Phantom Academy: An Education for the End of the World

[Haylie]

"Aw, of course you are!" Chione gave her a one-armed hug. "I mean, I collect the swords, but it's not like I'm expert at using them! And my dad's the author, not me. It's all second-hand! In fact, I get you could teach me some things about the fighting. No, you're quite interesting! And I'm being honest here. I don't share my cookies with boring people," she added with a little grin.

"I would appreciate that, but I don't think it'd be really safe for anyone, given my... condition."

Amy points to her bandaged eyes.

[Mistress Guendolen]

"Oh. Oh, right.... S-sorry, I didn't mean to- that is- just- sorry, that's all!" Chione felt really careless, now. She wasn't usually so thoughtless! It just felt so natural, it was easy not to pay attention to it, because the girl didn't make a big deal about her handicap.... "I usually have more tact, I swear!"

[Haylie]

Amy laughs again, sending an intangible wave of comfort through the room. She puts her hand on Chione's neck, most likely aiming for her shoulder, and smiles.

"It's okay, really. It's no big deal. You could've done a lot worse; some people make fun of me for it."

[Shadell]

"You could always complain to the higher ups." Noah suggested jokingly.

Ian glanced at Noah in horror. "That professor would probably murder me." He seemed entirely sincere.

[Alissa of Someday]

/Carl nods, half-seriously./

"I doubt they'd hand us some beds just like that anyways--He made it clear that they weren't going to cushion us...and I guess he meant it literally."

/He shrugs./

"I for one, don't really have the extra cash to go buy a bed, so I'm going to settle for this, at least for now. You heard him though--we're self-governing, to a point, right? You could go and try and grab of these mats from someone else's room to stack up or something..."

[Mistress Guendolen]

"They do? Are you serious?" Even rthough Amy couldn't see Chione's aghast expression, no doubt she could hear it her voice, the tenor of which corresponded accordingly. "Of all the low-brow, thoughtless, scummy things to do-" She couldn't imagine being so rude as to make fun of someone for being blind! "Well, if anyone here makes fun of you for that, they're going to hear about it from me!"

Amy laughs again, sending an intangible wave of comfort through the room. She puts her hand on Chione's neck, most likely aiming for her shoulder, and smiles.

"It's okay, really. It's no big deal. You could've done a lot worse; some people make fun of me for it."

[Haylie]

Amy's smile vanishes and she seems a bit frightened. She brings her hands in front of her, almost defensively.

"Oh, no, you don't have to do that! It's fine, really! I've gotten used to it by now, so it doesn't bother me as much."

There's a bit darker tone in her voice now. "Besides, I know they'll get what's coming to them eventually. You don't have to get into trouble on my account."

[Mistress Guendolen]

"Oh, sorry, I didn't want to upset you!" The poor girl looked a little... scared? Chione felt somewhat bad, now. But the idea still burned her up. "And don't worry, I won't get in trouble. I'll just... have a few words with them." Her grin got a touch wicked. "Won't get in trouble for a few little carefully chosen words.... Just because you're used to it doesn't mean they should be allowed to get away with it."

[Haylie]

Though it's difficult to read Amy's emotion through her bandages, she's definitely calmed down some.

"No worries. Believe it or not, I can handle myself okay. Once I pinpoint where they are, my cane makes a fairly effective bludgeon..." Her smile is equally wicked, but looks out of place on her smooth face.

[Mistress Guendolen]

"I can just imagine. Girl, I think we're going to make a good team." Chione swatted Amy lightly on the back; a gesture of camaraderie.

[Haylie]

Amy, having not expected it, sort of flinches, but is otherwise pleased to hear this declaration of friendship.

"I'm glad to hear it. I think we're off to a good start, making friends so early."

[Mistress Guendolen]

Oops. Maybe that was a little too hard?... Chione was no athlete, but she also didn't know how fragile this girl may or not be. Got to be more careful from now on.... "I know. Especially as we're roommates. Wouldn't it be awful if we hated each other's guts on sight? It's such a relief to know we're going to get along just fine."

[Haylie]

"Yes, that would be bad. Why can't people just get along? It would make my job so much easier, wouldn't it?"

A shoulder drops. "Perhaps I shouldn't have said that."

[Mistress Guendolen]

"No issue with speaking your mind. You're in friendly company here, after all." Chione rubbed Amy's a back a bit, a gentler gesture if no less friendly. Just more comforting than camaraderie-ish. "I guess it's just that everyone's too different to all get along, you know? You just can't please everyone, when you get down to it. You'll likely go nuts if you try. That's what Dad says anyway. He means it about literary critics, but I figure it works for the world too, huh?"

[Haylie]

Amy nods. "No man--or girl, as the case may be--can serve two masters. I daresay one of the best quotes of all time. Or sort of."