Post by Giant Brother on Oct 1, 2007 16:57:46 GMT -5
Cid Warrison rested comfortably in a padded chair. He held a mug of coffee in both hands to keep them warm and drank slowly. He sat in a small, but busy coffee shop. He wore the black robes of his office, and drew several stares, partly because of his outlandish clothing, and partly because he was soaking wet from head to toe in the middle of summer and with no body of water anywhere nearby.
"Oh my, what happened to you, Headmaster?" the woman's voice asked him softly, with a note of concern. She was still in her gown, but it fit better than his robes because it looked like any other dress.
Aeris sat down before him as she looked him over worriedly. "Did you try to give your daughter a curfew again?"
Cid took another drink and shook his head. "No, Headmistress. I merely took an aquatic route to get here." He said calmly. "Nothing to be concerned about."
She nodded in understanding and motioned for a waitress before ordering a latte. The Headmistress turned back to him. "That's a relief. You might try just opening a gate next time. Much more dry."
"I appreciate your advice, but I quite enjoy being soaked to te bone from time to time. It helps me keep in tune with my abilities, and it's quite comforting." Professor Warrison said politely.
The woman smiled a bit at that, clearly not buying it, but she accepted her coffee when it came and took a sip. "So, how goes the preparations?"
Warrison took a drink before answering grimly. "Everything is moving ahead as planned. However, there have been some... concerns expressed from my fellow professors."
Despite his expression, however, Aeris' remained calm and casual. "I can't say I'm surprised. What are their concerns?"
Cid sighed. "Well, as you know, our former Headmaster was very recently killed, placing me in command. As I'm sure you can guess, the ones responsible were of your... persuasion." Cid said calmly. "A few of the others feel that the amount of trust required for the program you're suggesting is something we cannot afford. Personally, I do not feel that such an incident would arrive from your idea."
She nodded. "If anything, it will help mend that trust, but if your instructors feel they have something to fear from mere students ... well, personal power is not as important as knowledge to Blessed Hope, but Doomsday holds it in high regard, from what I understand."
Cid calmly raised his hands in defense. "I assure you, there is nothing to fear from the professors. They understand that this is not a decision I have made lightly, and trust my guidance. There will be no trouble from the professors." The Headmaster seemed to sound uneasy, and pressed emphasis on "the professors" whenever he used the term.
Of course, the woman was no one's fool. "You're worried the students, themselves, will conflict."
Cid nodded. "As you are probably aware, or can easily guess, most of our students are more than willing to turn weapons on each other, and do so frequently. I am sure that they will do the same to yours without hesitation. I can do my part, but I cannot make guarantees about your student's safety.
The woman's smile returned. "This may not seem to fit your preconception of our ... what did you call it? Persuasion? But Blessed Hope's students are also trained heavily in combat, and competitive sparring is encouraged."
Cid nodded. "It is not "competitive sparring" that I am afraid of." He said. "There have been cases where students went to sleep only to not wake up."
A fine eyebrow went up. "It would seem to me you would keep better control over your students. Combat, I can understand. Teaching to take life, I can understand. Allowing it to happen between students, probably over nothing more than jealousy over a boy or a higher test score, that seems very poor."
Warrison frowned. "Such things were encouraged only by my predecessor, and will not be done under my jurisdiction. It is a problem that I have begun to remedy, yet... things take time. I assure you, there are now consequences for that, grave ones, as the students now know very well."
Aeris nodded. "Then it doesn't seem that it would be a problem. My students can handle themselves in the usual brawl or contest of skill. They would be disappointed if they didn't get it."
Cid nodded as well. "I see. However, like I said, I cannot make guarantees. My ruling as Headmaster has been brief, and my authority has not yet come to fruition."
"Do you not have confidence," she asked, "in your ability to do your job?"
Cid frowned and shook his head. "I have plenty of confidence in my own ability. However, the shift of power was abrupt and unexpected, and there are a few, students and professors alike, that are still having trouble adjusting."
She nodded in understanding. "How long do you think it will take for things to settle down?"
Cid sighed. "I do not know. However, I believe the plan should go ahead as scheduled. In fact, there is one student with me that has expressed interest in transferring into your academy toady, if that is alright with you. However, he does not seem to be here yet..."
"Already?" The woman blinked in confusion. "I would have thought they would be more against the idea. Perhaps you should tell me a bit about this boy before he arrives?"
Cid smiled. "I believed you wouldn't be so surprised. Well, this student is a bright young man, he has the makings to be an exceptional warrior, and unlike several of our students, he has a firm sense of dignity."
She nodded. "Forgive me for my surprise, but I anticipated both sides would be initially unwilling to give up their perceptions of the other side."
Cid mimicked her nod. "As was I. However, I slightly expected this particular student to show an interest in your idea."
"Surely you have similar beliefs on some of your own charges?" Cid questioned.
She, too, nodded. "Yes, there's one in particular I believe will find the situation intellectually stimulating, but then your predecessor nearly selected her for Doomsday."
Cid raised an eyebrow this time. "Is that so?" He asked curiously. "I've never heard of that before."
She nodded in confirmation. "You wanted her after she decimated her father's regiment and blew up half her school." Aeris took a sip from her coffee to provide an adequate pause. "Fifteen years before she knew how."
Cid's eyes went wide. "Impressive to say the least, yet... she's a student at your school?"
Again, Aeris nodded. "She found vengeance to be ... less than bittersweet."
Cid tilted his head to the side and brought his hands up in acknowledgement. "That's perfectly understandable."
"She still doesn't know where she's going," the Headmistress said after another sip. "One side or the other is constantly pulling her in, but she has a good heart. Attending school in another dimension has been good for her. She is emotionally so very strong to be so caring and still be pulled into conflict as much as her world demanded."
The woman shook her head. "Ever since that event, she has despised killing, and yet it is constantly required of her. It is amazing she has not fallen to pieces."
Cid nodded grimly. "One can only hope that that stays that way."
She nodded. "But you'll like her. A very willing student, regardless of the material. And very bright. She is also one of the ones more likely to be able to fend for herself in a hostile environment. She has no special powers like many of our students, but don't underestimate her because of that."
Cid smiled. "I don't underestimate, Headmistress. I can assure you of that."
But the woman just gave another knowing smile. "If you didn't know better, when you saw her, you would."
Cid merely shrugged, not believing her claims. "If you say so." He said professionally.
"I say so," she said before another sip of her latte. "Tell me more about your student. And how many others do you think we'll be trading?"
Cid frowned. "I'm afraid I do not know how many students we may be trading. Concerning my student, however, I can tell you that I heavily doubt her will be of any trouble to you, and he may even keep the other students that you receive in line. Once he was attacked in his sleep by a few other students three times a night for a week each time he repelled them while remaining unscratched, the students responsible receiving no extreme injury, and he did it all while his other two roommates slept through each attack."
Aeris thought on that for a moment. "He sounds like he has admirable skills, but if he's so honorable, how did he end up in your school? It seems almost like we both got the wrong student."
Cid frowned. "One can be of malevolent and chivalrous nature. It is merely a rarely seen mix."
"As rare," she agreed, "as one of vengeance and care."
Cid nodded in agreement. "Exactly."
As Cid nodded, a young man with long blonde hair tied back and dressed in black Japanese attire walked into the shop, ignoring the stares he recieved from the other customers, he merely looked around until he saw Cid and Aeris. He walked over to their table, bowing to Cid. "Headmaster, I hope I am not late."
Aeris smiled at the young man, but waited until she was introduced, as manners dictated.
"Think nothing of it, Heihachi. I know that whatever was holding you up must've been important. Please, sit down." Cid gestured to a chair at the table. "Headmistress Aeris, this is Toranaga Heihachi, one of our finest students."
Heihachi respectfully bowed his head. "It is an honour, Headmistress."
Aeris dipped her head, as appropriate for a noblewoman greeting a warrior. "Greetings, Heihachi. You must bring honor to your family with such success."
Heihachi frowned. "I am grateful for such kind words, but I am afraid my family would not be nearly as proud of my exploits as you may respect. While I do respect them, and honour them, I am ashamed to say that they are my enemies."
The woman nodded in understanding. "Any success reflects well on your family. So long as you do your utmost to follow what you believe is right, you bring honor to your family, because they raised a man who stays true to his beliefs and holds as much strength in his heart as he does in his hand."
Heihachi smiled widely and bowed his head. "Wise words Headmistress."
Cid yawned slightly. "Headmistress Aeris, would you be comfortable with the immediate transfer of Heihachi to your school?"
"Of course. He can have Nayra's quarters. It's a single room, no roommate, and we don't have separate dorms for boys and girls." She turned to look out the window as a petite girl with blue hair came across the road. "Speaking of which, here she is now. The girl has an incredible sense of time." She waved to get the girl's attention.
The Talihin noblewoman waved back and headed into the coffeeshop, stopping next to their table and curtseying to all three before turning to Aeris. "I'm sorry I'm late, Headmistress."
But Aeris shook her head. "Late is in the eyes of the beholder, my dear. To the contrary, your timing is quite impeccable." She motioned toward Cid. "This is Mr. Warrinson, headmaster at the Doomsday Academy, and this young man is Heihachi, one of his best students."
Nayra curtsied again. "A pleasure to meet you both."
The Headmistress nodded in approval. "Heihachi will be your transfer-mate. He will be coming to our school while you go to his."
Heihachi removed himself from his chair and went to one knee, gently taking the girl's hand and kissing it. "An honour, Miss." He got up and offered his chair. Meanwhile Cid merely gave a nod of the head towards Nayra. "While these arrangements may work out well for you, Headmistress, I'm afraid they will be a bit difficult to handle for me. We have fairly large rooms, with three roommates in each one, and our dorms are separated by gender. While I'm sure Heihachi's roommates wouldn't be the types to do anything crude, the knowledge of a young woman sleeping in the boy’s dormitory may spark some unwanted attention."
Meanwhile, Nayra flushed slightly, but dipped her head in appreciation and accepted the chair, sitting down properly with her legs together and her dress without nary a wrinkle. To Cid's concerns, however, she only said, "I assure you, Headmaster, you've nothing to worry about. I can handle myself quite well from unwanted advances."
Cid smiled. "I'm sure you can, but there' also the problem that if they found out one room has a girl in it, they're all going to want one. I have enough on my plate without a small riot over seating arrangements. However, I think I may have a solution."
The girl was clearly raised with strict manners, as she remained silent as she patiently waited for the headmaster to continue.
"There's a young woman... around your age, I believe, that has just been enrolled. We've been hard pressed finding a second roommate for her, perhaps we could work you in with her." Cid said.
The Talihin noblewoman nodded in understanding. "It would be an honor to share a room with any of your students, Headmaster Cid."
"Excellent." Cid said immediately, taking a drink. Inwardly, however, he worried. But then, the girl DID enroll under the Mark of Terror... perhaps it would be best if I kept an eye on those two...
"Oh my, what happened to you, Headmaster?" the woman's voice asked him softly, with a note of concern. She was still in her gown, but it fit better than his robes because it looked like any other dress.
Aeris sat down before him as she looked him over worriedly. "Did you try to give your daughter a curfew again?"
Cid took another drink and shook his head. "No, Headmistress. I merely took an aquatic route to get here." He said calmly. "Nothing to be concerned about."
She nodded in understanding and motioned for a waitress before ordering a latte. The Headmistress turned back to him. "That's a relief. You might try just opening a gate next time. Much more dry."
"I appreciate your advice, but I quite enjoy being soaked to te bone from time to time. It helps me keep in tune with my abilities, and it's quite comforting." Professor Warrison said politely.
The woman smiled a bit at that, clearly not buying it, but she accepted her coffee when it came and took a sip. "So, how goes the preparations?"
Warrison took a drink before answering grimly. "Everything is moving ahead as planned. However, there have been some... concerns expressed from my fellow professors."
Despite his expression, however, Aeris' remained calm and casual. "I can't say I'm surprised. What are their concerns?"
Cid sighed. "Well, as you know, our former Headmaster was very recently killed, placing me in command. As I'm sure you can guess, the ones responsible were of your... persuasion." Cid said calmly. "A few of the others feel that the amount of trust required for the program you're suggesting is something we cannot afford. Personally, I do not feel that such an incident would arrive from your idea."
She nodded. "If anything, it will help mend that trust, but if your instructors feel they have something to fear from mere students ... well, personal power is not as important as knowledge to Blessed Hope, but Doomsday holds it in high regard, from what I understand."
Cid calmly raised his hands in defense. "I assure you, there is nothing to fear from the professors. They understand that this is not a decision I have made lightly, and trust my guidance. There will be no trouble from the professors." The Headmaster seemed to sound uneasy, and pressed emphasis on "the professors" whenever he used the term.
Of course, the woman was no one's fool. "You're worried the students, themselves, will conflict."
Cid nodded. "As you are probably aware, or can easily guess, most of our students are more than willing to turn weapons on each other, and do so frequently. I am sure that they will do the same to yours without hesitation. I can do my part, but I cannot make guarantees about your student's safety.
The woman's smile returned. "This may not seem to fit your preconception of our ... what did you call it? Persuasion? But Blessed Hope's students are also trained heavily in combat, and competitive sparring is encouraged."
Cid nodded. "It is not "competitive sparring" that I am afraid of." He said. "There have been cases where students went to sleep only to not wake up."
A fine eyebrow went up. "It would seem to me you would keep better control over your students. Combat, I can understand. Teaching to take life, I can understand. Allowing it to happen between students, probably over nothing more than jealousy over a boy or a higher test score, that seems very poor."
Warrison frowned. "Such things were encouraged only by my predecessor, and will not be done under my jurisdiction. It is a problem that I have begun to remedy, yet... things take time. I assure you, there are now consequences for that, grave ones, as the students now know very well."
Aeris nodded. "Then it doesn't seem that it would be a problem. My students can handle themselves in the usual brawl or contest of skill. They would be disappointed if they didn't get it."
Cid nodded as well. "I see. However, like I said, I cannot make guarantees. My ruling as Headmaster has been brief, and my authority has not yet come to fruition."
"Do you not have confidence," she asked, "in your ability to do your job?"
Cid frowned and shook his head. "I have plenty of confidence in my own ability. However, the shift of power was abrupt and unexpected, and there are a few, students and professors alike, that are still having trouble adjusting."
She nodded in understanding. "How long do you think it will take for things to settle down?"
Cid sighed. "I do not know. However, I believe the plan should go ahead as scheduled. In fact, there is one student with me that has expressed interest in transferring into your academy toady, if that is alright with you. However, he does not seem to be here yet..."
"Already?" The woman blinked in confusion. "I would have thought they would be more against the idea. Perhaps you should tell me a bit about this boy before he arrives?"
Cid smiled. "I believed you wouldn't be so surprised. Well, this student is a bright young man, he has the makings to be an exceptional warrior, and unlike several of our students, he has a firm sense of dignity."
She nodded. "Forgive me for my surprise, but I anticipated both sides would be initially unwilling to give up their perceptions of the other side."
Cid mimicked her nod. "As was I. However, I slightly expected this particular student to show an interest in your idea."
"Surely you have similar beliefs on some of your own charges?" Cid questioned.
She, too, nodded. "Yes, there's one in particular I believe will find the situation intellectually stimulating, but then your predecessor nearly selected her for Doomsday."
Cid raised an eyebrow this time. "Is that so?" He asked curiously. "I've never heard of that before."
She nodded in confirmation. "You wanted her after she decimated her father's regiment and blew up half her school." Aeris took a sip from her coffee to provide an adequate pause. "Fifteen years before she knew how."
Cid's eyes went wide. "Impressive to say the least, yet... she's a student at your school?"
Again, Aeris nodded. "She found vengeance to be ... less than bittersweet."
Cid tilted his head to the side and brought his hands up in acknowledgement. "That's perfectly understandable."
"She still doesn't know where she's going," the Headmistress said after another sip. "One side or the other is constantly pulling her in, but she has a good heart. Attending school in another dimension has been good for her. She is emotionally so very strong to be so caring and still be pulled into conflict as much as her world demanded."
The woman shook her head. "Ever since that event, she has despised killing, and yet it is constantly required of her. It is amazing she has not fallen to pieces."
Cid nodded grimly. "One can only hope that that stays that way."
She nodded. "But you'll like her. A very willing student, regardless of the material. And very bright. She is also one of the ones more likely to be able to fend for herself in a hostile environment. She has no special powers like many of our students, but don't underestimate her because of that."
Cid smiled. "I don't underestimate, Headmistress. I can assure you of that."
But the woman just gave another knowing smile. "If you didn't know better, when you saw her, you would."
Cid merely shrugged, not believing her claims. "If you say so." He said professionally.
"I say so," she said before another sip of her latte. "Tell me more about your student. And how many others do you think we'll be trading?"
Cid frowned. "I'm afraid I do not know how many students we may be trading. Concerning my student, however, I can tell you that I heavily doubt her will be of any trouble to you, and he may even keep the other students that you receive in line. Once he was attacked in his sleep by a few other students three times a night for a week each time he repelled them while remaining unscratched, the students responsible receiving no extreme injury, and he did it all while his other two roommates slept through each attack."
Aeris thought on that for a moment. "He sounds like he has admirable skills, but if he's so honorable, how did he end up in your school? It seems almost like we both got the wrong student."
Cid frowned. "One can be of malevolent and chivalrous nature. It is merely a rarely seen mix."
"As rare," she agreed, "as one of vengeance and care."
Cid nodded in agreement. "Exactly."
As Cid nodded, a young man with long blonde hair tied back and dressed in black Japanese attire walked into the shop, ignoring the stares he recieved from the other customers, he merely looked around until he saw Cid and Aeris. He walked over to their table, bowing to Cid. "Headmaster, I hope I am not late."
Aeris smiled at the young man, but waited until she was introduced, as manners dictated.
"Think nothing of it, Heihachi. I know that whatever was holding you up must've been important. Please, sit down." Cid gestured to a chair at the table. "Headmistress Aeris, this is Toranaga Heihachi, one of our finest students."
Heihachi respectfully bowed his head. "It is an honour, Headmistress."
Aeris dipped her head, as appropriate for a noblewoman greeting a warrior. "Greetings, Heihachi. You must bring honor to your family with such success."
Heihachi frowned. "I am grateful for such kind words, but I am afraid my family would not be nearly as proud of my exploits as you may respect. While I do respect them, and honour them, I am ashamed to say that they are my enemies."
The woman nodded in understanding. "Any success reflects well on your family. So long as you do your utmost to follow what you believe is right, you bring honor to your family, because they raised a man who stays true to his beliefs and holds as much strength in his heart as he does in his hand."
Heihachi smiled widely and bowed his head. "Wise words Headmistress."
Cid yawned slightly. "Headmistress Aeris, would you be comfortable with the immediate transfer of Heihachi to your school?"
"Of course. He can have Nayra's quarters. It's a single room, no roommate, and we don't have separate dorms for boys and girls." She turned to look out the window as a petite girl with blue hair came across the road. "Speaking of which, here she is now. The girl has an incredible sense of time." She waved to get the girl's attention.
The Talihin noblewoman waved back and headed into the coffeeshop, stopping next to their table and curtseying to all three before turning to Aeris. "I'm sorry I'm late, Headmistress."
But Aeris shook her head. "Late is in the eyes of the beholder, my dear. To the contrary, your timing is quite impeccable." She motioned toward Cid. "This is Mr. Warrinson, headmaster at the Doomsday Academy, and this young man is Heihachi, one of his best students."
Nayra curtsied again. "A pleasure to meet you both."
The Headmistress nodded in approval. "Heihachi will be your transfer-mate. He will be coming to our school while you go to his."
Heihachi removed himself from his chair and went to one knee, gently taking the girl's hand and kissing it. "An honour, Miss." He got up and offered his chair. Meanwhile Cid merely gave a nod of the head towards Nayra. "While these arrangements may work out well for you, Headmistress, I'm afraid they will be a bit difficult to handle for me. We have fairly large rooms, with three roommates in each one, and our dorms are separated by gender. While I'm sure Heihachi's roommates wouldn't be the types to do anything crude, the knowledge of a young woman sleeping in the boy’s dormitory may spark some unwanted attention."
Meanwhile, Nayra flushed slightly, but dipped her head in appreciation and accepted the chair, sitting down properly with her legs together and her dress without nary a wrinkle. To Cid's concerns, however, she only said, "I assure you, Headmaster, you've nothing to worry about. I can handle myself quite well from unwanted advances."
Cid smiled. "I'm sure you can, but there' also the problem that if they found out one room has a girl in it, they're all going to want one. I have enough on my plate without a small riot over seating arrangements. However, I think I may have a solution."
The girl was clearly raised with strict manners, as she remained silent as she patiently waited for the headmaster to continue.
"There's a young woman... around your age, I believe, that has just been enrolled. We've been hard pressed finding a second roommate for her, perhaps we could work you in with her." Cid said.
The Talihin noblewoman nodded in understanding. "It would be an honor to share a room with any of your students, Headmaster Cid."
"Excellent." Cid said immediately, taking a drink. Inwardly, however, he worried. But then, the girl DID enroll under the Mark of Terror... perhaps it would be best if I kept an eye on those two...
