The Sapphire Lion

A generation like no other had begun, as nothing could prevent what was about to unfold; the bittersweet chaos that would soon engulf our short lives together, that would be the ultimate catalyst for bringing us together and us fostering our unpreventable friendships. This would either make us or break us and form our destinies that will be engraved upon our strong yet delicate minds and recorded in books that no other human on Earth will ever get to read but will be told throughout the rest of our universe. …Yes, no human otherwise, will ever get to know our gifts and sacrifices for them or our suffering and we will be invisible to the world forevermore. But don’t worry, we all still have great fun and joy, especially when we all live on as one big happy family in a paradise that can only exist in a dream, for most people and in a place somewhere on Earth that no person uninvited, is allowed within its boundaries. It is a gathering point for those, with incredible gifts, where they can fine-tune those skills and further be educated in not only their abilities but also scholastically; all in one grand campus and four schools, each individual in their majesty and their respective buildings surrounding them, all accumulating to one grand picture of when looking from the surrounding mountain peaks, it all forms the image of a zodiac circle, and in its centre an ancient 500 meters tall tree that could be likened to the ancient world tree in Norse mythology, Yggdrasill, [the world tree] that reached the infinite heavens in all its glory, this one also filled with a mystical power that some may refer to as mana, so you can see why the comparison would be made, but its true origins are as of yet still unknown. As for its roots submerged in water, that would be the beautiful glistening lake around it. It’s probably just over a hundred acres wide, in each quarter of it, and the lush green of grasses and forestry just before its mountains meet the outskirts, is just absolutely breathtaking by itself. The best way to see this wondrous sight in its entirety, would be to climb this tree or rather, to climb up through it, as it has little passages and some spaces used for classes and some even for entertainment purposes within it. Usually holes and things wouldn’t really be healthy, let alone for such an old tree but somehow the strange power flowing within- (Uh…?) ...Well it seems pretty fine, to all of us so far. Our story begins with a strange, shady black car with tinted panes making its way up paths through densely covered trees, to the centre. Finally, halting dead in its path, one of the backdoors of the vehicle opened slowly, but sternly. Out came one of a pair of silken, frilled-hemmed, thigh high legs, with red latticed ribbon and red bauble shoes, with black soles and a black velvet bow finish, then it's twin, perfectly symmetrically, matching the clothes, as the small figure, slipped out playfully, but surely. At last, he shut it fairly loudly, behind him, with a sharp grin and a limp, yet harsh flick of the wrist. A new arrival, a short tanned boy, with his long fiery, pale golden-orange tresses, who took in all the scenic surroundings in the shadows between glimmering sharp lights of the alternating path, with some short an even shorter in mane, still all combined with more red ribbons, sweetly adorning him along with golden bells, completing his appearance. His eyes were a deep dark mahogany and at first glance seemed gentle, but if you could see beyond that, you’d notice that there was always a hint of foreboding, emanating from him. He always carried a mature air and grace about him, despite how petite he looked. He was often very playful and could be a bit of a devilish tease, and we were all on the receiving end of his somewhat abusive pranks. But nothing would be truer of it, unless he was confronted with the one who was both loved and feared by many, but for him to have truly acknowledged anyone, that was by far the truly rare thing. And when the shorter male saw him, for that very first time, or so, it seemed, caressing that tree bark, he was surprised, by the mere sight of him, in the distance, as he stood out amongst all the others, he’d ever, interact with. And, upon being noticed, by him, he ran and hid, behind the nearest tree, next to him, coyly, sweetly peeking from behind and gripping its sides. The taller one, now on the spot, with his wide, cruel, piercing cold stare of his ice-blue eyes, like any deep, freezing ocean, full of the unknown, beneath its chilling surfaces. He was seemingly not very approachable, and yet, upon noticing his presence and having been watched by him, intensely and was in awe of the other, and at last, he proceeded to come his way…. His long, dark, almost bordering on navy blue hair, blew fluidly in the autumn cool zephyr, like an imperial cape, in a part of the campus with many, many trees parting and highlighting a narrow path and evenly lined with benches for students during their breaks and with many more paths like that, leading to the centre where the great tree’s roots lay buried and stood proudly. He gracefully walked slowly, one foot in front of the other in catlike, seductive strides. The taller boy then paused, his graceful form standing majestically, towering over the smaller looking male. His intense penetrating gaze, almost as though he were in heat, toward him. The pretty shorter male, could only stare wide-eyed, seemingly paralyzed, on the spot, by his ethereal form. The taller, soon preceded to move closer, while gently, slowly bowing towards him. The small one’s eyes widened, as he then felt the taller one's lips upon his brow, before he then blanked out, falling slowly to his knees, before succumbing to the darkness, completely. When the small one, next awoke, he found a boy, of similar appearance to the sapphire boy and was quite startled at first, but noticed the difference right away. This boy’s hair was more teal and two tufts stuck up like devil horns, as opposed to the antennae hair of the sapphire boy, despite the dim light and blurry eyes, from having just woken up. He could visibly, now see, that the ends of his hair had white tips, as though it had been dyed, that way and even the tips, of his devil-horn-like tufts, were white. As for his eyes, they were of a royal blue hue. The orange haired male, looked around to see where he was and saw that he was tucked up, in a bed, with the teal boy, sitting calmly, though attentively and even, just about patiently, nearly on the legs, of the orange one. The room was smallish, but looked like a rich person’s bedroom, to say the least. The walls still had their old unpainted, mahogany form, the rest of the furniture, also matching perfectly and even its curtains, delicately gracing its windows, though red, velvet and heavy. They blew back and forth, in the gentle cool breeze. The teal boy spoke and when he did, boy, did he ever! All of a sudden, a barrage of things, flew out of his mouth, one after another and yet, all at once, super-fast. “Hey, my name is Alexander, Alex for short. Everyone calls me that, except the teachers, of course. I’m in class 10A, got held back a year for delinquency and they all say I am an old man and that I've lost my mind, but I'll show them to underestimate me~“ Or so he proclaimed, with these things.... The orange-haired male, leaned forward, and slowly and gently grabbed Alexander’s sleeve and gazed up, gently at him, with a sad look, disrupting the loud, noisy outburst of information overload. Alex snapped out of his hyper, euphoric, other worldly self-delusional daydreaming and half spun around, and bent over to him, focused his attention on the strawberry blonde, again, and looked at him, with an inquisitive puzzled look plastered on his face.... Then, he practically eye-balled him, his face just inches, too close to his. The orange one, was just, only a little surprised, by the lack of personal space and sort of saw the funny side of it, really. Alex soon straightened himself out, running a hand through that coarse, sticking up, bristly hair of his and apologized, for getting too carried away. But nothing could change the fact that sometimes, actually most of the time, he could be an obnoxious prick! Well, I suppose he’s just more excitable, than most people and his heart is in the right place... It’s just that his over-enthusiasm just happens to be just too overpowering, for almost anybody to deal with, and would send most people running for the hills, no, mountains in fact, with his ridiculous demands. Alexander was always very mature, in his physical demeanour and very wise in fact, although, once he opened that big wide grinning trap of his, his voice certainly carried and he whined like a two-year-old, with indeed, an old-mannish, catlike, high voice and had a fast talking, hissy fit temper tantrum, if his ridiculous demands and ambitions were not met.... Not to mention, he was also, utterly conniving. Alexander finally asked the orange-haired one, about himself. “Soooo! Do you have a name?” he asked, in an unintentionally, blunt manner. The orange male, was more surprised with his straightforwardness. He wasn’t too used to being treated like that, but he kind of liked it. Though usually he would act like that, to others and liked the idea of making them feel uncomfortable and getting a kick out of their reaction. So in a way, he was slightly disappointed and that he beat him to it and while he kind of stole his thunder, to boot. A sly grin appeared, for that, as if to say, ‘Oh I’ll get you back for that…’ But even so, they knew that they would make good friends, together, with each other. Yeah, a combination that would prove most disastrous to everyone else within their path and it was bad enough with just one of them and God help anyone, when confronted with two! Any conversations with the orange-haired male, would be nearly obsolete, though, damn near impossible and very awkward, at least, as he was seemingly mute and he knew that fact, himself, very well! And as a fact, he evaded, most questions, seemingly, deliberately. And from that calm, mature posture of his, the orange haired one, immediately on a whim, became very bouncy, silly and very immature, like, too and teasing on purpose, in ridiculous amounts, not allowing them to get a word in edgeways and eventually, making them lose all, of their remainder, of their will to live and even all-knowingly, taking advantage, of their weaknesses, most of the time, showing a very flippant and frivolous streak. Alexander continued after some thought, “Well you’re very cute… Like a small animal, maybe? I should give you a name! How ‘bout…, Pip- Pippen?” The small orange-haired one, turned his head up and looked up, putting a finger under his lip, with a pause. Then he nodded happily, with a squinted blink in approval again, his bells jingling accordingly to every bounce and shake. Alex couldn’t help, but stare wide-eyed and again, being a total space invader, by moving in and getting a closer look, hands held high and clasped tightly together by the side of his head, and immediately after the long awkward pause he broke the silence and let out a high pitched, over excited squeal. “Ooh my God! you are just so cuuuute!” He exclaimed, in pure bliss. “I think I’m going to open up yet another seriously forbidden door somewhere in my deep, dark heart! Oh! I’m so bad!” he said half-jokingly with tightly clasped hands moving side to side under his chin in pure delusional ecstasy. He soon snapped out of it and realized he’d just had a- what did the kids call it now…? Ah! …What the kids now might call a ‘fan-boy’…? moment or rather a ‘fan-girl’ moment…? (considering the high pitch of his voice at that point), all in front of a cute boy while trying to look cool and mature, but failing miserably in front of him. He then straightened himself right up and cleared his throat into a fist…. “Ah-hem! sorry. So you’re new here, so I should show you around some! Ha-ha! he said, in a confident posture, his voice deeper and somewhat sterner, with his broad chest, puffed out, in an attempt to try to show his maturity, after that. Alex, then opened his room door and asked for his hand, gently holding his out to Pippen. Pippen, then gazed up at him, for a while, then looked down and pulled the bed cover, off of him and climbed out, one leg at a time, again and rose from the side, finally taking his warm gentle larger hand, with his sweet, smaller hand. Alexander then proceeded, to walk out the door, with Pippen slightly lagging behind him, at his arm’s length, as well as his own, with Alex, leading him, gently, out into a long corridor, that was dimly lit up, by floral, golden chandelier, lining the ceilings and floral shaped lamps, lining the upper halves, of the walls, either side, with gold framed panelling, all in a row. “So! These are our dormitories and you must have guessed by now, as you were just in my dorm room, these dorms belong to an all-boys school, St. Aria. Uh, well..., all four, schools, here, on campus, are actually all-boys, although at first glance, it can be hard to tell, I know. Hahaha, Especially since most of us, are just sooo beautiful! Ha-ha! By the way, I’m the dorm vice-captain so don’t hesitate to ask me for anything. I would’ve been full captain like they wanted but I chose vice, because I’m just too lazy to take on any more work, as it is. Heh-heh! Well they tried to force me, but I met them halfway. So, just, if you’re wondering. Hmm-hm! Ah-hem! Sorry, again.” Pippen looked bored, now, thanks to his incessant rambling on and ignored all the boring parts, about Alex, himself, just focusing, on the important, informative stuff, for later. “Well, I’ll introduce you, now, to the members of our dorm now. Here’s the room I regularly visit, practically on a daily basis.” He completely, suddenly and totally intrusively, flung their door open with a loud “Hiiiiiii!’” As soon as he made his obnoxious entrance, the faces of the two boys in the room were overcome with pure shock and terror, their poor hearts racing a thousand miles an hour. After they calmed down and soon realized what hit them, the long red, flamed orange coloured haired boy who had two lilac hair clips on one side pinning the one side of his overgrown fringe and turquoise-green eyes, was the first to snap. Of course as he was naturally violent in his nature and cursed like a drunken Irish sailor with a torpedo, no, even that would have been fine…. Perhaps that would be what he’d prefer and would finally satisfy him. Um, actually, more like the anchor stuck up his arse on a daily basis. “God! … For ****’s sake! … Didn’t I tell you!? …Bastard…. How many bloody times?! Don’t do that! And knock, you prick!” And Alex’s nonchalant reaction was just; “Hmm oh that’s right. Sorry, didn’t see you down there.” “Yeah right I just bet you didn’t! You dumb f….” Over the red-orange one’s curse-mumbling, Alex finally began introductions to the boys. “Sooo! This is Pippen everyone, please make him feel welcome.” The other smaller, wavy, crimson, short haired boy with brown eyes who had two olive green baubles in a high ponytail, was the first to greet Pippen. He happily and warmly and offered his hand to him… “Hi nice to meet you. My name is Chico. Ha-ha! Let’s be good friends forever and ever~ Hahaha!” Pippen looked down for a bit and soon took his hand too, while nodding in reply to his offering of friendship. Maybe he did that, just for the sake of making the bells ring, when a situation allowed for it. “Oh sorry I forgot to mention…. He doesn’t seem to speak.” “Oh really…? Well that’s okay. You’ll be very welcomed here regardless so maybe you can soon find your voice. And maybe we can share all our deepest secrets too! Hahaha!” “Ooh~ I wanna hear those… <3” Alex’s eyes glinting deviously, elbow in right hand, left fingers curled, except the one upright, index finger, resting camp, on his cheek. “Ha-ha, you dirty old letch!” Chico’s giggling was soon cut short. “God! What is it with you dragging in every stray under the sun?!” The darker flame-haired boy with severe drooping eyes, soon tensed up the atmosphere…. “Pumpkin! Apologize now!” Chico demanded, followed up by: “That was just mean.” He was determined to keep from losing Pippen’s newfound and possibly valuable friendship. As Pumpkin huffed, arms folded, eyes closed in a pout, Alex sinisterly somehow snuck up from behind, both hands open at either the side of his head, eyes darkened by his long fringe…. Then the redhead found fingers invading his mouth and being pulled wide apart, loud incoherent protests followed of course, something like: “Aahhh!? yuuuh f-ffuuuuuuhinn hashterd gehh oohhfaah meeh!” Hands and legs flailing about accordingly. Chico giggled some more. “Yep that’s what you get! Hahaha!” “Yeah, don’t worry about him he pretends to be a total ***** but he’s really a sensitive guy. In more ways than one.” And with that last line Alex grinned, tongue poking at the corner of his mouth, eyes suggestively lowered. Chico and Alex, soon, were in awe, when Pippen took Pumpkin’s hand and cradled it to his own chest while looking at him with a sombre warmth and kindness, again, with his maturity. Pumpkin, in surprise, to this odd response and in his own uncontrolled reaction, made him feel strange inside, so many conflicting emotions, that he, himself wasn’t aware of. This in turn only served to agitate him further, seemingly in vain…. “Get off!” He snatched his hand away, back to himself. Chico yelled at him again for it. “Pumpkin!” Pumpkin then ran out of the room, for some reason, I guess he just needed to gather his thoughts together. Alex sighed. “Well, that was Pumpkin. Don’t mind him, he'll come round. Soon, I hope.” Pippen just sort of shrugged it off with a quiet giggle. Chico also tried to comfort their new friend. “But yeah, that was still out of order. Don’t worry, he is really a good guy…. Even if he hides it, a little too well. He WILL come around soon, just you wait! But even so, that’s the strongest reaction from him, yet. Yet, I have to wonder, just what’s wrong… *Sigh*” Alex straightened up again and preened himself. “Well no use worrying about him for now. Let me also introduce you to all the other boys in the dorms….” “Can I come with you guys too…?” Chico asked meekly, embarrassed by Pumpkin but still trying to make up for it despite not having done anything wrong, himself. “Sure!” Alex responded. “Though it would have been nice to have Pumpkin along, …But you know how stubborn he gets.*sigh* He always prefers to suffer than to show he’s having fun in front of others.” Alex looked surprised at Chico for having been so perceptive for all this time. “Chico… you…?” Alex closed his eyes and smiled. “Well there’s still plenty of work to be done. Shall we go now?” The three remaining boys walked out of their dorm room and greeted all the remaining boys in their dorms, each and every one, …Except- (*whack* …Ow.) Alex seemed to be giving something to them? This soon piqued Pippen’s inquisitive nature, but he couldn’t see what, quite, in the manner he gave them. He tried to take a couple of glances and peek over at it a couple of times in their hands, but Chico guided Pippen out the door gently pushing his back, giggling somewhat nervously. Pippen, kept looking behind him, on the way out. They continued though all the remaining corridors and Alex giving the remaining objects to them. “So is that all of them?” Chico wondered innocently. Alex pointed a finger upwards eyes closed…. “Uh uh! We’ve barely even begun. There’s still the remaining three, St. Lumina, St. Mixaya and St. Serinos’ school dorms! Hahaha!” “What…?! You’re joking right!??” He asked all meekly. “Ah…! You’re not joking, are you…? *sigh*” The campus was huge, needless to say, it was a lot for almost anybody to take in, but for Pippen, he would absorb it all quicker than most. It was beautiful. From the ground alone, it was a splendorous sight to behold in all its glory. All grey, green and blue with its frail warm, burning autumn flora swaying in its breeze. It could only get better from its aerial view. But for the time being, the boys continued traipsing up to the remaining school dormitories, through its campus forests and narrow paths, while Alex joked and gossiped on the way, even taking the piss out of the boys he was gossiping about, like mimicking their voices and exaggerating their movements. Chico laughed and giggled away at Alex doing and saying funny things, Pippen smiled warmly at the happy faces of the other two boys. And after, still on the way, Pippen indulged and encouraged Chico, in play and contentment and they were soon swinging their linked hands, back and forth, with Alex’s and Chico’s laughter, dominating the forestry scenery. Pippen, would assuredly, be laughing on the inside, with them, at their happiness and carefree, nature. They soon visited the other dorms and with each, they greeted, introduced more and gave nearly all the boys in them the small, strange objects too. “Well now that’s done we can go and see this campus's greatest treasure…” Alex pointed up. “*Hah…Hah…* Ugh… So tired my legs…*Huff*…and chest hurt…” Chico whined softly, perfectly justified, after all the dorms they’d been to. Well, one alone would hold an entire school, over two to three thousand students, with a vast amount of staff, in each, let alone three more. And on top of that, poor Chico was even shorter, a crappy 4,5ft, then Pippen who’s roughly something around at least 4,8ft and they had to keep up with Alexander’s long even pace of tall strides at 5,7ft and a fast pace on top of that. God… As if it wasn’t bad enough each dorm next to its schools was all a mile apart from the next. Though it’s a beauty, it of course comes at a price, beautiful to look at, a bastard to trek. Though Pippen seemed less worse for wear. He wondered how that was even possible, especially since Pippen was entirely new, to the place. Alex being always perky, while devious and with being the slave driver he is, would only soon put them to more unnecessary, unwanted labour. Chico soon came to an unfair realization: “You know, it just occurred to me... We could’ve just taken the campus trains to commute to each dorm….” “Oh yeah guess we could have! … Hahaha!” Chico just collapsed. “So unfair…” Tears streamed down. “…I’m crying waterfalls.” Later that night, after going back to their dorms, to Alex’s room and sleeping off the long, exhausting adventure, Pippen and Chico woke up, after sleeping in each other’s arms, just like that of a couple of little siblings, yet Pippen indulged and held him more, in a maternal manner, rather, in Alex’s bed... If only, it weren't ...to be so abruptly and rudely awakened, by a loud, obnoxious clanging, outside of the door. Pippen wearily rubbed his eyes and Chico pulled back the door, in a pout, to find Alexander, pounding on a saucepan, with a ladle. “Hey Alex, it’s still the same day, Saturday and only 7:00! AND pitch dark-!” “Hey Chico you still half asleep?! …You of all people…! …Have you forgotten?!” “Wha-! …Oh yeah!” “Hey go get Pippen up, A.S.A.P. and get the two of you ready!” “But I like what I’m already wearing…” “Uhm… First of all you’ve been asleep in it so it’s all creased! Secondly, those already practically look like pyjamas! Now get on with it!” “…Awww.” With that Alex slammed his door shut, letting Chico get on with it while Alex himself made his final preparations. Chico in the room rummaged through the chest drawers and his wardrobe, looking around for some interesting clothing, until he found a flattish, long white box, with neatly written italics on its lid, written: ‘Happy Birthday. “He remembered… Oh, even I’d long forgotten since…” With that Chico wept a little. Then he finally opened the lid of the box and pulled away the paper wrapping and finally exposed the gift underneath and his eyes filling up, a little more, upon taking it out of the box and underneath, a sketch of it…. “But this is the outfit I always dreamt of and drew constantly, back when…! Thank you. I will always remember.” After a little while, he gathered his thoughts and rubbed his tears away with his arm. “Hey Pippen? Hey! Wake up now, we have to get ready!” Pippen woke up, bleary eyed and soon pretended, to fall, back to sleep, tilting head first and thudding the pillow, again, with his bottom stuck in the air, as though, playfully saying, 'I don't want too~'. “Man… Come on. And here I thought that you were supposed to be the more mature one... So much for that... Welp! Looks like it's up to me~” He soon got our lazy Pippen, to get dressed, with some difficulty.... But even so, soon after, they did, they finally had their finishing touches completed with ribbons, belts, and cords and such and they both looked ever so beautiful and adorable, in their frills, pleats and bloomer-type bottoms and poofy-type sleeves and Pippen was in a red, velvet waist coat with four black velvet buttons, two dotted on each side. And finally, Chico, himself, wore a layered puffy-looking blouse with ribbons around the up of the arms, with frilled sleeves and frills, at the ends of the collar. Around the collar had a thin, silken, olive green ribbon, bound into a drooping, bow. Over that were a pair of brown suede shorts, with matching straps, of that material, binding them to his shoulders, completing his. Alex soon came back to collect them, and upon flinging it open, …again! He was, for once in his life …speechless, and again, staring wide eyed and eyes glistening at them…. He then shut the door slowly, again, and on the other side, he breathed a sweet sigh of contentment and then, abruptly hunched over and squealed, eyes and fists clenched high in excitement. "I must admit, I was worried for a bit, but I'm so glad! The designs turned out, just perfect~". Alex, himself, was dressed in some gaudy, tight, yellow tiger-striped jacket with bell bottom sleeves with white fur lining the ends of the damn eyesore, including its collar, sleeves and bottom. Under that was a black polo neck and with purple leopard print leggings, with brown suede boots also lined with white fur with two furry bobbles on the side of each. He also accessorised it all with a long red bead necklace, with sunglasses on his head. He even went as far as wearing lip gloss, to finish the look. He soon got them fully ready, by brushing their hair and putting the final various ribbons and ornaments in place and finished with hair clips, too. They made their way to the destination using the trains this time…(!), to the Great tree. And in its leaves glowed lights, sparkling and twinkling like it was already Christmas again, throughout its full plume. It could be seen from miles away due to its great size. While still on their way to the trains, Pippen’s attention was soon drawn upwards to a fair, sweet, full-faced, elegant boy, looking briefly out a high latticed window, in one of the campus buildings, before then being noticed by Pippen. The fair boy ducked quickly and closed his curtains, for whatever reason. Pippen just quietly giggled, with some sadness, in his lowered, large eyes. Afterwards, they made their way there and began to cross the roofed bridge to the 50ft decorative, arched, double doors in the base of its bark. When they reached it, the doors slowly opened with a large, deep, grinding creaking, as the inside was finally exposed. The golden-lit carved walls of the tree, as the gold, framed decorative double lamps continued, lighting the way all the way up and even the narrow passages leading to the various classes. Pippen and Chico were mesmerized. Well, mostly Chico…. Pippen was just more serene about it, smiling, gracefully and looking around gently at the surroundings, as opposed to Chico, who was more excitable and wide eyed in general, who would run around, arms wide, like a tiny child full of excitement and inquisitiveness, despite having lived at the school nearly all his life, He’d never actually had the chance to enter it. He was too young and as a result, in the lower classes, for all the higher grade lessons, they taught there. “Sooo-!”Alex soon spun half around quickly, after putting his hands on his hips, while his long teal and white tipped mane, swirled and then fanned out like a very long cape that made him look like an evil, maniacal overlord, as he then stamped his right foot.“Now, we go up. To the highest point.” He showed, with his left hand. “What…?! …But it’s so high… So many stairs… Noooo. I’ll die…” poor Chico sulked. “Hahaha…!” Alex just continued laughing heartily and started climbing up the stairs hand still up directing them to make a start too. Chico just sulkily climbed up in a slump and Pippen just strutted, hands behind his head, sort of seeming somewhat unenthused, probably about the stairs too. They soon made their way up half the flights with a lot of trial. And of course Chico was already feeling the pain and he was pretty exhausted. “Hey Alex what was the point of getting dressed to look good, if we…were…going to sweat it out…and look…a total mess, before we…even...got there...?” the poor thing panted between his words. “Hahaha!” Alex just continued the hearty laughter. “Hey can’t we take a little break…, first…?” he finished with barely any hope left at the last bit of that question, almost like it was rhetorical. “No. Time waits for no man.” Alex denied them, bluntly. “…Of course.” Chico responded reluctantly. They finally reached the top and Alex got his just desserts from the stairs; he panted bent over with hands on his knees. He looked to his left, to not only find Pippen, looking perfectly perky, but head cocked sideways, giving a look as though he were laughing at him, even his eyes alone seemed as they were laughing at him, the way they were squinted, as if the climb were nothing, but also with the weight of a passed out Chico on his small back, too. The sight of that alone in fact is what did it and was too much for his brain to take in, despite the genius he could be and despite and Alex still ended up dropping to his knees and keeling over sideways, head first, arms stretched out, his arse stuck up in the air. “…What the, f-uuu…!” he whined softly in melancholy, eyes streaming. “…I…I’m crying waterfalls…” “Why isn’t there a lift…?” Chico whined, still sleepily on Pippen’s back. …Alex was still on his side. “There is…” “What?!” Chico suddenly sprung up now riding Pippen’s back. “Then why didn’t you tell us before we climbed it all…?! …I’m beginning to think you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you…” Chico pouted.” “There is… But it’s still…Out of order.” Alex sulked. They were now at the top floor of the tree, finally and they slowly began, pushing the heavy double doors, inward to the grand hall, inside. The doors creaked, as Pippen and Chico, were opposite them. Parted beams of light then pierced outward, into the dimly lit space that they were still standing in…. Both were in awe of the sight unfolding before them, as the white light grew dimmer and dispersed, or rather their eyes, instead, getting accustomed to all the brightness…. And then(!), a loud cacophony of banging, popping and crashing noises! Cheering soon filled their ears. Basically a total assault on the senses. On top of all that, bright colours fell off all the bits and pieces, washing over them and banners were across, with some streaming and unfurling from the high ceilings. “WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOLS!!!! *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* Hahaha!!!” Alex with a quick recovery, walked slowly past them, from behind and after halting, soon turned and bent forward to face Pippen. He took his small hands, slowly toward his own chest, with, for once, a more serious and calmer tone, with a melancholic, sweet smile and his eyes more kind too, than his usual sharpness. “Hey now… Welcome and hope you enjoy all your time spent here and may they be filled with nothing but happiness throughout.” This surprised Pippen, and he, most of the time, was very rarely moved by anything. But he just returned the empathetic look back at Alex. And he smiled back at him, melancholically, with his eyes lowered at him, gentle and warm, soft and kind, once wide, soon halved in compassion and sympathy. Alex's eyes, just widened, too, uncontrolled and his chest tightened, caught totally off guard by that. He already knew that this new student was special and one to most definitely watch out for. He knew that this one was dangerous to him… And this one, who at first glance..., this so-called Pippen, could see past that, even, despite Alex's many, many, colourful and varied layers and barriers, that he'd acquired of the many years of his still-youthful life, in mind, dispite. He could see far too much, right through him, even. And he couldn’t allow that… After all, it nearly sent him on the edge, if it weren’t for his remaining ounce of composure. Well if anyone could have ever knocked him off his so-called podium and self-appointments, it would have been Pippen, no doubt. Alex closed his eyes and sighed. He was smiling gently. He then lifted his upper half and then puffed his chest, arching his back out, a little and now away from Pippen's eye-line. He then patted himself down, some more and followed it up, by preening each of his long arms, before then pivoting on his right leg, hair fanning out again, more than ever before, nearly whipping, or at least hitting Pippen in the face with it. But Pippen was smart, if not more enough to completely dodge it, almost to the point of not looking like he had even moved at all, and seemingly still in one spot and with a grin similar to that of Alex, of looking very proud and satisfied with himself. As Alex, turned to face the large gathering, his back, now, to Pippen and Chico, he soon raised and shot, his right arm, right into the air and with a squinty eyed-grin, he, in his loudest nasal-sounding cat voice, yet, yelled. His voice truly echoed, throughout the giant ball of tables, surrounding it, its stage too, despite not being on it, with all the microphones set up. Not that he needed them, at all…! Oh god he’d kill all our ears if he could let alone the ones with the more sensitive ears. …Ugh! “HEEEEYYYYYY!!!! Let's welcome our new guest, warmly, by showing him all the best times of our lives, here and living it up to the fullest! YEAH!!!!! Come on people! What'd Ya say!!!!?” “YEEEEAAAAH!!!!!! WHOOOOO!!!!!!!” “And now give it up for the pride and joy of our prestigious schools, the beloved Prince Azure and his royal knights!” And from the loud raucous cheering and whooping, a sense of humbling as a more formal feel, soon stifled the air, as voices went quiet and a constant monotone sound of clapping took its place, as the beautiful, fair seemingly delicate Prince in all his grace and majesty walked in that very same way, the very same person that froze our Pippen and made him go weak in the knees, for the last time at that point… (*Giggle* …Uhh… Uh-hem… Sorry… *sigh* ‘Expect lots of this people…!’) This time though, Pippen, again, lost his breath and stared intensely, as the Prince, still approached, but as soon as he reached him, Pippen closed his eyes, as he took a breath. He sighed, as though calming himself, before fixing his posture, to match, the situation, appropriately, before him. The Prince showed no hesitation this time, before Pippen…. And towering above him, was Azure, with the two boys of similar heights and appearances, to the prince. They were at Azure's sides, with their grandiose attire. One of the knights, at his left, with long flamed, spiked hair at the top and red in colour, before the rest draped down his back, again, like another cape, over, his own, the exact same for the other on his right, except his was long and blond and less severe, above, curled, wavy and around, his more matured face, than of the other two, with crimson eyes. The very same hair and eye-colours reversed, between the so-called knights. Pippen, mentally prepared himself, for whatever was to happen, next. Still, a little surprisingly to him, the three knelt before him, still in a perfect triangle formation, as when they walked toward him, across the centre of the ball, as though down a church isle, just like a bride with, two bridesmaids carrying the end of the veil, besides~ (*Giggle* Uh..Oh god… *slap* …O-ow… …Uh, well anyway…! *Rubbing noises*) All three, from bowing their heads, still on one knee, each, looked up in unison, at Pippen, smiling warmly. And then the Prince spoke…. “Ahaha. Well Alexander, said it better. Uh well-! …Kinda. Ha-ha. And, yes… Again, welcome once more. Ehehe. I hope you enjoy life here and have a pleasant, school life here too. Here, this, here, is something, to commemorate, your arrival, here, to us and may, many, many, new beginnings and blessings, with, of course, much happiness, throughout, all the times, ...whatever may come.” As Prince Azure, gently took Pippen’s small hands, with both his own, he cupped something in Pippen’s and ended up handing to him, what appeared to be, an earring…? Yes, that's what it indeed, looked like…. It was nonetheless, a shimmering gold and carved, in the shape, of a sun, with a crucifix, protruding, from the centre, all with red gems, one, in the centre and four others, in the tips and points, of the crucifix and finally, with dangling bits, off the sides, of the remaining three corners, of the points, except the top one, of course. Um? Had Pippen, already, had, his ears, pierced…? Uh… Well, anyway. He then fastened it with a glad smile, and wore it, into, his right ear lobe. The Prince, then, with a calm, delicate smile, rose up, off, his one, long, slender leg and slowly and serenely, offered and reached, his hand out, to take Pippen’s smaller hand. And as Pippen took his hand, the Prince led him with the other two now leading in front of the Prince, at either side. He led Pippen to the table just about facing the centre, with a very good view of the stage, for the entertainment, to follow that night… The two, parting, at either side, of the chair, now, while the Prince, pulled it out, for Pippen, to sit and the blond ‘knight’, with both his hands, gently, but firmly, at either side, of his small shoulders, pushed down, for him to sit, while the red, delicately, placed the napkin, unto his lap. Alex and Chico, despite having been separated from Pippen, in the process of it all, soon found their way, again, to him. “Um, Alex, stop. That’s the table for the Prince and the rest of his royal members. I don’t think we're allowed to do it.” “Oh Nonsense! We're free to go anywhere we like, secondly I’m practically an aristocracy, anyway. Not to mention, just who do you think organised this all?! Only yours truly~ And anyway, I’ve got to keep my eye on our new guest. Hmm-hm!” “Yeah right. You're gonna get it one day. If not your nose, it’ll be your thi- Wait, You're aristocracy….!?” “HEEEEYYYY!!!! Pumpkin! Yoohoo!!! Heeeey…!” And of course, naturally, Alex would dodge the subject and cut and/or interrupt. As usual… Alex dragged Chico by the arm, to get to Pumpkin, rather heavy handily and ran with a skip, in his long strides. “Ooooww-! Not fair…” As they got to him, of course he stood on the spot, pouting and trying to avoid eye contact, with a scowl and arms folded. “Ughh… Damn it all…! …You know, I wasn’t going to come here, I was just bored, for your information and just came to have a quick look. Not that it’s any, of your bloody business…!” No matter how much of an awful brat he could be, not even he deserved to be interrogated, and by Alex, no less. Alex bent over, to Pumpkin’s waist, with his thumb and index finger, underneath his chin and then eyeing poor Pumpkin up and down... “Ohh… Hmm, why are you all dressed up, then…?” He wore an Easter-yellow, coloured cardigan underneath, of some sweet, pink, dungaree overalls that also had a blue flower with yellow centre on the pocket, of the chest as well as the belt of the same fabric and colour around his waist. He blushed, profusely, for a split second and before he could open his mouth, to deny or protest, Alex again, heavy-handedly, grabbed them both and ran with them, lagging behind and of course made, his way back to the ‘royal’ table and rammed and butted his way in, before sitting his fat arse down next to the seat, that Pippen happened to be sitting in and leaving the other two in a awkward position, of the embarrassment, of not really being welcomed at that table. “Oh come on you two, sit and make yourselves comfortable!” He bulldozed with, as he patted the seats beside him. “Easy for you to say. You criminal…!” Pumpkin, ominously growled, towering him, from behind, his arms folded again. To them, an unfamiliar voice piped up… “Uhh. It’s okay. You can sit here. Um, the more the merrier actually. Hehe.” When they looked up, it was the red-haired ‘knight’. “You see, Aiolios says it’s okay, too. Hahaha!” He laughed, with his shoulders hunched and hands out in a ‘oh well position. And Pumpkin just had enough, gritting his teeth and fist, and his dominant right fist no less. And just, with all his force, he struck Alex around the head and Chico joined in, in telling him off with Pumpkin together. “Yeah right! He only agreed, because you're being a pain and stubborn nuisance! …And a pest…! He just couldn’t be bothered chasing you off!”, the two protested at him. “Hahaha!” still, was his reply, but with a lump on his head now. The redhead, just blinked wide-eyed, before giggling, with a nervous tone, in his voice. “Eh he-he… U-uh. Now, now, you guys, please do sit and enjoy yourselves.” Chico and Pumpkin sighed, sounding more defeated than excited, no thanks to Alex. Before turning to look at each other, they agreed to sit, as Aiolios had seemed reluctant to have asked. “Uh okay… Uh if you're sure…” The blond knight joined in, and to break the tension. “Yeah of course, it’ll be good, to have new people, to talk too. Ha-ha!” The Prince noticed Pippen, staring at him. He smiled at him, kindly before wondering, just what made him stare, like that, which made him a little nervous. “H-hey… Umm… What is it…?” Pippen then, not even caring about personal space, started to poke at the mole, under the Prince’s, Azure’s left eye… “U-uh…!” Azure blushed very timidly now and hunched his shoulders forward, covering his eye very nervously, not really knowing where to look, or how to respond to that. Alex saw that and perhaps pretending to be jealous, playfully pouted and grabbed Pippen to him and stuck his tongue out at Azure. And Pippen appeared to not really get it and remained in Alex’s arms, just stiffened horizontally and wide-eyed. “Nyah-nya-nya-nyaa-nyaah! He doesn’t talk to anyone but me 'cause he likes me better! Isn’t that right?” he said, and what might as well have been rhetorical and that voice of his lowered, bluntly, at the end, and that might as well have been followed up with “Of course you do.”, brazenly taking full advantage of his lack of speech, if even. Pippen just quietly giggled… “Uh…” Azure just blinked and gawked at that. Chico just let him down in front of him. “That’s a bunch of bull! And you know he can’t speak anyway.” He pouted. He caught himself with his splayed hand thrust up at his gaped mouth. “A-ah…! Sorry I didn’t mean to have shouted that out…! Oh my god. So sorry.” He sort of half bowed and hung his head in shame. Pippen kind of nervously(?) giggled, scratching the side of his cheek. Alex playfully sulked. “Hey, you know this is an awful lot of people here… Hmm, if the lift wasn’t working, how did they all cope with all the stairs…? I mean they all still look so energetic…” “What in the hell are you talking about…?! They finally fixed it just before this! …And thank god!” Pumpkin moaned, between a mouthful of the buffet food and while conducting his words with his fork. “O-Oh AAAAA LEEEEEE X!!!!!!!” Chico cried with his fists clenched right and up to his chest. “Oh what they finally fixed it now? Oh, oops, my bad. Ha-ha-ha!” Poor Chico, just collapsed into tears, on to the table, and while Alex and Pippen just nonchalantly laughed it off, to add insult to injury. After Chico sulkily pulled himself together, and dragged himself up, he soon remembered… “Wait, Alex. What was that about you being an aristocracy, in the end?” Pumpkin of course scoffed and snorted at that. “Pfft! Aristocracy my arse…! More like a court jester, or the king’s fool!” “Umm. I do apologise in advance that we won’t be seated at this table, with you guys for some periods of time and my deepest apologies if it seems rude, especially after we just got to meet, but we are part of the entertainments after all. Uh. Ehe!” Azure embarrassedly hoped that they wouldn’t be disappointed but it seemed that it was mostly aimed at little Pippen. “Oh you guys will be on stage then…?” Chico piped up, between eating. But truth be told, he was in the end hiding that he did feel a little disappointed, as he truly did love making new friends, bonds and ties, with others as he cherished them all equally and almost oblivious, in regard to status, in truth. “Yep that’s right!” He got up to prepare with the other two knights by his side, and replied with a brief smile before turning around rather coldly, not that Chico really noticed(?). “Aw. But oh well, can’t wait to hear them sing! Ha-ha! “Chico optimistically said, …if only, to himself. “Aww…” Alexander pouted with a finger over his mouth and his right shoulder hunched to his cheek, in his usual playfulness. Pumpkin’s demeanour throughout was just, “Yeah, yeah… whatever…” Pippen was just oblivious… or was it now indifference…? Well anyway, he was kicking his legs back and forth under the table, while shoving mountain-loads of food, down his throat. The lights began to grow dimmer, until the ball was finally darkened enough. And then, a flash as the three-toned stage lights blared out forth from the stage, before focusing on the three silhouetted figures. And then-! A loud burst of chords burst out, filling the ball in its entirety. Three figures were then exposed by the positioning of the lights and the dry-ice machine eclipsing them in a white, white unfolding and unfurling of rolls and curls before it dispersed and dissipated, revealing them clearly once more… It revealed the outfits they were in, also. They each wore matching outfits according to each of their styles, though. All three had the attire, with two main colours, each one light, the other dark, to accentuate them, with wide pointed, shoulder-pads, that glistened the most under the stage lights, because of the shiny plastic material over them. They also included some V-shaped head ornaments and neon cords binding their shining hotpants, fitted to each of their designs. Antoine’s colours, for his were, a pale, pastel-mint for his exterior material, and underneath a wine colour for him and his head ornament also mauve with butterfly, wing-like protrusions either side of his head and in its dip, a green gem, encased in a tulip-like crest and other pointed, shaped protrusions, either side that. And finally the prince in the centre of the two knights, his outer outfit was black, under was white also with bird-like wings either side of his and the head ornaments dip. Finally, a yellow gem, with a more crescent shaped triton and also with wing-like things either side of that. They sang electro-style, techno/dance/rock/pop or whatever the specific genre is called. (‘Humph, I much prefer classical myself.’ ‘Yeah, you would!’) And after that they sang more numbers, one after another, throughout the whole night, all kinds of songs and to appeal to the many, many students, of all kinds in the schools too. Yes, the three truly were masters of the arts. After the singing was over, the schools' string quartet, of impeccable quality, came in and played. ('That's more like it~' *Groan* ) The students that were best dressed, predominantly got up from their tables and teachers, too and they gathered, to the centre of the ball, having looked forward to this most. They started to pair off together, as dance partners. They danced throughout the remainder of the night and Pippen was invited to dance by Azure, a little surprisingly and to the others watching, right before them. They were soon excited by and mesmerised by the incredible beauty and grace, they shared, let alone, together. They were pretty much the focus of all attention and ever after that. As the event soon was drawn to a close and the rest of the students and faculty headed off to bed, some of the poor, tired students volunteered in the cleaning processes. In between the clattering of stacking of chairs and tables, Pippen had already made his way to the end of the ball, onto the tree top's balcony. Alexander soon joined him, after being done giving his orders and made his way, amidst the chiffon blowing curtains, through the glass doors, in gazing with him, at the big pale moon through the dense, plumage of its leaves, yet it all shone through, ever so brightly, in its many unhindered stars. It also took focus, otherwise, in the varied night sky. Though Pippen would never respond, vocally, Alex felt at peace enough to be completely sentimental with him and as they both gazed at what they could, in the midnight sky and below, amidst the shrouds of the trees. At the distance between them, Alexander had soon been filled with a surprise and hesitatingly turned to gaze on, crouched, while finding a beaming Pippen at him, with his arms draped, firmly at his sides, as he stood taller and warmly, with his head cocked at Alexander, as Alex leaned low, one elbow, now, still on the rail of the balustrades.

Four prestigious all-boys schools and four couples, one pair representing each school, on one giant majestic campus and read as their individual stories and destinies unfold before each other and intertwine.