[Jaykobell]

[[ The RP starts in a 'city-setting', but since it's pretty much just an intro, there's no point in making multiple topics. x3 They'll get to the volcano after a few posts. ]]

What a busy, busy week. As per the usual tradition to hold what normal schools would qualify as an "open house," the Academy had opened up its doors for youngsters who wanted to experience the kind of job they get from learning at the Academy. As an exercise (and somewhat as a graduation test), the older students were nominated to accompany a guest on an exploration. Since the older students got the right to help the younger ones, it was important for every young student to understand the responsibilities of having a younger student under their care, and the importance of team work, as well as trust between teammates. Teamwork was an important thing that the Director wished to emphasize.

The open house, the event in itself, was almost over now. Very few people came about at this point, so the Director bothered to stand close to the door to welcome any youngster that bothered to come around. The students had to stick around in the large entrance lobby, in case somebody did show up. The Director would then pick someone at random and assign the guest to them. While he tried to give everybody a chance at this, some of the students were just dying to escort more than only one guest. Some were fast enough to explain the core of the courses, and so those were usually given a few more guests, if they so wished. They could also retire to their dorm if they had escorted somebody, their part to the event accomplished.

It was still early morning, however, so no guest had appeared yet. To make the journey safer for both the student and the escort, the Director preferred for the open house to start early, but to close in early evening. Leaving at dark was not a very smart idea.

Today had nice weather: sunny, but with some clouds and a small breeze. The Director stood standing by the opening of the massive door, and next to him stood a large fox-like creature. The fox had shut eyes and lean limbs, but an average body size. It had multiple tails, some smaller than others. Even though it was seemingly frozen in place, the power emanating from the creature was remarkable, and even an inexperienced individual would feel the power coming from that fox. The Director, a man dressed in a long, large cloak, sported an odd left eye that had the same design as a clock. It seemed to be ticking and turning sporadically, sometimes going counterclockwise. The right eye, however, was just like any other. His dirty blond hair was the only other attribute one could spot at first sight, as well as the hanging scroll-like banner at the back of the man's collar. The two definitely stood out.

The Director put a hand on the fox's head slowly, to which the fox didn't react. Screeching and mechanical noises could be heard as the man moved his arm. "This has been a good week, wouldn't you say," the Director mused to the fox, keeping an eye out for anyone that could be coming up to the entrance. "All good things come to an end, of course... but we still have some time left, do we not?"

[[ Um. Imagine a... Yonyuu... but without wings? xD; Yeah. D:; ]]

[Kodai]

[Yaaay non-canon theengz. 8D;]

Urban areas... He really wasn't all too fond of them, interesting though they were. There were just too many people around, and while most of them wouldn't pay much attention to you, he just wasn't comfortable around large crowds. Most likely it was his upbringing that had done that... but he didn't mind terribly. Besides, if he really wished to go about and study the architecture, then he could do so in the early morning, when most people were still sleeping.
Having precisely that in mind, Kaamil had been making his way about, when he had come across what appeared to be a university campus of some sort. Intrigued, he had wandered the grounds for a little while until he spied a figure standing near the entrance of one of the buildings. Who could that be? A professor? A dean? Casually making his way closer, Kaamil noticed that the figure was not alone. Some sort of fox creature was standing beside it, and he could sense the power of the creature even from this distance. Just what exactly was this school for, anyway? Now fully curious, Kaamil walked briskly up to the man and the fox, making sure to keep a slight distance.

"Excuse me, sir, but might I inquire as to what this institution is?"

[Jaykobell]

It took only a split second for the fox to sense Kaamil's presence. Yet the creature's only reaction was a twitch of its ears, and immediately the Director seemed to understand. The strange eye-clock made a full turn as the man blinked. Automatically he turned his head around until he spotted Kaamil not so far away, wandering around the grounds. A few moments later, the young observer was heading right towards them. Their first guest of the day, perhaps?

The Director made a few steps towards Kaamil as the boy approached. With the fox behind him, with the fox's side facing the Director's back, the creature followed the Director and made a few steps forward, but moved in the fashion of a crab. It walked sideways slowly until it had reached the back of the Director again. Whether the fox always walked in this pattern was unknown, however. Perhaps it thought it was unneeded to turn around completely. Beyond walking sideways, however, the fox didn't react any further.

Once again, mechanical sounds could be heard as the Director stepped forward. "Good morning, youngster. An early bird, I see." The clock ticked a few times before the Director looked over his shoulder at the building beside them. "Ah, are you interested at all? This is an academy. While we offer basic classes about fundamental courses, such as language-teaching, scientific analysis and artistic development, we also train our students in a particular field." He turned back around to face Kaamil again, the clock ticking sporadically. "There are interesting little things that are scattered all over the world. They have been called, over time, coins. They all hold special powers. When the populace noticed those powerful little things were falling in the wrong hands, they soon realized they needed a force to control these things. And this is what this academy does. The youngsters here all learn how to survive in the wild and how to search for those mysterious little coins." He paused, and again, the clock ticked about. "We are hosting an open house right now, for those who would be interested in signing up for the next term." He tilted his head to the side. Despite the strange quirks this man possessed, he seemed knowledgeable and trustworthy. "Has this answered your question?"

[Kodai]

Kaamil certainly thought that the fox's movement was odd, but he said nothing about it. He didn't feel that it was his place to say anything, and besides, that movement could be normal for that particular creature. Listening to the man's explanation of the place, he nodded, looking around again before focusing on the Director's eye. How curious... But again he said nothing. Instead, Kaamil turned the conversation to what the man had been talking about.

"...Coins...? ...How interesting.....I've never heard of coins that possess special powers... ...And you are having an open house, how convenient... ... ...I must say that you've gotten me quite intrigued... ...Is there any more information you can offer me...?"

He stood, hands within his black coat's pockets, the only parts of him moving being his hair and his coattails in the breeze. Kaamil returned the Director's gaze with two odd eyes of his own, one orange and the other a dull, pale blue.

[Jaykobell]

How very quiet this youngster seemed to be. This one reminded him of a certain talented student that frequented the academy, albeit Kaamil seemed less anti-social. And those eyes! How peculiar. While many higher-ranked students had special eyes added to them, heterochromia was a rare sight. At Kaamil's response, the Director gave a warm, enthusiastic smile. "Interested, I see." He tilted his head when Kaamil asked for more information. "For one, our open house is slightly different from your typical open houses. Considering the majority of a student's schedule is taken by explorations, we consider it important for the ones interested to understand the kind of circumstances they will experience. If you would follow me," he invited, revealing a mechanical arm from under his cloak. The design seemed particularly intricate. The metal was a deep copper, and some cogs could be seen twitching about as the arm moved. The arm was hidden again as the Director turned around and headed for the academy, and screeching and clinking sounds could be heard as he walked. As for the fox, it didn't bother to look over at Kaamil. It simply waited for the Director to walk away before turning around and following the man. Apparently that fox could walk just like any other just fine.

The Director headed for the entrance, mentioning a few more details as they walked. "This is why we offer the following course. Every interested guest has the opportunity to be matched with one of our more experienced students. They will be given a specific location, and the duo has to reach the location and spend as much time as is needed there. How much time it takes... it all depends on what the guest is looking for. Some youngsters are unable to proceed once they get to the actual location, while others are stubborn enough to stick around until they find a little something. The student, as well as providing protection to the escorted guest, will also answer whatever question the escort may have." It seemed like information was just spewing out of his mouth. The sentences were almost mechanical, as if he had repeated this again and again over the years. Along with that, however, was his tone filled with enthusiasm and passion.

It didn't take long for them to reach the entrance. Past the doors were the busy (some bored) students that were hanging around in the lobby, waiting for guests to come around and for work to show up. They all seemed to have their own characteristics. Some looked powerful, others looked quick on their feet, while some others looked nervous or completely confident about this. Personalities seemed to range from A to Z. The Director turned around to face Kaamil, and he tilted his head. "Are you still interested?" As he asked, the fox took its original position behind the Director. It seemed the fox did things or reacted only when it was absolutely necessary.

[Kodai]

Kaamil silently followed the man as he led the way, his curiosity roused by the metal appendage, but keeping quiet. It was not his place, he figured, to mention it unless the Director initiated conversation on it himself. After all, who knew what story was behind it? Perhaps something painful to remember... In any case, he listened to what the man had to say. An actual expedition? How curious. However, it did seem to Kaamil to be a good way to separate those who only had a passing interest in the academy from those who were willing to work for their knowledge. Stopping with the Director, Kaamil glanced out over the students milling about before returning his gaze.

"...I think...I would like to try this..." he nodded slowly, thinking it over. It appeared to be a wonderful opportunity to expand his knowledge of the outside world, and with a partner more experienced in the workings of the school to lead his way, he did not see any reason to back down from this offer. Kaamil was still curious about the fox, but figured, like the arm, it was best not to ask about it.

[Jaykobell]

"Still interested, I see," the Director replied, again smiling at Kaamil's response. It was always nice to get a new one interested in the works of the Academy. Some people got discouraged or afraid when they would first hear how the open house worked, but some got more hyped up than ever. "Well, if things get rough, remember that you can always tell your guide you wish to turn back." With that, the Director stretched his neck towards the lobby slightly, drawing a metallic hand to grab his chin thoughtfully as he observed the remaining students. Hmm, which one to pick? He figured that perhaps someone who was comfortable starting conversations might be a good choice for someone as quiet as Kaamil. Or, well; at least he looked quiet.

The Director scanned the lobby for a little while, the clock ticking, stopping, rewinding, ticking, ticking... Meanwhile, his other eye moved from left to right. He needed somebody who was comfortable with others, somebody who was passionate, who would show Kaamil the mysteries in which these students dwell... Yes! He needed someone like that. And before too much longer, the Director found just the right student for the job. "Drawser!" he called, his voice echoing through the lobby, empty as it was. The students all paused to look at the Director as he spoke, and it didn't take long before someone answered to the call...



A young kid dressed in baggy dark green clothes (the size clearly bigger than it should be) came running forward, the large hat almost falling over from the kid's head. He carried a messenger bag, which flew about a bit as he came running towards Kaamil and the Director, almost tripping on the way there. Large lobby is large! Run run run run.

And eventually he got there, completely out of breath and panting. But that didn't stop him, of course. Immediately the small boy, which looked a bit feminine now that Kaamil could take a good look at him, straightened up and stuck his arms to his sides, his chin raised high. "R-reporting for d-duty, sir! Drawser r-reporting for duty!" he stammered, apparently trying too hard. One thing that particularly stood out was the white hair, which had yellow shades and highlights to it (perhaps it was only a very, very pale blond color?); but there were also the boy's eyes, which seemed to a powerful emerald green gradient color. They seemed to glow like a precious stone, going from darker to slightly paler.

The Director smiled when Drawser came running, apparently used to the kid's behavior. The display even seemed to amuse him. He raised a copper arm and set it on the boy's hat. The hand then spun the hat around, to which Drawster blinked. "This side, Drawser. Don't adopt a punk style like Albert, now," the Director commented amusingly as he put his arm back under the cloak. His smile then disappeared to turn into a smaller, more serious smile. "All silliness aside, it is your turn to escort somebody. Do your best."

Drawser placed the hat correctly after the Director had turned it around, and then he straightened up again when he received his instructions. "Y-yes s-sir!" He raised his arm and settled his hand over his forehead in salutations, as they do in the army. "I'll do my best! Yes! Definitely!" And with that said, he quickly turned around to meet his guest, which, of course, happened to be Kaamil. And suddenly the kid seemed to become shier and a bit more reserved. "M-my n-n-name's D-Drawser!" He shot a hand forward to shake hands with Kaamil. "I-I'll escort you around and show you how amazing it is!" The way he spoke, it almost felt like it was a matter of life or death. "You won't be disappointed!"

[Kodai]

Kaamil waited patiently as the Director looked about for a student to act as his escort, and then for Drawser to come running up and catch his breath. The academy student looked to be a few years his senior, but with a similar body type to him. His stammering made Kaamil think fondly of his own brother, though he figured that Drawser's speech was out of nervousness. Taking the boy's hand lightly, Kaamil gave it a firm shake.

"...My name is Kaamil......Thank you for taking the time to instruct me on what it is that you learn here... ...Please, don't feel nervous -- I have no reason to bite..." It was supposed to be a sort of joke, something to calm Drawser down, but the wording was a bit odd. Wasn't it supposed to go 'I don't bite' instead of 'I have no reason to bite'? Kaamil wasn't acting threatening at all, however, and was younger than Drawser, so there was no real reason for him to be nervous. "...Is there anything we need to do before we set out...?"

[Jaykobell]

Older, but shorter than Kaamil, Drawser also looked, and sounded, like a kid. Maybe the baggy clothes also gave out the feeling that he was smaller than he really was. But when he returned Kaamil's hand shake, he had a strong grip as well. "K-Kaamil," he repeated, remembering the name as quickly as possible. Hopefully he wouldn't forget. Oh! That would be disastrous if he forgot Kaamil's name. Kaamil Kaamil Kaamil. Keep repeating it so you won't forget it! Obviously Drawser was really nervous, and it seemed to show in his hyper-like behavior. "Y-you're welcome! I'll do my b-best to answer all your questions! Yes!" Again he saluted diligently before relaxing a bit. "I-I don't bite either! No, sir, I don't." Don't bite the guest! That'd be bad too. Then again... Drawser didn't have any habit of biting people, so really, there was no need to worry about something like that. "S-something to know. Ah!" Suddenly the kid turned around to face the Director. "Wh-where should we explore, sir?!" They wouldn't get very far if they didn't have anywhere to explore, right?!

The Director watched the little dialogue between the two, still seemingly amused. While Drawser sounded and looked somewhat young and inexperienced for the job, Albert had taught the kid a lot of things. Considering how difficult Albert was when it came to younger students... The Director believed in Albert's assumptions, and he trusted that Drawser was more useful than he looked. When Drawser suddenly spun around, the Director simply watched and listened as the kid asked his question. "The place..." he mused, a hand grabbing his chin thoughtfully as the clock-eye ticked. "Nori Volcano should be okay. Many young students go there, and it's not very dangerous. There shouldn't be many animals there. Just be careful of the lava."

"N-Nori Volcano!" Drawser blurted out after the Director was done speaking, and he turned back around to face Kaamil. "I-Is that fine by y-you?" What if he didn't like volcanoes?! Oh dear.

Finding the right spot was something, but how would they even get there? By foot? It would take days, wouldn't it...?

[Kodai]

"...Nori Volcano...?" Kaamil blinked in mild surprise. A volcano? And the Director believed that it wasn't dangerous? Though, thinking about it, Kaamil supposed that if they stayed away from the rim (and the lava, naturally, assuming the volcano was active), it would be all right to travel there. Besides, it wasn't as if they had mountain climbing equipment. ...Well, perhaps that wasn't a fair assumption. It all depended on what part of the volcano they planned on exploring, really. If they just stayed at the base and explored the surrounding forest, they should be perfectly fine, given that the volcano didn't erupt.

"...Very well... ...Let's go there, if you're comfortable with it..." Kaamil nodded, looking to Drawser. "...How long do you suppose it will take to get there...? ...It's a rather isolated spot, I believe, so we'll need plenty of supplies..." Unconsciously, it appeared that Kaamil was taking charge, though it was more likely that he was just trying to be properly prepared. It wouldn't be a good thing if they both died out there in the wilderness because they had run out of supplies, now, would it?

[Jaykobell]

"No? Yes? Maybe? Perhaps?" Drawser pressed impatiently, but really realizing it. He really just wanted to know if Kaamil was okay with it. He didn't want to drag Kaamil along to some place Kaamil didn't or wouldn't like! So Drawser had to make sure Kaamil wanted to explore there and that he wasn't just tagging along. You know?

But after some time, Kaamil confirmed that he was okay with the exploration site, and Drawser bounced a bit with clapping hands. "Yay, that's settled then~" he squealed with relief. When Kaamil asked if they were all equipped and ready to go, Drawser patted his messenger bag confidently. "Everything's in there! I got everything settled ahead of time!" Had the food ready, everything! Of course, he would've changed the food after a few hours if nobody had shown up for him, but yes, he did have everything. To be prepared is important! "Oh, how to get there?"

To that question, Drawser turned around to the Director, and the older man seemed to take it from there. "Well, Nori Volcano it is, then. Do your best, Drawser. And I hope you will enjoy the experience, Kaamil." With his good wishes sent along with them, it was now the fox's turn to meddle in.

Right after the Director was done speaking, the fox reacted on its own. Its eyes opened wide, and quickly afterwards, multiple eyes opened as well, following a line from his actually eye to the tips of its many tails. The eyes were all identical, and as they started glowing, a ruin appeared right under Kaamil and Drawser, glowing as brightly as the fox's eyes. All the two youngsters could see then was the Director waving to them before being thrown backward (it felt like), as if they had been thrown into an elevator. Short, vague images of scenery and pets could be seen flying by as Drawser and Kaamil were pushed back, until eventually the push abruptly disappeared. It was like an elevator stopping a floor, only much more forceful, and enough to make you topple over if you're not used to the feeling.

But Drawser seemed to be, as he only stumbled a bit when they stopped. And there they were, right by the base of Nori Volcano!

[Kodai]

Kaamil was used to traveling in an unconventional way, but the force of the 'push' was something he had not been expecting. Stumbling around for a few seconds after the pair had appeared at Nori's base, Kaamil eventually managed to regain himself, brushing off his jacket as if to clear himself of any embarrassment.

"....Well.... ...I suppose that solves the problem of getting here... ...Now... ...What should we do...? ...I do not know if there are any protocols for going about your work, so you will have to lead by example..." He looked expectantly at Drawser, dropping the air of command he had seemed to hold back at the building. It was now Drawser's turn to take action. "...What are these coins like...? ...Have you been searching for them before...?"

[Jaykobell]

Oh hey look, Kaamil had gotten out of it fine! Drawser remembered falling over for a good few times before finally getting used to the travel. Apparently Kaamil had either had experience in the matter, or he was just... steady on his feet! Or maybe both. Drawser also dusted off his baggy clothes, since the abrupt stop of the push had gotten leaves and dirt flying about. When Kaamil spoke, Drawser turned around quickly to face him. Questions he had to answer them yes! "Yes! That fox is the Director's personal elemental partner. It's way stronger than the usual ones you get tame though... but I guess that's what you get when you're a super important figure, you know?" He flapped his hands a bit, gesticulating as he spoke. He seemed a bit more comfortable now that they were alone. "Um uh. Not protocol as far as I know." As far as he knew? Was there any or not? "I mean, all I've taught is to explore and see if you find anything. Usually until you're sick of it, until you've confirmed there's nothing here, or until you run out of supplies." When Kaamil added Drawser had to show and lead by example, the kid straightened up and saluted. "Yes! Yes I will! You won't be disappointed!"

He started looking and shuffling around, seemingly just getting to know the scenery. It wasn't so hot here, since they were only at the base of the volcano. If they got up there, though, it'd probably get worse. He seemed to be looking for a way to get up the volcano when Kaamil asked more questions, and Drawser looked back at Kaamil, his green gradient eyes blinking. "What are they like? Uh..." He poked his chin thoughtfully. "I've only seen one or two, really. I mean, real ones; not pictures. They're really just what they're called: coins. Little thin, round pieces of metal with a crest embedded into it. They all various powers. It depends what kind of ability you chose for yourself to train in, and it depends if you have an elemental partner or not... Personally I don't have anything settled in yet." He turned around and flapped his arms a bit. "I mean, what if I choose something... but then I end up needing something else for whatever job I end up taking? That would be bad!" But of couuuuurse, he couldn't just pick a few. Apparently that made things worse than simply focusing on one ability. Which, apparently, Drawser hadn't thought about explaining in detail. "Uh, searching for them... A little." He tilted his head to the side and looked up thoughtfully. "I was thrown into an intensive course, sort of, so I never got to do anything but try to survive as I followed my guide. See, some areas are labelled more dangerous than others for various reasons... Well, I got thrown into those even when I was still fairly new to the whole thing, because my guide is one of the nastiest you can get. Apparently he hates kids and he hates getting along with people." He flapped his arms again and then slipped an arm behind his head, smiling sheepishly. "I think he really wanted to get rid of me at first, but ends up that he wanted to throw me into the heat of action quickly so I'd learn faster. It worked though! ..... I think."

What a talkative kid.

[Kodai]

What a large amount of information! As Kaamil mulled it over, he also began walking back and forth around the base of the volcano, though it was uncertain whether he was simply pacing or trying to help Drawser find a way up. Finally Kaamil looked back at his guide.

"...An elemental partner...? ...That sounds interesting.....I wonder how one would go about obtaining one...? ...At any rate, by the description of these coins, it will take a good deal of searching to find one, if there are any here at all... ...But I have time, and I suppose you do too, if you volunteered for this open house project..." Here he paused, seeming pensive. ".....Unless, of course, you did not volunteer at all...? ...Regardless, we are here now, and it would be pointless to turn back at the very beginning..." His gaze turned upwards, towards the peak of the volcano. "...Now.....I'm not terribly fond of the idea of climbing up to the peak, but perhaps there are caves up there that we could search in... ...You appeared to be curious as to how to begin climbing this volcano, so I assume we're not going to search the forest... ...That may be a better idea, for I'm sure that there are more dangerous creatures roaming the forest than there are in a volcano's caves... ...Of course, I could be wrong...but I suppose we shall see..."

[Jaykobell]

Drawser watched as Kaamil paced back and forth, seemingly pensive about everything Drawser had told him. And hey, Kaamil appeared pretty talkative himself! He seemed all... all interested, and stuff! Hooray. "Well, I know they're like... animals, but they're more like spirits of those animals. Sort of. Well, the Director's is one, and the Director's son has one too. I think maybe it all comes to luck. I heard some of the coins have spirits within them, too. But nobody ever confirmed to me if it's true or not." He crossed his arms and tilted his head to the other side, wondering about that now. "I don't have a coin, so I couldn't really know, but I heard some of them increase the strength of your partner. I heard the power increases even more if the crest on the coin matches the animal." He paused, and then blinked. "But they're all just rumors to me, really." He looked up and poked his chin, seemingly uninterested in looking for a way up at the moment. "I should ask my guide, maybe. But he's grumpy so I dunno if he'd tell me. Oh, I do have time! And I did volunteer, yes! .... Well, not really." He poked his chin again. "See, it's kinda mandatory to do it, but you can ask to not participate. But if you agree, and the guest is pleased and you did a good job, they might give you an extra rank earlier than the others. Of course, if you fail, that doesn't give a good impression, either..." Eek, failing. He hoped he wouldn't fail. But Kaamil seemed satisfied thus far, so! Hopefully it'll stay that way.

When Kaamil looked up at the volcano, Drawser blinked and also turned around to look up. Oh right. That's what he was doing! He started shuffling through his bag while Kaamil continued talking; but Drawser was still paying attention, despite being seemingly distracted. Hmm, volcano caves? Well, Drawser had no idea, really, since he'd never come here. He'd just explored those freezing islands and those underground mazes and... all those areas he shouldn't have explored until many years later. Eventually Drawser stopped shuffling, and he turned around to face Kaamil, a strange pen in Drawser's hand. "Caves? Forest? Well, the forest might have wild animals in it, while... I'd think, if there are any caves, the temperature is the most dangerous thing we could encounter." He looked up the volcano and squinted his eyes, curling his lips frontward like a fish as he tried to find some hole for a cave entrance. Well, there seemed to be little dots... Hmmm. But before that! "So, Kaamil~" He remembered his name! Repeating things really does pay off. "Wanna see something cool~?" he asked as he wiggled the pen. More surprises coming, it seemed.