A Darker Dream (OPEN)

[divinerighttorule]

1) No remorse and no shame

Out on the town, Azula looks perfectly sweet. Thigh high, slim cut boots with 'tattered' jean shorts, a black tank top underneath, and a loose white shirt over it. At her side was a black fabric handbag to hold her phone and wallet and everything. She has her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail.

She looks like a typical tourist, cellphone in hand and taking pictures, especially of famous landmarks. She's here, after all, to take in the culture. So, at first, that means sightseeing.

It's a full day for her, riding buses and taking tours. She takes a couple of light meals in a few places a phone app recommends and stops for coffee more than once, trying to get a sense of the 'local flavor.'


2) Fire, fury and flame

At night, Azula is a different creature all together. She's dressed for clubbing, and for all the innocence she displayed during the day... she shows just that much against it at night. Now, it's all about finding the local hot spots.

She looks young, and nearly every place checks her ID, but she is technically of legal drinking age. She even has the right years officially on everything to make it clear. Which, well. It contradicts what she usually tells people, but if something's forbidden, then young people will lie to get it. Being under drinking age but having an ID that says she isn't? Not a problem.

Between a few of the bars, she takes her own personal shortcuts. Others, though, she walks to, letting herself see the views of London that only come at night.


3) Cause the devil's to blame

The Other Realm is familiar. Still different. Which is, perhaps, the most interesting thing she's learned all day. She knows the feel of it, but the look is different. Still, it's as close to home as she'll be getting for a long while.

So she might as well say hello to those she's going to be imposing on for a time.

In the Other Realm, she makes no pretense of modern clothing. Instead, she wears something far more ornate, a red and gold hanfu with a train that trails behind her as she walks, prim and poised, through the hall of the Seelie king and queen. Her hair, likewise, is loose, hanging down her back. They aren't holding court yet, no, so she can walk among the finery of the Seelie court, understand where she is.

And, she hopes, find a few of her brethern to better understand the players of the games going on in the mortal world.

4) And the angels proclaim

"Poor little things," Azula coos while standing in front of an exhibit in the London Zoo. The birds really are beautiful creatures, but there's no fun to be had in hunting them while they have nowhere to run. Even the aviary has that drawback. The birds wild in London are too small to provide any real sense of sport. They're quick little creatures, but they have no real majesty to any of them.

She could track down a heron. That's certainly on her to-do list. And, well, no one would miss a swan or two. Still, she likes to see the exotic ones. Likes to imagine being able to follow them, flicking between both worlds to really catch them. The mere thought is exhilarating. And makes her want prey. Something to stalk and trap, to watch writhe in her grasp.

Well... There are plenty of mortals around. They might make interesting sport.


5) It's a dangerous game

Her research about the strange happenings with not being able to open and close doors everywhere she wants to go points Azula to one place: Redbright Institute.

The clothes she wears are, in her opinion, 'hyper modern.' They are what she expects everyone thinks a modern teenager looks like. And a fair amount do. With tight pants, laced up boots, a loose t-shirt, and a weathered-looking jacket, she looks like she could have stepped out of a teen fashion magazine.

She enters the campus somewhat carefully, but the wards only contain her magic related to the Other Realm. They don't prohibit her presence entirely. It's interesting, this school. Dangerous, especially given the assorted witches who seem focused on driving out the fae, but interesting. That's why she's looking like a student. Or a prospective student. Just to walk around the campus. Get a feel for the place and the people in it.


6) Wildcard!

Choose your own adventure!

Comments

[ 5 ]

[warmheartedly]

And this is where Clara comes in, stage left.

Some of the students who took up boarding in Redbright and/or simply were milling about in the hallways are talking to each other and gossiping about this or that during a break between classes. Clara had just followed them out of the classroom, phasing through the closed door, to make sure they weren't causing mischief due to one of people in the group being a known prankster. She won't let him put silly putty on the ceiling on her watch. Again.

Judging by how the students seem to practically ignore the older lady hovering close to them, it seems that none of them can spot her. She doesn't seem to mind, more than happy to observe the students interacting with each other until she notices a newcomer with them.

Just in time for one of the students to notice Azula too.

"Hello there!" The oldest girl among the students, a pretty young thing with brilliant red hair and bright blue eyes, smiled happily at the sight of Azula. "Sorry if it seemed like we were ignoring you there for a second. I was just talking to some of groupmates about a project of ours but anyways! Are you new here?"

[divinerighttorule]

The only thing that is a little surprising is that most of the students don't seem to see the woman watching them. She would have expected a far greater number to be able to see ghosts. Still, it doesn't matter much to her. It's just something interesting to be filed away for later.

"I'm not a student here," Azula says. She can't lie, can't pretend she already goes here. But that doesn't mean she has to tell the whole truth either. "I wanted to see the campus for myself."

The implication of being a prospective student is completely allowed. Even as she talks to them, though, her eyes occassionally flick to the spirit. To those who can't see her, it's no different than someone looking around. Nothing rude, no. Just curiosity. But someone who could see the ghost would know Azula was looking right at her, and her expression indicates she's trying to decide what she thinks.

[warmheartedly]

"I definitely haven't seen her before," Clara muses aloud before she notices that she's being watched.

Huh. Clara looks around her just to make sure there's no one else the newcomer could be looking at like that but nope. It seems to be her.

... Is there something on her face?

While she touches her face and looks at the window nearby to make sure she doesn't look too awful, Bianca looks excited at what she had just been told. She clasps her hands together and her smile is even "You mean like wanting a tour of the school? If you want then I'll be more than happy to help you out in that! It's a bit like my job here in the school considering my programs."

"Which is nearly all of them," mutters one of the boys next to her and Bianca elbows him hard before looking back at her with an apologetic look that clearly reads, Please don't mind him.

"I'm Bianca. It's a pleasure to meet you, miss."

[divinerighttorule]

Azula puts her hands together in front of herself and bows at the waist. A polite gesture, specifically chosen to highlight her as foreign. She might as well make the accent she likely won't get rid of for some time work for her. Besides, a true outsider is someone to inform. She may learn quite a bit here.

"Please," she says with a small smile, "call me Akane."

So many easy turns of phrase to get around revealing that it isn't her true name. Especially in this place, she has no intention of giving anyone any power over her.

"I'd love to know more about the school. Though I wouldn't want to keep you from anything."

[warmheartedly]

Upon noticing the gesture and hearing the name, Clara relaxes a bit and feels silly for being so nervous. She chalks it up to Akane not knowing that much about ghosts, maybe, or seeing one float by so much.

Not to be rude, she opts to show she sees her too by smiling at her and giving a little wave as a sign of greeting. "Hello there, miss Akane. I'm Clara. Most of them don't see me and I like to keep it that way. Makes my job here easier."

"Akane! What a beautiful name. I'll be more than happy to show you around the school so please don't worry about it. I was just talking to my friends over a project but that can wait." Bianca looks back at her friends with raised eyebrows while she packs her books away, the tomes clearly spellbooks for elements and potions. "Right you guys?"

The group with her give affirmatives that ranged in enthusiasm, knowing better than to get in the way when Bianca is in student council mode. That's enough for Bianca to walk over where Akane is, happy to show her around. "I always love to show off the gardens first here to people new here. It's where we grow some of herbs and plants needed for spells and charms and that means we have to make sure they're at their best."

[divinerighttorule]

"Please, don't let me keep you," Azula replies, offering another small smile. "You should work on your project." But just dismissing the girl would be rude, and that would make it harder for her to get more information. Still, she'd rather look around by herself a bit. And perhaps see what a ghost has to say about this place. "Why don't I come back? Maybe Friday, three o'clock? That way, you can plan and really give me a thorough tour."

As useless as that would probably be.

Still, best not to burn any bridges until she determined how valuable they might be. So she'd play nice with the mortal. Besides, even a silly little witch might play a part in the much larger scheme of things. Pawns, after all, have their uses just as much as queens do. The use is simply different.

[warmheartedly]

"Are you--" Bianca stops herself from questioning Akane, realising that she shouldn't be pushing someone to do something if they didn't want to. "Alright, that's understandable. Friday would be an excellent time to give you a proper tour! I promise to make sure you have the best Redbright experience when we have the time together."

A friend of hers elbows the other and they try not to laugh at Bianca's too peppy demeanour before a sour look at them. "Do you need directions to anywhere in particular at least? It's the least I can do for you, Akane."

"Somewhere far, far away from your friends is perhaps the best suggestion," Clara can't help remark in a deadpan way, giving a look of her very own to someone in particular. She sees you, silly putty terrorer. "I haven't forgotten what you did, Wayland, to the toilets and I think the same can be said to poor Mr. Jenkins."

Then something strange, in a way, happens. Bianca is quick to cover her mouth with a hand and a muffled sound is heard from her. A snort that she quickly transforms into a polite cough. To her friends they don't think much of it thanks to the current weather but anyone else would realise what the witch is trying to do: She's trying to keep herself from laughing at Clara's comment.

[ 2 ]

[goroesi]

Oh, does Maera love herself a little clubbing. It's one of the best ways in Human London to let off stress after a long week, and god, she's been worked to the bone lately. With all the preparations for the Seelie Court's hunt, she's been in high demand - but now's not the time to think about that. Instead, she's donning something quick and cute before heading off to one of the many bars in London.

It feels good, to be around so many humans and to blend in. It feels good to let her inhibitions down, even though mortal alcohol doesn't influence her like faery wine does. And it feels good to bump into strangers who are more supernatural than not. Especially this one, with perfect hair and legs that go on for miles. Maera lets herself look properly before approaching her with a sharp smile. "Hey there. Can I buy you a drink?"

[divinerighttorule]

The difference between 'can' and 'may' is on the tip of her tongue, but Azula bites it back. After all, it's nice to be in the presence of another fae. Their kind radiate what they are, at least to one another, and it's welcome. As interesting as mortals can be, they're also dull after long periods of time. So, well, this? This is a nice change of pace.

"Golden Apple Cider, then."

[goroesi]

She relays her order to the bartender, along with a daiquiri for herself, before leaning against the bar and looking Azula over again. "Either you're new in town, or I'm incredibly unlucky and I haven't run into you before. I'm Maera. Who are you?"

[divinerighttorule]

"You can call me Akane," she replies, tilting her head curiously. The woman is, after all, a possible ally. Or a possible enemy. It's always so hard to tell in foreign courts. Either way, she isn't giving her real name. "And you?"

[goroesi]

One of the perks of being a human is definitely the part where Maera has a birth certificate with a name other than her true one on it. "Akane? That's lovely. I'm just Maera Perkins. Like the dog star. It's weird, but my mom just loves her stars."

[divinerighttorule]

To name a child for a dog... Well. Her father didn't like Zuko, and even he didn't do that. Still, there's no reason (right now) to voice the insults she's thinking. Instead, she takes the now-prepared drink and sips it. Just the right bite.

"Have you been in London long?"

[goroesi]

"Oh, I've been here all my life," Maera says easily, her smile just growing wider at the thought of her dear city. "My dad lived here, so I made visits from my mom's place pretty often. I've been all over the U.K., but London's still my favorite city. Aside from Cardiff, maybe."

5

[chronobreak]

Ekko's out and about with plenty of other students while they're between classes. He might not technically need to be there, but he's a prefect and these are people just like him. He can't help wanting to be around, not that he does too much to stop harmless pranks.

Ekko seems way more at home here than out on the town. Here he knows his place and he knows the students. He's been here for a while, an unfamiliar face or two is the norm.

That's when he spots her. That girl from the other night from out of town. Huh, she also looks less uncomfortable. Maybe they're just not party people.

"Were you looking to enroll?" he calls out. Probably not, she said she was a tourist. Then again, she also didn't say how long she planned on staying.

[divinerighttorule]

The familiar voice surprises her, and Azula turns to look. She supposes she shouldn't be surprised to know he's here. After all, he has that sense of power about him. This is one place to find someone like this. Instead, she nods politely. Her words... Well, those are chosen carefully. Or perhaps it's the language barrier.

"I've heard a lot about this place," she murmurs. "I wanted to see it myself."

See it, understand it. And this young man might be very useful. If he attended this school, he might be able to give her some information she wouldn't get without an inside source. She tries to offer a small smile.

"I didn't see anywhere to get a tour."

[chronobreak]

It's not like meta humans go trying to broadcast their abilities to just anybody. He managed to stay quiet about it until he felt like learning more, which is his preferred way of going about things- on his terms.

Sounds like Azula's heard of them, even if she's from abroad. Do they really make that big of a splash internationally? Perhaps.

Still he seems friendly enough, offering a smile back, a bit bigger than Azula's. "It's more of an invite type of place. Exchange students aren't that common."

Young supernatural beings gather here because they're caught or because they've been looking for somewhere to learn about themselves and their powers. It's probably best to keep the underground, well, underground like this. Who knows what kind of mass hysteria could happen if just anybody know about the magic lurking in the corners.

"Looking for one?" He likes her well enough, if it's just the campus he doesn't see why not. Besides, better to know where she's going than to not.

[divinerighttorule]

"I'd love it," she responds easily. Her smile... Well, it's not quite natural, but, well, she can excuse that as still getting her bearings in this country. Still getting a handle on the language. Most people annoy her. Especially mortals. But meta-humans walked an interesting line.

"Have you been here long? At the school, I mean."

It's simple enough. After all, any prospective student might want to know how long someone else had been here. And, well, she might even be contemplating joining the school. It's a good way to get more knowledge. Of course, it might be impossible. The right direct questions, and her cover's blown.

[chronobreak]

It's a little amusing he keeps being her tour guide, but its not like he minds the company. And being useful around the Institute is a dozen times better than just milling around. "Follow me."

Time to go walking into the main building. It looks like a pretty darn normal school, except for the fact almost everyone here has some sort of magic.

"I'm going on my third year." And then he'll graduate. He should really look for a job.

[divinerighttorule]

"And you'd say it has been a good education?" Not what she cares about, but a possible student would. Ask the questions that should be asked, then she can worry about the questions she wants to ask. "My father did say he wants me to learn while I'm here."

Learn about London, learn about the groups in power over here, learn about anything she could. Whether or not that meant trying to attend the school, she hasn't yet decided. But it's still the summer. She doesn't need to worry about that quite yet.

[4]

[looksatkings]

In general, Tybalt doesn't haunt the zoo in either form, but today he's decided to take in the sights. And maybe later he'll kill one of the fat pigeons that waddle around the cafes for his own dinner. Not the best meal, but free. He's avoided the aviary birds for the most part - animals are always more sensitive than humans, and he practically screamed 'predator' to them. But there are only so many paths through the zoo, and so he's had to walk down this path. Perhaps because he was unusually aware of his own predator nature his attention was almost magnetically drawn to the other fae watching the birds.

"Taunting the prey?" he asks quietly as he strolls up to her.

[divinerighttorule]

"It's not prey," Azula murmurs. She glances over at him, and she offers a polite nod. It's easy enough to tell he's one of hers. A local? Possibly. Which would be good for her, certainly. "There's no thrill here. No chase. It's not even enough to give me anything."

She thinks for a moment, staring at the bird. It's beautiful, but not trapped. Wild, she would pursue it to the ends of the earth if she had to. Well, no. She wouldn't. That would get boring. But, for just a moment, she can fantasize about it.

"Though I have been noticing those swans around the river. Not that I quite understand this 'hunting season' of yours, but it's fun."

[looksatkings]

"All birds are prey," he says, with a slight shrug. "Even when they're not being hunted, they still exist for the eating." Cait sidhe were not the most complicated of the fae, especially when it came to things like predators and prey.

He chuckles at her mention of the swans. "Have you ever dealt with swans?" he asks.

[divinerighttorule]

"Mostly just whooper swans. And not as prey."

They were interesting creatures, certainly. Beautiful and their songs at death were always haunting. And remarkable.

"Still, there's things enough to be done."

[looksatkings]

"They're nasty birds," he says. Despite his words, there's a hint of almost respect in his tone. "They manage to have even less respect for our kind than even humans do. And unlike humans, they should know better."

He cocks his head to the side and gives her a measuring look. "What sort of things?"