Unknown [ Job / Reed ]

Quite obviously he was desperate. He disappeared ever day in the city. Schwartz probably though Ariel was attempting to ditch class - namely, ditch his class. Which, don't get him wrong, Ariel was trying to ditch Schwartz's class. But that was only a side goal. His primary intentions mostly included searching for a lost little girl. He actually wasn't too sure she was even in the city. If he were completely honest, he was merely wandering the world with a one in a millionth chance of actually finding Lapis. He was certain Lapis had the capabilities of a magician, however. He recalled noticing the rukh being particularly attracted to her. She was like a magnet for rukh.

verbum comitem [ cxvi // m ]
word count [ 116 // 1000 ]

Every day he grew more and more desperate to find Lapis. It was entirely plausible that Lapis was not in the Mainland. If such was true, then he had just wasted weeks attempting to find her on the Mainland. But if she indeed was in the Mainland, he needed to search faster. Whispers of bandits and his own encounters with bandits made him anxious for Lapis's safety. He could not be certain Lapis's life was not being activity endangered even now. He wondered if Schwartz might know where Lapis disappeared to. He had once witnessed Schwartz perform more than just wind magic. Clairvoyance magic, he was certain. Even so, he refused to rely on Schwartz for help. He'd find Lapis without that old geezer!

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word count [ 240 // 1000 ]

For anyone familiar with Ariel, the current scene came little as a surprise to them. Multiple stacks of books ranging in height covered his floor, while a pile of scattered books surrounded Ariel as he sat comfortably on his bed, reading. He should have been in class. But practically everyone in his classes expected Ariel's absence. He rarely attended class. When he did, the class generally became a hot mess of angry words flung across the room and general unproductivity. As a result, nobody ever missed Ariel. His personality practically eliminated any possible friends, caused every professor in the whole school to groan when his name popped up and basically forced him into isolation. Which, by the way, Ariel enjoyed. So he found no reason to pull down his walls if it successfully warded off others.

Knock, knock.

Besides one person, of course.

"Just come in!" he shouted back.

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word count [ 389 // 1000 ]

He sighed, not liking Reed's presence one bit. He conveyed this to himself through various cursing and threats. He never opened his mouth to actually form the words, but his attitude spoke plenty for him. He shook his head as Reed wandered around the room. He prayed to god Reed would keep his hands to himself. If one of his books sustained damage because of someone's carelessness, there certainly would be hell to pay. Ariel loved his books like a child loved his toys. He obsessed over every word in every book he owned. Notes littered book pages as Ariel analyzed each page with careful contemplation. Even the poorly written books and the ridiculous books hosted slathers of ink on every page. From his comments in his books, one could tell Ariel truly considered each argument as plausible before he set out to prove the theory wrong. One might even say the teachings of his professors never actually entered Ariel's mind, for he seemed to disregard anything previously taught to him. And yet somehow such behavior seemed rather like Ariel. Always disregarding authorities and always determined to prove others wrong.

Ariel glanced up, only to find, to his horror, Reed touching his books. He prickled and glared at the green magician with careful consideration. 'Drop one book and you might as well say goodbye to life,' he thought viciously. He gripped the book in his hands and watched Reed's movements like a hawk. He about sprang to his feet when Reed decided to use his books as a comfortable leaning spot. He turned into a ghost as the book stack teetered. His heart almost stopped. 'Get out.' He mouthed the words yet they never escaped his lips. When he reviewed Reed's actions, he realized the other decided to bother him having nothing else to do. Well, he supposed the other should have been in class, but who was he to judge? He spent most of his days reading and escaping the building. Perhaps, for the sake of his books, he might as well entertain the other. He opened his mouth and hesitated. He found himself rather repulsed by the idea, but... 'For the sake of your books,' he reminded himself.

"The stack you've decided to lean on is dedicated mainly to rather insane and unlikely theories. I pulled way too many strings to get those books for you to damage them. So be careful," he explained and continued, "and if you're so bored, make yourself of use and help me search." He slammed his book shut.

verbum comitem [ dcccxvi // m ]
word count [ 816 // 1000 ]

He paused and regarded Reed carefully. Something told him he would live on to regret the choices he made in life, especially this particularly idiotic choice. Why did he bother to cater to Reed's boredom? Why not just throw him out? He set his book to the side. He climbed out of his bed, careful to avoid the pile of books all around him. He cracked the door open. No teacher or student in sight. Expected, especially at the current time of day. He glanced back, deeply concerned he was going insane. What in the name of all things he held dearest had sounded like a good idea to drag Reed along for a turbulent flight? But if Reed was going to be of any use, he might as well clarify.

"We're looking around the city for someone, about ten or eleven. White hair and red eyes. Even you couldn't miss it."

Calm him vague, he decided he provided enough information for Reed to go off of, however. And so he set off outside to search for a missing child, Reed in tow. Somehow that sounded more like a recipe for disaster than anything else.

verbum comitem [ mxi // m ]
word count [ 1011 // 1000 ]

"Firstly, a girl. Secondly, that is a question no one really knows. But something about albinism is quite rare in nature. I think it is like how some animals sometimes behave differently from other animals of the same species. Not always the most beneficial but somehow the trait wriggles itself in. An abnormality," he explained. Or at least, something like that seemed to be the case. He recalled noticing a few plants among the same breed of plants differ. Most of the time, differences among plants were often helpful. But the ones he observed only lowered the chance of the plant's survive. He found himself enraptured by the strange, unbeneficial variations. He heard of white alligators which allowed predators - like humans - to more easily find the alligators. He noticed a correlation between less likely to survive and the amount of rare variations among species.

"Anyway, be alert. I've heard reports - and encountered - bandits in the city," he warned.

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word count [ 1169 // 1000 ]

"Heh, special is one way to put it. A special appetizer, that is. And an easy target in nature. When it occurs in humans, nothing good ever results in that. Especially since most regard albinism with superstition. They believe red eyes are the sign of evil or something. But yeah. I suppose a comparison to magicians wouldn't be too inaccurate. There use to be - and there still is - plenty of discrimination against magicians," he added on. Thanks to Ariel's love of books, his knowledge on the obscurest of subjects exceeded that of an average person. He shined in theoretical work. This being why he managed to score some of the highest grades despite the fact he rarely attended class. At the same, thanks to his reclusive nature, his understanding of humans, magicians, fanalis, and imuchakk alike laid below the bare minimum of most normal people. Reed and Ariel represented two opposites with hidden similarities.

"I'm well aware. I've been at the 'mercy' of bandits more times than I prefer to even bother counting." Did Reed seriously think he was some sort of damsel and distress? Had it not become rather apparent he was far from weak? Perhaps he'd be better off making sure. Just in case Reed didn't get the message. Or perhaps he'd be better off petting Reed's worries. "But I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to stay together. I won't be worrying you've somehow gotten yourself killed every way I go."

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word count [ 1414 // 1000 ]

A few months ago reports concerning the Harper children started filling in, he recalled. He remembered happening upon one such report and out of a whim, reading the paper thoroughly. By the time he finished the short report, he decided too many loose ends and holes in the story removed the credibility of the story. He suspected a heavily embellished tale lacking important facts and details. As a result, he began snooping on his own. Having no prior knowledge about the Haper family, he resorted to articles and the residents living in the area.

He learned Harper was a prestigious family with a long tradition of male warriors and female sound magicians. Some great creator practically wrote "genius" on them when they were born. He heard of the three Harper children. There apparently was very little about them because they were kept in their great home. He did a great deal of guessing about the siblings from the information he had so far gained. He also began to press those living inside the villa for information as well. From what he finally figured through careful interrogation, a child had been murdered. It couldn't have been Lyra or Reed, the oldest and the youngest. He had heard they attended Magnostadt Academy. He deliberated to draw answers from Lyra but changed his mind, deciding she had her brother were to be last resorts. So that left Coda. Someone had murdered Coda. His greatest question being why. And did that mean Lyra and Reed were to be next?

"Good for you," he sarcastically commented.

He considered Reed for a moment. What ought he say? Should he explain his experiences? Should he explain in depth or vaguely? Ariel's personality rendered a more vague response, being the private person he was, although he was prone to slip. So far he managed to only release necessary information. He wondered when he might commit a serious folly. He wished the other would never uncover the rug. But he supposed someday Reed would find out what hid beneath the rug. He hoped it wasn't soon, however. Whatever he discovered, Reed might turn his nose in disgust. Ariel found plenty about him rather repulsing. Who was to say Reed would not share his revulsion? And while the very thought nauseated him, he had, over time, fondly appreciated the younger magician's company. It didn't desist the fact he absolutely wanted to strangle Reed, but he found the idea of not having Reed bother him strange.

"As I said before, bandits roam the city," he answered.

He withheld information which might lead to Reed concluding he recently traveled somewhere. Reed probably knew, but if he didn't, why mention? That would be just silly!

He considered Reed silently, slightly amused the usually confident and always brash Reed acted apprehensive. Yet Reed spoke truth. This sort of area resonated with criminal activities. Not every place in Magnostadt shined with wealthiness or at least middle-class simplicity. He tilted his head, moving his ear forward. He concentrated on his surroundings determinedly. He heard many sounds that might echo danger for either them or another unfortunate soul. He listened for a few moments longer before deliberated upon reporting his findings and observations to Reed. He probably deserved a warning. But he could not be entirely sure if Reed was shaking due to fear or anxiousness. Although, now that he thought about it, considering Reed's bullheadedness, it was probably the wait causing Reed's fidgetiness.

"There are six of them. They'll be here any moment now," he whispered softly.

3. 2. 1...

Just as Ariel warned, six, unarmed, poorly dressed thugs appeared. They glared threateningly at the two magicians and circled around them. He blinked slowly and shifted his weight forward. He turned his back to Reed, facing the bandits on the left. The black magician whispered, "Orbit" and locking a fierce gaze on his enemies, pointed his wand at whom he mentally named Idiot. Idiot's companions barely waited for him. One whom he named Reed #2 because of the stranger's rashness, approached Ariel in a run and flung his right leg at Ariel. The magician blinked in confusion. Could it be these thugs were rather unfamiliar with magic? He asked this because otherwise, they were dunces. Anyone who knew about magic should have at least had the common sense to piece together attacking someone with three, black, orbiting balls was a recipe for failure. Two down. This was ridiculously easy.

He darted at Useless who observed the fight quietly. When Ariel's attention turned to Useless, the scaredy cat scrammed. He pointed his wand at Useless. By then the black orbs dancing around him had faded. But his wand's tip gleamed. And from it, an orb sped from his wand like a bullet from a gun. It crashed into the running figure. He watched from afar it collapse.

verbum comitem [ mmccxxiv // m ]
word count [ 2224 // 1000 ]