[Closed] A Day in the Life...

[Zenith]

Such was a beautiful day that nothing could ruin it. The sun overhead dare not cook the ground below, it's occupants and vegetation, or anything of the sort - instead it was turned to a warm bake and the grass sprang to life, the trees ruffling their plumage to reach better rays that the sun cast and all was well on the ground beneath the great Apollo.

Out by the streams a man crouched, tending to flowers and plants along the eroded shore line, making sure they were healthy enough to survive the sliding process to create a bank of sorts for the end of this trickling stream. With a wiggle of his finger, water seemed to fountain in a controlled stream that was no thicker than a quarter and spiraled 'round and 'round - coating the plants along the banks with a refreshing rain.
Standing slowly, he looked around the grassy plain that he lived upon and nodded effectively, smiling and walking back towards his home, which was nestled happily at the base of the Blue Hills. They blocked all the winds that came in and out and only allowed the refreshing breeze from the East to keep the air from growing stagnant.

As he walked, the flow of his natural chi brushed along the pathway that he traveled and the flowers perked up and bobbed with excitement and anticipation, growing fuller and more beautiful than the day before. Edwin chuckled and moved into the small, yet spacious hovel. The cobblestone exterior and wood-slatted roof allowed sunlight to shine in through the cracks, but was well-managed over one area of the home; his bedroom.

Inside the home, the floor was a dusty stone with bits of hay and grass tracked across the base and the walls were lined with shelves. Books upon books on every wall except the bedroom, which was no larger than a ten by ten area. The home itself couldn't have been more than seven hundred square feet, in total - but it was efficiently cozy. To the west of the house was a greenhouse that was probably double the size and filled with exotic plants and weird experiments.

Edwin paused before his stove, throwing a log into the pit and with a snap of his fingers, the kinetic arrangement allowed flame to burst forth - consuming the log quickly to make a nice warm hearth. Tea on the kettle and he stepped to the door way, looking out to watch the skies with a handsome smile 'pon his lips.

[Zenith]

[center:3n8hcvqo][/center:3n8hcvqo]

The amber flecked sepia hair shifted across his brow as his posture changed, squinting to eye someone approaching in the distance. Stepping inside for a moment, Edwin slid the kettle off the burner and then moved back outside where a man was standing roughly ten feet from his door. Broad shoulders and a serious look on his ugly mug, Edwin couldn't think of any reason for the man to be here -- he hadn't pissed anyone off in days.

"Well, what can I do for you, sir - a spot of tea? It's just off the fire..." Edwin said with a little pep in his voice.

"No. Thanks though. Are you Edwin Vastile?" His brutish voice left a little concern in the good teacher's mind and assumed this wasn't his weekly massage council -- he wasn't pretty enough.

"Well -- only on the days that end in 'Y' -- so today, I would be. Tomorrow, not so sure. What can I do for you?" Edwin teased a bit, stepping from his home and narrowing the gap between he and the stranger.

"I don't think you are, mouth piece. Anyone ever tell you, you talk too much for your own good?" The stranger's voice sounded agitated and a bit distraught, as if he didn't want to be here in the first place.

"Hmm, all too much. And I suppose if you're going to be rude, you can turn around and expel your fat head from my land, before I get touchy..." Edwin huffed a bit.

The ogre of a man tilted his head slowly with a look of disbelief on his face. Nearly a head taller than Edwin and a good forty pounds, it didn't seem the right thing to say to a man who ate coconut husk for fun, but what was said -- was said. "Excuse me? Do you want to back those words up?"

Edwin laughed. "Do you have someone to help you? This would hardly seem a fair fight. Should I not move? A handicap so that we will ... almost be even up, tubby?" A broad smile crossed his handsome, yet wise face.

With daft idiocy and anger on his side, the stranger rushed Edwin and threw a punch with mighty force. The wind could be heard off his throw and the bulk of his fist reminded Edwin of the end of a log. However with a grace untold, Edwin turned counter-clockwise and ducked beneath the punch - which rolled overhead. Grasping the man's arm, he added his own downward force while slipping the back of his left foot out and the man caught it -- without being able to pull his right leg forward to catch his fall, he face planted so hard, the ground trembled.

Motionless appendages were sprawled and the man began to cough uncontrollably, Edwin stood -- brushing his jacket off. The clopping of horse hooves came from behind him and the middle-aged man peered over his shoulder. His dusted auburn and chocolate robes were as clean as they were in the morning sun and into the afternoon sun, just how Edwin preferred. The man upon the horse wasn't a man at all - but a woman with long red curls, thick as a man's forearm and eyes, emerald to match. Edwin could only imagine what goddess lie beneath the white folds of her robes and she turned the red mare to the side, looking to the man whom smiled and bowed to her.

"Ma'm - what brings you out this way...?" He smiled cheerfully, while the groaning man slowly pulled himself to his knees, wiping the bloody grass from his lips and nose - then spitting.

"I'm so sorry for the inconvenience, Professor Vastile...
Your name proceeds you -- and skill it seems to.

You idiot, the head master will hear of your stupidity for attacking the man we're supposed to contact..." The vivacious red head scolded the man in black, coughing and trying to stand.

"No need. He had learned the first lesson in combat. He wont do it again... Since you know me - who are you...?" Edwin looked back to the man and moved to assist him in standing. With one arm, Edwin hoisted the man upright and the stranger shook his head slowly.

"Forgive me, sir... I didn't ... I underestimated you and your truth..."

"I know, but you learned by what you have said. Never let anger control your battle ability; you failed miserably - good fall too! Congratulations! Tea - come. It'll clear this right up." Edwin laughed and moved with the man, arm around his broad back toward the home. With a shout over his shoulder to the woman on steed, Edwin proclaimed - "Come, drink with me and talk."

[Zenith]

[table:oft1fxvb][right:oft1fxvb][/right:oft1fxvb][/table:oft1fxvb]

[table2:oft1fxvb]Inside a home on a beautiful day was consider sacrilegious in some cultures and selfish at that. The gods of the world put the day in your path so that you would understand it's beauty, it's glory and then you would be happy and worship them for their great works and assistance to your over-all daily routine. However, when your face is all bloodied up, it tend to be a bit of a downer for the crew.

Edwin assisted the man to a stood and then pulled a bag of water from the fridge. Applying it to the man's face, Edwin's gentle inertia chilled the bag and the man cooed heavily in content, the sting slowly leaving his broad face. The aged man smirked somewhat and shook his head, then looked to the redheaded vixen that strode through his threshold and he nodded to her. His handsome face brought on a warm smile that soothed the soul, or at least his trickery allowed such thoughts to play out on his behalf.

"So - you came for me. And you are? Other than a beautiful woman..." Edwin grinned, leaning back against the wall near his book shelves. She stepped inside and looked to the bear-of-a-man holding the ice pack against his face and laughed.[/table2:oft1fxvb]

"I'm Elora Reinhart - a Professor for the Gaian Academy to the North of here. This dolt is Barius von Moun - a teacher, as well - still learning, obviously." Her supple breast heaved beneath the white folds and Edwin's heart fluttered gently, turning his blushing face away. She blushed as well to his compliment and nodded -- obviously, nothing she'd not heard before in a school full of men.

"So - what brings two instructors way down here?" Edwin questioned, rubbing his bare face lightly with curiosity.

"Well, Headmaster Samal is looking for Professors to teach in the Academy and your reputation and qualifications proceed you. He's asked us to come persuade you to see if you would come up and study abroad with us for a year or more...?" She grinned warmly; her full, pouty blushed lips -- plump and begging to be plucked and sucked. An awkward chuckle emitted Edwin's lips and Barius looked up slowly, trying to figure out what was going on beyond the ringing in his ears.

"Well - you should send Barius back to give word to Samal. I'm sure I'll need some more convincing..."

"Very well..." Elora smirked and looked to Barius. He sighed heavily and stood, bypassing the redhead and started his long and painful trek back to the Keep...

"Shall we get comfortable?" Edwin snickered.

[Zenith]

Before the sun arose itself, Edwin was already out in his greenhouse, tending to the various types of plants and vegetation that covered tables and chairs nearly in every square inch of the glass barn-shape. A foot wide pathway went down the middle and separated the two sides and then little inlets went every so often in, to allow him access in an arms reach into the tables. Feeding certain plants that he needed to feed, and milking those who required their nectar to be emptied in turn of continued living and growth, Edwin smiled happily under the soft heat lamps. They were set on switches that kept the room at an average temperature that was no hotter or colder than it needed to be; the irrigation systems worked in the same fashion.

Pulling the thin, silken white robe across his frame, he turned and slipped from the building, closing it up again. To the house, the professor paused to lean against the cobblestone exterior and watch the warm sun arise on the horizon, peaking through the mountains far in the distance and then reflecting off the gorgeous waters, another day sprang to life. Edwin loved this place; not a better spot in all of Terrenus could have been thought up by the Gods. Even if they'd tried.

Inside, Edwin pulled the kettle from the stove and poured two glasses of raspberry cinnamon tea, in which caused a soft groan of pleasure to come from the bedroom. A woman's cooing at the aroma of delicious smelling tea and Edwin smiled. A scoop of sugar for both over-sized, clay mugs and then a good, quick stir with a spot of honey from the recently milked plant in his gardens gave the tea, such the exquisite taste that upon the first sip, Edwin swore he was reliving last night and Elora moaned with a bit of subtle intent.

She sat up and the sheets barely clung to her frame, hanging loosely from her chest. The supple flesh of her bosom nearly matched the light eggshell shade of the sheets that she lifted, not to fight away the shyness, but to combat the gentle morning breeze that was flowing through the open house. He sat on the edge of the bed and sipped tea with her lightly, resting his head against the wall, recalling most of last night with a broad grin on his face.
She did the same, cradling the cup in her small hands -- absorbing it's warmth, while enjoying the lasting taste in her own mouth ... of the tea, that is. "This is amazing... where did you get this? I must buy some!"

Another sip down, followed by an heated 'ahh' and Edwin chuckled. "It's my own blend. I grow everything in this tea -- right in my own backyard. All but the sugar - that comes from the grocer in Ignatz."

A lively expression crossed her face and she chuckled softly, "What a man of adventure! I suppose, if you'd allow it ... maybe I'd stick around? For some tea, of course?" She scrunched up her nose and then laughed a bit, dusting the crimson locks from her view, which blocked taking in the handsome exterior of this man. Even in the darkness, she had noticed his physique did not match his hermitous ways, and even now, the definition of his abdomen peered through the thin crack of his robes. She blushed and smiled.

"I would definitely accept that offer... And what of this job? What is it that Samal would have me do?"

[Zenith]

By mid afternoon on this incredibly gorgeous day, Edwin had his crimson painted steed packed up with his supplies: books, writing utensils, books, scrolls that leaked out of pockets, books, quills that stretched with magnificent feathers, books -- oh, did he mention the pale gray mule that was in tow to his own horse, loaded down with books?

Assisting the beautiful Elora up onto her pallid mare, and he on his -- the two trotted slowly away from the cozy little homestead, in which he promised himself and Elora that they would return on the weekends to keep up with the greenhouse and the flowers that caressed the brittle banks of the lake that nestled in the crook of the hills before him home. Edwin sighed a bit -- he would miss this place greatly.

[hr:yntssjqq][/hr:yntssjqq]

Into the city of Ignatz they rode about two hours later and passed the market place where a young, freckle-faced girl came running out to walk beside the professor and his accompaniment. Edwin grinned that the beautiful young girl and with a laughing exclamation, he cried out -- "Jesus, Isa! Is that you? I swear you've grow a good three hands higher than the last time I saw you!"

The girl blushed lightly and giggled, her crush for the aged professor apparent and scowled at the woman in transit with him. "Who's she? And I have not, Professor! You saw me just last week, silly!" She grinned a youthful grin and Edwin laughed.

"Well then, I need you to do something for me. I'll pay you ten gold a week to do so, too. I need you to tend to my house, I'm going up to teach at the Gaian Academy for a while. I'll be back on the weekends, but I need something to watch over my green house. You've learned a lot from me and I trust you. You can even stay there sometimes like it's your own house if your mum will let you -- but you need to take care of the place for me, okay?

And this is my new love interest, Elora. Elora, this is Isabelle - one of my most prized and excellent students in anything Nature. Her gifts will be beyond mine soon... she has such a natural knack for herbology!"

Elora smiled and bowed her head, understanding the girls frustration and spoke softly, "It's a pleasure. Maybe some day you'll be teaching up at the Academy too then?" The little girl gave a sigh to his answer and understood that she was too young for her man-crush on her teacher and nodded to the woman, replying -- "He's too kind, and if the offer stands in four years when I'm old enough to leave, you bet'cha!"

Tossing the youth his house key and a satchel of gold coins, Edwin winked at her and laughed some, leaning down to her and whispering, "You'll always be my girl, okay?" With a stroke of her cheek, Edwin smiled and they rode out of the town heading north. Isabelle stood watching until they faded into the horizon; she sighed heavily.

[Zenith]

[right:37pss0dj]The Return[/right:37pss0dj]

[Zenith]

The evening sun splashed the sky with a wide array of hues as its buoyant figure dipped into the long night pool, over the mountains high peaks. As the sky grew darker and darker overhead, Edwin's horse clopped along lazily toward his home. It had been a short few weeks in the Gaian Academy, but the informal presentation to the job and his lack of knowledge as to what he was supposed to be accomplishing turned his mind about the job and he'd left the school. Edwin and his hearty steed now had passed through Ignatz city and continued south to his domicile. The flowers were wound up in their petals and snugly curled up in their pods for the night. The pond was quiet, with its crisp, mirror surface undisturbed. The stars overhead twinkled with excitement for the Professor's return.

Having dismounted and lead the horse into the stables to unpack, Edwin's mind wandered aimless -- tired from the long trip. It would cross to wondering how the green house was doing, then to Elora and their sad parting -- she'd stayed in the Academy, it fell to his horse, who left Edwin's side after the saddle and bags were removed to go drink thirstily.

Lifting the bags up and then slinging them over his shoulder, Edwin passed from his stable to the house, stepping to the door and opening it slowly. Unlatching the top half of the door from the bottom, Edwin closed the bottom half and allowed the chilled air to pass noiselessly into his home. He sighed, rubbing his dry eyes and then closing them as he went to the fridge blindly and pulled a container of water from the chilled hollow. Lifting it to his lips, he drank before replacing it and then moving to his bed.

Morning would come soon, and he needed just a few hours of rest.

[Nightmare]

Being a Head of the Cabal had its benefits: information being the desired one at the moment. Zaratonus had awoken, in the random room that he had collapsed, more than a day after his meeting with the Princes. More time had been lost than he had originally planned on, but it did not matter. He would simply have to make up the lost time elsewhere. The bloodmage's mind was cruelly efficient, that would not be a problem.

Upon returning to the main room of the Harem, the sorcerer began to forcefully interrogate the inhabitants there using both wisps of his magic and bureaucratic threats-given his new position-until at last he had a few scraps of desired information. He needed to learn the basics of the psionic arts. He needed to know how to thwart the Princes' dominance of him via the Yrillion amulet. It was the only way to shrug off the invisible bondage they had placed him in. If the "escorts" in the Harem were to be believed, Zaratonus' answer lay far to the south, in Terenus, around the town of Ignatz.

It was a long and arduous journey. Zaratonus had traveled quite a bit in his days; however, he had never learned much of the finesse that many had. Skills such as steed riding were lost on him. Being a bloodmage made him an outlaw in most of Genesaris and all of Terenus, so he could preferred avoiding the cities and any large ports. Thus, the entire journey was on foot through mostly wilderness and small towns; neither of which were particularly friendly to the man.

Despite his shortcomings, Zaratonus was not a man to quit his self-imposed missions: not while there was even a single breath in his body. Thus, he pressed on tirelessly, moving with mechanical efficiency until at last he had reached the town of Ignatz. Even in the outskirts, the name of Edwin Vastile was known here. Apparently, he was something of a local celebrity. This just made the last leg of the journey all the more simple. After thanking the dispenser of the information, the sorcerer set off for his final destination: Edwin's home.

As Zaratonus neared the land tended by the professor, he felt himself overwhelmed with revulsion; the psionic was obviously some kind of a naturalist. The flora here was abundant, and it sickened the blood mage. He would've preferred to raze the entire landscape to the ground, to spew his venom into the water, and reduce the entire region to a rotting husk; however, he knew that this would not help win the favor of Edwin. Zaratonus was ever the pragmatist. He knew that his mission-his work-always came before his own desires. Still, the atmosphere did put him in quite a foul mood.

When he reached the man's house it was already midday. The sorcerer had not slept in over 60 hours, and his head was in somewhat of a daze and he stumbled up to the door of the drafty stone home. He rested his old body weakly upon the frame and then forced his cherry red eyes to peer inside, looking for the master of this abode. His clothes and formerly stark white hair were caked with sweat and dirt. His wrinkled skin must have looked like it was about to sag off his bones. His vision swam constantly, forcing him to blink every few seconds, but none of it mattered. He had arrived at last. The first phase of his task had been completed.

"Edwin Vastile? Are you here," he yelled, as if he knew the psionic.

[Zenith]

As the bloodmage had even entered Ignatz, the city about a mile away -- the psion knew. The man's aura was darkly natured and it saturated the ethereal and astral presence around him with a corrosive green taste that caused Edwin's lips to turn up slightly at such the foul presence. As the man neared his home, Edwin felt him -- his mind's eye, pinging the entire world around them, as he merely tended his plants within the green house off to the south-east of the home.

Today had been gorgeous, despite the on-comer's foul resonance and mood. The sun was higher than ever today and the grass, so green and dense that it cushed each step. The white robed figure stepped from the glass building and paused to see this elder looking figure, peering into his home and calling for him. A smile graced the man's brow, as even Edwin could look past a being with such a vile signature about him and speak with a rather bouncy step of heart in his voice, "Good Morning, sir! You look exhausted, please - sit..."

As Edwin approached the figure, he waved a hand to the chairs that sat outside of the front of his place in a bit of shade from a cherry tree and nodded to the fellow. "You feel as if you've been trekking for a while, and yet you know my name, sir... What is it that you have specifically come to me for?" Vastile wasn't stupid by any stretch of the imagination, and absorbing the feelings of other's auras was a natural psionic ability, much like empathy. One can sense the tired soul within and respond accordingly -- so did the Professor.

He took a seat, regardless of if the battered man would and stretched his arms to sink behind his head, hands interlocking with one another. His glassy amber pools danced across the gorgeously over-flowing flowers that sprang up all around the pond with a proud smile, gleaming in their centers. His Herbology was a definite pride, as the smile on Edwin's face would show and he grinned, turning his attention to the stranger now.

[Nightmare]

Zaratonus spun on his heel-nearly toppling due to exhaustion-as the man greeted him. Normally he would not have been taken off his guard by the fact that the gardener was out gardening during the day; yet, now he was too exhausted to think clearly: probably the biggest disadvantage a man like Zaratonus could have.

In an almost zombie-like trance: the sorcerer would follow his new host over to the chair and deposit his exhausted body in it. To both his legs and his back, the relaxation felt like heaven. His entire body just wanted to submit to exhaustion and fall into a deep sleep, but the man held himself alert. He didn't know Edwin, and didn't trust him. The professor had a positive countenance; however, more often than not: so did Zaratonus. The bloodmage was no fool. He realized this man could more than likely sense things about him; he was no young man, and he had run up against psionics previously. He knew what they were capable of.

Truth be told, if Edwin was to attack Zaratonus, he would have no choice but to summon other members of the Cabal; mentalists were his achilles heel to begin with, and in his exhausted state he could not hope to contend with anyone of reasonable prowess for long. That would likely end in disaster for both of the two. Edwin would likely lose his life, or at least his land, and the mage would be placed under the cruel yoke of his masters even more forcibly than before. Thus, Zaratonus did his best to seem as friendly and pleasant as he could muster. When the man smiled at him, he flashed his own arrogant sneer right back, showing his contentment.

The wizard adjusted himself in the chair so that it no longer appeared as if he were slouching. He then tensed and untensed his body as he completed the motion of composing himself so that he seemed serious and formidable, before locking stares with Edwin. He continued to bore into the man with his crimson pupils before addressing him.

"You are indeed correct, my kind host. I have come quite a ways to reach you. I'll have you know, your humble abode here was my destination throughout this entire journey. This entire adventure was solely to meet you; thus, you must imagine that our meeting was heavily desired by me, given the great pains I have undertaken to ensure our encounter.

"As to what I have come here for: I know of your professions. The two that interest me in particular are teacher and psionic. I seek tutelage under you, sir. I need to learn the basics of the mentalist arts in order to defend myself against others, and prevent invasions into my mind. Perhaps, I could even learn to make a few excursions of my own as well, if you're up for it?" he said grinning, while playing with the two amulets around his neck.

"I know that you left the academy, but would you be up for a 'private tutoring session' of sorts?"

[Zenith]

Zaratonus was lucky that the Rezonain being didn't judge or sway between good and evil; they were a neutral people, and as such anyone was able to be taught ... if they possessed the aptitude. Edwin's mind would work the man's figure over slowly, testing his mind for the background and inherent weakness the bloodmage spoke of. Edwin smiled as the man's mind almost seemed fragile and hungry, begging for power and knowledge; a broken sponge.

The professor turned to the man as his words and ideas came outright and Edwin shrugged slowly. The offer wasn't so terrible after all, but he wouldn't be able to train at his race level, for fear that Vastile might cause the mage some permanent damage. Adjusting his ivory robes, Edwin ignored the man's malicious smile and spoke with a light, airy understanding.

"Well. You know me, so -- firstly, who are you?
Secondly, you seek knowledge. This I can do, but you have to trust me.
I have no reason to harm you, nor does it benefit me to -- I don't know you, I don't really care."

Edwin chuckled and continued, "I will teach you defenses. I will teach you counters. And I will teach you how to immobilize your enemy, to fracture the cognition, and even to destroy your opponent...
But ..."

The professor paused, "What do you offer in return? What is this worth, to you..."

[Samal]

It was then that the thunderous roar of fragmenting stone would tear through the ears of the two men; the complimentary trembling of all creation in the vicinity soon followed. Not far off from Edwin Vastile's home now stretched a hideous earthen scar, where once stood a beautiful length of verdure dotted with small, flowering life.

At the end of this scar, nearest Edwin and his guest, a smoldering pile of stones came to rest as the dust they had kicked up upon impact bloomed into the sky and surrounding area. At the far end of the scar, the initial point of impact, a figure landed as if from a short jump. His identity was sheathed in fine, airborne debris, and the extraordinary mental prowess of the professor would find the mind of the new arrival shrouded quite thoroughly. His aura would be unmistakable, however - the erratically wavering and pulsing signature, useless for determining any useful information, could only belong to the fundamentally wrong body of the academy's new headmaster.

As he walked through the earthen carnage his method of transportation had created, the land began to seal itself up behind him - stone and dirt reset themselves finely and the vegetation sprung back just as lively as before, if not more green and vibrant. Much of the dust and dirt that swam through the air found itself caught in a vortex, sucked into the headmaster's form without a trace. When he came upon the wreckage of his stone craft, it too seemed to liquefy and funnel into his body.

In the span of a minute or two there was no evidence of the disturbance, save Samal Camiel's now steadily approaching figure and a light haze cast about the area which would dissipate in due time. His simple Gaian robe, rippling with earthen tones and textures, was now more dusty than ever.

Samal found it more and more difficult these days to get away from the academy's looming walls, but the wordless desertion of a theoretically valuable and powerful teacher was a matter of such potential importance and danger that he excused himself to tend to the matter personally. Shouting at the top of his lungs, waving at the two figures standing halfway into the distance, he yelled, "Hey Edwiiin! We have some matters to chat about regarding your apparent resignatiooon!"

[Nightmare]

As Edwin spoke: the bloodmage remained fixed in place; his eyes were locked with the psionics, the arrogant smirk remained painted upon his face, and he remained absolutely still-not even moving a single muscle-as he listened to his new mentor's monologue. He held his pose, as frozen as a man made of stone, even after the psionic had finished his "proposition". The sorcerer wanted to watch the signs of irritation in his new master, to know what limits he could push the man to before his cheery mood and pleasant composure began to break down. He knew that the man meant him no harm, at least not yet; though it would still be a while before he really trusted the psionic.

It wasn't until Samal's arrival that Zaratonus finally stirred from his stasis: quite a vehement stir it was. The wizard burst from his chair and jumped into a resistant stance, readying himself for an onslaught. The adrenaline was now pumping through his exhausted body, breathing new life and vigor into his worn down frame. When the dust cleared the bloodmage would already have backed into the frame of Edwin's house, his knife held to his wrist, and his eyes flashing with cherry-red passion and inspired hatred. If this being had come to attack the psionic, then the man would have his payment: in the form of the attacker's head.

When the dust had cleared, it became clear that the new arrival meant neither of them any harm: at least not yet; therefore, Zaratonus relaxed himself a bit and sheathed his knife, before walking back beside Edwin and stretching his tall bony figure out.

"You know this clown?" murmured Zaratonus.

"As for who I am, you may call me Zaratonus. I am an Arcatian sorcerer from Genesaris with a few darker practices. I have also very recently become a head of a rather unique organization with many exotic secrets. So if you wish to take your prize in beautiful women, or men whichever the case may be, I can reward you that way. If you desire something else, I'm sure I can procure it for you. I am a man of many talents," he said with a venomous hiss.

[Zenith]

Before the blast would occur, Edwin would know it was coming. It wasn't harming or in direct trajectory with him, therefore he paid it no mind until it impacted his lands and burdened his vegetation. The fire in Edwin's eyes burned much brighter than his startled guest, who's once-dead-tired frame leaped up with the spunk of a five year old and the temper of a teenager. Edwin's brow lofted to the man, as this really did shock him. This, in turn, caused the Professor to sigh heavily -- his work was far greater than he realized. Something else might have to be procured for the traveling wanderer, now dubbed, Zaratonus.

As his lands were rebuilt as they were, his temper lowered to a vicious bubble and an unexpected man emerged from the vessel, bellowing oddly -- as if they were friends. "Know him ... eh, yeah. I suppose. Can you skin him? Not quiet yet. It is always customary to allow your guests to speak, before butchering them... The lessons begin now, Zara.

- besides, this ... man teaches children. Rather harmless." Edwin chuckled slightly. His voice stayed only low enough for Zaratonus to hear, but Edwin's voice arose as he spoke to the now, non-smoldering-man.

"Yes, ... eh -- I don't remember your name?" In truth, the taste of the school, still bitter in the back of his throat for the inadequacy of how it handled his services still slithered in his mind. In truth, Edwin knew who the Headmaster was -- truly. "And I must ask, next time you come to my abode, you will travel lighter -- or you wont make it very far at'll." Zaratonus was awaiting his irritation to brink, and it was now -- this new stranger than brought the kettle to a boil...

[Samal]

A weird excitement shook through Samal's body as he approached the pair - his first semester as headmaster, and already he had a chance to deal with a truant teacher! In fact, he was so delighted that he took it upon himself to perk up even the grass and flowers around him which he hadn't mercilessly smashed apart. He was beaming as the gap closed, the friendliest of smiles directed precisely toward Edwin. A smile that wouldn't waver an inch at the arrogantly declared threat. There was much more important business to take care of, after all!

"Yes! Well, I do apologize, but you must understand my time is very valuable. I'll keep in mind to abandon the landing phase on future occasions, it's just for show anyway." He turned briefly to Edwin's guest and offered a polite nod before returning his unblinking gaze to the psion. At the moment, the stranger's identity was entirely inconsequential. "Mr. Edwin Vastile, I'm afraid during your departure you did not take into account the debt you accrued during our time together, and thus you stand at a negative balance with the Academy which neither I nor the Academy can allow to stand."

Samal had been studying Edwin's face during his hurried preamble, and found the man's ill mood to be both palpable and palatable. Not one to miss a chance to heckle someone he did not particularly care for just yet, he would quickly append, "Samal Camiel, by the way. I know, I know, the syllables are a little strange. You'll get used to it eventually."