Robert was fifteen when he first saw Michael Wayland. Messy, untamable, tawny brown hair mostly hidden beneath a bright red beanie. He was clearly lost in the Academy, probably hadn't gone to the orientation then. Robert had no idea what his name was. He wasn't even sure that the boy had seen Robert staring at him. Or maybe he had and pretended not to notice.

It was later when they were in the same Runes class when Robert noticed his eyes were exactly the same colour as his hair. They had been partnered up to draw Runes on each other to test their abilities with a steele.

"My name's Michael." he'd said and pulled out his steele, "You can draw first if you'd like."

"Robert." was all he'd said back, as he picked up Michael's steele and took the strange boys arm in his hand and drew the strength rune. He sat back and looked at Michael's face when he was done.

Michael smiled, "You're pretty good with this."

Robert shrugged, and hadn't put down the steele.

"My turn." Michael said.

Robert flushed as he set the steele back on the table between them. His body wouldn't allow him to stretch out his arms.

Michael took notice and put his arm back out, "The teachers coming," he said quickly in a hushed tone, "draw on me again."

Robert said nothing as he drew the stealth rune this time.

The teacher leaned over them as Robert finished, and carried on away from them.

When she was far enough from them Michael put his sleeve down, and leaned partly across the table, "You don't like getting marked; do you?"

Robert averted his eyes, and he felt his cheeks burn, "Terrified." he admitted. He waited for the laughter, but it never came. He looked at Michael's soft brown eyes, but saw curiosity; not pity, or laughter.

"That's okay." he said instead of laughing, "I'm scared I'll nick my finger on a seraph blade. My dad said I'm good with them, but I don't really like them."

And that was all that was said. They were both weird. Misfits, in a land of war and weapons and survival. They never said much to the other, only when paired in classes. But neither had any friends.