The first few weeks of school were a rough adjustment to the squad of Chimera house. The barracks always seems to be the furthest from all their classes and the hardest to find for any deliveries or visitors to the barracks. The squad has developed a social stigma that other guardians have chosen not to associate with them for fear of being included in their superstitious curse. Tensions began to run between everyone in the house, especially toward Daxom, everyone felt they had been ignored and betrayed about his decision to choose Chimera and the stigma around it.
A soft knock is heard on the squad leaders door, Daxom looks up from his home work in anticipation, "Come in Axel." The door swings open slowly and a surprised Axel poke his head through the door. "How did you know it was me?" "You're the only own who knocks that way in the whole house sir, so its easy to assume…" "Anyway…" Axel interrupts respectfully, "I wanted to talk to you about how we are doing as a house." Daxom looked to Axel with a slight concern that something was wrong, "Sure, have a seat." Axel sat down you the small couch near the desk as Daxom came over to sit in a chair next to the couch. "It's really more of a group concern, Taya even agrees with me that maybe Chimera wasn't the best house to pick, and she's a Sagittarius." Daxom looked to Axel "I understand Axel, I have even though about that myself, but trust me this is a good thing. We've known each other a long time, we were moving buddies because of out parents moving around all the time for work." "Yeah its never easy for a Libra and a Virgo to be on the same page, I guess being a cusp help us with that too." The two shared a small laugh before Daxom continued the conversation, "I really do understand, but I'm asking you guys to trust me and I need you to back me up. Have I ever given you a reason to not trust me after all our years of knowing each other?" Axel pretended to think for a few seconds "Well…." Daxom playfully smacked Axel on the arm, "OKAY BOSS! No you haven't." Daxom held out his hand for their special handshake, "Then trust me now, I wont let anything happen to this team." Axel took Daxoms hand in response and responded "Alright, I'm with you.
Daxom and Axel then walked out of the room and downstairs to find everyone waiting eagerly to see what the response was, only to be surprised to see Daxom and Axel come down together. "Called it! We are all in big trouble. We are gonna be charged with Mutiny!" said Vin, a very worrisome half of a set of Gemini twins. " Oh stop always thinking of the worst Vinny, try to think positive like me." Smiled Reed the positive side of the twins. Vin and Reed are, what's called True Gemini, True signs are typically born in the center of the signs time span and don't really lean to one sign or the other next to them. Most Gemini will have a difference in view points, but true Gemini have a very two sided set of personalities, if one has one view the other will be the opposite, Ex: Black and White, Light and Dark, Hot and Cold, etc. Vin and Reed have a Positive and Negative personalities that have kept them in check since they were 3.
"Besides Vin, Mutiny is only on ships and we are on dry land." Stated Daxom "Besides, I'm not upset with anyone for voicing their concerns, if anything I respect you more for it, it takes courage to speak up against someone, but a lot more to speak up to your friends." Daxom continued down the stairs with Axel, "I understand everyone's concern, believe me I do and its not easy to follow someone you only just met, but you can ask Axel, we have known each other since we were younglings, all I want is the success of this Team so please keep your voices loud and make sure I hear you if you have an opinion." The whole team breathed a sigh of relief and a calm wave came over everyone. The whole teams spent the rest of the night hanging out and helping each other with the rest of their homework until they finished, he good thing is there was no class tomorrow, so the fun could go all night.
The next morning was a bit rough after the events of the night before, even though there was no class, the headmaster requires all Casters and Guardians to attend an assembly intended to talk about the schools plans for the year and what to expect. Chimera house was, of course, the last house and unfortunately late to the assembly, they tried to sneak in bu unfortunately a hang over doesn't make one too stealthy. Ella spun around to see Daxom and Chimera house enter the hall in a not so stealthy approach, she gasped and couldn't hep but laugh at their entrance. The headmaster does what he does best and points out the late arrivals to the assembly. "It's nice of the Chimera house to join us this morning." Said headmaster Andros, "I'm sure the whole assembly would like to know why you were late, but from the looks of everyone it's painfully obvious why. Lets all applaud Chimera house for making it in this morning." The whole chamber started roaring with applause. Anyone who has even been hung over will tell you this is not the greatest feeling in the world, loud noise is like your head being sandwiched between two symbols as they are being clapped together. Daxom tried to remain composed but everyone could see he was struggling as well as the team too their seats in the back of the hall. Vin and Reed took turns with a blindfold and lead the other around, Taya was munching on an ancient Sagittarian home remedy that doesn't work, its one of the old wives tales that only makes you think it works and Axel was wearing some earplugs and shades that only let the right amount of sound through so he could hear the headmaster but drown out the rest.
"Today I am proud to announce the 743rd annual Tournament of Magic. Anyone attending the academy is allowed to compete. Magical usage is limited to those all students are capable of performing and comes down to the last one standing. Grand Prize is bragging rights until next year as being known as the best in magic, The Tournament trophy to dawn your house name and your squad, a vile of ground unicorn horn for each squad member as well as one grain of sand from the great sand temple of Tempus with the power to turn time either forward or backward 2 minutes." As the headmaster continued with the explanation of the tournament, Chimera house began to talk amongst themselves, "We need to win this tournament guys, this is just the win Chimera house needs to get back on track in the school." Axel said excitedly, "Calm down Axel, I are this would be an amazing win for the team but we need to think about what each of us is good with and weigh out the pro's and con's." Vin and Reed did what twins do best and chimed in, "Let's do it!" Daxom quickly shushed them for being too loud which caught the headmasters attention. "Something the Chimera house would like to share with everyone?!" Every head in the hall turned to Daxom and his squad, as Daxom stood hesitantly he tried to find the words to tell the headmaster. "Well, Uummm, we are just so excited about the Tournament that for the first time in a long time the entirety of Chimera house will be competing in the Tournament this year." Everyone, including Daxoms squad did a double take after he said that with Chimera house responding with a loud "WHAT?!" "Daxom Tyrell and House Chimera, this academy and its faculty are honored that you will be gracing us with your participation, however one of your house members is a bit behind and risks not making the requirements to participate and since you have pledged the entire house, if they do not make the grade then Chimera house will be punished both in and out of the Tournament." Daxom could feel the dagger eyes of his whole house for putting them under the microscope just for this tournament. "We shall work hard to help our classmate improve their grades so they may compete headmaster." Andros looked to Daxom with a smile, "I know you will."
Back at the house Daxom was ambushed by the his squad. "Dax what was that back there?" Daxom looked to Axel and had a hard time finding words, "I'm sorry, I panicked and that was the only thing I could think of so the headmaster wouldn't rip into use for disrupting the assembly." "Did you ever think that maybe the sound could have been blamed on a sneeze?" Daxom thought for a moment, once he realized that this was a my better play he cupped his head in shock, in his mind thinking "What have I done?" A knock at the door and there was the Academy messenger with a scroll for Daxom. "Daxom Tyrell, I have a message from the headmaster." The message was passed off and Daxom quickly opened the scroll, it read:
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Daxom Tyrell of House Chimera,
Below are the grades for your house members. Please make sure any and all improvements are made to ensure all are eligible to compete. I look forward to see ALL of Chimera house at the tournament.
Headmaster Andros Mars
Axel Fawks: B,C,B,B,A,B
Taya: A,A,B,A,B,B
Vin and Reed Tangelous: B,B,C,B,B,C
Daxom Tyrell: C,B,C,C,A,F
I expect a great improvement Mr. Tyrell.
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"Well that was unexpected." As the scroll was finished being read the ink suddenly disappeared and Daxom was the only one left with the knowledge of the grades. "Well?" Axel said, "What did it say?" Daxom tried to think of something that would single out anyone, including himself, "Nothing important, just that the headmaster is looking forward to seeing all of us at the tournament and that we should all work harder to improve our grades so that we can all compete." Everyone looked at back and forth at each other, trying to figure out who the straggler was, no on thinking to look at Daxom as the weak link.
"Maybe its better if we don't know who is it, this will allow us to all work harder and accomplish our goal." Axel turned to Daxom and stared at him thinking "I knew he was flunking a class." As the team was examining each other there was another knock on the door and there was Rose standing with a scroll to be delivered to Daxom. A smile came over both their faces as Rose tends to lighten any mood. "Hey Dax." Said Rose, "Hey Rose, what do you have there?" "Well Ella couldn't make it out herself so I agreed to bring this to you." Rose handed Daxom a small scroll, hints of Elle's perfume could be smelled from inside the house, the only person who could have known the scent was Axel, but he was too distracted by Rose. Axel had been bugging Daxom for months to introduce him to Rose, but knowing they were going to the Academy together he was to afraid to say anything. Casters and Guardians are forbidden from forming romantic ties because of the nature of their work.
Rose peeked over to see Axel looking over toward her. While Daxom opened the scroll Rose shifted over to look at Axel, "Hey Axel." Axel stared a bit and waved a shy wave to Rose. "How are you?" Axel looked around, like he was looking for another person named Axel, like he was surprised she was speaking to him. When he finally realized he was being addressed his head snapped back to look at her with a look of "Oh she means me." Pointing to himself he said playfully "Who? Me?" Rose laughed a small snicker "Yes you silly." Seeing she might actually like him Axel started to walk toward the door only to trip forward and fall face first on the floor. Embarrassed by what happened Axel decided to stay laying face down on the floor. Concerned for him Rose left forward "Oh My Axel! Are you alright?" Muffled ad unsure what to say Axel responded, "I guess the rug has it out for me today." The rest of the Squad laughed playfully at Axels response and Rose started to help him stand up. Meanwhile Daxom was reading the note from Elle.
Dearest Daxom,
I heard you say you were having the whole house enter in the tournament. If you need help with your grades please let me know and I can meet you to study. Yes I know what class you're failing and I can help. Rose is also passing that class and can help as well.
All my love,
Elle.
Daxom rolled up the scroll from Elle, as he rolled everything back up Rose looked over to him as Daxom snickers at Axel being funny. "Are you alright Axel?" Axel reached his hand up to give Daxom a thumbs up. Rose continued to help Axel to his feet, see a look of concern on Daxoms face Axel decided to break the tension, "Anyone else failing any classes too?" The whole house looked at Axel with eyes that could cleave through solid Mithril. Rose nudged Axel in objection and whispered from the corner of her mouth "Why?" From the back of the living room Taya shouted, "Like it's a secret?! We all know Dax is failing a class." Everyone, except Rose, turned in Taya's direction with the same look everyone gave Axel. "What?" From behind everyone Damon decided to speak, "Yes I am, but I plan on passing this class in order to make sure Chimera house achieves the complete compete award. Not only will the whole house compete, but we will win." Everyone looked at Daxom, first with surprise, but as he continued to peak their faces showed confidence. " We will turn around the view of Chimera house, by willing the tournament, then we will show them we can have the best grades and finally…"Daxom paused for effect, "…then we will be top house of the school." Everyone started to nod in agreement, " Who's with me?" Everyone looked at each other in excitement and all at once shouted "WE ARE!" Daxom then proceeded "WHO ARE WE?" In unison everyone shouted "CHIMERA HOUSE!"