Breaking the Pattern ((private)

[Dante Ahti]

(( Private thread between Dante and Merlin ))

The ticking of the clock filled Dante's ears once more as the school became silent. Nearly all students were outside now, hanging out or ready to go home. But in his room, there was only the light ticking of the clock, and the scratching of a quill against paper as Dante eagerly continued to write.

Dante's life revolved around the classes he taught now. working and working, he barely had any social interactions outside of his students. Not that he didn't enjoy his work; actually, it was the happiest he had been in a long time. He just wished that he had the time to spend elsewhere.

That of course was a lie; he had the time. But the man, too nervous to go out and meet more people and speak with old friends, taught all day and read books all night. Taking extra shifts for other teachers, telling himself that his time would be best used perfecting the material he had been learning himself.

He couldn't even admit to himself that he was a tad bit lonely.

Rarely would his mind wander to his past, where he had many friends. Rivals. Enemies. It was a time in his life that was exciting, a time where his heart was always racing. Flying with Denzel, small bickering with Seth. The old burns on his arm seemed to hurt when he thought about it.

With a sigh the teacher put his quill down and leaned back, staring at the paper intently. Rubbing at the scruff on his face that he had sworn to himself he had no time to shave off - of course, he was just being lazy.

After a minute of hesitation he smiled, picked up the quill again and continued to write, slowly zoning out of the words. He hardly noticed the footsteps in the halls, or the children playing outside.

This was his every day life. And, without his knowledge, it was about to get a lot more interesting.

[merlinus]

Outside the school in the crowd of students leaving for home or to have fun a cloak figure stood with a small wyvern on his shoulders squeeking to its owner, a large grin spread across the features of the magus as he stopped looking to the parchment given to him by the queen authorizing his movement. Remembering her suggestion on where to begin his search, he raises his hand and twirled his finger whispering a small incantation into the wind letting his spell weave into the fabric of reality.

Suddenly Dante's hand was forced away from the quill and an unknown force pressed him into the chair, the quill suddenly coming to life and writing on the parchment of its own will, "You can teach so more...be more...the excitement you so desire is but a quill stroke away Dante. Cast aside your meaningless teachings and teach more useful lessons. The world is too big a place to hide away forever~! I will be waiting for you outside of the school."

Meryl dropped his hand and pet squeeker on his should as the demonic birth mark shown from under his hood for only a moment. "The mages shall rise soon, it will be glorious wont it Squeeker?" Cooed Merly sitting down and stroking his chin softly. "Then I will have a desk and a sexy little secretary...make her be naked all the time!"

[Dante Ahti]

Dante was surprised to say the least, when he was forced into his chair more and his quill removed from his hands. His immediate reaction was to break whatever spell he was under; but curiosity got the best of him when the quill he had been writing with began writing on its own. So against his better judgement, he watched it write. Eyebrows furrowed as it reached the end of its note.

When the spell was lifted, Dante immediately got up and rubbed at his now slightly sore shoulders. His face was still frustrated looking, but eyes still curious. Once again his better judgement told him not to go outside. This could be a trap. It could be dangerous. An old enemy looking for revenge, perhaps?

He rubbed at the scruff on his face, slowly lips going pursed. It sounded evil, the way it was worded. Useful lessons? Be more? It sounded as if the dark one were trying to recruit him.

The man chuckled, shaking the thought out of his head. He was being ridiculous. And his curiosity was taking over him. So Dante slowly walked out of his classroom, and out through the front entrance to the school.

He looked around wearily, his hand at his side ready to use if needed. But he could not see anyone that looked any different. Students he knew, teachers he was acquainted with. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Until a part of the crowd dispersed, and he saw a cloaked man, sitting on a bench.

Cautiously Dante moved forward, slow and steady, flexing his good hand. Until he was standing not too far away from the cloaked figure.
"Was it you whom wrote that note?" Dante asked, careful not to say anything that would alert any students nearby. Asking if this person was the one who put a spell on him might attract weary eyes.

[merlinus]

The cloaked figure glanced to Dante as he approached and stood close enough to exchange words. Instantly the disappointment was shown from the mans tone as he spoke. "Ah hell I was hoping you'd have breasts...damn I was deceived....I will have to take your panties as punishment my dear queen...yes...you shall rue the day..." Said the cloaked figure going off into his own little world before the little dragon began squeeking to him again. "W-Well I know she didn't say he was gonna be a girl but-" Meryl spoke but was interrupted by the dragon. "Still she-" Again the squeeks cut him off. "But-" Finally Meryl swatted the dragon and it hid in his sleeve. "I'M STILL ABDUCTING HER UNDERGARMENTS JUST CAUSE!" Shouted Meryl before glancing back to Dante with a quirked brow on his hidden face, only his chin and mouth exposed from the darkness of his hood.

"Oh...right...totally forgot you were there. So you're a mage? Well I suppose they can be deceiving, looks I mean." Said Meryl stroking his chin softly before standing and running infront of Dante unfurling a scoll to show the blueprints to his future guild facility. "Do you wanna build a tower~ Doesn't gotta be a tower!" Said Meryl in a sing song voice as a strang tune played on the wind. "AHem! I invite you to be my second to the future mages guild!" Said Meryl with a cough.

[Dante Ahti]

Slowly Dante's look of curiosity turned to unimpressed, folding his arms across his chest and lowering an eyebrow. The first thing; stealing the Queen's undergarmits. Conclusion in Dante's head; this man was either insane, or a pervert. Or both. He would have to mention the fact to Namari, perhaps.

Number two, breaking out in song. Building a tower? He nearly scoffed. Insane, this man. Truly.

And looks being deceiving? Dante pursed his lips. What exactly made him not look like a mage? He wasn't wearing robes, yes. And he didn't exactly have a shaven face or a neat head of hair. He shook the thoughts from his head. These were not the important parts of this crazy man's words.

It was the mages guild that caught his attention.

"You do realize that creating a mages guild here is pointless, right?" the man muttered, before clearing his throat and letting his arms slip to his sides once more.
"The one in Paineston is popular enough. You wouldn't be able to continue it. No one would join.

Dante wasn't absolutely sure, of course. But Paineston was still much more popular than Avaleur. How was this man so sure anyone would join?

"And besides, I teach at the school. I can't just... drop everything to join something that I don't knows going to work, with someone I've never even seen in Avaleur before. I don't even know your name."

But even as Dante spoke, a spark ignited in him. To break routine. To do something knew. A mages guild. It was like a dream come true. He could be finally recognized as one of the most prestigious mages in Avaleur.

The temptation rose from Dante; but he could not bring himself to say yes. From fear? From discomfort for breaking his routine? He did not know.

[merlinus]

Meryl took a step back and listened to Dante, holding his chin and nodding slowly. "Paineston is a joke." Meryl stated quite seriously chanting a stone magic spell and a throne suddenly rose from the earth and he fell into stone thrown throwing one leg over the other leaning against his chin against his fist eyeballing Dante a gleam in his eyes that poured confidence.

"They've forgotten what the essence of pure magic is...what is stands for. They are old fools lording their abused power over their blind followers and wasting the gifts the gods given them." Said Meryl extending his hand forward in a welcoming manner. "Besides, this is not Paineston, this is Avaleur. We will show the magic community what it magic means. We will return to its studies. Open a college for all who wish to learn of magic my friend." Said Meryl simply as he pulled off his hood exposing his face for Dante.

"I, Merlin son of Vivian of the Lake, extend my hand to you. Become my second and a teacher at my college." Said Meryl hand outstretched to Dante in a serious manner. "I am not telling you that you would have to drop your duties here. Continue them if you wish, but, I need you to help me. This world is forgetting how to connect with magic and the pursuit of knowledge."

"In this guild we will teach mages young and old as equals. A chance of equal opportunities for all who wish to learn of magic and connect with it." Said Meryl keeping his eyes on Dante. "We will also provide the Queen with a group of magic warriors and counsel of the divine and mystic. To the other guilds we will offer mages for their adventures. Be it healers or Casters. We will pay our guild members who take contracts from other guilds or citizen or the Queen herself."

[Dante Ahti]

Dante watched as the throne rose up, and Merlin sat down on it. Cocky fucker, Dante couldn't help but think, but his interest continued to go up and up. He scratched at his own beard as the man in front of him seemed to desperately try to obtain Dante's membership.

Of course, if Dante continued to refuse, the man would probably just find another. Dante was not as necessary as he might want to believe.

He thought of the disadvantages. Less time with the school, and being more busy. Having to deal with this man, whom he believed he probably would not like. Being more involved with magic than he already was.

But he let his mind wander to the advantages; being a secondary leader of sorts. Still being able to teach with the school, while earning extra cash on the side. Perhaps besting Paineston at something. And becoming more involved with magic than he already was.
It couldn't hurt, right?

He didn't want to give in so easily, though.

"Swear that you won't steal the Queen's undergarments and I'll accept, Merlin," Dante extended his hand to shake, an eyebrow raised. He was nearly shaking with excitement, with anticipation. A new opportunity. A chance to make Avaleur an even greater place.

[merlinus]

Meryl was about to shake the hand so dangerously close to his own before stopping dead and his eyes widening obviously weighing the choice. By accepting he would have an accomplished mage supporting his guild and a good teacher on the downside he would not have the the thin undergarment that he imagined would be pink, a little frilly, with a rose sewed into the front. He would also probably miss the chance to see the supple round buttocks of the queen, the little dragonling perched itself on his shoulder and looked at Dante with a disappointed scowl on its face almost looking like an ashamed human being. It gave a loud chirp and squeak.

"....well I guess she wouldn't like it if I did that...." Said Meryl with a defeated sigh as he took his new comrades hand and shook it firmly. "You have a deal. I will not pilfer her underwear..."

[Dante Ahti]

Dante smirked pleasingly, before letting go of the man's hand and shoving his own in his pockets. He was victorious on two fronts. No pillaging for underwear, and joining a mage guild. Perfect.

"Now then. What happens now?" the mage asked, head tilting ever so slightly with curiosity.
"Do we have a base? Do we need to make one? Are there any other members?"
Dante looked around the schoolyard before adding more.

"I know a few students whom may be interested to advance in their magical career. So I'll be helpful with that. Is there anything else needed done by me?"

His hands, stationary in his pockets, were trembling with excitement. He hadn't done something so extraordinary since the war with Goria. A pleased look settled on his face.

[merlinus]

Meryl stood up straight and dusted himself off and smirked at Dante. "We will need to make our base, leave that to me. I have a plot of land that'll be perfect. What I need from you is a list of all magical candidates you know of in Avaleur. As for the the students in mind I want them to attend. I will raise the tower from the earth before them and hook them with a show." Said Meryl with a nod watching Dante sensing his excitement.

"There we go don't hide it, its something to jump about my friend! Another task I need from you is to give word to the other guilds about our forming, we want them to see our rising." Said Meryl folding his arms across his chest and looking at the sky for a moment. "Unless you know of any earth magic...stone building...glass manipulation....nature control....atmosphere change..." Said Meryl looking back to Dante with a serious look on his face.

[Dante Ahti]

"I am familiar with earth magic yes," Dante nodded. Though he was not as familiar with it as perhaps fire or metal, he dabbled in it quite a few times. He over-thought on the other things he needed to do, and confirmed in himself to get it done right away.

"And I probably won't be able to find too many magic candidates," he admitted, removing one hand from his pocket and running it through his hair.
"But I should know a few. And a few is definitely better than none."

[merlinus]

"Oh? Well then you can assist me with building our base and facilities. We will need a tower and campus and dormitory and training grounds...this will be a very draining chain of spells. Think you can handle it?" Said Meryl stroking his chin again as he challenged Dante playfully before getting serious again.

"You're right a handful is better then none." Said Meryl as he began walking and looked to Dante expecting him to follow him. "Any idea on their schools of magic sera?" He said in a bit more respectful tone.

[Dante Ahti]

Dante shook his head as he began to follow. A few students waved, and he waved back as he answered.
"It varies, usually. Some I know only dable in the light magics. Some elemental magics. But usually it's varied, for the people I know."
Again he pursed his lips as he thought.
"I could also get a few people to come in occasionally. One of the knights is a Demon, and I might be able to convince him to come in sometimes to teach the destructive magics."

He didn't know how well that would go though; rumor had it that Walter was a hard teacher.

"As for chain of spells, I'm sure I can. I've done more than one ritual that's more time consuming and life draining than building a tower," he chuckled, but it was true. Usually such rituals involved bringing people back from the dead.

"No worries. I can handle most things thrown at me," the mage reassured, shoulders relaxing as they neared the exit of the school grounds.

[merlinus]

Meryl hesitated at the mention of a demon and his hand went to the birthmark under his eye, painful memoires flashing through his mind. Torture and beatings being dug up once again the cruel treatment of his past brought forth from the hint of demonism. That's right...Avaleur is much different...its not so...

He looked to Dante with a hesitant smile and chuckled softly. "You sure a-about that? He is a demon after all...doesn't that frighten you? What would the students and people think if we let a monster teach?" Said Meryl not believing what he was speaking just testing Dante to see where he stood on the matter.

Meryl turned walking backwards so he could eye Dante carefully. "Well I cant wait to see if you can back up what you say. But this isn't a simple ritual, this will be a span of twenty spells cast in a row without channeling within seconds of each other. Keep up!" Said Meryl with a wink.

[Dante Ahti]

Dante chuckled; he'd be able to keep up. He was sure of it.

But Dante was surprised about the talk of Walter being a demon. A monster? Really? Of course, Merlin was a foreigner. Perhaps from another country entirely. Was he racist, perhaps?
"Avaleur's multicultural," Dante began slowly, an eyebrow raised. "He wouldn't be a Knight if people considered demon's 'monsters'. Or any other race for that matter. And besides, he's a pure demon. One of the higher ups, or so he says. He can teach quite a bit, I'd say. Even if he'd only agree to one class."

After a few moments of hesitation, Dante added, "I'm part demon, anyhow. So if you've got a problem with any other races you should probably say now."

Was this a bad idea? To go off with this man whom he had never seen before. Some of the humans in Avaleur were talking about how they did not like the multiculturalism. What if this man was one of them?

Dante's shoulders tensed up ever so slightly as he waited for an answer.

[merlinus]

Merlin stopped and sighed for a moment as he heard the next question though he was brought some peace by the fact that demons weren't viewed as monsters. Meryl closed his eyes tightly as he pondered what to say to Dante but quickly found out what he should say after learning Dante was a demon aswell.

"I despise humans. They are cowards. Brutal Barbarians. Hypocrites. And fools." Said Meryl in a truthful tone as his eyes showed a much darker look in his eyes. "I'm a half demon...in my country....that's a crime. A sin. I'm an abomination to the humans of my country." Said Meryl folding his arms across his chest.

"Though I can see a point in there fear...the demons in my country are foul creatures of darkness who enjoy tormenting others...then again all I have our stories of how my mother was raped by my father and that I should be thankful for people trying to bash my head in with stones. I still cant accept their horrible acts." Said Meryl with a sigh and a shrug.

[Dante Ahti]

Dante slowly nodded as he came to understand the question even more now. That's all Merlin was looking for; acceptance.
"You don't have to worry about that sort of thing here," he attempted to reassure; but Dante knew that someone who had been through something like that would never truly get over it.

"Though I wouldn't go around saying that you despise humans," Dante admitted, "There is a group of em I think, that're against Avaleur's acceptance of other races. It isn't huge, but... you never know whose listening."

Dante shrugged, giving off a slight smile.
"But don't worry. No one's gonna hurt you cause of what you are. There's too many people who support everyone here."

[merlinus]

Meryl listened to Dante and nodded softly at his words once again holding his chin in contemplation. He got the feeling that Dante had received the want conveyed in his admission, he let his eyes fall closed. "I put my faith in that."

With that Meryl started walking again chuckling softly. "Ah don't worry, its nothing I admit to willingly or go shouting it out in the streets." Cooed Meryl before snickering softly his eyes looking upward and getting lost in his thoughts.

Though a small frown played about his features and he gave a soft sigh. "Religious movements and revolutions never start out big..." He whispered under his breath before grinning softly. "Good..."

[Dante Ahti]

The side of Dante's mouth twitched ever so slightly. He couldn't have heard that right. Who wants war?He had to remind himself that Merlin had been treated badly by humans. He might want to extract revenge.
But the mage decided to let it slide. After all, the man had spoken so quietly that Dante could have heard wrong.
He hoped.

As they left the school grounds Dante turned his attention back to Merlin, the strange man who he felt could possibly be dangerous. Any man crazy enough to even think about stealing a Queen's undergarmits was probably out of their mind in some way.

"So," Dante began, head tilted. "When do we begin?"

[merlinus]

Meryl kept walking letting a silence fall between them and it became a little awkward, then Dante spoke again and meryl completely drew a blank. "I...uh...well....honestly I didn't...." Said Meryl glancing away from Dante and rubbing the back of his head. Meryl had planned to far ahead save for actually knowing what to do in the present, he took a sharp turn pointing forward.

"TO THE SCHOOL GROUNDS!? I MEAN GUILD GROUNDS!" Shouted Meryl looking at Dante waiting to see if that's where they should go.