The fluttering wings of the butterflies and the leaves hustling with the gentle breeze were all that could be heard as Aether and the woman's eyes met.
"I'm Clara," She stepped forward. The butterflies didn't seem bothered by her presence at all. She knelt by Aether and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you!" She said with a gentle, genuine smile.
"Aether," The young man said as he took her hand after a moment of hesitation. Who was this person? "Likewise," He added after a moment. Her dark blue eyes glimmered with joy as she watched the butterflies.
Aether put the flower on the ground beside him, and as the butterflies crowded around it, he stood up, then offered his hand to the young woman. Clara took his hand without hesitation, and he pulled her up as well.
"Excuse me for asking but I don't think I've ever seen you before. Who are you?" His question was met with silence as her eyes remained fixed on the butterflies.
"Aren't they beautiful?" She asked all of a sudden, with a dreamy voice. "They are so fragile – yet so strong as well. They move with such grace, yet their lives are so short lived." A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"They are." Aether replied. "But-"
"I'm Clara Morgan. A second year and a transfer student. I'm also the Academy's representative for the international tournament." Seeing Aether's expression, she chuckled. "I got lost on my way here, so I'm really glad to have run into you. Can you lead me to the administrative building?"
Aether nodded, though something kept gnawing at the back of his mind as he led her out of the woods, towards the large, quite easy to spot building that was a straight shot away from the main gate of the Academy.
"Look," He said, suddenly stopping in his tracks when both the building and the main gate were visible from where he stood. His curiosity had gotten the better of him. "There is the gate," He pointed at the large, metal gate. Then he pointed at the building. "And that's the building. How did you end up in the woods?" He pointed at the woods that were a good five minute walk away from both destinations.
Clara looked at the building, then at the gate. Her eyes widened. "Oh." She said finally. "That makes sense."
"What exactly makes sense about any of this?" Aether asked with more than some confusion in his voice.
Clara giggled. "I got sidetracked by the butterflies." She said with an innocent smile. "I'm going to blame being late on you!" She said with a cheerful tone.
"What?" Aether shook his head. "No, no you won't." He brushed past her and hurried to the administrative building. After a few dozen steps, he stopped and looked back. "Well? Hurry up!" Getting in trouble with the principal – or Professor Cross – was the last thing he wanted.
Clara giggled, then hurried after him, though the remnants of that smile still remained on her lips.
As they entered the building itself, Clara fell silent as her gaze scoured the interiors. Aether was about to urge her to hurry up, but seeing her amazed expression, he sighed and decided to wait for her to take in the views.
Her gaze lingered on the oil painting on the walls and on the tapestry. "It's…" She stopped herself. "Ah, right, we were in a hurry, weren't we?" She smiled. "Which way is it?" Once again, she followed Aether through the spacious hallways until they reached a large, wooden double door.
Aether gestured towards the door. "Beyond this is the administrative section. There are people who could help you better than me – I've never been inside after all." He hesitated. "You… won't get lost in a place with a handful of rooms and a single hallway, right?" He asked hesitantly.
"Probably not…" Clara mumbled, titling her head slightly. "Why don't you come along too? I'll treat you to dinner as thanks!" She reached and grabbed Aether's hand, and before he could protest, pulled him through the doors.
The administrative section was quite mundane. The double doors led to a room with a pair of secretaries desks. Beyond them was a hallway with a total of five doors. Each door had a nameplate on it.
"Hi!" Clara spoke up with a huge smile as she dragged Aether towards the nearest desk. The secretary working there raised her eyebrows as the young woman continued without hesitation. "Can you tell me where Luna Morgan's room is?"
Aether flinched. "What?" He asked as the secretary just pointed towards the hall with five doors. "Second door to the left." She said with a flat voice, and Clara happily thanked her before dragging Aether along with her.
"Wait, hang on!" The young man protested. "Luna Morgan? Lady Luna?" He asked wide eyed. "You said your name was-"
Clara pushed the second door to the left open and with a huge grin on her face, dragged Aether along with her. "Mom!"
"Was that Aether?" Seth asked his shy classmate. Her name escaped his memory right now, and it hardly mattered. He and the two girls watched as the black haired young man waited for the platinum haired girl. She giggled, then ran up to him and with a smile as bright as the sun, said something.
"Yes." The shy girl said. She suddenly flinched and covered her nose. "Jeanne," She said, glancing at the second girl. "Um, can we go back?"
"Sure." Jeanne nodded. "See you later, Seth." They left in a hurry.
Seth watched Aether and the platinum haired girl walk off, then smirked. "Gotcha." He ran his fingers through his hair and headed off towards the dorms. It was a short walk from where he was, giving him just enough time to plan things out.
Iris' laugh sounded as soon as he stepped inside the common room. Surrounded by people as always, her laughter was loud and beautiful. With her golden blonde hair and slender look, she reminded him of a porcelain doll.
"Iris," He said with a charming smile on his lips. As soon as he spoke, the young woman's laughter subsided as she and the crowd around her paused to look at him. "Hey guys," He added as he approached them. "Do you mind if I borrow her for a bit?"