Chapter Text
The chilling, morning breeze of autumn cascaded through his alabaster-white locks, which were languidly combed through to achieve that messy-yet-handsome appearance. Clothes neatly ironed and impeccably fitting, he was the pinnacle of atypical students. His light steps gently rose the sleeping leaves as he lazily sauntered towards the colossal, stone building, greeted with the sight of a dense crowd, refreshing as that was. It looked like they were expecting his arrival, yet had no clue when he would make it. Azure-blue globes razed over the welcoming mass of students, yet when he focused, they were clearly furious. Especially the one with the sage-green locks, who resembled a pirate with his hideous eye-patch.
“You’re late.” The critical voice declared, being as piercing as a guillotine. It earned a quiet chuckle from him, though his expression conveyed that he was less than amused. “Mind explaining, newcomer?” The voice turned harsh, much to his dismay. Why were they so irritated about time? It was his first day! His cobalt-blue gaze surveyed the haughty figures before him, eyebrows drawing together. There was a pale, young woman with shoulder-length, golden-blonde locks, which were curled at specific lengths. Her lime-green eyes glared at the irritated, young man, who had sage-green locks, that shouted at him earlier.
“Ignore Anaxa, he's just-” The mature voice rang out, yet she was rudely interrupted by the same impudent, young man, who just had to correct his name. If not, he'd just combust. Not that Phainon would care.
“Actually, it's Anaxagoras. not Anaxa. You’d do good to remember that, goldweaver.” At his response, Phainon simply blinked in confusion and innocence. What was he getting into? A shorter, much more innocent looking girl, who had her rose-pink locks in two neat, curly ponytails, gently smiled at him before taking his arm and leading him away from the bickering two.
“Don't mind them. My name is Hyacine and I am one of the school council members.” Her aloof demeanour was much more welcoming than those two delinquents. Phainon followed the girl through the immersed courtyard of students as she explained some details about the school. “Don't worry, not every council member is like that. Well, if Cerydra was also here, I fear that the entire school would have been burned down.” She sighed as her ocean-blue eyes gazed up at the delicate, pearl-white clouds. “Those three are probably the most mature students ever, but when you place them all together? You get chaos. Mostly between Aglaea and Anaxa though. They always try to compete with debates and knowledge.”
“Ah, I see..” The snowy-haired student deftly replied, eyes darting around the extravagantly adorned walls. The brick layers were painted a cold white, yet exhumed an amiable aura. It was if they were greeting him personally, camouflaged by decorations as they were. The one known as Hyacine obliviously babbled on next to him, unaware of his distant mind. The grounds of the school were like a palace, beautifully endorsed in bright colours to suit even the most stubborn palates. Frankly, it was hard not to like.
“-little ica. Hey, are you even listening?!” The girl nudged him, and Phainon finally returned to reality.
“O-Of course!” He blundered. A high-pitched sigh returned, and he almost felt sorry for not listening. After all, she looked so excited to share stories about her pet. Cerulean orbs narrowed innocently, as if attempting to repent for his crime. But alas, she continued to yap. At this point, the duo stood before the great library. The patent letters ‘‘library’ stood before him, generously guiding him in the right direction. Though, he was sure he wouldn’t miss it. Not with those enormous gold-inlaid doors. “I assume this is the library?” He inquired, and Hyacine nodded with a sweet smile.
“Of course! Every school must have one, correct?” Phainon nodded, his gaze raking over the way the gates to paradise opened. It was all quite impressive! The prosperous sun gently shone amid the panes of glass in the room, casting an ethereal glow on the tomes of history. Being a history nerd, this was something close to heaven. Each work of art was segregated by name only, and each bookshelf housed around 100 books each. If the rest of the castle wasn’t already magnificent, then this certainly was. Hyacine noticed his excitement and smirked proudly. “Impressive, isn’t it? There’s at least 10,000 books here! I’m sure Dei is in here somewhere, too. I feel like you two would hit it off instantly!” The white-haired student raised an eyebrow, suddenly interested in who this ‘Dei’ was.
“Very! The library back at home is about the same size as that table.” He joked amicably, nodding in the direction of a rather sizeable wood-work. She only laughed awkwardly in response, clearly not understanding if he was being serious or not. Their conversation was broken by a rough grunt.
“Hyacine, who is this?” Phainon turned to meet a rather astonishingly tall man, much like himself. Though only slightly shorter. He possessed delicately attractive features, and sharp, feline eyes, along with a mane of messy blonde hair that faded into crimson at the tips. Each strand parted perfectly, and the man carried a quiet confidence as he spoke. Even his body was jacked!
“This is Phainon! He just arrived today.” Phainon managed to pick his jaw off the floor to greet the stranger as Hyacine introduced him.
“You’re Dei, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Phainon!” He asked obliviously. To be honest, it sounded like a nickname. But surely not, right? But then, a stifled giggle from next to him made him rethink his thoughts. Surely..?
“Where’d you-?” A heavy sigh left ‘Dei’s’ parted lips (probably out of shock) “My name is Mydeimos. Not Dei.” His heated glare was immediately sent the giggling Hyacine’s way, and Phainon could’ve sworn he almost melted out of embarrassment. And just at that moment, Mydeimos’ intense gaze was shot in his own direction, like a dagger piercing through his skin.
Phainon was whistling innocently, as if he hadn’t just embarrassed himself 3 times over. It wasn’t his fault! Noticing an escape, he aptly broke away from the increasingly tense moment to hide in the vast selection of tomes awaiting him. There were many options to choose from: Ancient Kremnoan History, How Okhema came to be, The Prehistoric Twelve Gods, and finally.. cook books? Definitely vast. Nevertheless, that was only some of the few titles he had come across. Although, he had particular interest in the Cook books. Well, he had blown up a kitchen or two in the past. Not that he was proud of it, or anything.
“So, find anything interesting here? Or are you just dawdling around like an idiot?” His thoughts were interrupted yet again by Mydeimos’ rough yet classy voice. He sounded like he was from a rich family, which was impressive compared to Phainon's farm life. Phainon didn't know what to reply. Did he find something interesting here? His ice-blue eyes gazed over at Mydeimos before immediately switching to look at some random book about cooking.
“Oh, yeah. This one” He took it out and awkwardly read the title – How To Not Burn Down Your Kitchen Volume 7. There were different volumes? The other two's gaze flickered to the book's title before glancing back at each other. Mydeimos snorted while Hyacine giggled. “Why are there different volumes?” Phainon stuttered as he watched the two keys to possible friendship laughing at him.
“I don't want to be rude, but aren't you from a farm? Shouldn't you, um, know how to cook?” Hyacine tried to be as polite as possible, but at the same time, she tried to stifle her laughter.
“I just never really learned, you know, my mother and my sister were the ones back home that cooked.” Phainon managed to blurt out as he tried to find something to look at that wasn't laughing at him.
“Sexist, are we?” Mydeimos tilted his head. What! He was not! Phainon was pretty sure that his face was turning red like Sena's controller.
“No! No! Last time I cooked, I set the kitchen on fire.” He mumbled out as he tried to shut them up. He wasn't sexist! He wasn't really allowed in the kitchen due to his accidents.
“You know that we were just joking. But please don't enter the food tech kitchens if you really did set fire to one at home.” At first, Hyacine sounded amused, but soon that amusement turned to concern. Phainon slowly nodded before noticing that Hyacine kept checking her watch.
“Listen, um, I have to go to class. I hope you don't mind showing him around, Dei!” And then she bolted like one of the terrified chickens on his farm. It was silent, yet the quietness was too loud.
“I guess I’ll show you to the gym.” Mydeimos began to leave the library. Right. Of course he uses the gym a lot. Phainon quickly followed after him. The corridors were long and quiet as many students were still in class. As they walked past the front entrance, there were faint shouts of an argument, which probably meant that the two from earlier were still there yapping about who's better. Phainon simply sighed before continuing to follow. But then he realised something. He still had the book. The book. He still had WHAT? Shit. He looked like an idiot carrying that book. Why did no-one tell him? He noticed a subtle smirk on Mydeimos face. That bastard! Why didn't he tell him? How dare he!
Oh well. It’s not like anyone would see if he just hid it. Turning the corner, the voices became significantly deafening to his poor ears. It was like they were in a heated battle to decide whose fashion sense was superior. Glancing over his shoulder, Mydeimos was already scowling. At least he looked good doing it. “Gods, those two are insufferable.” Phainon’s ears perked up at the hushed murmur, and he began to feel a tiny bit curious. If they were arguing so adamantly, then surely they must be a good couple. That sounded about right! Back in his village, Aedes Elysiae, his parents were rivals before they had him! Cyrene says that’s not how it works, but it’s not like he would know.
“Who are they?” Phainon asked unpretentiously, drawing another exasperated breath from Mydeimos. Almost as if he’d already given up on answering Phainon’s twenty questions.
“See for yourself.” The rough melody sounded again, deep enough as it was. It was funny, really. Mydeimos’ voice sounded like it was honeyed, yet held a soft spot reserved for those he trusted. Phainon hoped he could become one of those people. Still busy daydreaming, he obnoxiously waltzed into a door. Yet again, he’d embarrassed himself in-front of the same guy! But, that door opened to reveal none other than the two from this morning. What were their names again?
“Algae and pirate?” He mumbled out loud, though mostly to himself. Once more, an airless chuckle could be heard. Did he get their names wrong..? Phainon turned his head to behold the sight of Mydeimos’ fighting to choke back a laugh. He didn’t know this guy could laugh!
“Seriously? Are you that dense?” The gruff voice retorted through a fit of laughter, and Phainon couldn’t help but be speechless at a moment like this.
Not being able to come up with an answer, he instead glanced over to the two busy in a quarrel of some sort. Astutely studying the name of the classroom before he stepped inside, this seemed to be the debate club. Right up his alley! He was known for beating everyone in a debate back at home, even including Cyrene. But as soon as he tread inside the taut atmosphere, he could see the reason why Mydeimos was so irritated. It was the same, short-haired blonde woman from this morning, and that one-eyed guy.
“They'd make a great couple.”