« Millenia, from the House of Brightshore, » announced the doorman while bowing to the small girl whose blue hair clashed hardly with her red dress. Ushas' birthday was an official reception, of course, but that would never convince Millenia to wear something that would match her hair a little better.
Still smiling, she almost ran to Theta Sigma, who was talking with Rallon, an upper student who happened to be her boyfriend. The two of them were members of the Deca, not the brightest ones but perhaps the most pleasant. Theta enjoyed talking to them and, well, they had a thing together during a very drunken night, a few years ago. Surprisingly enough, it didn't change their relationship at all.
« Theet, it's so nice to see you. You don't attend Deca meetings anymore, » teased Millenia.
« I'm busy, » he smiled in reply, running a hand through his hair.
« Busy, is that what they call it these days ? Anyway, have you seen Ushas yet ? I heard she was really pissed off because Koschei spent hours refusing to come to her party, it took her a while to convince him. I don't understand why he made such a fuss to come, she's his girlfriend, after all... »
Theta almost spit his drink. Girlfriend ? Koschei, with a girlfriend, with Ushas ? That was quite unsettling. He didn't have time to comment though, as Rallon and Millenia went on to discuss their homework and how difficult it was. The subject didn't interest Theta much. Homework... the last time he actually did his homework was in his early years at the Academy when he wrote an essay about the chromosomal origin of love that got rejected by his teacher. His desastrous grade cured him of any desire to ever work for school and he found himself rather satisfied of this decision. Well, most of the time. It happened that sometimes, he didn't get much of a choice.
He left Rallon and Millenia to their discussion and started wandering around the party. Ushas invited the whole Deca and everyone she considered as « influential », although the term was a bit too lenifying once applied to students of the Academy. They were not Time Lords yet, they were nothing, but she seemed to think she had an eye to detect those who would become something in their later years. As far as Theta was concerned, what he would become would either one of Lowtown's reject or some kind of renegade who would hold absolutely no power over Gallifrey, and he was totally fine with the idea.
He caught a glimpse of Koschei discussing with Ushas – or rather hearing her monologue. He hadn't changed. Black hair tied in his neck, small glasses, trying to be as invisible as he could, in which he seemed to succeed very well but not well enough for Ushas to forget him. It was almost tempting to throw away all of his good resolutions and go to talk to him but something kept him from doing so.
Something that took the shape of a huge silhouette barring his way.
« Hello, » grinned the young man who suddenly preyed on him. « Missed me, Theet ? You didn't give me back my navigational homework yesterday. »
« I was busy, Anzor, » muttered Theta, trying to escape his opponent in vain.
« Busy, heh ? Busy slutting around, like you always do ? That's the deal, Theta-Sigma, you do my homework and I don't use this on you, » he whispered while showing a little device that the young man knew too well. The galvaniser was his nightmare. That thing could hurt someone so badly – could make them regret the day they were born. He had gotten a taste of its effects far too many times to his liking and he was very keen on never experiencing it ever again. He could almost feel tears coming to his eyes and pressed himself against the wall, hoping that it would swallow him and allow him to disappear.
That kind of thing never happened.
« Please, Anzor... I promise I'll hand them back tomorrow. Just give me one day, one single day - »
The galvaniser cracked and Theta shrieked, trying to make himself as small as possible. It wasn't easy, he was taller and more athletic than many of his companions, being far more interested in running and climbing and jumping everywhere than in staying calmly on his seat, and he suddenly came to regret it. He was paralyzed by fear. Perhaps could he have dodged Anzor, hit him in the face, something – but he was far too scared.
But then someone pulled Anzor away from him. He was too shaken to hear or understand what was going on but he recognized another student from a different year, Cheevah, a nice guy whom he enjoyed talking to, who was currently standing up to Anzor. He said something about cowardice and disgusting behaviour, he mentioned how pathetic Anzor was, and Theta felt good hearing this – but he ran away, not really willing to face his bully when he would have chased Cheevah away.
His hands shaking, he grabbed a drink, trying to put on a smile and pretend he was all right. Unfortunately, there was no alcohol and he had to admit that he would have needed a lot of it at the moment. Not far from him, Ushas was standing, keeping Koschei by her side with a firm grip, discussing whatever political or scientific matter interested her with Magnus. For a second or so, Theta felt amused by how desperate Koschei looked... but he chose his own path. Dating Ushas was a bad idea, he should have guessed it before he threw himself in the mantis' claws.
He caught a glimpse of Magnus eyeing at him and smiled, trying to hide the fear that relinquished in him. Perhaps, if he could get to share his friend's bed that night, the day after wouldn't be that bad.
