't want to upset him by calling him by his real name. By this time they had made there way into the classroom and were sitting down. Zoey glanced around and noticed people staring at her. Sighing gently she placed a hand over her eyes and rubbed them gently.
"You may call me Nick...Zoey..." whispered Magi. "And...just ignore them....some don't realize that staring is rude...." He smiled softly at her, having taken the seat beside her.
Zoey turned her head to look at Nick and smiled. "Thanks. I'm glad for the friends I've made so far. You guys are really nice." The classroom door banged open just then and in walked the girl from the dining hall. She walked over to Zoey and leaned over, placing her hands on Zoey's desk. "Listen, I know Neferet invited you to my ritual and all but get this straight. I run the show, just because your her new favorite, doesn't mean I'm going to be easy on you. Got it?" When Zoey just stared at her like she was nuts she sighed and flipped her hair and walked away. "Whatever, nerd." Zoey turned and stared at Nick just then. "What the hell?"
Magi shook his head at the girl. "Zoey, that would be Jewel...high-priestess in training....don't mind her, she get that way..."
Zoey glanced over at Jewel and met her eyes. She was glaring at her. Zoey rolled her eyes and turned back to Nick. Spanish went by quickly and when it was over Zoey felt a bit lost. Glancing around she sighed. "Nick, I don't know how to get to Equestrians...."
"I'll take you over, on my way to Fencing..." Magi said smiling. He stood up, waiting for her to get her things.
"Okay, thanks." Standing, Zoey headed over to the door and leaned against the wall waiting for Nick to follow her. Yawning gently she looked at the clock and realized once again that it was night. She was living in the night.
Magi walked over to the door, opening it for her. "It takes getting use to..." he said softly, noticing her yawn. "Soon, you will not notice..."
They walked together to the field house and had small talk the hole way there. Zoey found out that Nick did the Music for the Dark Daughters and Sons ritual. Equestrian class was a small group of Third and Fourth formers. Zoey waved to Nick as she walked over and stood next to Icene. Lenobia came cantering up on a gelding and jumped off smoothly. "I am Lenobia, no professor. The woman I named myself after didn't need a title and neither do I." Glancing around she smiled softly. "For your first lesson of the day, I want you to all pick a stall and start cleaning. There's a wheel barrel in front of every stall. In the tack room is boots. Find a pair that fits and get to work. I'll check back in when its time to leave." Everyone stared at Lenobia. Zoey snorted and headed into the tack room. Grabbing a pair the fit her she headed to a stall. Pick up the pitch fork she entered the stall and began mucking it. This wasn't a chore for her, she actually enjoyed it. The smells reminded her of her grandmothers horses. Lenobia came by about an hour later and smiled. "Looks great, Zoey. I believe you've earned the right to meet your Mare, Stormy Day. Or as I call her, Stormy." Lenobia handed Zoey the lead rope to the halter of the horse and walked away. Zoey led Stormy into the stall and picked up a brush and began brushing.
In a stall, a few stalls down, Naylinn was cleaning out her stall. She then placed new hay around the stall.
Xirena looked nothing like the almost ethereal girl at lunch. Her hair was tied up, she had stable cloths on, and she looked right at hom with a pitch fork. She had picked the stall next to Zoey, mucking it out with no problems. Xirena never seemed to notice the smell. She smiled when Lenobia brought Zoey her mare. She spread new hay down and in the feed basket, the grin plastered on her face.
Magi ran off, after leaving Zoey at the stables. He hurried to Fencing, ready for the workout he'd be getting.
Jack had waved back before turning to Stevie Rae, "Arts wing, huh? What you have over there? I have to go see Professor Blake after this, you know, poetry and all."
Stevie Rae smiled at Jack and shrugged. "I don't. I actually have class right next door to them, but I wanted to give Zoey a little alone time with Magi, I think they'd be a cute couple." Stevie Rae was always trying to fix her friends up with each other.
Icene walked out, one ear bud in with one of his favorite metal band playing i like it here he thought to himself people aren't as meddlesome here he looked around for a class time sheet in his pack "Now where did i put that?...what do i have next? Shop, or fencing?" he mumbled to himself.
Stumble!