Seals, Souls, and Secrets (Matsekkusu & Erit of Eastcris)

[Erit of Eastcris]

The late-summer sun beat down without mercy upon the station Izikiel Radia stood upon, where he waited with thinning patience for the train that would ferry him from the city he'd been born in nineteen years ago. He stood, foot tapping in agitation against his suitcase, pale azure eyes cast down the track as though his frustrated glare would bring the locomotive to him faster. He knew it wouldn't, but staring down the track was a better use of his attention than attempting to interact with the contrarian runt of a demon standing nearby. Deanna was many things to Izikiel; his first of many Familiars, a powerful succubus, an animal in the sack. But one thing she usually wasn't for him was "tolerable", the woman taking every chance she could to crawl under his skin with some impertinence or another. No matter how many times he asserted his control, clicking his fingers to tighten the silver-chased leather choker on her neck, she always bounced back to her flippancy within moments. She was a wearying Familiar, but Izikiel was stuck with her until he could summon and bind one more suiting to his tastes, and that wouldn't be for a number of years; Deanna was only there because Zeke's father had heavily assisted in her summoning; it was forbidden for mages to practice unsupervised until they had completed their education, and that was what Zeke was aiming to do. The reason he stood on that platform waiting for his train along with several dozen others, all dressed in the green-and-grey uniform of Grand Damocles University. An academy of mages, where those among the three-fifths of the population with the gift of the arcane were sent to learn about their abilities; what they were, their history, how they could be controlled and mastered. Some went to develop their pyromancy, others to learn the intricacies of the ley-lines and the finer points of rituals. Zeke was attending to study demonology and onmyoji, magics of summoning and binding, as had his father and grandmother. It was the art passed through their blood, the mysticism bound to their family which the crystal-eyed sun-haired youth had inherited. Not that it did him much good in attempting to command his first demon, the belligerent succubus frequently more interested in flirting with or mocking him than in obeying his orders. She would definitely be getting replaced with all haste.

Eventually, at its own pace, the train pulled into the station and permitted the cadre of new students to board, escaping the blistering heat to take seats in the climate-controlled locomotive before it departed for lands farther away. Some were already chatting merrily, eagerly making friends with fellow first-years and demonstrating their bloodline's talent. Izikiel was left in solitude, Deanna's presence all the demonstration the others needed to know what his gift was; the simultaneously reviled and respected art of summoning. Hated for its uniqueness amongst the many forms of magic, relying upon the strength of external beings rather than the skill of the mage themselves, but respected out of a reluctant admittance that any summoner worth their salt commanded far more power than any druid or shaman might. Zeke sat alone, accompanied only by his two bags and Deanna, and kept his gaze to the scenery that crawled by outside the window. It would be a day and a half's journey to the campus, and many more stops between then and now to pick up more students. And after arriving they would not see their homes again for the entire year, barring extreme circumstances. So, Zeke saved his energy, watching clouds for a few minutes before reaching into his pocket to pull out his grimoire, a tiny booklet that fit in the palm of his hand adorned with a fine silver chain dangling from the spine and wrapping around the face of the tome several times. Calling it a grimoire in the traditional sense was disingenuous, as the book was more a focus than a repository of information, helping Zeke to direct his will into causing phenomena that lay outside his innate abilities. All mages could perform all breeds of magic, but to draw upon abilities outside their bloodline's purview they required such things as foci and incantations, spellbooks and formulae. For most mages it was acceptable to simply specialize in what they could do naturally, but summoning was a lengthy an involved process not precisely feasible for most everyday uses. So, Zeke practiced other arts beyond his own, rounding out his knowledge and ability with evocations great and small. The chains on the grimoire jangled lightly as he drew it forth from his pocket, holding up the snowy-white covered book to the sunlight and letting it spin slowly, freely on its fine silver string.

"Of the two gifts Father gave me before packing me off to school," the young man said suddenly, his voice a clear and calm tenor like a welcome spring breeze, "I much prefer this. At least a book cannot kick me from my bed in the dead of night and laugh about it." He added the last with a cold glare at his companion, still bitter over the previous evening's antics which had ended with him sore and groggy come the morning. "You still haven't apologized for that."

 

[Matsekkusu]

“Why. Is. It. So. Hot. Out.”

Her voice rang out among the dull chatter of the other students. The heat combined with the seemingly forever wait for the train easy push her beyond her limit in patience as she slowly wandered around, finding herself on a nearby bench. Flopping down onto it, swinging her backpack around in front of her. She was dressed, mostly due to her own devices, in the school uniform even with not being a “student.” Her dim red skin clashing with the grey and green colors of her blouse and skirt. The latter tightly hugged her large hips and ass. Due to her odd proportions most clothes, especially in the human world where always an odd fit. Knee high socks and dress shoes rounding out her outfit.

She had two very small horns on top of her head, most of the time her hair easily covered them up sans the tips. She didn’t have wings or a tail like some species, a direct result of the demons her parents where. She rolled her head around, the younger school kid next to her unsure of what to do with it. Luckily for him the train finally rounded the corner. “Oh thank god!” she said as she hopped up from the bench, walking back over to his side. Her hips swaying from side to side, her nature making it almost impossible for her to stop.

She didn’t remember much before she was captured. Either from the shock or some magic she was unaware of. The choker locking her to his side. The day of the “event” was quick and violent, from her side. All she knew is that one day she felt herself being pulled from the inside, finding herself ripped from Hell and stuck in the middle of an almost impossibly bright circle with her master and his father. She knew her limits, the choker doing a good job, at least for the time, to keep her in line. She sat down unceremoniously next to him, her full weight coming down on the seat. Adjusting herself to sit on her leg, her small stature making most chairs massive to her. Looking up at him, watching him gaze out of the window. Frowning as she looked around, looking for something to hold her attention.

She turned back as she hear him speak up, seeing the dangling book in front of her. She pushed her tongue into the side of her cheek as she squinted up at him. She tapped the book with her nail, sending it spinning on its chain. “Hey buddy…it isn’t my fault that I had some weird astral projection dream! Do you blame the sun for rising. I don't think so." Her eye browns shooting up out of snark.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

The summoner arched an eyebrow, leaning back in his seat and crossing his legs. "Oh? Comparing yourself to the sun, now, are you?" He said, a kind of bored incredulity oozing from his tone. Her quips less made his blood boil and more frustrated and wearied him, the Master replacing his grimoire in his pocket and folding his slender arms across his chest. "Last I knew, I could blame Sol for rising in the morning, though the effort would be ineffectual at best. You?" He clicked his fingers, the sound ringing oddly clear amidst the white noise of the train. The collar 'round the demoness' neck gave a dim flash of light in response, shrinking in size and compressing her throat. "Lest you forget again, you're mine until further notice."

He disinterestedly averted his gaze, looking once more out the window while his Familiar choked on her own pride once more. He already knew what would happen next, Deanna attempting to fight it for a time before eventually deciding her arrogance could take a back seat to end the pain and discomfort. It would never kill her—demons couldn't die but for a few convoluted methods—but it was immensely painful to have one's throat crushed. Inevitably she would cave, submitting just long enough to beg his forgiveness so he would intone the counter-curse and end the punishment. Normally he would take steps beyond that, but they were in a semi-public space just then and Zeke was uncertain he wanted to break out the lash where some might witness it.

 

[Matsekkusu]

"Yes, we are both incredibly rad..." she started to say, about to flick her head in a "better than you manner" as she heard the sound of his fingers snapping. Even though they were in a moderately full train car, surrounded by people talking, the sounds of the train clanking over the rails among other things; the snapped echoed out. She was quite familiar with collar's metal grasp. Her teeth immediately clenching together, brows furrowing as she sat back in her seat.

She turned to face him, looking at him. Her cheeks popping out as her already pinkish skin slowly started to darken. Even though she had been through this multiple times, instinct was to still try and pry it free. Her fingers attempting to snake under the collar, pulling on the very edge of it. It felt like it was glued to her skin, unable to even fit a needle under it. Never the less, she still tried. Her eyes darting around, seeing that no one was tuned into her plight, an attempt to sway anyone to her aid was easily dashed away.

She turned her upper body towards him, hitting him on his arm in a half playful manner half pleading to stop the choking. Her eyes squinting a bit as she fought against the slowly increasing pain.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

Zeke glanced toward her when he felt the blow landing on his arm, then looked away with adamant disinterest again on seeing the defiance still smoldering in her eyes. "It takes more than that to properly atone and you know it," he muttered, resting his elbow on the windowsill and his chin in his hand. "Crawl upon the earth and beg pity from the worms. You'll find none in my heart for impertinent brats." He teased her, deliberately uttering a piece of the counterspell that would end her punishment, a phrase meant to remind her that she was bound to serve him and that, as far as the summoner was concerned, Deanna was little more than the soil beneath his heels. An impish grin crept into his expression as Zeke taunted the succubus with near-release. "One might be persuaded to relent if a certain belligerent demoness knelt before her Master and begged for a chance to appease him."

 

[Matsekkusu]

His speech bounced around her head. It both infuriated her; attacking her pride directly. The collar slowly continuing to tighten around her neck. He had pulled the "recite half the stupid magic spell" thing before, not being too disheartened when he stopped mid way through.

She slid off of her chair, the friction pulling her skirt up around her waist, showing off her thick thigh which hugged a small thong before the fabric fell back down. She crawled, the comically short distance to the ground in front of him. Kneeling, her hands on her thighs as she looked up at him. Her eyes and mouth both opening widely. She couldn't really speak, having to lean on facial expressions to "speak." Her eyes becoming along puppy dog like between the short twitched of pain.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

It was with no small amount of amusement that the mage met Deanna's gaze, hand extending down to cup her chin. "Crawl upon the earth and beg pity from the worms, as the dust upon the wind rises to the clouds." The collar glowed softly in response, immediately returning to its former fit of just tight enough for her to never forget its presence. He leaned closer to her, legs spreading to accommodate the motion as his grip traveled south from her face to her enclosed neck. "Now, what will you do to make this up to me? It's been quite annoying, putting up with your attitude."

 

[Matsekkusu]

She let out a sigh as she heard the remaining words of the incantation. She fell back onto her legs, her momentum being stopped by him grabbing her collar. She panted for a few moments, her small chest heaving up and down as her color lightened. The back of the collar holding her up as she resumed her position.

It was like her fire was snuffed out. Her eyes looking down as she started to speak. "Anything...master. I want to use my body to please you." She said somewhat quietly. Not enough to be lost over the din of the chatter of the train, but to show respect.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

Seeing her there, showing him vulnerability, was always a satisfying experience. The kind of satisfaction one could glean from opening a difficult pickle jar or finishing a challenging assignment. The sense of triumph that made one want to bask in their reward. And bask was precisely was Zeke intended to do, leaning back and pulling his Familiar towards him. "Strip down," he said, voice stern and lower in pitch than normal, "and then kneel with your legs spread open. Then I'll decide what to do with you."

 

[Matsekkusu]

She took a deep breath as soon as he voiced his answer. Nodding slightly as she stood up, the front of her body rubbing against his legs as she stood on the small patch of ground in front of him. She brought her hands up the center of her body, pulling her small chest up. Then running her hands along the outsides of her breasts as she smiled at him. Her legs tightly closed against each other, her hands running down to the bottom of her blouse. On it's path down her body she stopped to quickly, almost otherworldly, at each button as she practically made them slip out with a brush of her her hand. Her blouse opening to a similarly grey bra, moving one leg on top of the other, using it to twist herself around in a circle. Her shirt flying up and as she stopped, both that and her bra flying and hitting the seat behind her.

She smiled at him, her exposed chest against the air of the cabin car. She technically wasn't human or a citizen or...anything really. So laws didn't much worry her most of the time. She adjusted her legs again, facing away from him. Her hands running down the sides of her body and down over her large plump ass and thighs. On her back looked like two scars, but they where markings from when she was born. Vague symbols in her skin, a mix from each of her parents. She pulled her skirt up playfully before grabbing the brim of both her skirt and thong. Pulled them down, having to wriggle her ass back and forth for an oddly long amount of time, which wasn't new. Leaning forward as they finally crested her curves, exposing both of her holes as she put her head on the seat in front of her.

When they fell to the ground, she turned back around, kneeling down on the floor, her legs apart and hands on her thighs. Only dressed in the school shoes and knee high socks.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

The show was certainly enticing, Izikiel's mouth curling into a smug smirk as he watched his Familiar expose herself to him once more, deliberate but purposeful in her movements as she bared her flesh, obeying without hesitation but trying to please him with a little show. His crueler side began to show itself as she knelt down again, a piece of him growing abreast of his desire to put the succubus before him in her place once more. As she knelt, legs spread to expose her womanhood to his gaze, the summoner undid his pants and pulled free the seven inches of rock-hard heat he bore between his legs, one hand reaching to take his demoness by the hair. Her smart mouth could be put to better use than sassing him, he thought. "Good girl," he said quietly, careful of his volume lest the other passengers look over the high-backed benches and bear witness, "Now let's see those lips of yours be pleasant to me, this time." And with that, he pulled her forward, bringing her up close and personal with his package, a length of flesh she was fairly familiar with by now. Each new bout of punishment inevitably ended in some sexual romp or another; Izikiel didn't exactly mind, since she was attractive and pleasant company, but it was rather tiring sometimes.

 

[Matsekkusu]

She gave a genuine smile as she felt her hair being grabbed, pulling her toward his exposed cock. Much like animals in their natural habitat, a cat playing with string or a husky in ice she was content in these positions. Even her eyes smiling as she sat up on her legs, her small hands moving up. One grabbing the base of his cock while the other held on to what she could of his sack. The tip ran around her lips a few time before her tongue slid out of her mouth. Licking the underside of the rod like a lollipop. Her warm tongue running up and wrapping around the head as it popped into her mouth.

She held for a few seconds, looking up at him as she inhaled deeply. Pulling it out with a audible pop, giggling. "Thank you." she said in earnest as the cock returned to her mouth, pushing a bit of the shaft into her small warm mouth. Her head rotating back and forth slightly as she pushed forward. Her head starting to bob, each of her hands starting to squeeze and massage. Adjusting herself on her knees, her ass popping out behind her.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

The Master sighed in mild content, leaning his head back and letting his Familiar "work her magic", as it were; Deanna's powers were under arcane lock and key, available to her only under Izikiel's order, but she was certainly miraculous at pleasure. He let her continue on like that for some time, enjoying the feel of her hands, tongue and lips upon his shaft and the tingling sensation that came from her complete submission. Then, when he had basked enough, he pulled her back by her hair, freeing his length from her mouth. "Hands down, now," he commanded, and she ceased her ministrations. Her summoner looked down, the same smug smirk on his handsome face, and with his free hand reached around to plant a small, sharp smack on her bountiful hindquarters. "Time for a change of pace. On your hands and knees like a good slut."

 

[Matsekkusu]

She kept her eyes look up at his as she went to work. Her head slowly bobbing up and down, twisting at random intervals. Her small hands slowly working the flesh they held. She natural stuck her ass out in these positions, her hips flexing up. As her hair was pulled, her craned her neck up, a soft "ah.." slipping out of her mouth as the cock unplugged it. She let out a small yelp as her body jerked from the small hit, enough to send her ass and thighs shaking.

Without saying a word, she pulled back from him. Sitting up and on her knees for a moment before adjusting herself. Turning to the side and crawling forward to put herself between both of the seats. Her head facing the door outwards. She placed her knees together, tightly squeezing her lips under her large ass. She playfully shook her lower half before spreading her legs.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

"There, now~" Zeke purred, getting down on his knees behind the horny devil as she eagerly prepared for him, "Doesn't obeying Master feel so much better?" He smiled, emphasizing the last as his length slid in between her lower lips and sunk hilt-deep in her, one of the young mage's hands reaching forward to cover her mouth and silence whatever moans she might want to make, the other seizing her hips as he began to vigorously pound his succubus' pussy. Ordinarily this kind of thing would kill him; her magic draining the life from him with every thrust into the moist, warm slit he now occupied. But she could do nothing to hurt him so long as she was bound as his familiar, and so it was without concern that he railed Deanna good and deep to satisfy the lust she inspired in him.

 

[Matsekkusu]

She took a deep breath, a wide smile on her face as she felt him kneel down behind her. Even though all of her normal energy and soul sucking abilities where blocked, her body was still able to automatically prepare itself for the act. The toes of her shoes kicking the ground lightly as his cock easily slide into her wet hole. Her walls hugging the rod tightly, her shoulders arching down as her head flew up. His hand stopping her moan just as it started, muffled sounds coming from behind his hand."Mmmmmmmphmmm..."

Her ass and hanging chest shook with each hit as she felt him slam into her. Her body easily able to accommodate a human cock. Her fingers stretching out before closing back up. Long waves of pleasure flowed through her body. Muffled happy sounds hitting the palm of his hand with each thrust.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

He sighed, exhaling softly as the pleasure began to sink in deep from the sensations of Deanna's warm, slick hole closing around his length and the sensation of her hot, heady moans being muffled by his grip. He pulled his hand from her hip, planting a sharp smack across her quivering buttocks and hitching his breath as her pussy clenched down around him from the act. "Yeah," he hissed, leaning forward and reaching around to grope her modest tits, rolling a nipple in between his fingertips, "you like that don't you, you horny little bitch?" The Master smiled, continuing to vigorously pound away at her. "Stop your moaning," he commanded as he slipped his hand from her mouth, "and beg quietly for me to cum inside you."

 

[Matsekkusu]

She shook as the small jolt of pain shot through her body, her cushion like ass not providing enough of a bumper to cut through most of the impact. She felt him hunch over her small body, easily able to dwarf her in size. She nodded her head to answer his question, pushing her ass back into him on each hit. Even grinding her hips in a small circle when she could, stirring his cock inside of her. Her moans continued behind his hand, muffled exasperations simply flowing out of her. To her kind, sex was more than...sex. It was almost transcendental; literally being the core of their existence.

Her mouth hung open as he drew his hand away, her eyes closed as a small "Ah.." slipped out of it. "p..please pump me full sir...." she managed to squeak out between labored breaths.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

He gave a bemused little harrumph, pulling her by the waist onto his erection as he throbbed and, with a deep and satisfied sigh, came, his climax pulsing through Izikiel's body like a chilled shiver as wave after wave of pleasure went through him, each accompanied by a heated shot of his seed into the succubus' needy hole. The summoner smiled, leaning his weight onto his familiar and fondling her breasts while he caught his breath. They weren't exactly the largest, his hand completely encasing one easily, but he didn't really care; they were his to toy with and that was all that mattered.

After a few seconds to seize his second wind, Zeke withdrew from Deanna's warm, slick hole, still hard as rock and prepared for another round as his hand reached around to press against her collar, the crown of his manhood pressing against her back entrance in a promise of what was to come. "Now ask nicely for Master to pound your ass, like the naughty bitch you are."

 

[Matsekkusu]

She felt him pull her waist back, his hands hitting her thick hips. She felt him pump her full of his seed; and if this was a normal encounter he'd probably drop dead or pass out, depending. But no such thing could happen. A wide smile on her face, her head craning up. Her eyes closed tightly as she licked her lips. She was in a state of pure bliss as she felt his hand squeezed on of her breasts.

She felt him possessively press down on her collar, biting her bottom lip as she reached behind her. Her left hand grabbing her ass-cheek and pulling it to the side. "P..please pound my ass master." saying happily, still catching her breath.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

The summoner smiled, pushing Deanna down so her shoulders pressed against the ground as he gave her what she wanted, his shaft slipping comfortably into her ass and thrusting in and out of it with ease as Zeke put his familiar in her place. He leaned over, oblivious to the fact that for all his concerns they were in fact being watched by one of the occupants from the next compartment, and muttered into her ear as he took her from behind. "Good girl~" he said, his voice a husky with desire as her rump caressed and squeezed him, as if it were begging for him to never stop. "I like it much better when you remember what you are, Deanna," he whispered, pulling at her hair to drag his servant backwards into his fucking, "a pretty mouth and a nice ass, and everything else is only what I make of you."

 

[Matsekkusu]

She felt his hands pushing down on her naked back, right between the runes carved into her skin. Her forehead hitting the rough carpet as both of her hands did the same, palms down. If there was ever a time where she felt more like a pet it was in these situations. Feeling him towering over her, unable to fight back if she could. The cocky, at least to her, sounding words bouncing around in her brain. The cock easily slid into her other hole, another perk of being a being made for sex. She squeezed tightly against him, pushing her hips back and driving her fat ass into his body as she felt her hair being yanked back, enough to uncover her small horns.

She let out a small "coo" of pleasure as her g-post was teased from the other side now. Lifting her head off the ground, resting her chin on the carpet, her face completely filled with elation.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

Between her elated moans and her hind-end's grip on his shaft, it didn't take long for Zeke to arrive at another tensed, shivering orgasm as his member throbbed and pulsed another load of seed into his familiar's needy chasm. The mage jerked her hair back as he came, forcing himself in up to the hilt and holding her there for a little while even after he was finished, just to let everything sink in for her. Then he pulled out, tossing her carelessly away like the discarded toy she was before taking his seat, still unaware as their neighbor hurriedly ducked back behind their seat.

"Clean this up," he said, gesturing to his still-erect manhood which retained remnants of his own orgasms and of her own lust, "and then yourself before you get dressed. And be quick about it; the next stop is coming up any minute now."

 

[Matsekkusu]

She enjoyed her time on the train floor. Each hit sending splashing waves of pleasure through her body. On her knees, the rough carpet biting into her skin, her head being pulled back as she felt her master unloading into her again. A large, joker like smile being plastered on her face as she pushed back into his body. The corner of her eye catching their on looker, the corner of her mouth curling a bit before her eyes shut once again. "Oh....thank you...." she said at a normal volume as she felt him pull out of her ass.

She fell forward, her ass still in the air as he returned to his seat. She slowly pushed herself up and spun around in place. She bit her bottom lip as she closed the distance, resting her arms on the seat between his legs. A soft, dumb giggle came from her mouth as she looked at him past his cock. "Heh...." Leaning in and running her tongue up and down the shaft as it stood erect still. She was diligent in her effort, the taste of most creatures sex was a delight. She pushed the head into her mouth once more as she made sure she did a thorough job.

Staying on the floor, sitting down on the carpet as she leaned forward. Retrieving her cast aside bra and blouse as she started to dress herself. Standing up in front of him so she could pull her skirt over her hips. Having to bounce back and forth a few times before it popped back over. She plopped back down on the seat, a goofy smile on her face.

 

[Erit of Eastcris]

Izikiel was much cooler-headed about the whole ordeal, making himself decent again and leaning towards the window to watch scenery fly by. They pulled into another station not long after Deanna returned to her seat, and more students climbed aboard in the uniform of Grand Damocles' first-year students. Plenty of people looked into the compartment which summoner and summoned occupied, but none disturbed them; binding a sprite or fairy as a familiar was one thing, but to bind a demon quite another. Having Deanna with him, no matter how impertinent she might have been, was a mark of status and immense power for the young mage who would be the next head of the Radia household.

The prospective students boarded, and the train doors slid closed as it continued on its merry way. The ride was a long one, with many more stops past were Zeke had been waiting that morning; a day and a half from his home to the university, and that day and a half their compartment was left all to Zeke and Deanna, the mage's frosty demeanor and the presence of a succubus warding away even the most staunchly curious of potential colleagues. It was approaching noon when the now nearly-full locomotive finally pulled into the last station, the conductor speaking over the loudspeaker to announce their arrival at "GDU" as it was more commonly addressed. Zeke stood, clicking his fingers and gesturing for Deanna to follow him as the mage picked up his backs and disembarked along with the others.

Grand Damocles certainly deserved the first part of its name; it was less a modern college institute and more an entire town unto itself, complete with a monorail system along the outside and tram lines leading from the monorail to the center of the giant, perfectly circular arrangement at which sat the staff building and assembly hall. It was a magic academy, after all; it came as no surprise to Zeke or any of the others that it was designed like a gigantic ritual circle. Many things could be done with a ritual of that size, but the only person to whom it would respond was the dean.

The new arrivals all walked together towards the assembly hall, the tram lines being disabled until the start of the school year proper, and almost immediately cliques and groups became apparent; users of similar magic congregated together, alchemists with their tremendous bundles that nearly dwarfed those carrying them, elementalists with their technicolored eyes and myriad dispositions, even summoners with their fae and gremlins, friends and those who had shared compartments. Izikiel walked alone, a leash extending from his hand keeping Deanna at his heels as he pulled her along by her collar. The city was a sight to see, all kinds of shops both mundane and mystical lining the streets; trinkets and tomes, cafes and grocers, a juxtaposition between modern amenities and the old ways. The dormitories were on the opposite side of town from them, of course; no need to disturb the senior students who were already present. It was after the half-hour walk in the much more moderate climates of the university that the first-years found themselves in the assembly hall, where they would wait the induction speech by the dean before they could claim their badges and be assigned dorms.

They didn't need to wait long. In fact, it was the dean who had been waiting for them, and once all were seated with their things the wizened old archmage cleared his throat before speaking into the microphone in front of him, greeting the students and giving a long pre-written speech about their futures both during and after their studies, careers in the fields of magic, the usual long-winded shpeal one could find at any prestigious academy. An hour ticked by before the old man bid them farewell for the time being and all assembled woke up and left to claim their badges and dorms before unpacking. Izikiel was no different in that regard, though he was assigned a dorm effectively all to himself since Deanna was considered his roommate by default; familiars were forbidden from being without their bonded masters on academy grounds, and the dorm rooms were sealed to prevent their leaving without a mage chaperoning them.

So it was that, as the sun began to descend from its zenith in the mild-weathered lands far to the north and east of Zeke's home, the heir to the Radia dynasty found himself unpacked and sitting on one of the two narrow beds in the modest dorm room he shared only with his Familiar, looking out the window at the clear blue sky and musing to himself as to whether he wanted to tour the town or simply relax for the remainder of the day.