Thorns of Envy [Ether + Bene] | Soul Eater Universe

[Etheria]

“Splendid, splendid!” His voice rang throughout the corridors with an uncharacteristic glee, despite his daunting position. It was the first day of the fall semester, Lord Death venturing beyond the infamous death room to take a gander at the influx of new students. He’d always been of the quirky sort, opting for a more friendly exterior to mask the lethal nature beneath. Ryo had been privy to glimpses of the being, though she’d never been this close. Let alone escorted by him. Leading a small group of students, he directed them towards the routine orientation that occurred by classroom.

Ryo adjusted the obi of her kimono, her geta sandals dragging slightly against the floor as she skirted past Lord Death.

“Good to see you finally enroll.” He commented jovially, offering a light clap on the back. She stumbled for a moment, her cheeks flushed as she recollected her balance. No one seemed to notice her momentary lapse, thankfully. It would be embarrassing to have fallen face-first into the class on her first day. Her future classmates were too preoccupied on claiming their seats. Without a partner, she felt awkward sitting in the first few rows; where many already sat in pairs. It was discouraging to think she’d get to bond with a weapon. Most of their students (especially those in the EAT class) attained their first partner at the age of thirteen- or younger. But, Ryo hadn’t been apart of the demon weapon world, yet. She’d still been a young witch, immersed in a world of chaotic whimsy and hard tradition.

Scuffling to the very last row, the seats highest up, she took residence there. It was a nice enough perch, easy to see the professor who was winding up to welcome the students. Quite literally, actually. A bolt jutting out from the side of his skull would crank, as he turned it once. Twice. Three times. Ryo fiddled with the ornaments in her hair, instinctually.

“Right. You know why you’re here.” The fragmented man, supposed professor, spoke in a low tenor. He appeared uninterested in the expected, ceremonial motions- instead taking a more practical approach. “Each of you youngsters are aspiring to be capable weapons and meisters.” A mixture of a sigh and a grumble escaped his lips. “But in order to be capable… you need a partner. Matching soul wavelengths is a vital, key point in your studies to become truly useful to the outside world. Something you cannot do alone. For this reason, partnership is mandatory in the EAT class. If you fail to find a weapon or meister- you will be expelled.”

Most of the students seemed unbothered by this, laughing and yawning at the notion of still being unpartnered. A sweat built between Ryo’s clasped palms, worry stewing in her gut. What if she screwed up again? What if she couldn’t match wavelengths with anyone?

“Many of you have been partnered in your early high school admissions. But since we have some new students, I thought I’d be gracious enough to let them get this part over with.” He glanced over to his desk, plucking a piece of paper from a clipboard. “When I call your name, come down to the front. Each of you may volunteer to take on the weapon or meister of your choice. You have until our first exam to succeed in forming a bond. Best not to waste time.”

 

[Bene]

Yu sat at the back of the classroom, his feet up on one of the chairs in front of him. He had been through this before. Two times to be exact. This was his last chance to make it through the first exam, or he would be kicked out. The professor only allowed him more chances because he saw something in him. Bullshit. It was pity. This guy was just like all the others. Only ever pitying him. When he was in kindergarten and middle school, all the other kids would call him cursed. Because he was.

As a weapon, he was impossible to wield. Many had tried, but only got hurt in the process. Not one person was able to hold him for more than a few minutes at a time, thanks to the spikes on his handle. The more someone tried to grip it, the more they would only hurt themselves. That was his curse. To be alone, and without a partner. But it was the way he preferred things. After he failed the exam today, he would finally be left alone as well.

The students starting today looked all the same as the ones before them. All full of life and excitement. Only half of them would make it. Maybe less. The EAT class was no joke, and hardly anyone even made it this far. Even fewer would make it through the first exam. Only the best of the best could make it. Only those strong enough. One by one the other students filed to the front and were paired off. Either in premade pairs or new ones.

The seat in front of him thinned out, until there were only a handful of students left over. Including the girl seated next to him. A curious looking girl, but not worth his time for now.

And so it finally came time.

"Harkino, Yu. Front and center. Let's see if you make the cut this time. " the professor barked, twisting the gear on his head.

With a sigh, he stood up and walked to the front of the room. With a bow, he gave his introduction.

"I'm Yu. Weapon, sword type. But I'm cursed, so good luck." he said, sounding uninterested. Not like he would get picked by anyone anyways.

 

[Etheria]

It was a deafening roll call, as each student affirmed their previous partnership. Few were newly synced, and seemingly well-matched. How nice it must have been, to be so leisurely about the process. She had removed her hair ornament, twirling it between her fingers in order to distract herself from the overwhelming stress. Her tongue felt dry, her throat tight. Ryo concentrated on the metal in her hands, hoping that it would level the excess energy writhing throughout her body.

To the observer, she may have appeared complacent. Fiddling with a hair decoration, barely even paying notice to the prospective partners being called to the front. However, this was not the case. Ryo had a very keen eye, and hung on every word that resounded from the front of the room. The gait of the student as they approached the desk. Their dress. Their temperament. She required her choice to be distinctly careful. Someone with resolute intentions to attend the academy for the purpose of becoming a death weapon. A blade of some kind, preferably.

And then there was him. His footsteps were even, but not lazy. Measured, as if it were a dance he’d recited many times over.

Curious, she thought, slipping the needle-like ornament between the silken black folds of her kimono. She adjusted the white collar peeking out from beneath, resting just off the shoulder.

“I’m Yu. Weapon. Sword Type.” He spoke. His voice was smoother than the disheveled mess of his hair. That was all she needed to hear. Brushing off the violet obi at her waist, she stood. A silence had bubbled over the students. She could feel their eyes shift toward her.

“Mine.” She spoke a bit too possessively. A small curl betrayed her composed lips. “I will take him as my weapon.” She amended, stepping down to meet him at the front. Her wooden sandals clacked against the hard floor.

“If he’ll have me.” This time, she met his piercing blue gaze. Her golden eyes swirled with interest, trying to decipher the nature of the man.

 

[Bene]

"Mine." The voice from the back of the class called. Sounds of her footsteps filled the air as she approached him.

Yu was absolutely stunned. To think this random girl had the audacity to volunteer herself. Just who did she think she was? Did she not know he was cursed? Yu hadn't seen her before today, so what was her deal? These questions zoomed through his head, before he realized that he had not spoken back. This girl just stared him down with her golden colored eyes. Analyzing him. Trying to figure him out, the same way he was doing the same to her.

"Sure." he finally replied, looking away from her eyes and to the floor feigning disinterest. "You'll change your mind once you see what I am.." he said to her. Yu stretched his hands over his head and cracked his neck, then sighed. Time to show this girl how big of a mistake she was making. With a white glow, he suddenly disappeared as he took the shape of his weapon form, a black longsword. The blade was long and sharp, with spikes protruding from the crossguard. The pointed upwards towards the blade. However from the red handle, two or three smaller spikes also stuck out. Meaning if she were to grip him, her hand would be cut. Aside from the spikes, he was a sturdy looking blade.

He would float there a moment, waiting for her to grab him and wield him. Attempt to at least. A few others had tried and failed now, this girl would be no different.

Yu would poke his head out of the blade to talk to her a moment, now appearing as though he was shirtless. "So what do you think girl? Grab my handle you'll cut your hand to ribbons." he said with a small chuckle. "You can try, but you'll just hurt yourself. Would hate to get blood on that nice looking kimono of yours."