"Hurry up you two! You'll be late!" April yelled as Fratley and Frato
scurried around upstairs in a desperate attempt to get ready.
Eventually the two ran down the stairs fully dressed and ready. They were preparing for their first day at the Dragon Academy. The Dragon Academy was a school for young warriors who aimed to join the Dragon knights, the elite soldiers of the Burmecian army, when they were old enough.
April looked at her two children to see if they were in fact ready, as quite often they would try to get away with not combing their hair or washing.
"Okay we're ready, let's go." April finally concluded before walking towards the door. The three of them left the house and walked down the dull, rainy streets of Burmecia. On the way they saw Lion-heart standing guard near the Royal Palace.
Eventually the three reached the Academy. It was a tall, gloomy building, with stone dragon heads around it for decoration. There was a plaque on the door which read "The Royal Dragon Academy of Burmecia: Where warriors are born."
"Well, this is the place." April said as Frato and Fratley stared at the building. "I'll see you boys later. Goodbye, and behave!" April said as she walked away from them waving. Fratley and Frato were left to themselves. They looked at each other and marched into the building.
The two entered a bright room with red carpets and walls. A single Burmecian soldier stood nonchalant next to a door.
"Your class is through there." The Burmecian soldier muttered before prompting them to go through a door. Fratley and Frato quickly shuffled through the door and down the corridor behind it. The corridor walls were covered with pictures of Dragon Warriors and Burmecian soldiers who had fought for their country.
Eventually the two reached a classroom that was rather dull when compared to the other rooms of the academy. It was a simple stone walled room with a few pictures. There was a desk, where a Burmecian male was sat. There were small blue mats lined out on the floor from the desk where a few Burmecian children of Fratley and Frato's age were sat.
Many of the people who were sat on the floor were familiar to Fratley and Frato. There was Dan; an average sized brown haired Burmecian. Next to him was Gray; who was slightly taller than Dan and had darker hair. He was a good friend of Dan. They also recognised Din, Kal and Gary from their times out in Burmecia.
"Please sit down you two." The Burmecian male asked in his seat. Fratley and Frato did as they were told and sat down on two mats next to each other. They looked around seeing if they could start a conversation but the whole class was sat in silence.
"Are there any more students to come?" The teacher said before looking at a register on a piece of parchment on his desk. "Where's Kyle?" He asked looking at the class with stern eyes.
"I think he's off ill this morning sir." Dan explained to the tutor. He replied by rolling his eyes.
"It isn't very ideal to be off on the first morning." The teacher said rather gruffly. "Perhaps he doesn't take his training seriously."
"Or he's just a coward." Frato sneered. The rest of the class giggled slightly.
The teacher did not look impressed. "Silence, that is quite enough." He said raising his voice so it was louder than the laughter. The class fell silent again. He took the parchment again and looked down it, checking if everyone was present. "Anyone know where Freya Crescent is this morning?"
"Freya Crescent?!" Gray said incredulously. "But she's a girl!"
"Girls are just as welcome at the Dragon Academy as boys I think you'll find." The teacher said with a little smile. "Does anybody know where Freya is?" He repeated.
Everyone just looked at each other and shrugged. No-one knew where Freya was, none of them expected her to attend the academy. After a few moments of confusion the doors burst open to reveal the female in question. She came in wearing a small orange trench coat and brown trousers.
"Sorry I'm late." Freya apologised looking a little embarrassed. It was only her first day at the academy and already something had gone wrong. "I..." she began, but was quickly interrupted by Frato.
"I was doing my nails!" Frato called out in a feminine voice obviously trying to mimic Freya. The class started laughing again, all except for Freya, who was deeply embarrassed and the teacher, who was rather angry with the disruption. Freya returned Frato's outburst with a cold stare.
"That is enough!" The teacher eventually shouted which stopped the laughing and any other sound. Everyone's attention was now focused on the teacher. "Your apology is accepted Freya, however I must point out that we do not tolerate lateness in this academy. I will punish you if it happens again." The tutor explained. Freya nodded in agreement and the tutor turned to Frato. "I'll also punish you if you continue to disrupt my lesson."
Frato just turned away and folded his arms. He was not happy. Freya gave a light smile at Frato, which just seemed to tick Frato off more. Freya quickly took a seat next to Fratley.
"Right, now that everyone is here we can get started." The teacher began. "My name is Ivan and I will be your tutor during your time here. The rules are simple. Treat others as you would treat yourself. Respect your elders and tutors here. No jewellery, for safety reasons. No toys, sweets or anything else that is not required for your training. Any rule-breakers will be punished accordingly."
There was a brief pause, and then Ivan continued.
"For your training, you will build the strength of both the body and the mind. A Burmecian warrior needs both in order to fulfil his duties. For today we will be training the mind. I thought it was best to start off with something straightforward." Ivan explained before grabbing a pile of books of Burmecian literature.
Frato just sighed heavily, he hated reading and studying. He was much better suited to physical activity. Before he could train he became easily bored with his mother's reading and studies she set for him and Fratley. He much preferred watching his brother train.
Fratley didn't mind too much. It was a nice change from working himself half to death in a massive training session. He enjoyed some aspects of Burmecian study from his mother. Learning about new lands, learning about new people to meet and monsters to fight deeply interested Fratley and he wished he could go to these places and witness them for himself.
Freya smiled at the idea. She loved to read. However she didn't like the literature that most young girls liked. She hated romance stories; she preferred adventure and action stories. Freya also took an interest in learning about her country and her people when she was too young to train.
Ivan handed everyone a book, which turned out to be one about the history of Burmecia and the Dragon Knights. Frato and a few others groaned when they saw the title of the book. Frato loathed history, if he was going to be forced to read something he wanted to read something remotely interesting. Like an action or adventure story, or a book about how to fight. History didn't even matter to Frato. He knew Burmecia was built, there was Royal family, there were the Dragon Knights and there were battles and people. That was all Frato thought he needed to know.
Fratley didn't seem too surprised or bothered about the book. He had hoped for a book or a diary of a journey around Gaia.
Freya was probably the only one in the room who was smiling. It was light smile, but a smile nonetheless. She enjoyed listening to the history of Burmecia.
The class opened the book and began to read from the front. They were reading aloud, starting with Ivan and then taking turns around the group. Some of the pupils had trouble seeing as they couldn't read very well, if at all.
The book itself was quite unusual. It stated the following:
"In the beginning there was the crystal and from the crystal derived all of the universe and the planets including our home planet Gaia. With Gaia four spirits were created each for an area on Gaia. The crystal was split up and spread across Gaia to prevent abuse of the power of the Holy Spirits. With the jewel that currently resides in the city of Cleyra, came the holy spirit of Burmecia. This spirit created Burmecia and its entire population."
Frato rolled his eyes as he followed the words. No-one believed in the holy spirit of Burmecia. In the past there may have been stronger belief but that soon faded away. No-one had ever seen the spirit. It was said that he looked over Burmecia for eternity but with wars and natural disasters that occurred he couldn't have been protecting the city very well.
The book went on to say how the Royal family had been formed and how they ruled over Burmecia. It continued to say that the Dragon Knights were elite soldiers chosen by the King for the toughest missions.
The class read the book all the way through, by which point all the class knew what had happened in Burmecia in the earlier centuries. Well, all except Frato who looked like a zombie after they had finished reading. Whether he had learned the history of the city or not was debatable.
"Okay, class is dismissed. Put your books here and you may leave." Ivan breathed through a small sigh of relief. "Remember, next week we are doing physical training so make sure you come prepared."
Frato punched the air as he walked out with Fratley. He loved physical training.
-*-*-
Disclaimer: I do not own FF9 or any characters or locations in it. If I did, there would be a FF9-2. Frato, Lion-heart and April are mine, sort of.
Author's Notes: Why aren't people reviewing this story?! If you are reading this, review it now! (Unless your user name happens to be Guardian 1, in which case don't bother. I can't be bothered to read another essay of rants about this story.)
Ryan: Are you ever going to give me a review with actual words and comments in it?!
Guardian1: Psst, this fic was rated G before you came along. :P How does Fratley bear no resemblance to his character in game, his true character is only shown briefly in one scene. The rags over Frato's chest act as a bandage. Plus disinfectant probably didn't exist back then. Fratley's lance has a blade, and could very easily be used as a cutting weapon. If I blocked you, not only would it be the best decision I ever made but it would show only that I can't take essays of nagging from you, someone who has nothing better to do than read something she hates and write heaps of essays for. Besides, I know people who can't take a word of criticism. No big thing.
Reminder to others: REVIEW!
Eventually the two ran down the stairs fully dressed and ready. They were preparing for their first day at the Dragon Academy. The Dragon Academy was a school for young warriors who aimed to join the Dragon knights, the elite soldiers of the Burmecian army, when they were old enough.
April looked at her two children to see if they were in fact ready, as quite often they would try to get away with not combing their hair or washing.
"Okay we're ready, let's go." April finally concluded before walking towards the door. The three of them left the house and walked down the dull, rainy streets of Burmecia. On the way they saw Lion-heart standing guard near the Royal Palace.
Eventually the three reached the Academy. It was a tall, gloomy building, with stone dragon heads around it for decoration. There was a plaque on the door which read "The Royal Dragon Academy of Burmecia: Where warriors are born."
"Well, this is the place." April said as Frato and Fratley stared at the building. "I'll see you boys later. Goodbye, and behave!" April said as she walked away from them waving. Fratley and Frato were left to themselves. They looked at each other and marched into the building.
The two entered a bright room with red carpets and walls. A single Burmecian soldier stood nonchalant next to a door.
"Your class is through there." The Burmecian soldier muttered before prompting them to go through a door. Fratley and Frato quickly shuffled through the door and down the corridor behind it. The corridor walls were covered with pictures of Dragon Warriors and Burmecian soldiers who had fought for their country.
Eventually the two reached a classroom that was rather dull when compared to the other rooms of the academy. It was a simple stone walled room with a few pictures. There was a desk, where a Burmecian male was sat. There were small blue mats lined out on the floor from the desk where a few Burmecian children of Fratley and Frato's age were sat.
Many of the people who were sat on the floor were familiar to Fratley and Frato. There was Dan; an average sized brown haired Burmecian. Next to him was Gray; who was slightly taller than Dan and had darker hair. He was a good friend of Dan. They also recognised Din, Kal and Gary from their times out in Burmecia.
"Please sit down you two." The Burmecian male asked in his seat. Fratley and Frato did as they were told and sat down on two mats next to each other. They looked around seeing if they could start a conversation but the whole class was sat in silence.
"Are there any more students to come?" The teacher said before looking at a register on a piece of parchment on his desk. "Where's Kyle?" He asked looking at the class with stern eyes.
"I think he's off ill this morning sir." Dan explained to the tutor. He replied by rolling his eyes.
"It isn't very ideal to be off on the first morning." The teacher said rather gruffly. "Perhaps he doesn't take his training seriously."
"Or he's just a coward." Frato sneered. The rest of the class giggled slightly.
The teacher did not look impressed. "Silence, that is quite enough." He said raising his voice so it was louder than the laughter. The class fell silent again. He took the parchment again and looked down it, checking if everyone was present. "Anyone know where Freya Crescent is this morning?"
"Freya Crescent?!" Gray said incredulously. "But she's a girl!"
"Girls are just as welcome at the Dragon Academy as boys I think you'll find." The teacher said with a little smile. "Does anybody know where Freya is?" He repeated.
Everyone just looked at each other and shrugged. No-one knew where Freya was, none of them expected her to attend the academy. After a few moments of confusion the doors burst open to reveal the female in question. She came in wearing a small orange trench coat and brown trousers.
"Sorry I'm late." Freya apologised looking a little embarrassed. It was only her first day at the academy and already something had gone wrong. "I..." she began, but was quickly interrupted by Frato.
"I was doing my nails!" Frato called out in a feminine voice obviously trying to mimic Freya. The class started laughing again, all except for Freya, who was deeply embarrassed and the teacher, who was rather angry with the disruption. Freya returned Frato's outburst with a cold stare.
"That is enough!" The teacher eventually shouted which stopped the laughing and any other sound. Everyone's attention was now focused on the teacher. "Your apology is accepted Freya, however I must point out that we do not tolerate lateness in this academy. I will punish you if it happens again." The tutor explained. Freya nodded in agreement and the tutor turned to Frato. "I'll also punish you if you continue to disrupt my lesson."
Frato just turned away and folded his arms. He was not happy. Freya gave a light smile at Frato, which just seemed to tick Frato off more. Freya quickly took a seat next to Fratley.
"Right, now that everyone is here we can get started." The teacher began. "My name is Ivan and I will be your tutor during your time here. The rules are simple. Treat others as you would treat yourself. Respect your elders and tutors here. No jewellery, for safety reasons. No toys, sweets or anything else that is not required for your training. Any rule-breakers will be punished accordingly."
There was a brief pause, and then Ivan continued.
"For your training, you will build the strength of both the body and the mind. A Burmecian warrior needs both in order to fulfil his duties. For today we will be training the mind. I thought it was best to start off with something straightforward." Ivan explained before grabbing a pile of books of Burmecian literature.
Frato just sighed heavily, he hated reading and studying. He was much better suited to physical activity. Before he could train he became easily bored with his mother's reading and studies she set for him and Fratley. He much preferred watching his brother train.
Fratley didn't mind too much. It was a nice change from working himself half to death in a massive training session. He enjoyed some aspects of Burmecian study from his mother. Learning about new lands, learning about new people to meet and monsters to fight deeply interested Fratley and he wished he could go to these places and witness them for himself.
Freya smiled at the idea. She loved to read. However she didn't like the literature that most young girls liked. She hated romance stories; she preferred adventure and action stories. Freya also took an interest in learning about her country and her people when she was too young to train.
Ivan handed everyone a book, which turned out to be one about the history of Burmecia and the Dragon Knights. Frato and a few others groaned when they saw the title of the book. Frato loathed history, if he was going to be forced to read something he wanted to read something remotely interesting. Like an action or adventure story, or a book about how to fight. History didn't even matter to Frato. He knew Burmecia was built, there was Royal family, there were the Dragon Knights and there were battles and people. That was all Frato thought he needed to know.
Fratley didn't seem too surprised or bothered about the book. He had hoped for a book or a diary of a journey around Gaia.
Freya was probably the only one in the room who was smiling. It was light smile, but a smile nonetheless. She enjoyed listening to the history of Burmecia.
The class opened the book and began to read from the front. They were reading aloud, starting with Ivan and then taking turns around the group. Some of the pupils had trouble seeing as they couldn't read very well, if at all.
The book itself was quite unusual. It stated the following:
"In the beginning there was the crystal and from the crystal derived all of the universe and the planets including our home planet Gaia. With Gaia four spirits were created each for an area on Gaia. The crystal was split up and spread across Gaia to prevent abuse of the power of the Holy Spirits. With the jewel that currently resides in the city of Cleyra, came the holy spirit of Burmecia. This spirit created Burmecia and its entire population."
Frato rolled his eyes as he followed the words. No-one believed in the holy spirit of Burmecia. In the past there may have been stronger belief but that soon faded away. No-one had ever seen the spirit. It was said that he looked over Burmecia for eternity but with wars and natural disasters that occurred he couldn't have been protecting the city very well.
The book went on to say how the Royal family had been formed and how they ruled over Burmecia. It continued to say that the Dragon Knights were elite soldiers chosen by the King for the toughest missions.
The class read the book all the way through, by which point all the class knew what had happened in Burmecia in the earlier centuries. Well, all except Frato who looked like a zombie after they had finished reading. Whether he had learned the history of the city or not was debatable.
"Okay, class is dismissed. Put your books here and you may leave." Ivan breathed through a small sigh of relief. "Remember, next week we are doing physical training so make sure you come prepared."
Frato punched the air as he walked out with Fratley. He loved physical training.
-*-*-
Disclaimer: I do not own FF9 or any characters or locations in it. If I did, there would be a FF9-2. Frato, Lion-heart and April are mine, sort of.
Author's Notes: Why aren't people reviewing this story?! If you are reading this, review it now! (Unless your user name happens to be Guardian 1, in which case don't bother. I can't be bothered to read another essay of rants about this story.)
Ryan: Are you ever going to give me a review with actual words and comments in it?!
Guardian1: Psst, this fic was rated G before you came along. :P How does Fratley bear no resemblance to his character in game, his true character is only shown briefly in one scene. The rags over Frato's chest act as a bandage. Plus disinfectant probably didn't exist back then. Fratley's lance has a blade, and could very easily be used as a cutting weapon. If I blocked you, not only would it be the best decision I ever made but it would show only that I can't take essays of nagging from you, someone who has nothing better to do than read something she hates and write heaps of essays for. Besides, I know people who can't take a word of criticism. No big thing.
Reminder to others: REVIEW!