Dimitri smiled and sat down with the others. He introduced himself after everyone else. "I'm Dimitri Brom," he said, "Freshman from the honor class."
Dimitri, realising how hungry he was, reached out for the bag of chips, hoping Ash wouldn't mind. Then he sat with his eyes wide at the twin's - Lucia and Saiyuri - proclomation that they'd look after him. He knew full well that staring was rude in any country, but it was as if they were reading eachother's minds, or had rehearsed before-hand. "Th-thankyou," Dimitri finally said, giving a small smile.
He ripped open the bag of chips and grabbed a handful.

Madaline smiled openly at the group and their introductions. When she saw the chocolate bars roll out on the table she reached for one saying. "God its been so long since I had one of these! You really don't mind?" She asked Ash.

Madaline went on to introduce herself to the group. "Madaline Chandler, Junior regular, originally from the great big state of Texas but I've been living here for about 6 years now. It was my Godmother's idea." She noted that Ash was absorbed in his lunch of what appeared to be a salad sandwich.

So she turned to the newest to the school. "So Dimitri, Haley.. what brought your two to Cordie.. I assume its the special honors from the uniforms."After it was already said Madaline realized she may have sounded rude. But the honors kids were so stuck up most of the time it was a force of habitt for her now. She had, had her run ins with the honors kids over the years.

She tried not to remember those times, so she changed the subject fast. Looking around the table she said, "Whos takeing what and do any of us have any classes together?"

Saiyuri, a bit taken aback by Madaline's coldness towards the Honor students, stiffened and concentrated on her lunch.

Lucia immediately took over their part in the conversation, understanding what she believed Madaline's point of view was. It was true that some of the Honor students at Cordei were a bit of a handful, but most of them weren't too bad in her opinion. Then again, she spent more time with them than the other regular students, so he could be a bit biased.

"Saiyuri and I are taking Cooking, Japanese Language, English Language, Art, Piano for Sai, Violin for me, Calculus, Chemistry, Gymnastics, and Japanese History," said Lucia softly as she sipped her tea, sending signals for Saiyuri to not feel so rejected by Madaline.

For Saiyuri, however, it was hard. Saiyuri was proud of her Cordei Honors position. She was proud of her talent. When it came to others putting down the Honors as a whole, Saiyuri felt put out and rejected by whomever put down the Honors. She knew, of course, that some of the Honor Students were cruel towards the Regulars - feeling quite superior towards them. But to be lumped into that category was one of the worst feelings in the world. Saiyuri sighed as she stood up, her temper quick to be lost, "Please excuse me. It was a pleasure to have met all of you, I'm afraid I've forgotten a few things back in my room that I'll need for my Honor classes this afternoon. I hope to see you all at dinner, where we can get more acquainted."

With that, Saiyuri left the table and headed out of the Dining Hall. Lucia, however, remained seated and sipped her tea, knowing full well Saiyuri wouldn't want her around at the moment. Sighing as she set the cup down, Lucia looked at the group, "Please forgive Onee-chan, she's quick to temper when she's lumped into the general group of Honors. She feels as if you're saying that she herself is like those certain Honors who believe they are superior to us Regulars simply because they are in a higher rank than us. She knows you didn't mean it like that, Madaline, so please do not feel as if it's your fault. She'll be fine in a bit, her temper is simply short and she needs a bit of air to cool her thoughts and become calm once more before she lashes out."

Dimitri blinked at Madaline's remark, but he could tell that immediately afterwards she regreeted having said it. So, he smiled. He was about to reel off his own school subjects when Saiyuri left.
Dimitri couldn't help but stare after her. Quick to temper, huh? Oh well; people who had quick tempers could be the nicest people on earth, Dimitri thought to himself. Trying to break the awkward silence after Lucia's explanation, Dimitri started his sentence again.
"Well, I'm going to be in pretty much every form of music they have at this school, as well as the normal subjects likes language and math..."

Madaline cringed at the temper flair. She knew that the comment would have that effect but it has just come out without her being abel to stop it. Great I have pissed off the honors students again, and I thought I was going to make friends this year. She thought. "Lucia, I really am sorry I offended her. I don't mean to clump all the honors students together, it was a slip. She seems nice if a bit too outgoing."Madaline held her breath in hopes that she had smoothed things over. Gahh has it really been that long since I enteracted with people like this, I swear I am a social tard. Madaline was lecturing herself internally, and hopeing she hadn't made them all think better of befriending her.

Lucia grinned at Dimitri, "You play the violin? How wondeful! I was afraid I'd be alone this year. The only others who played violin graduated last year," she explained with a saddened look in her eyes. Brightening up, however, she continued, "It will be nice to have another violinist in Cordei though! Have you been playing long?"

Blushing, Lucia looked over at Haley, Madaline, and Ash, "Forgive me, I did not give any of you a chance to answer with your classes. I'm afraid I'm a bit too passionate for the violin, forgive me for not allowing you to speak before I rambled on."

Realizing she had spoken just as Madaline did, Lucia's blush deepened, "F-forgive me. I was very rude just then.. I-I'm sure Saiyuri will be just fine, her temper is quick to cool and she is able to get over things rather quickly. I promise you she won't hold a grudge or think worse of you for the remark, she'll understand it was a slip up after she cools down."

--

Saiyuri sighed as she pushed her way through the Dining Hall, tripping over something on the way out. Looking around, she didn't notice anything. Shaking her head, Saiyuri walked through the doors, 'Hmm, I could have sworn I tripped over something.. must have been my own clumsiness.'

Clasping her hands at the small of her back, Saiyuri headed towards the Fire Escape of the school. The balcony there was the most peaceful place at the school - her only place to get away from the hectic crowds and simply have room to breathe.

Madaline perked up with the change of subject. " I am in all of the arts classes and theather productions advanced, cooking, ballet movements, and the basics. English, trig, chemistry, and Japanese refresher course." She got all the words out in what felt like one big breath. Madaline was still on edge from the slip she had made to anger Lucia's sister. She smiled a big grin and waited to see who had what.

The fact that she and Lucia had spoken at the same time made Madaline think of Lucia and her twin. How they finished one anothers sentances. how funny we don't talk as two halves we seem more on the same page.. Madaline had to stifel a little giggle.


Christian saw the purple haired twin heading his way. She looked livid and in deep thought. It was no wonder she triped over him. He did manage to right her before she went down to the ground at least. He noticed a look of confusion on her face and for a moment thought she had seen through his glamor. But the girl kept walking, and He was left alone once more.

He had noticed the lavender haired one had said something that set off the girl who had triped over him, and he wondered what it was that was said. He hated to see others upset. On a whim he followed the purple twin still calling his illussions to him. There was something about the girl. He had to find out what it was and more importantly if she was okay. She really did seem upset. look at you, there is a gentleman in there somewhere. Mom would be proud."If she were alive,"he whispered to himself. He stopped short when he saw that the girl was headed to the balcony, and shook his head. He started to sprint to catch up so he could fall in step with her, even if she couldn't see him.

After headed up a couple of staircases, Saiyuri made her way to the third floor Fire Escape. The entire way there, Saiyuri had the strange feeling that she was being watched, causing her to quicken her pace and look over her shoulder more than once over the course of the journey.

Reaching the fire escape, Saiyuri gave one last look behind her and seeing nothing once again, and mentally chided herself. "I must be going insane.." she whispered aloud to herself as she shook her head and opened the door. Heading through, letting the door shut itself behind her, Saiyuri nearly sprinted to the balcony railing. Putting her hands on the balcony, Saiyuri lifted herself up and began walking along the railing as if it were a balance beam. She'd done it countless times during her years at Cordei, and she'd mastered the trick of it to where she could simply pace upon the railing and not fall.

Sighing once more, Saiyuri stood on the railing and let the breeze slip through her hair, her skirt flickering around her. Closing her eyes, Saiyuri let the breeze surround her, her temper slowly calming. Nature always did have this effect on Saiyuri - calming her in a moment no matter how angry at the world she seemed.

Christian couldn't help but smile at the girl's paranoia. She may not be able to see him but she definately could feel him. He loved being abel to follow and see who she was without the awkward new guy conversation.

They had almost reached the balcony when the girl murmored about going crazy. This made Him blush in an amused frustration. he didn't want to make anyone think they were insane. At least she didn't notice the fact that the door stayed open longer than it should have as he slipped onto the balcony with her.

Christian could not believe his eyes the girl was balancing on the railing! They were three stories up. Was this girl suicidal? or maybe she has that as a talent. He moved towards the rail to see what she was lost in. As he aproached the wind caught her hair and lifted it. He could smell something sweet, he wanted to say apples maybe her shampoo. He caught himself thinking out loud when he heard his voice softly say. "What do you see when you are so far away from the world?" He quickly clasped his hand over his mouth afraid she may have heard him.

"The calm waves of the ocean, the leaves blowing in th-wait a minute.. who said that?" Saiyuri whirled around, yet keeping her balance on the railing, and looked around at the space behind her. Nothing.

Her temper rising a bit, she called out softly through gritted teeth, "Alright. I know you're there, now quit stalking me and come out already. If you're anything above a Freshman, you'll regret it dearly for creeping me out like this. If you're a Freshman, didn't they tell you at Orientation don't use your Alice unless you're in Honors Class? You're not supposed to let the Regulars find out about us!"

Looking around at the empty space, a blush crept into Saiyuri's cheek. "Maybe I really am losing it.." she whispered softly as she sat upon the railing, her back to the fire escape, looking out over the small garden Cordei Academy had out back of the school.

Drat! She had heard him. There was no backing out now. He couldn't do that to her. She would be left thinking she was loosing it untill they met in honors class then he would look like a jerk, once she found out his gift. So he spoke, "I wasn't stalking you, where I come from if a lady storms off in anger and ends up on a balcony you follow and see if she is okay.His thoughts were with what she had said about the ocean and leaves in the wind though.What a lovely place to run away to.. I could make her feel it, I could make it real for her. He stopped in mid thought and chided himself a bit. Now was no time to try and impress girls. He didn't even know her name.

Jumping at the voice again, being startled due to having been lost in her thoughts of how she was going insane, Saiyuri took a deep breath as she calmed herself. Looking over in the direction of the voice, Saiyuri rolled her eyes and turned back towards the gardens, noticing that there was still empty space, "Why would you care? You obviously don't want me knowing who you are, you have yet to unmask yourself, and you most likely don't even know me. Not to mention the fact that you're making me feel more insane by forcing me to have a conversation with empty space. Do you at least have a name, oh great invisible one?"

Christian laughed out loud at that one."O great invisible one? I like that But please do call me Christian. " With this said he pushed the illusions away from him. " sorry to have been cloaked, I really wasn't thinking about it when I replied last time. So do you feel better now that you are alone with a strange man instead of having a conversation with thin air?" He cocked his head and slightly raised his eyebrow at her awaiting a responce. This behavior was very out of character for him but the girl had caught his full attention and he couldn't help but push a button to see that color come back into her cheeks.

Saiyuri couldn't help but laugh as she stood up on the railing and began walking away from him, her hands clasped at the small of her back as she began 'pacing' along the railing, moving from where she sat to the corner of the railing no more than a five feet away, back to where she sat moments before only to repeat the same movements.

"Christian it is then. As for being alone with a strange man," she added coyly, "there are two things wrong with that phrase - One, I'd hardly call you a man. Two, we wouldn't be alone if I used my Alice. I'm a doppelganger, you see, and if you get out of hand I can simply use my Alice to beat you up in retaliation," she teased as she neared him once more and winked and held out her hand, "It does make me feel better that I'm no longer talking to thin air though, I wouldn't be able to introduce my self if I were. My name is Saiyuri Rumeti. I haven't seen you around, are you new? Or am I just that unobservant and that much of a clutzoid to have completely missed you the past two years," she added as a blush crept into her cheeks.

"Well dear Sai I wouldn't mind a few of you to gaze at and besides I could just wrap my self or you for that matte inside of a dream."He laughed"See my talent is the manifestation of illusions. I can take your thoughts and make them as real as this ledge to you. "He turned and proped himself against the railing she was sauntering on. Truth be told the girl was making him nervouse with her balancing act. Especially since her skill had nothing to do with levetating.

Her voice had a soothing quality to it that Christian liked, in a way it reminded him of his childhood. So clipped and sarcastic. His mother had been like that. He decided he was going to like this girl, wheather he wanted to or not.

"You aren't that lost, I just transfered in from private homeschooling in the states. I tell you Japan is a whole new world in comparison to the swampland of Louisiana."He noticed the color coming back into her cheeks as he spoke, and openly smiled at her, as he turned his body more toward her ever pacing figure on the railing.

Saiyuri immediately turned and walked to the other end of the railing as he spoke, completely caught off-guard as he complimented her looks not to mention his use of her nickname. Smiling, trying to cover her embarrassment and hide her blush, Saiyuri resumed her pacing with her hands clasped at the small of her back. When she reached Christian, she sat down, her back to the Fire Escape once more.

Her hands resting on the railing beside her hips, she looked over at Christian, "Homeschooling, huh. I've always wondered what that was like. I've been to Academies all my life. I was attending an all-girls finishing school up until the middle of my Freshman year, that's when Lucia and I were sent here - me for my Alice, obviously, and Lucia simply because she knew my secret, so I guess the Academy thought it best she come with me so they could keep a closer eye on her. It was a good thing Lucia and I knew the Japanese culture before we came here, helped us settle in better. It's much different than England, but the language is lovely, I truly adore it."

Blushing, Saiyuri turned her attention back to the gardens, focusing on a gardener trimming the hedges as she stammered, "S-sorry for going off like that, must sound boring listening to me drone on and ramble. Tell me about Louisiana, I've never been to the U.S. before."

Christian watched her paceing still on the rail when she came to a stop next to him. Okay it has to be her shampoo.He made a mental note to ask sometime what she used.. but for now it would be too wierd. He was just happy for the interaction it had been many years since her felt normal.

"yeah homeschooling is not all its cracked up to be. I spent loads of time alone and in study. My Father made me practice hiding my gift. So being sent to a school to use it is all new to me. He always told me hide it son if they find out about it they will take you and well here I am."His thoughts flashed back to the day he was taken. He was runing through the trees, moss hanging down everywhere. but he couldn't think. They had used an Alice to see through his own. He shuddered. And realized he had been intensly staring at Saiyuri. " Err S...Sorry.. I was on a mental trip there for a second," Christian turned to her at that moment with a goofy smile that lit up his eyes.."But I did bring you a PRETZLE back from my little trip to Lala land..enjoy" With a wave of his hand it was there in front of her. Christian could even smell the fresh baked sent.

"So you've never been state side.. well I have never been anywhere but Maud Louisiana, untill now. So I guess we are from different worlds. I am not too great with words but if you like I can show you where I am from, would you like that?"

He watched Sai contently, pleased to have her as company.

Saiyuri's left hand immediately went to her stomach as it began growling due to the sight of the pretzel, her mouth watering at the mere smell of it. Blushing, Saiyuri smiled at Christian, gently poking his nose with her right pointer finger as she teased, "As long as you promise not to show me anymore food, I'm hungry enough as it is. But I'd be honored to see Louisiana through an illusion. I wish I could show you England that way.. It's so beautiful.. Especially the countryside, not to mention the ocean! The sea breeze, the salty air, the smell of flowers and wheat growing in the fields.."

Smiling, Saiyuri got lost in her thoughts as she closed her eyes and pictured the images, the familiar scents filling her nose as she sorted through her memories and found the perfect moments in each scene, momentarily forgetting about the pretzel illusion in front of her and the hunger she was feeling.

Blushing as she turned back to Christian, Saiyuri stammered, "B-but I suppose it'll have to wait until we're able to leave here, if you're able to p-put up with me that long that is. But enough of my rambling nonsense and circle-talk, show me Louisiana and shut me up already," she added shyly with a grin.

Christian giggled at the scene in front of him. Saiyuri was looking gastly and clutching at her stomach. Apparently she had stormed out of the dining hall before she got to eat. Her hand came to his face and tweeked the end of his nose. Out of natural instinct his caught her hand in mid poke. Quickly he jerked his hand back, blushing slightly. In the process the pretzel image had disolved. That was rare, his illussions usually held unless he was compleatly wraped in something else. "look no more food, sorry about that by the way. I wasn't aware you had skipped lunch I did see you in the dining hall after all. "


Christian could see into her head. The thoughts of home were inviting. He wished he had, had a childhood like that. So peacefull. He said "Sai, look is this your home?" In his palm was a tiny world. All alive in his hand. It was the toughts he had pulled from her head. The very images she was remembering.

He lifted his other hand and a swirl of air started in his palm and a new world started to form there. It was a world of dark water and huge red knobed trees that vanished into the body of water. Like a forest that had no land. There was grey moss hanging low and heavy from every branch. In the distance there was a peir and a land bank. Beyond that was a small yet stately house painted a soft blue and yellow color.

"This is my home where I grew up" He nodded to his hand, then to the other, "and I take it this is yours" He held the two little worlds up to Sai. He had a thoughtfull look on his face as he spoke to her.

Her eyes grew wide as she looked at the small worlds. Stammering, Saiyuri's eyes couldn't move from the images that were playing in his hand that reflected her very thoughts, "I-I ate a little of my bento, but really not enough to say so... H-how.. how are you producing that? I mean, you've never been to England right? And it's not like you grew up with me.. How are you doing it?"

Looking up at him, her eyes full of admiration and wonder, she looked like a small child seeing a magic trick for the first time. Turning her attention back to his hand, Saiyuri watched the scenes change in her sphere - from the time she went on a picnic with her family, to the time she and Lucia picked roses from the garden for their mother, and getting in trouble to taking so many from the bushes even if the thought was sweet, to their Coming-out Party, to the days spent by the Ocean drawing the scenery while her sister swam in the ocean, before settling back into an image of her home back in England - a four story, including attic and basement, white house with soft blue shutters, a wraparound porch with a porch swing made for two, a white picket fence with tulips planted around the mailbox and on each side of the gate, a willow tree in the backyard with a swing hooked to a thick, sturdy branch, and small plots of white calla lilies and tiger lilies beneath around the porch. Blushing, Saiyuri turned her attention to his other hand and watched the sphere.

Smiling at what she saw, she looked back up at Christian, "Christian, your house is so cute! The trees.. I can only imagine sitting under them and painting them.. Not only are the textures a nice challenge, but the colors are so vibrant! Would you be able to increase your illusion so that I may paint it one of these days?"

Blushing once more, Saiyuri looked down at her lap as she stammered, "S-sorry, that was a stupid request. Especially since we've only just met.."

He could see her nervousness in her face and hear it in her voice. He hoped he had not gone too far by pulling her thoughts. He had only wanted to see what had made her look so happy. And from the image playing out before him he could see why it would bring such peace to her. She had a loving life from the looks of her memories.

Christian looked to Saiyuri's face though she was lost in his illusion. "I pulled it from your thoughts. You see that is part of my gift. When I was little I could only make things I could see appear, then as I got older I could make things people has spoken about. Now I can pull images from the thoughts of those around me. It can be quiet interesting really. Your life seems so peacefull and happy. Your memories are beautiful." He smiled to himself.

Her intrest in his childhood home bafled him. The swamp was not a place most looked to for beauty. But he knew the deep colors and textures that made his home unlike any other place in the world. But to those who were not born there it was usually looked at as a waste of land that should be filled in with concreate. But the tone of her voice convinced him that she was sincere in her thoughts.

He smiled at her request and started to reply when she went red and focused on her lap like the fate of the world lay there. She did that murmor thing again. He reached out still smiling, and tilted her chin." No its not stupid to ask. I would love to see you again, and to show you my world."

Saiyuri blushed an even darker red as he gently touched her face. "Y-you-you can read my-my thoughts? Wh-what-what exactly can you re-read? Y-you can't read e-everything, ri-right?" she stammered, unable to meet his eyes. Forcing her eyes to meet his, Saiyuri bit her lower lips as her light brown eyes locked with his grey eyes, noticing the vibrant violet blue contrast to them, the artist in her already wishing to capture their color on canvas. Forcing the thought from her mind, Saiyuri stammered out another question, "A-and you do? Really? You-you wouldn't mind showing me more of Louisiana and staying with me while I paint?"

Christian pulled back his hand from her face. He loved the way she colored at his touch. He cocked his head to the side and said, "Yes in a way I can read them. Its not like in the movies where the guy can hear evenrything you are thinking."He laughed."Its more like the way an artist thinks, I don't hear so much as see. And I can not see it unless I pull them to myself to manifest. So unless I am being over intrusive I can not just look into you. I hope that makes you feel a bit better. I can't have you paranoid of me if we are to spend so much time together."

He let the comment hang in the air between them hopeing that she would not correct him on his terms. He quiet enjoyed the idea of sitting with her as she painted. All the while building a private world that only the two of them inhabited. It was hopelessly romantic in a way. And he had never put a face to the idea untill he met Saiyuri. But something about her made him wonder if female company may not be as evil as he was brought up to believe.

He locked in with her gaze and realized for the first time that her eyes were a soft brown. So unlike his own grey eyes. But still pretty in a unique way. They were darker than honey yet still liquid in a sense. It was like they were shifting in dept as he looked into them. He honestly felt like he could drown in them. But at the moment he didn't mind at all. He was content to stare into them and if he drowned at least he would go happy.
Christian barely heard her question at first but once he pulled himself back from her eyes deep pools he responded with, " I would absolutly love to stay with you while you paint. I have a soft spot for the arts. And I would love to be your muse, if you will let me. Hell, I will even bring some lomain next time so you won't be distracted by your stomach growling." He trew in this last part to keep her from being so nourvouse. He figured either the mention of food or the random chide, might make her less self aware with him. He loved yet hated how shy he seemed to make her. She had seemed so much more sure of herself and venemous before he had come from the mists of his illusions. He gazed back at her with a grin, trying to avoid being absorbed back into her eyes.

Saiyuri couldn't help but grin, despite her nervous blush, at the fact that he wanted to spend more time with her. Spinning around on the railing, Saiyuri hopped down and quickly brushed her skirt off. Turning back to him, Saiyuri took his hand, "If you didn't hear the embarrassing thoughts I was having earlier, then I have nothing to fear. So let's go, illusion boy, I'm in the mood to paint. Plus there's the small fact that in my studio there's a cupboard stocked full of candy and pocky," she added with a wink as she began leading him down the stairs, not the way they came.

Down the stairs to the ground floor and through the gardens, there was a small cottage-like building only one story high with no more than four rooms in it. It used to be the old art building before the school increased it's students and began bringing the "Alice"s together. Now it was just used for storage and was practically abandoned.

Saiyuri, however, found it her first year and, after gaining permission from the administration, turned one room into her studio. In it, there were easels galore - some with empty canvases, some with half-finished paintings. There were tables filled with paper, graphite pencils, charcoal, colored pencils, pens, and other such drawing materials. In the back of the room, there were cupboards filled with her filled sketch books, completed drawings, more paintings, as well as a whole cupboard dedicated to candies and snacks she got from the stores in the market on campus.

As Saiyuri headed towards the stairs leading to the garden, Saiyuri paused. Blushing, she let go of his hand and turned towards him, her eyes lowered to the ground as she nervously bit her lower lip and began to fidget by picking at her nails, "S-sorry about th-that.. And you probably have better things to do than come with me on one of my whims.."

The sudden contact made him smile from ear to ear. When Sai witdrawed her had he made a little pout at her and grabbed it back up in his. "As a matter of fact I can't think of anything I would rather spend my day doing, plus you had me at pocky."He laughed and motioned for her to lead the way. Yes he wanted to spend more time with this girl. He thought. And his smile only grew as he thought of showing her his home and seeing her paint it through her eyes.