"I understand... I mean, about not being understood. The irony of it all," said Orion, wondering what Jora was thinking as she stared out the window. "My dad wanted me to be a hunter, but I'd rather draw and talk to animals then shoot them. My sister had disappointed him, because he wanted a boy to help him hunt and farm. I raised his hopes, and then dashed them against the rocks. My mom, well, she gave me fake praise. She gave us all fake praise." he said. I hope she didn't mind me rambling about my past. At least she seems more willing to talk about it than she was earlier. He reached into his bag and pulled out some colored pencils. He carefully colored in his drawing with colored pencils.

"Yes, but I I'm not coming up with a good song at the moment. I play the fiddle," she said, returning the smile, but her usual small one. A'ine was the only person outside of her family, and friends from her home that had seen her smile for real. Why is he talking to me? Not that I mind it, but why choose me, the girl in the back of the room?

Astrid debates whether to let Aryanna read, or get her to talk to Izzy. Izzy seems pretty upset that Aryanna snapped at him. Well upset for him anyway. "So... do either of you know what the rest of the school grounds looks like?" she asks, wondering if she would ever get better at starting conversations. I wonder how they met? Maybe I could ask...

Jora suddenly turned from the window looking at Orion with wide eyes. And to think I was the one moaning about my past! At least I always had my parents support. She cleared her throat, finding she couldn't speak. "I can't imagine how awful that might have been. Having my mom was what kept me sane with all those people around." She didn't know what else to do. She had already told Orion things that no one knew, save her mother, for several years. She looked back out the window wishing to be out side in that lovely breeze, drawing the amazing castle she was in. She sighed picking up Naomi, which changed into a clicky pen, and started clicking it with her thumb.

Master Alexander smiled even brighter when the girl smiled weakly at him. "You're probably wondering why an old fool or a bird would bug you. Well, All the rest have someone to talk to so I thought you might wwant to talk with some one, Ember." He said still smiling, he sat down at the desk next to her's turned toward her..

(Aryanna)
After trying to get Aryanna to talk for a bit, Izzy hears Astrid ask both of them a question. Aryanna, who had sort of been listening, but had also been reading, assumed a puzzled expression and put down her book. "Actually, no. I have no idea what the school looks like except a few places. And I was sleeping on the way here, so I didn't see the outside much. Izzy carried my in his monster form."

(Izzy)
Izzy stops his futile attempts at conversation with Aryanna, his best friend, when he hears Astrid ask a question. After letting Aryanna speak, Izzy smiles at his knowledge and says "Actually, I've seen most of the school. I had to walk all over it to find Aryanna's room to drop her off because she was still sleeping, and then I had to find MY room. I also couldn't sleep last night, so I explored what I hadn't seen of the school yet. And this morning, I took a run outside school to calm down. So, I've seen a lot of this place.

(Bmr, I deleted it, but I had talked to Orion and Jora because I thought we were in the same class)

(Oops! My turn.)

Orion hoped class would start soon because he was running out of things to talk about. "I had my sister though, and she was the one person who could relate, if not understand me. Do you like water?" he asked. Wait a sec.... she's a phoenix. Fire. Bird. Not a water bird. And that was so random. Orion began drawing stars, and then linking them into constellations he made up. He played this game a lot. Making constellations out of stars he drew. Why am I so bad at conversations? Even with people I know well, or that are friends, I seem to always make awkward silences.

Ember found herself smiling more widely. She like Master Alexander already. "Thank you, and I actually do for once. I guess it's because of A'ine..." Ember hadn't realized she said the last part out loud. Maybe I'm starting to get used to talking. Note to self- somehow epay A'ine.

Astrid turned to Izzy. "What's on the school grounds? I didn't have time to explore it myself, because I was already running late when I got here. I set my alarm clock wrong," she said sheepishly. Her ears twitched, turning toward Izzy for his answer. I have to go check out the grounds at lunch. Maybe they have some woods! Ember turned to look out the window, longing to be able to run through the woods, her silver tails streaming behind her. She loved to run, but she couldn't run inside, especially in a school. Maybe there would be a good place to run on the school grounds. Preferably a forest. Then I can practice running and climbing.

The question took Jora by surprise, she cleared her throat before speaking. "Well, I like to draw it, and it's a good thing to drink but I've never swam before..." She recalled the first and only time she tried it. She shivered as she felt the water surrounding her. She shook her head and put her hands on either side closing her eyes trying to forget it. She opened them, remembering she was holding Naomi, and drew the scene. It always seemed to help her forget it by drawing it out of her. She quickly and quietly drew a young girl flaying in the deep water trying to find which way was up. She drew the faint sun over the waves.... And a large red and green chinese dragon coming to her from the other side. She hind it in her sketchbook hoping Orion hadn't seen it.

Master Alexander liked the girl's smiling face. "Well, I'm glad you met this A'ine, talking to you is most enjoyable." He glanced around at all his students and turned back to Ember. "Are you excited for class? I know I am, I have great things planed for you children." He said smiling his eyes sparkling mischievously.

Orion caught a glimpse of her drawing, but not enough to tell what it was. Just a glimpse of blue and red. That's one thing we can't talk about. She obviously didn't like swimming. I wonder if we'll sit at the same table at lunch. Orion turns to Jora, "Do you think the same people who sat at the table this morning will sit at it again? And if they do, would you sit there as well?" he asks, deciding not to ask about the drawing. She probably hid it for a good reason. It did make him curious though. Maybe she'll show it to me later. For now, I won't ask. I wonder why she doesn't like swimming... (Mind wandering again)

Ember realized she must have mentioned A'ine out loud, but realized Master Alexander didn't mind. She turned her thoughts to the question. "Yes, I am. I''ve never been to a school before, so I was looking forward to seeing what it's like," she liked how his eyes sparkled with mischief. I wonder what exactly he has planned for us. The two people I've met so far, and both of them have managed to get me to talk a lot more than I usually do. Weird.

(Grrr outta posts for the day XD)

(Same.)

(Yay! Midnight!)
Jora was surprised by the totally random question. "Um I don't know they all might decide to go off to make more friends." She tried to think of why Orion would want to sit with them again everything was completely awkward and quiet. She looked him in the eye and saw the slightest amount of curiosity in them. She put her hand up to brush her hair on the side towards him behind her ear. "You saw me hiding that drawing didn't you." She stared at the front of the room questioning whether or not to show it to him. It would be nice to talk about it to try and get it out of her system.

Master Alexander smiled at the girl siting next to him. "Ah, the first time is always the grandest! It's a mystery all the way to the end. I'm sure you didn't think you'd meet a friend before class no one does, it must have been a lovely surprise!" He chuckled a little as he noticed he was rambling jibrish. "Sorry, forgive an old man his quirks."

"Yeah, I did. It'd be nice to know what it was, but you don't have to. I'm sure you have a good reason for not wanting me to see it," says Orion. How'd she know? Darn, am I that obvious? He continued his game, connecting the stars.

"No, I don't mind at all. You're right. Nobody expected it. It was the best surprise I've ever had," said Ember, smiling. (I really should have waited. So sorry. So short)