Chandra shook her head. Ral was amusing. He was so optimistic he was illogical. It was crazy. Apparently the school was preparing for yet another principal because the one they currently had, though she had lightened up enough that many of the students actually liked her was being relocated to a "more fitting school". Student council had yet to meet this third principal but Chandra knew it wasn't going to end well. The pressure in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Half the student body was worried sick about Jace and the other half was pissed as hell that, after putting so much work into working with her, there was going to be another principal. Chandra had the sinking feeling that something more was at work here. The first principal was light with enforcing the rules. The second principal had started out strict but not cruel about the rules. The moment she had given in to the student body and the school returned to normal she was replaced. The new principal was scheduled to arrive later that day though they would not begin their job for another week.
"Redhead," Claire snapped, "Are you paying attention?"
"Of course, O Great President."
"This principal's from a top school in New York. New York is one of the least friendly states in regards to supernatural beings. This is a problem," Claire insisted.
"Really?" Lilianna looked at her in mock surprise.
"This is not the time for this necromancer," Claire rose to her feet, "The student body has to be unified. It's not good enough just for the different groups inhabiting the school to just work together. There must be one group."
"You sound like you're preparing for war," Chandra snickered, "but as usual the student council follows the decrees of it's president." She dipped her head in mock reverence, "Your wish is my command." She sat back and continued before Claire could respond to her commentary, "Of course, seriously speaking, that is the best idea if he really is from New York and New York is as unfriendly as you make it out to be." Her eyes narrowed, "Lotus. Look into him when he gets here."
"Consider it done," the brunette nodded.
"That it?" Lilianna asked curiously.
Claire growled, "I guess. Yeah."
The council left. Lilianna walked quickly through the halls of the school. She found Xerxes on his way out of the school, "Going somewhere?"
"So what if I am?"
"Talk to me first?" Lilianna asked sweetly.
"Of course," Xerxes nodded. Even he knew better than to tell her no. He followed her over the wall of the school grounds, "He's your minion isn't he?"
Xerxes shrugged, "I was bored. I pulled some strings got him assigned here and he'll be your new principal."
"And you're mysteriously going on vacation and going to conveniently miss all the action," Lilianna concluded.
"Let's just say that I will not envy you your position," he smirked, "Anything else. Or do you want to come along? I wouldn't mind the company."
"Go find someone else to bring along," Lilianna turned away from him, "I'm not missing this for the world."
"You'll end up getting hurt," he sounded as though he enjoyed the idea of watching the planeswalker that had dared to summon him suffer.
She smirked, "Not if anyone else in the school has anything to say about it." She returned to the school and her classes. What exactly does that demon have planned? Well at least things will finally get interesting.
Chandra growled as an infuriatingly familiar aura surrounded her, "What do you want Kurai?!"
"I have news. As my summoner is not here I'll have to make do with the second best thing."
"What news and make it quick. My patience is running thin," Chandra snapped. She turned to glare at the demon.
"Your patience is always thin, Ms. Nalaar. The new principal is not all that he seems. He has succumbed to the machinations of a demon."
"Which demon?" Chandra asked.
Kurai shrugged, "Don't know." Chandra knew that was a lie. It was written all over his face that he did know, "More like won't tell." Kurai shrugged, "Is there a difference?"
Chandra ignored him and stalked away. He's succumbed to a demon? That part I believe. That means that this is going to be very interesting. She growled, "Great." She saw the new principal walking through the halls, inspecting the school with a disapproving look. Walking beside him was a small lithe boy that appeared to be around Alice's age. The boy's face was completely emotionless but his dull red eyes held a mix of resentment, anger and fear. Great. Another dysfunctional kid. The principal himself appeared to be quite the professional, wearing a full suit. Not a thing was out of place. His tie wasn't the slightest bit crooked. Her eyes narrowed, "Are you the new principal, Sir?"
"Yes. You are?" He looked down at her. His smile was warm but his eyes were empty.
"I'm a member of the student council actually, in charge of the clubs' budgets specifically. The president and vice president would normally be doing the introductions however both of them are currently busy with last minute preparations of your arrival," Chandra curtseyed and held out her hand for him to shake, "Chandra."
He took her hand, "Mr. Noire."
Chandra nodded, "Would you me to show you around? The direction you were heading leads directly to the cafeteria. Beyond that," Kurai, connect me to his head, "is the gymnasium, auditorium, and many of the different arts classes." She smiled sweetly, being sure to make it innocent and trusting as well.
"I would actually appreciate that." Perfect.
How naive are these fools?
Chandra looked at the boy that stood next to the principal.
He thinks we're fools? Kurai's voice sounded amused. I must say, Pyromancer. You are quite good at this.
Chandra nodded, "Of course. This is the cafeteria. However the dorm common rooms are also perfectly furnished for eating should a student, or staff member prefer that to this place. Also the juniors and seniors are allowed off of campus to go get lunch from one of the many nearby restaurants though most of them are out visiting another school for the year. Instead of those upperclassmen we have sophomores and freshmen from the school our juniors and seniors went to."
"Which school is that?" I wonder...
"The Palisade Campus," Chandra said.
The Slayers. Interesting. Why would the Slayers of Ascension City, or even more importantly, Palisade Campus, be interested in a filthy private school such as this one? He nodded, "Very well."
Chandra led them out of the cafeteria and into the gymnasium. The gym class wasn't currently warming up. She stood silently beside the principal as he watched the gym class curiously. This was Michael and David's class. She expected something interesting to happen but nothing did. Michael and David glanced at the principal, acknowledging that they had seen him but nothing crazy occurred. Even they must be able to feel the aura that surrounds this guy. She suppressed a shudder. Standing in his presence was suffocating. He must have noticed the differences in her uniform as compared to everyone else's, even student council. She continued to dutifully and courteously lead him through the school and around the school grounds. Little did he know that his polite, helpful, trusting, innocent little guide was about to become the biggest thorn in his side. She could play games but they never lasted long. This would be the longest lasting game she played. I'll play it till I figure out that kid and why he follows this man around.
Kurai's voice echoed in her head. He thinks you're a trusting idiot that doesn't know what your dealing with and must have been sheltered all your life. He's already made assumptions about you. They both have. And those assumptions work in your favor.
Chandra nodded. She stopped in front of the office, "That's it."
"Thank you very much," the principal nodded. He looked at the boy next to him, "There's no need to glare at her like that Hades. I know you don't trust people but you must be more courteous."
The boy flinched and stopped looking at her in general.
Chandra resisted the urge to narrow her eyes and instead she spoke sweetly, "It didn't hurt my feelings at all Sir."
"That's all well but I don't need him scaring away my future students."
And if I don't scare them away you'll end up leading them all to their deaths.
Chandra nodded and curtseyed again, "I have to return to class now. However the student council is at your service." She turned and walked into her science class. It was just before lunch. She sat and stared at the teacher. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. Now things get interesting. Kurai. Signal Michael and David.
Consider it done, Princess.
Chandra hissed angrily. I do not remember giving you permission to give me a nickname.
You're Jace's trusted keeper. Why not?
I am not his keeper. I keep no one. Chandra resisted the urge to growl and rested her head on her arms.
My apologies then. However, without you and Ral and Elspeth and Kaechia and Gideon and Kaious, he would've lost his mind a long time ago.
Chandra lifted her head as Michael and David's trouble song played over the intercom. The fire sprinklers turned on without any warning beyond that all over the school. Chandra smirked, "Now we see how he responds and the game continues."
Are you sure you want to think of this as a game?
"That's what it is. It's a game of chess. Students. Vs. Administration," Chandra whispered to herself.
Apparently. Can you win though?
We will win. Chandra looked around as the principal came over the intercom, "Students. Come to the auditorium. Immediately. There is something we must discuss." He's obviously used to being obeyed. She got up with the rest of her classmates and walked towards the auditorium. She saw Michael and David being led in separately. The two of them looked somewhat beat up but not terribly so. She sat with the rest of student council.
"It is apparent that there are many things that need to change about this school. You are obviously used to being able to get away with anything you please. Now, if you follow the rules then punishment will be unnecessary," Hades stood next to the principal looking agitated but afraid. Chandra noticed him shift uncomfortably. "However, should the disobedience continue then I will enforce ever harsher punishments until the message is finally understood. Is that clear?" The auditorium was silent. Every single staff member that had been with the school for any sort of extended period of time knew this was a bad sign. The student body was never silent. If they didn't like something they'd make that perfectly clear. The silence meant there was something deeper. The student body was plotting. They were thinking as a single unit. They could already guess what kind of punishment the principal was talking about. And they didn't like it. However, outright disobedience would get them nowhere. In a single moment the entire, fractured student body was unified. The different factions under all their different leaders faced the principal in silence.
"Very well. It will start with more security. However this security is for your own safety." The principal did not notice the light of ice cold hatred growing in the students' eyes. He heard the silence and took it as quiet acceptance. Hades however could feel it. The students' icy cold eyes raked over the principal. They did not accept his terms. They had already started plotting war. War was what this would inevitably devolve into. He saw them thinking, plotting. The architects already had layouts built into their heads. The ones proficient in the use of weapons were already preparing them. Ascension City's Slayers were already charging up their power, ready to strike at any time. Those that could use magic were already doing so. He could see it all. The principal missed it all.