It took some wandering, and a little bit of questioning of Sartha, though she was still rather scared of the Minotaur. Sam had been left in her room, with the door firmly locked and spelled so that it couldn't be opened from the inside, or phased through or transported out of. Perhaps after her meeting with the three, or possibly before, she eventually did find the office. The diplomat wasn't aware the Mistress was expecting anyone, and so she just knocked. Not a loud noise, but firm enough.

She was in uniform, and her belt had her wand tucked into it. The white top and vest, black skirt and boots bringing it all together. Her hair pulled back in a braid down her back, her hands clasped loosely in front of her, waiting patiently for a response from within before touching the doorknob. Polite was polite, and it seemed she was the right woman to go to.

Her thoughts wandered back to Damien's comments about bodyguards. If nothing else, it didn't seem she would be turned away with the same platitudes the few teachers she'd mentioned her dilemma to. That she school was safe, and warded. No enemy could get through, she needed to stop worrying.

She shook her head, remembering that. It was frustrating to be brushed off, and perhaps that was what had lead her to skip all the way to the top, instead of following the proper chains of command.

Her ears weren't keen, but the door opening of it's own accord allowed her to catch her friend's last words. A curious glance, trying to find the source of that voice. It was habit. As it was that she looked around, before stepping in. After getting permission first. Her motions confidant, head held high, shoulders back.

She noted the use of her title, and the serious look. Curiosity burned in her eyes, dying to ask about the disembodied voice, but that would be done later, maybe. A bare look to Sartha before she spoke, bowing slightly to them both, hands still in front of her. "Headmistress." Returned evenly, lacking fear, but holding respect.

A brief pause as she reorganized her thoughts, with what she'd heard as she came in factored into the equation. "I think I can help with the guard situation... I'd intended to come in and ask what could be done to get one of my guards able to accompany me." A slight hesitation, she couldn't think of a good way to state the rest of it. "Not that the school's necessarily dangerous, and I'm not anticipating an attack to myself." Stated as fact. "More that, if something does happen, I would like one of them to have an easier time finding it out, rather then needing me to be able to get a message to them."

Her hands had moved as she spoke, gesturing as she spoke. She noticed it after she was done, and clasped right wrist with her left hand. A bit of a turn, she remembered she hadn't shut the door before speaking.

Moir nodded several times, no real emotion visible on her features, she'd expected something like that, and understood. As the Headmistress looked to the Minotaur, she shot him an apologetic look, she hadn't thought of how her request would look to him. She hadn't meant for any insult. Listening to the conversation further she nodded. "Basic hand to hand combat classes." Murmured in thought, that was one thing they didn't seem to offer.

Another nod to the compromise offered. That would serve as well. There were ways to get messages out, she just didn't know them.

She flushed and ducked at the mention of her cat. The motion was too fast to be called a bow, and she stayed for a moment. "I believe we have come to an agreement, and she will behave." Her voice was calm, level. Just listening, one couldn't tell she'd ducked like that. She straightened.

A brief pause as she made sure there was nothing else to ask of the Headmistress. The slightest of winces at her title, she shook her head and curtsied to the Headmistress. "No, Headmistress. I thank you for your time." The words careful, her accent nearly gone. Respectful. With that, she rose and slipped out the door.

It shut as silently as she could manage.

Top of the Food Chain...

Natolii was in the process of welcoming the new students to the school. After several incidents in recent weeks, she felt the need to nip a few things in the bud. She was dressed formally and her crimson mane was bound back.

Alyssa moves through the hall, dressed a black silk shirt and the black skirt. She fed on some the scents of the students with a ?don't mess with her? look. She had a tight hold on her thirst. Her blue eyes looks around the school, her fang teeth part into a smile.

Natolii tapped manicured nails on the desk awaiting the girl she summoned. There would be hell to pay literally if she had to send Sartha looking for her.

Alyssa hurries down the hall, knowing she has her interview. She doesn't want to be late. She opens the door in the head mistress's office.

Natolii gave the girl a quick appraisal and frowned a bit. "Have you secured your uniform as of yet, child?"

"I haven't be in my room yet, Head Mistress. I was out hunting." Alyssa answers. She moves inside of the office and takes a seat in front of her desk.

There was an arch of a slender brow unimpressed, "Hunting, already not taking your responsibilities seriously I see. And where were you hunting?" The headmistress asked pointedly.

?I was hunting out away from the school. I have been recently turned, Head Mistress. I don't trust myself around others yet. You have humans walk on these grounds. I was only preparing."

Natolii looked thoughtful at that, "And your master? Why has he left a neophyte to fend for herself?"
ed
"My master abandon me as soon as he changed me." Alyssa looks away. She was hurt, and bitter from the whole thing. "I don't know why he left."

Natolii shook her head, "Shameful, positively shameful. I am assigning you to the guidance of Mistress LaCroix. You are expected to follow her guidance to the letter, neophyte." She stated bluntly, using the kindred term for child. "I expect you to do your utmost to avoid dining on your follow students."

"Yes, headmistress as soon as I get settle in, I will look for her." Alyssa nods. "You know I am hybrid right?" She licks her red lips.

There was a nod at that, "I'm familiar with them." Natolii doesn?t add that one of her husband?s best friends is one. Understatement for her

She nods. "I heard that I have a roommate? I don't think that is wise right now." she sighs. Her blue eyes look over to the headmistress. No feeding on students, blood or dreams.

"You have no choice in the matter."

Alyssa closed her blue eyes and nods. "I understand." This is going to be a rough year.

"There are ways to sate the hunger, but remember no students... unwillingly."

"Yes, headmistress." Alyssa sighs. Her blue eyes opened and look at the headmistress.

"Anything else, Novice?"

"No, headmistress." She stands up. "Am I done?" She asked softly.

There was a curt nod, "For now. Get your uniform together, you will start classes soon."

Alyssa bows her head in respect. "There?s one thing....I can pick an animal right?"

"When it comes time, yes. Your familiar will be your companion and aid."

Alyssa nods. She doesn't have one. Once it comes time she will think of one. "Thank you, Head mistress."

She nodded and dismissed the young one, "Remember, there are some things off your menu, other students are it. If I get one report, you will be dealing with me. You are not the top of the food chain around here."

"Yes, headmistress." She gave her a fang smile.

The eyes were an inhuman shade of turquoise intermingled with crimson, "And that includes me."

Alyssa bows her head. "I understand."

(Thanks Alyssa)

Lesson learned

Chains rattled as the Minotaur worked on freeing the coffin from their embrace. The cross was set aside as well. There was something to be said about not not believing in certain faiths.

The Neblisian Shadow-knight watched the process dispassionately. Lessons needed to be taught and learned. The students needed to know she was deadly serious when it came to her... instructions.

"Sartha, Take Ms Viette to the WestEnd of the city. She should be able to feed there without causing too much of an alarm."

One of the lessons of the punishment was starvation. The vampire would not be able to feed while so contained. While older kindred might be able to last longer, the 3 days term was sufficient for a neophyte.

She moved over to the young vampire and cruelly grasped her chin forcing the neophyte to look into those blazing eyes.

"As I told the other novice, there are things in this school that rank higher on the food chain... Myself included. You would do well to remember that and learn to be subtle. I do not take failure lightly, neophyte."

She may not be Kindred, but the Ravinist was far from weak. "You will be excused another 2 days to recover. I suggest you use the time to get caught up then report to Mistress LaCroix."

She waved her dismissal and Sartha dragged the mewling vampire away to feed. The WestEnd was the dregs of the city and a few transients would not be missed.

Brais placed the Akuma Taijiya katana in its scabbard and locked it away in the small vault he kept in the hollowed out portion of his bed, just beneath his mattress. He and Fleur's room had been decorated with an assortment of weaponry from his homeland, but none of those were as valuable as his trusted blade. He kept it hidden and kept it safe, even from her.

But that was because he knew the Cambions and was aware that if they came to know of her they would seek her out, hoping to infect her mind and uncover secrets about the man who hunted them. He couldn't risk it, not with her, and kept such things a clandestine understanding.

He shed the worn attire of his endeavor, leaving the kimono and hakama pants to pool upon the floor. They would be washed and returned, garnering not a second thought thanks to his heritage, and for that Brais was thankful. The less questions he had to answer, the better.

With his mage uniform donned, he reached for the sheath that contained his wand and lifted it from his desk, revealing the folded parchment that had been sitting there for some time. It had been delivered by a quasit, detailing a summoning to the office of the Headmistress.

He had put it off for far too long and decided in that moment to answer it.
A simple spell and he vanished, appearing just outside Natolii's door, the magical aura left behind causing silken strands of alabaster hair to slither and lash in tranquil motion.

Pushing the door open, his dark eyes inclined inside the room as lips parted.

"Headmistress? Are you here?"

He stepped through the archway to her office and, as always, held an air of authoritative defiance. It was the solid horizon of his shoulders, the wide splay of his chest beneath those wizardly robes, that made him appear as though he were invincible, and yet in the depths of dark eyes could be found a reverence for one of the Headmistress? Station. For all of his faults, Brais Galician fully believed in the respect of order and rank and made sure to express such veneration to one of in her position.

Unlike other students of less restraint he was not swayed by her immense beauty; any awe she procured from the Mage was in regard to her designation and not her physical allure, no matter how appealing it may have been.

He moved to her desk upon silent steps and stood at his full height, nearly saluting her in his statuesque stance, downcast eyes opposing the incline of his chin to keep her fully in view.

?I apologize for my lackadaisical response, Headmistress. Regardless of my reason or excuse, I should not have kept you waiting. How can I serve you??

?Trappings, Headmistress?? Brais asked, the question accompanied by the high arch of a snowy white brow. Amidst her appraisal he remained decorous in mannerism and tone. ?I would hardly consider the title of first student as a mere trapping, though if I have garnered the favor of both you and Deaconess Shah then I am grateful.?

Truly he was. To gain the attention of two individuals as powerful and influential as Satariel and Natolii was a feat in and of itself.

Still, that would not dull the edge of his regard. Tightening the line of his shoulders even more, letting spell-crafting hands linger at the sides of his legs, he watched her with an even and respectful survey, breaking only to momentarily examine the room they occupied.

There was nothing left to say at that moment, leaving the floor and the next move to her.

He could appreciate the domineering d?cor of her office, knowing certain items rather well thanks to his dealings with another sort of slaver; Cambions. Dark eyes drifted carefully from one item to the next, taking note of certain details pertaining to the variety of factions represented.

As the Headmistress stood he watched her with only his eyes, not another movement made, remaining a statue before her. There was a thoughtful look as he listened to her descriptive contrast between title and power, quietly agreeing with her assessment.

?Advanced?guidance?? He mirrored her tone, her pause between words, as his ebon gaze studied her eyes. That simple phrase could mean a number of things and define a multitude of situations, though it was obvious that the Mage was interested. He wanted to be the Primorious Discipulus, but if Natolii, acting in the interest of the Deaconess herself, sought to bestow another glory upon him, he would not refuse.

??very well.? He added evenly, making sure that his inflection indicated acceptance and not approval ? after all, who was he to refuse the invitation of the Headmistress. Finally he made a move and dipped his chin, lowering his face to look at her squarely. Undivided attention was given. ?What did you have in mind??

The Deaconess of the Institute of Arcane Principle stood outside the door of the former Headmistress' office. Moments previously she'd simply stepped from the dark smudge of shadows, slipping from within their ebony hold as if birthed upon this plane.

Arkon's decision (a rarity as he chose to leave administration to her) had not come without repercussions and in a rare display of pleasure a chillingly lifeless smile had curled her chiseled lips. She had overseen the collection of Benedykt, Cinder, and Nemese for the mission into the shadow realms. A sign of her respect for the Mistress of Shadow Magic in her personal attention to this detail.

She had not arrived alone.

They were a pale assortment of students, the powder white softness of Benedykt vying with the sunless skin of both Cinder and Nemese. Where they were going the gleaming whiteness of their flesh would serve as beacons to less savory creatures.

By contrast Damien Tanner's vivid coloring would stand out starkly in comparison.

It was an interesting quartet...but interesting things came from manipulations and plotting.

Upon their delivery, she inclined her head in a measure of respect for the gorgeous redhead who would oversee their ... adventure. The shadows writhing around her, reclaiming her with an eerie finality that perhaps foreshadowed the future.

If these students had a future.