~*~Brywahr Academy~*~

Kasey appreciated Alder's excitement over her drawings. She didn't do many of them, but the ones she did she drew with great effort and took painstaking time on each one. This one in particular had taken her two months to complete. She had worked after class every day, on sketching, perfecting, shading, then lightly coloring.

With a hopeful smile she flipped over the paper, revealing the drawing. A beautiful forest clearing was interpreted, with shimmering trees, turning all sorts of autumn colors. A silver brook ran around the trunks of each large plant, but the focus of the piece were the two creatures standing with clasped hands in the center. A man, and a woman, with pale skin, slender faces, and gracefully pointed ears, were alone, their lips gently pressed together. "So what do you think?" the serene calm surrounding the whole thing went strongly against Kasey's fiery personality, but she had a gift, and often the things she drew were the opposite of her current mood.

~*~Brywahr Academy~*~

Alder gasped in delight as she looked at her friend’s beautiful creation. “It’s amazing! Really, I wish I had your talent!”
Stevie looked at it in surprise. “Wow. That’s pretty good.” She hadn’t expected to like it. But Kasey had talent; she couldn’t deny that.

~

Lyssa smiled at Stella, and then laughed. “Hey, I hear you. There was this one time. A guy that I kinda liked a little bit had asked me to be his girlfriend one day. (This was back when I was a lot younger) So I said ‘Sure’, ‘cause, you know, he was kinda cute and he liked me. I wasn’t that attached to him at the time. And it’s a good thing too. A week later, I found out he was dating a coupla other girls at the same time as me. I didn’t care that much, but still, I don’t let anybody slight me -- no matter who they think they are. So I put on this big show. I did all that you just said, only with me, I didn’t really mean it. And I even told people about how I had grand ideas of ‘ending it all’ and all that. Of course, it freaked everyone out and word got around (it was a pretty small town), and before you know it, the other girls grew to hate him so much for ‘how he hurt me’, that he couldn’t get another girlfriend until about 4 years later when he switched schools.” Lyssa chuckled. “It was pretty funny.”

~

Brownie looked at Lilly in surprise. He had been so taken by her beauty and her grace that, up till now, he had never noticed her insecurities. How could a glorious creature such as this, he thought, ever think bad of herself?
“Oh, pray, don’t say such things!” he begged of her, his voice gentle and filled with the deep care and esteem he held for her. In his concern, he momentarily forgot his own shyness. Brownie put his hand gently on her shoulder to comfort her. “Lilly, time spent with you is never time wasted.”

~

“Very good,” Tivvens once more answered Dorothy, with a smile. “Then meet your assigned Receiver.” And with that, she opened the door, revealing Sam in the hallway, who was just in the process of angrily throwing another vase against a wall.

~Riella

~*~Brywahr Academy~*~

Stella arched a brow. "Hmm. At least you got to pick who you could fall in love with. I was already betrothed. As the Cheif's daughter, I had to further the well-bred line by marrying the son of another clan's Chief. And believe me, this was not an honor...despite what everyone said..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dorothy stared in horror at Sam. When the vase shattered, a chill ran up her spine and she turned to look at Tivvens, eyes wide. "Are you quite sure I'm the right person for this task?" She glanced at Sam and then back at the Giver.

~*~Brywahr Academy~*~

Dan suddenly became aware of his surroundings in time to turn and see Lilly with a hand clapped over her mouth and horror showing through those violet eyes and Brownie reassuring her in soft tones and placing his hand on the girl's shoulder.
Isn't that how it always goes? He thought, they'll fall in love and I'll be stuck here like always, the outside man who never had a chance in his life, just waiting for someone to come along who might be the right one, who might just see through his rough exterior. Of course now with only three years until I turn 20 it's probably better this way... I'll probably disappear like the rest... Dan let out a sigh and ran his hand through his longish hair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lilly was surprised that the two boys didn't kick her down the hall right then and there for saying such horrid things. But when Brownie placed his hand on her shoulder she understood at last that perhaps not everyone in the world was like the headmistress at her orphanage and she could let it all just slip away now and she would perhaps never think of it again, this was a new place with new people, and as hard as it might be to live in fear of the Givers it surely wasn't impossible.
"You really mean that?" She asked in rising elation "You're not just saying that are you?" A little smile was begging to be let out and so she let is come.

~*~Brywahr Academy~*~

Daniella could not help but feel as twinge of envy, as Brownie comforted LIly. She looked to Dan, who looked equally as upset and left out. "You want to come wioth us?"

~*~Brywahr Academy~*~

Kasey was delighted that both Alder and Stevie loved it. Hard work, passion, and a sprinkle of talent did pay off. She set it down on her desk, and produced a fresh sheet of stiff drawing paper. "I already know what the next one will be." she retrieved her sketching pencils and splayed them out before her. "I'd tell you, but I want it to be a surprise that the last" she smiled at them mischievously, brushing a strand of red hair from her face.

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

From across the street, stumbling from the tavern, a young man came. His shaggy brown hair was tussled, and his expression was that of amused pleasure and mischief. Jack Fliner, the son of one the less respectable farmers, could be see often coming from the bar in this state. Not too drunk to think straight, but just enough to make him more bold and more annoying than ever. His brown eyes were locked upon the two horses tied haphazardly to the hitching post in front of the inn. The animals appeared exhausted from hard riding, but aside from their current state, he could see they were fine bred animals.

A lopsided smile spread over Jack's lips, and he set himself on a course for the open door of the inn. He was also known for having a liking for the pretty young inn-mistress. Grace. He had outlandish hopes to someday sweep her off as his wife, and was strongly encouraged to do so soon by his relatives and friends. Those who disliked him and his rude advances upon her, would often go out of their way to put him down about it. Either way, right now he had both eyes set on seeing that certain young woman and questioning her on the two horses.

He strode up to the open door-frame, and entered with a loud "I'm coming in!" Disappointed to not immediately see Grace, he called her "Grace! Grace honey!"

Vayond

As Shyanne and Susanne sat in the cave, suddenly a voice from outside was heard saying, "You! People of the cave! Come out. I have an offer you would be wise to accept."

~Riella

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Shyanne's eyes widened when she heard the voice. She glanced at Susanne and then to the entrance of the cave.

Surprisingly, however, she didn't scream. She tightened her arms around her knees and stayed silent as her face turned whiter

Vayond

"Silence is not useful to you," the voice continued; "I know you are there. There is no need to fear me. You will find I am no foe of yours -- as long as you are no foe of mine."

~Riella

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Susanne jumped and stared with wide blue eyes at the entrance to their hiding place. Her and Shyanne exchanged terrified glances. Who was calling to them? Was it a trap? A ruse? But it sounded like a woman's voice. To frightened to speak, Susanne found herself only able to make a little sound, a squeak you could call it. She stared at Jarian, who was currently their only source of manly protection. Something within her wished her rescuer was her, Micah. She waited, as it spoke again, but none of them dared to answer.

Vayond: the shadowed hunters

Jarien held Adi as they sat together in the shadows of the cave, waiting for the others to finish their shopping in town and come back.

They whispered to eachother, Adi looked at him, "Jarien... why did we get into all this? all we wanted was to help.."

He nodded, "I know Adi... i don't know why... but i know we have no choice now... we have to go along with them."

She shook her head, "I know... I almost wish we had stayed at home."

He smiled a bit, "Theres no use wishing that... we have to make the best of the situation... i'll protect you Adi"

She hugged him, and then there was a voice from outside the cleft, it demanded that they came out, for it had an offer. Jarien put a finger to his lips and pulled his dagger, creeping forward to the lip of the cave to peer out.

~*~ Brywahr Academy ~*~

Alder looked even more excited. “I love surprises! And I can’t wait to see it.”
Stevie spoke up, “Me too,” (not said nearly as enthusiastically as Alder had) “But right now, we really should be thinking about getting back to our rooms. It’s almost Lockup.”
Lockup -- eight o clock -- was the time every Receiver had to be in their rooms with their doors locked. Anyone late would be sent to Punishment.
“You’re right, Stevie, we’d better hurry.” Alder replied. “Thank you so much for showing it to me, Kasey. It’s so beautiful. Meet me in my room first thing tomorrow morning, after First Class! I have something to show you!” And with that, the two girls hurried out of Kasey’s room.

End Day One for Alder and Stevie

~

Brownie smiled. “Of course I’m not just saying that. Now, let’s take you back to your room.”

~

Lyssa looked at Stella in concern. “Hmm. That’s too bad. Arranged marriages are the worst, huh? We had some in my world -- it was the parents choice whether they wanted to arrange a marriage or let their kids decide. I was lucky -- my parents gave the choice to me. I’ve always wondered what marriages are like here in Brywahr, outside the Academy. But then, I guess I wonder what everything is like in Brywahr outside the Academy.”

~

“I’m sure you’re the right person,” Tivvens said with a cruel smile. “It is almost Lockup. Now that you have met your Receiver, you must hurry back to your room. Your first lessons with her begin tomorrow. Be ready.”

End Day One for Sam and Tivvens

~

As Nan came down the hall, she saw a group of Receivers coming out of one of the bedroom doors. Among them she saw Brownie, and a girl who matched the description she had gotten of Lilly.
Staring at her, she pointed her finger at the girl. “You! You are the one, aren’t you? You are the girl, Lilly?”

((OOC: I am trying to end the first day for each of the plots, so I can start the second day. Any new plots you wish to introduce will have to be started on the second day. ))

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Outside the cave, a 15 year old girl with long, brown hair, stood. Her face looked fierce and proud. She did not have what you would call a pretty or beautiful face, yet there was something about it that was enchanting -- it made you want to look at her again.
In her hands was a crossbow, pointed right at Jarien.
"Come no closer with that dagger, stranger. Do you think I cannot see? I am friend, not foe. But I will defend myself if need be. Put the dagger down, and I will put my crossbow down as well. We have a common enemy. And so I lead you into no trap, but offer good help that you will find uselful upon acceptance."

~Riella

~*~ Brywahr Academy ~*~

Dorothy nodded slowly. "Yes, ma'am." She hurried away down the hall and up the stairs to her room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"It was like that in my clan. People could choose who they wanted to spend the rest of their life with, except for the children of the ruler. Like me."

Stella sat on the edge of her bed and said, "Don't we all wonder what it's like out there?"

The door opened and Dorothy rushed in, quickly shutting the door behind her. She pushed past Lyssa and looked at Stella. "Oh, Stella, you have to help me!"

Stella took a glance at Lyssa. "We have company, Dorothy..."

Dorothy looked at Lyssa, nodded and offered a smile, which turned out to be more of a haughty grimace.

Stella then asked, "What's the matter, curls?"

"That witch of a woman made me a Guide to a rotten little spoiled brat! That's what's the matter!" Dorothy let out a frustrated exhale and went to her vanity. She started to remove pins from her hair and slam them onto the top of it.

"I see you've been picking up my language." Stella chuckled, refusing to acknowledge Dorothy's plight.

"That's not the point." Dorothy looked at Stella through her mirror. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Follow the orders, dumby." Stella said. "What else can you do?"

"Hmph." Dorothy lifted her chin and focused on her hair, now ignoring the other two girls.

Stella looked at Lyssa and said, "I guess it's gonna be Lockup soon...and Dorothy will demand her beauty sleep in about 15 minutes..."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Shyanne gasped as Jarien moved toward the entrance of the cave. She heard the voice from outside speak again and was now positive that it belonged to a girl. Shyanne looked at Susanne, "Maybe we should talk to her..."

Vayond: The Shadowed Hunters

Grace looked up. Why now? She thought to herself. "What do you want, Jack?" Grace said, as she walked out from the back. Putting her hands on the counter she looked at Jack, waiting for him to come the rest of the way in.

~*~ Brywahr Academy ~*~

Brownie smiled. “Of course I’m not just saying that. Now, let’s take you back to your room.”

~

As Nan came down the hall, she saw a group of Receivers coming out of one of the bedroom doors. Among them she saw Brownie, and a girl who matched the description she had gotten of Lilly.
Staring at her, she pointed her finger at the girl. “You! You are the one, aren’t you? You are the girl, Lilly?”

Lilly allowed herself to be ushered out of the room only to be confronted with yet another Lion in her already difficult day. She couldn't understand why anyone would be wanting her or how this girl already knew her let alone the nickname which so far she had only told to two people in the school.
"Yes, I'm Leanna- Lilly, why? have I done something wrong?" She was utterly confused and couldn't hep wondering if this world was out to destroy her permanently.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dan followed the group out and when Nan came to see Lilly he was almost startled at the tone in which the she addressed the younger girl, Nan was usually the sensible and knew when to use which tone of voice and on whom, but after all, she couldn't have know that Lilly had just gotten knocked out in a strange hallway and had been thoroughly frightened of the people in whose company she had found herself, all that on top of only being here at Brywahr for a week. Nan could hardly know those things, so he refrained from telling her to "Halt that tone".