I sat in the gardens that afternoon... alone. The school was actually an enjoyable place out of classes... especially here. It looked like a thick forest inside the atrium. A small winding, and naturally formed stream. Trees as thick as maybe five feet, they didn't really have a natural form, they twisted and bent everywhere, covered in moss from ages... it was the oldest place here.

I couldn't help but sigh as I plopped on my haunches in the center of the water, the slate-rock I sat on was dry, regardless of how low it was to the water, it was also nice and cool. I felt calm and accepted, at least... by one person was good enough for me.

I don't know why I still felt like I did... being alone, even temporarily. I guess it just served as an aftermath of deep misery... I'm sure I'd get used to it soon enough... and eventually forget about it.

I looked up to the sky, this area wasn't sheltered off like the rest, witch was nice considering I enjoy the sun's warm beams, shining onto me like a friend who would always be their... every day... if night came... it would come back. Just me thinking that made me smile in embarrassment that I was being so sentimental, but I couldn't deny it.

I sighed, even if fate had been kind to me these last few weeks-and I was grateful, no doubt or argument. I was still a little bitter, not as far as acting as such... I just didn't truly like company other than a select few... and my level of trust was also limited. Though... it was strange, I felt happy and at the same time miserable.

But... as usual, I found myself unable to see just a small number of things coming...

The sound of someone clearing their throat came from behind, "Is this the part where I say something kind?", a plain, quiet and disciplined voice asked.

I wheeled around to see the face of my friend, Seere... and immediately stood down, I almost expected to be jumped for some reason... but the surprise ended.

Though, he wasn't alone. Behind him, and immersed in a book was a short, yellow dragon... I guess description would be necessary...

He was a little scrawny, and actually wore reading glasses, witch made em smile a little... it was just a little strange to me... someone my age wearing those type of things. He was slightly tan underneath, his horns were actually a little straight, save for the curl that ended them at the very tip. His tail ended in a lightning shaped tip like Volteer, my favored of the guardians, it was just a little longer and had a green hue to it.

I must have been looking at him for a while... Seere waved his claws in my face.

"This is Gnat... found him about twenty minutes ago...", Seere's explanation caught the other male's attention.

"It wasn't my fault!", he complained, "Flame's a jerk!", he talked fast, very fast... just those two declarations went by in about a second to me...

Seere turned and rolled his eyes, then sighed, "I helped him... and now...", he looked at him plainly, slightly annoyed, "Now he just won't leave me alone.", he had a slightly raised brow at him.

Gnat smiled sheepishly, "Well... My apologies if I'm not the most defense capable male around.", he stuck his tongue quickly and continued to read.

My friend just rolled his eyes, then... turned to me, "And how has Cynder been?", he asked from a sarcastic third person.

I admittedly smiled at the question, and looked down, "I've been alright I guess...", my answer was valid enough for him to nod faintly... I wondered what he was thinking... already he had been talking to much... at least... more than usual.

He raised his head and looked aside, "Well... prepare for the new science today...", he mumbled.

I raised a brow, "what do you mean?"

He sighed, then thought this over, "Volteer, witch you apparently know... found me... and... told me to tell you that he would no longer be the school's science teacher apparently..."

My mood dropped dramatically.

"W-what?", My question got a brow raising.

"He just told me to find and tell you... he said he was being replaced by a more capable teacher."

This was crushing to me... Volteer was one of my last few I trusted, and looked up to as a friend, save for Seere standing before me... I must have panicked... and um... fell...

"Cynder?", was his question, I looked up, and he was literally looking straight down, I fell into his arms. Though I broke away fast with a deep flush.

"I'm sorry!", I shouted nervously.

"Um-"

"I have to go!", I didn't really know why I was acting like this... or whether it was the embarrassing action I just made, or my separation from my beloved sensei. I didn't anticipate that I'd be grabbed by the tail before I left.

I hit the ground with an 'Oomph' and looked back in surprise. Looking back at me was a my plain faced friend, but I couldn't speak out for him to release me.

"First off... If you you want to see Volteer, he wont be back at the temple... he'll be in class today...", he muttered, then let go, making me stumble forward a little.

All the while this electric dragon he'd introduced me to stood there watching me. He had a surprised look on as he adjusted his reading glasses and tried returning to the book, but found it difficult to do, considering he'd just watch me faint.

"Ehm... is she alright?", he asked.

All Seere really did to answer was give him a plain look, not even a raised brow, just stared at him a little before looking back at me.

I didn't struggle, I just looked up at him, then down... which made me perk back up when I heard him sigh, he let go, forcing me to gain my own balance again... and nearly make a fool of myself.

"I know-...", he sighed, "I know this probably means a lot to you... but really...", he stopped, "Cynder, if you want to see him now he won't be at the temple."

I looked up at him slowly.

"This will be his last day here... so you might as well see him anyway.", he gave me a more stern look after that, "Besides... class is this period anyway...", he looked straight ahead and turned around.

Gnat... yes... that's it.. he seemed to jump from the book and look up, "Time to go already?"

I didn't make eye contact with him, I just looked down at my paws as I padded by, not far off Seere's tail. Nor did I answer him...

The electric dragon only shuffled a bit and closed the book, folded his reading glasses and hoisted both pieces into the carrier on his back, "I hear our new teacher isn't all bad anyway...", he cooed... most likely to make me feel better. Though his mood lowered when my only response was a cold stare...

"Don't hurt yourself...", Seere commented, witch made the skinny male back away from me, not out of fear of my past... but fear from my ability to lose my self control... which didn't help me at all... but I didn't argue over it either.

Gnat only gulped visibly and nodded afterward to ensure he'd be quiet... he turned and followed off to the side a little. He wasn't a very social one unless called upon, from what I could tell... but when he was, I knew even if I hadn't really conversed with him yet... that he could be a long talker... just like my tutor... or soon to be ex-tutor...

I figured I'd end up seeing ore of him sooner or later... he seemed like one of those parasites that benefit it's host... or-... or as the books would call them... I can't really think of anything else to compare him with... heh...


And then my oh so quiet and level-headed fire dragon... Seere... what a comparison...

Sorry for being so short about this cahpter... and WHY the hell it took so long -.- parents my friend... parents... and Wifi adaptors...

Oh and response to the question about the '…' hesitation marks. Its because this is told from Cynder's point of view... so she and many other people would natrully hesitate when the speak to you... example.

Me: *clears throat* Hell will wash upon this world, and the millenias will pass with the suffering of ALL those who oppose me... This is the future of your people... this is your future.

See all the … marks? It'd be boring if I just said all that really fast, wouldn't it XD?