Initium Novum: Dracones #1

Energy Mates

On a fine day such as this, with Daen's brightness, no sign of bad omen one would never expect such a misfortune to befall a Draylian.

The instuctor stared at the peculiar boy, making low tsking sounds at the unfortunate rejections of his energy mates. Waiting for him to rise and step from the shadows. Which took quite a while.

Zarmeideus's senses only seemed to come back few moments ago. The haziness of the eyes gradually became clear as did the other senses, the first thing he saw was the sandal clad instuctor, book in hand and aiming bored but pitying eyes at Zar.

He got up from the cross legged position and regarded the instructor coldly, noticing the empty field. The boy walked the metres towards the man and only stopped when said man himself got up.

"This instuctor has already arranged for a servant to bring you to your new shared dwelling. She will arrive shortly and will provide an explanation to all that is currently needed to you on the way." With that said the man swiftly left Zar by himself.

Seconds later a childlike figure appeared through the double doors most likely waiting for the proffesor to give her her orders. She was short for her age of twenty winters with shoulder length honey hair, that complimented her dark skin. A white tie head covering majority of her hair, and he couldn't see her facial features either due to her head being bowed. Arriving before him she stopped and offered her greetings.

"This servant greets the Young Lord, my orders are to first escort you towards your dwelling, if you would please follow me."

The situation was unexpected, the words young Lord made the ravenette's eye twitch in irritation.

Who is a young Lord?

And as usual he did not share his thoughts, but seemed to have other plans.

"No, not dwelling we will go to the main building first." His voice felt gruff and scratchy yet it was immensely attractive all the same. That said he walked in front of the servant, her with no signs of protest.

After all she was merely a servant assigned to this young Lord who was she to oppose his strong authority. In the Draylan Academy all Young Lords and Masters of important housholds were assigned servants for their period at this Academy. It was indeed for them to be more comfortable in this living space by providing aids.

As a servant the rules of obeying your master is constantly being inscribed in their brains, for fear of punishment they'd better do as told. So when this would Young Lord said jump she wouldn't dare duck.

She followed him across campus grounds, him already having the layout of where he's been memorised, and thus the way back to the main building.

Seeing a child barge in through closed doors was nothing new, not even the tailing of a servant served to shock anyone present. The persons present were only three. The adult Draylians heads turned on their own accord to catch sight of the stealthy and confident walking of the black haired boy.

Stopping a bit away from the group Zarmdideus noticed the red head and was quite wary. Never once seeing Calivius before; the same went for Calivius who heard of this jadeite but only just sae him now.

At this point one could see that Zarmeideus did not like new people or people over all. Not even now could he deem Nefèrro anymore than an aquintance.

Zar didn't look at him but was observing him keenly and subtly, unfortunately for Calivius he seemed far more dangerous than the childish Lord and his supposedly friend Knox, that giant of a man, no matter his short stature.

Now he look towards Nefèrro and frowned not seeing the cubs insight, his eyes became a little chilling. The three adults payed no attention the cubs and only conversed. Likely the little demon spawns were trashing the office. Neferro being clever knew why that frown was present, sheepishly the High Lord pointed in the cublings direction as they wrestled a harmless potted plant to the floor.

"Kaima, Havoc, Brialle. Come."

Hearing the familiar voice tails wagged on instinct, and disinterest came for the battered plant, soon the three cubs fought to reach Zar's legs first. Upon arrival the cubs raised their forepaw and rubbed their heads against his legs all begging for attention.

Zar rubbed all their heads slightly and took the female leopardos in his arms, caressing the white fur.

Then Zar looked towards the High Lord and opened his mouth as if to speak but suddenly paused. He wanted to actually address the man and question him unfortunately, he did not know how to call upon the old uncle for not even once before had he ever tried to initiate a conversation and mostly ignored the man.

Taking the formal route, Zarmeideus chose to address the man as he had seen everyone else did.

"Greetings High Lord, I need to make certain a situation concerning yourself-" All while giving delightful rubs to the purring feline.

Then he looked to the dumbstruck Nefèrro beside the two others, him obviously not moving.

"-privately if you will."

Nefèrro walked over to Zarmeideus, Zar was still wary so he placed some more distance between the two men, it was not like the conversation they were going to have was that important, but trust from this lad would have to come from a long way.

At first the ravenette said nothing and rubbed Brialle's fur fiercely and narrowed his eyes, thinking what they were going to talk about put a deep scowl on face.

Taking the initiative Nefèrro talked first.

"So what is it?"

With deep breaths Zar's face relaxed a bit.

"What is all this nonsense I hear about myself being called a young Lord."

"Oh." He paused and pondered and Nefèrro seemed to have a light bulb moment.

"Oh, thaaat!"

The ravenette's eyebrow raised at his reply and looked at him as if to say continue.

"Well..... I couldn't just take you off the continent there is a rule against bringing minors without guardians like yourself away, so taking you would have to be legal, soooo... I adopted you since you were still registered in that orphanage. It was the only way, but no worry you can call me Pa."

The urge to hit someone never came strongly to the ravenette as it did now, and the palms running through soft fur stopped and fisted it. Brialle whimpered in his arms, quickly he realized his mistake, letting her go. Zar gave soothing caresses at the offended area.

Nefèrro being as he is, caught nothing of this only the deepened scowl, his body perspired a little more than usual.

At this moment Zar disliked him more than usual, be it the fact that Nefèrro now knows something from his past and he wants him to call him Pa. Simply disregarding the man Zarmeideus took a seat in front of the front desk, no questions any longer.

However, taking this position right showed that he did not want to move, and thus putting the female servant at an awkward position. After all her job at this moment was to show the young Lord around, with specific instruction for him to meet and bond with his current aetras. This defiant behaviour was simply.....

Luckily, the nosy adopted guardian took notice of the missing aetras for her.

Showing Zarmeideus a toothy grin, after he calmed and wiped the sweat from his forehead Nefèrro made his way to bother the boy further.

"Hey, where are your energy mates didn't you pass? Don't get me wrong I know you did cause I heard, being your legal guardian and all had its perks- but where are your bonded ones?"

The word guardian was just rubbing salt in a reopened wound, but the neutral expression remained. Answering the initial question the Lord asked Zar simply said.

"I don't know." Neither do I care.

"Oh."

A light frown played on the lively man's face before he turned towards the servant whose expression was showcasing multiple emotions.

"You, what's your name?"

The servant immediately stooped lower in a curtsie.

"This servant's name is Meliane."

"Well, Meliane I can only assume that you did not complete your orders-" given the person who is now your master "-what were they?"

"Well Sire, this servant was supposed to bring the Young Lord to his living quarters, but the Young Lord decided to first come here."

Nefèrro's frown deepened further and his face became a little dark. Luckily, there was no dangerous aura about him. Just then, Knox, the rowdy giant came close a not so bright expression on his face.

"Lad, it seems yer in a pickle. You should head on to your dwelling, and sort it out." But with no reply, except the feline getting more caresses he could only glance at the kid's guardian questionly.

Nefèrro sighed his expression lighting. Knowing that this Draylian child was akin to a mountain. Sturdy, unmoving and impenitrable. So, slightly Nefèrro shook his head to his own aetra and could only look unto the red headed shorter male, making a face with a plea for help.

This man was obviously one of Nefèrro's energy mates as well, and could only give in through the bond they shared.

Calivius walked to stand in front of the sitting boy, extending a palm in greeting and introducing himself.

"I heard that you are Nefèrro's, jadeite. I am his bonded one Calivius Dyolisus and this one over hear is Knox Capoira."

He waited for his hand to be be shook for a few moments before Zarmeideus decided to actually be polite and returned the hand shake. But not his name. Instead he asked.

"What is a jadiete?"

"You really dont know!" Calivius expression could help but twist and he shot a look at Nefèrro, letting him feel his (Calivius) emotions and become uncomfortable. 'We will talk about this later.' Somehow this message got across.

Calivius sat on the chair beside Zar.

"Well, a jadiette this is a person chosen by nobles to be their successor, if they have none. This does not means at all times it is for being a successor. Because the nobles may see that these persons have potential needed to be used and not wasted. This gives the jadiete oppurtunities as well as backers to help them. Till now Neferro hadn't chosen a jadiete at all."

Hearing this Zarmeideus was not impressed, especially at the last sentence. And these reasons did not seem plausible, for Zarmeideus did not believe in good will of people but did not push for a more suitable response.

Of course goodwill was too far fetched for these nobles, Calivius only left out the true reason as he felt that this child would not be pleased with Calivius's aetra (Nefèrro). Calivius could not bear for his aetra to be down after he said that. Anyways continuing.

"So I couldn't help but hear that you don't want to be lead to your dwelling, is there a reason why. Perhaps a fallout with the others."

"I don't know."

It was the truth, but due to the mental drainage sight, hearing nor sense of smell was functioning accordingly. So he really didn't know if anything really happened nor know if anyone was there.

But then again this was for the best, whatever these luqi aetra were there was no need for them. It didn't matter much for the cold boy.

But to other Draylians this was simply a disaster, a big one. Those who gained there own energy mates could not even let them go even after death, for they were that important. Seeing this nonchalant behaviour it was clear that this child doesn't know what bonded ones are or why he needs them. This one's knowledge was completely lacking.

It wouldn't make sense for them to tell him now he would learn about it in due time and will realize the importance. However, for now he could stay here but in the end he would still have to retire to his dwelling.

Calivius turned to Meliane.

"Go finish whatever work you need to, but be back here before nightfall. To escort him."

She bowed her head.

"Yes Headmaster." She left.

Ah, so this man ran the academy. Zarmeideus thought. But no reaction showed on his face. He just sat there non-moving eyes beginning to close as he moved to a meditative state. This meditative not defenceless. Brialle jumped from his arms and went to wrestle the other cubs.

The three adults shared a glance before leaving the boy there.

~

Late evening was exactly when Zarmeideus was being escorted back to the dwelling. Maid in front diligently leading the way. Her slow pace was nothing to keep up with and he was glad that she was moving this slow.

To her it was the fastest she could go, it was just that her short legs were incapable of moving any swifter. And as usual cublings by his side. The walk was long, they passed a number of large buildings stuctures different each time. These were what they would call the classrooms and training ground but soon those many structures faded away to smaller more homelike buildings; two stories at most but were actually large enough for the eight living together.

They ranged from stoned to wooden and only passing about twenty-four on the way, and Zarmeideus being the observer noticed that living quarters were on the outskirts of the academy.

Where the buildings for classes were located in the middle of the whole campus, circling around or more like lining up behind the main building, the living quarters for all were certainly a distance away. From first years to six years, the sevants, instuctors, elders and even the stables were not directly next to the classrooms. They were not all located at the same place, fortunately, else it would be too crowded.

In this case the first years and second years lived in the same area, so twenty four dwellings in passing, but they were separated.

Anyways the two arrived a little bit later at the last dwelling seen. The thirteenth one, it was really rather far from everyone else, the further most point in the whole academy.

Zarmeideus could suppose that this was actually an advantage for him not being too close with the rest of the Draylians. This setting was most likely because they were the last to find their own luqi aetras, they were quite a lucky bunch.

Meliane had explain all this on the way to his new stay, diligent in giving her new master information needed.

The house was simple, old and yet elegant with the verandah made of wood floorboards and pillars to holding up a balcony made of carved stone. Majority of the dwelling was actually made of wood and them accentuated by stone, the mixed vibe of the two were somewhat inviting.

Glass fictures here and there on the second floor and bottom floor even at what looks like an attic. And finishing at the roof a triangle top with expensive bricks.

A soft sigh left Zarmeideus lips.

The maid stopped in front of the two story dwelling.

"My Lord, we have arrived at your abode." The 'young lord' looked at the maid expectantly, waiting for her to go open the door herself.

Both went onto the verandah and didn't know what to do. The young Lord did have rights to the dwelling as well, but he wasn't here in the first place so opening the door would be a bit rude.

The cublings who possessed more emotion growled at the servant, encouraging her to hurry so they could play inside. Whilst Zar stood behind her awaiting her actions with sharp eyes.

In the end the dark skinned lass chose to knock on the wooden door. The air on the porch was silent cept for the few growls and thuds of the animals and also tense.

Nothing was heard so the maid knocked on the door again, louder this time.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!!." A voice shouted, loud and sweetish. Footsteps could also be clearly heard through the closed doors, indicating that the person was rather ungraceful.

More thuds could be heard before the wooden door was swung opened, showing a short girl with a brilliant smile.

Having lengthy sky blue hair with matching eyes and a slender face. Tan and quite pretty. Her eyes moved between the two persons at the door, not seeing the three cubs yet.

Her eyes stuck to Zarmeideus a little longer than the maid, and a frown graced her thin lips, clearly feeling a pull towards the strange boy. Before her face lit up once more, realization coming in an instant.

The blue haired girl took a deep bow, hair whipping over her head.

"Greetings! Greetings! it's a pleasure to meet you."

Her supposed normal talking was loud. Zarmeideus imagined she was one of those person who just talked loudly without knowing, unable to turn down their voice volume. She lifted back her head wavy hair falling back down to her back.

"My name's Pyris, Pyris Cygnet Luma. I've- I mean we've been waiting for you to arrive quite awhile now, was the trip here alright? Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Why did it take so long for you to come by the way."

Such a blabber mouth. Zar thought.

The cubs stopped what they were doing to simply look at the bluenette, perhaps wondering the same.

And Meliane was simply not ready for the rapid questions.

"Greetings as well madame, this servant brings the young Lord to his rightful abode." Meliane's voice was much more calm and composed than the beaming Pyris. Her blue eyes practically shined at Meliane hearing that sentence.

But then it cane to her.... and she asked loudly.

"Wait, what's his name?" And frowned a little.

Meliane was struck, shooked that she did not know her Master's name, sighing internally, brown eyes showing several emotions in succession.

"Madame, this servant is sorry. I do not know the young Lord's name, and thus unable to relay this information."

How could she not know master's name? The maid herself felt complicated at this.

"It's fine, it's fine.Can you not call me Madame tho. But doesn't your master speak, why can't he tell me himself." Pyris looked expectantly at Zamreideus, waiting for him to issue a reply.

It was in vain and her mood deflated slightly. Then she saw the little litter loitering around feet. Her eyes brightened once again.

Before her voice formed coos and coaxed them gently. This was also in vain, animals were not dum, and in fact intelligent and capable. They would not just just waltz into the arms of a stranger (tho they did do it before, the environment was new) until they knew she could be trusted.

Pyris was in fact harmless as can be, maybe they were just adopting too much of their caretakers personality. Side stepping her seemed like the cubs best option.

Pyris continuously chased them.

Doing that she didn't mind the two, Zar and Meliane, entering the house. After all the other boy had rights to this place as well. Pyris could only look at the cubs since they refused to make her cuddle them, and could only stand up.

This place was covered in thick webs, and some dust were piled up in some places like someone was sweeping. Where they stood now was just the entrance and it was a wide column with two entry was leading to different rooms. Directly in this lane was the stairs.

"Young Lord, tomorrow all your luggage will arrive here, this servant will go now." Meliane quickly took her leave making Zar glare holes in her back.

As if to say 'Where are you going'. Luckily the maiden didn't see his expression, undoubtedly she would be scared for life.

The wooden door squeaked when closing and left a sort of creepy silence after it closed, the blue haired girl stared at Zar hoping that he would perhaps say something. She coughed breaking the silence before speaking.

"Anyways, I will show you to your room. Follow me." They lapsed into more silence.

The duo walked up wooden stairs (followed by the cubs) and down a large hallway. The doors were spaced out a lot showing that the room itself was large. There were nine different doors, and somehow they all managed to fit in this one hallway. Zar felt he underestimated the size of the house.

Seeing the doors must have jogged the young girl's memory for she started to talk about them.

"You know that there are only three furnished rooms so we all decided to share with someone for the time being before we get the other three ready to use. They are so empty and dirty, we plan to turn them into other bedrooms. But then no one would be left out since there is also an attic as well, Keanu already called dibs on it and we also have three bathrooms- well not three bathrooms, two bathrooms and one washroom. You know for washing clothes and stuff. Personally I think this is more than enough for us all. But we may have a tough time fighting over the bathrooms to get to classes early. Oh and before I forget. Downstairs we also have one gigantic leisure room, you didn't even look in there, and the kitchen was also beside of it. With a big dining table. And uhm, yh we also have two other spare rooms down there, one of them is large but it looked like it served no purpose at all. And the other one is full of tables and stuff. Eh... well forget about it who are you going to share rooms with?" By now her aura was back to its usual glow. The emotions could be easily determined by her tone of voice. And Zar was partly surprised that she was not gasping for air at this moment.

It was a given that Zarmeideus would not want to share, he could not be sure what persons these people were. And the cubs certainly did not like sharing territory either so.... the only choice was right now the large empty room downstairs.

Swiftly the boy turned around and headed back down the stairs, leaving the openly gaping, Pyris behind, she stuttered and couldn't get any words across, swiftly she regained her bearings and gave chase.

"W-wait, Mr stone faced Sir. where are you going!?" She shouted and ran down the stairs by now he was at the bottom. And he looked around slowly the cubs at his heels, before walking into the leisure room, this room was also dirty with few table and seating and a couch. All these furnitures were clearly unsanitaty. Quickly Pyris followed him.

"H-hey where are you going!?"

She did say that it was down here somewhere didn't she?

There it was, on another hidden hallway at the far side of the room it could be seen. He walked there and the cubs stayed to jump on the dusty couch. He looked at the extremely short hallway compared to the one upstairs and found the two doors.

He opened the left door, this one was the spare room she talked about, and indeed it was large. Covering more area than his previous shack alone, far far wider than it too.

Was this simply to be a room? Zar thought. Ah the rich really did swim in luxury.

Zar deemed it his room as of now, the others already chose the have the upstairs room as there own, so he decided he wanted this one.

It was far from the other ones and ensured him the solitary he needed after all.

Quickly he turned to the right door in the hallway that looked even older than the others in the entire dwelling.

He turned the knob and pushed, the door making squeaky sounds creepily.

This would be what o e would call a storage room, but not really because nothing much was inside. Only few covered tables and chairs with a worn mattress to the side. Just by looking at it you could obtain a back ache. The room was also a bit spacious with cobwebs and dust here and there.

Seeing something like this one could almost imagine the house being abandoned previously..... and it was, with the distance from here to the actual classrooms were long, who would want to live here.

No one ever did either.

And so this dwelling, tho the outside looked quite nice and neat, the inside was packed with dust and insects. Fortunately whoever with eyes could see that the home was actually lovely just needed a bit of cleaning(a lot of cleaning). It was also far bigger than the ones they passed on the way here.

"This one, I'll be taking this one." Zar said to the girl after turning back to the big room on the left.

Zar's dominant aura started to emit a bit more from himself, and the cublings looked into there new territory. The air was serious and silent.

But it was ruined by the blue haired girl sneezing cutely in the silence.