The streets were filled with smiles and light. It was the most active city Valentine had ever been to. But something just didn't feel right. There's always a dark side to a luscious city like this in movies, and even though it's just a movie that concept tends to hold true in the real world as well. Where there are those who thrive, there must also be those who suffer for the benefit of others. He ended up shelving that thought to enjoy his time while he could, just as Mr. Sheppard had said to do.
"Hey, you guys wanna grab some food and head up to the roof? I heard there's a pool." Calden suggested.
"Sure, I'll grab some movies to watch too." Replied Caira.
Valentine turned to Elof, Wade, and Issan.
"Do you guys wanna head up now or get some stuff first?" He asked.
"I'd say me and Elof head up and get a good spot, you and Wade get the stuff." Said Issan.
"Sounds good to me." Wade Replied.
Valentine walked toward the entryway of the convenience store. He looked around and as expected most of his classmates were there. A few other people were likely from the city, noticeably, a tall man with clear dark skin and a well-groomed goatee. Likely a businessman of some sort. Toward the back, there was a woman with a large hoodie and jeans. She seemed almost like a student herself.
"Whatcha buying all that for." Asked Calden.
"Huh? Ohhh haha it's not all for me, I'm getting stuff for me and my brother. Just kinda a system we have. One of us gets stuff, the other gets a spot. In this case, at the pool." Responded Valentine.
"Huh... you guys are strangely coordinated, in literally everything you do." Calden said.
Valentine walked up to the counter to buy all his stuff, but he noticed the cashier had a weary look on his face.
"How's your day going." Asked Valentine. The cashier paused and peered his eyes up through his brow.
"It's going." He murmured. He went back to putting the stuff in the bag. Valentine turned away to scan the store again. He always liked to know his surroundings. As his father had always told him, "Knowledge is the greatest power you can have. Even if the other person is stronger, a stronger mind can never be beaten by a stronger body.".
"Here ya go, have a good one kid... and stay sharp." The cashier told Valentine.
"T-Thanks, you too." Valentine responded, slightly confused by the last comment. He walked back up toward the hotel and took the elevator up to the pool. The doors opened on the 27th floor, that's when he realized he didn't have his bathing suit and ran back toward his room. He hopped through the stairwell finally reaching his floor which was just below at the 21st. He ran to his room to change and slammed into someone as he turned the corner by the stairs.
"Damn, you ok Val?" Asked Sheppard. It was like hitting a brick wall, Valentine hadn't realized until now just how sturdy of a man Mr. Sheppard was. Then again he was likely taking a lot of his ability for granted considering he was a commander in the War of the Titans.
"Yeah, I'm fine, sorry about that." Valentine responded
"Let me bring this up for ya, you go ahead and do whatever you were in a rush for. I'll give it to your brother." Sheppard said.
"Oh, Thanks!" Valentine replied. He was a little shocked as this type of laid-back demeanor wasn't normal for him. He didn't stop to dwell on it and headed for his room. After about two minutes he darted up the stairs, too impatient to wait for the elevator. He finally reached the roof and when he opened the door he was met with what seemed to be an Art Deco-themed party roof. He looked around and quickly found Elof sitting toward the back with Wade and Issan.
"Hey sorry I'm a bit late." Valentine said.
"No worries." Wade told him. "Sit down, stay awhile." He chuckled. The clock read 16:08
Back down at the 21st floor:
"Look, I made my position abundantly last night but if I need to reiterate that's fine. This school is not becoming a tool for war propaganda and recruitment. They are CHILDREN." Sheppard stated with a harsh tone. The meeting of the Council had laster far longer than expected and little ground in the discussion had been made. Only one vote had been changed. It was now 8:4, it was almost guaranteed the war would begin within days now.
"I understand your concerns but we do have a two-thirds vote as of now which means unless you can find another vetoing power somehow, the school is prepared to enter a militarized phase." Faulknor said.
The Eastern School "Zodiac" Council. Comprised of twelve different members all of great importance. Not just in the school but in the entire Eastern plain. Those members were:
Mael Faulknor, the Diefied.
Elhanan "El" Sheppard, the Shaman.
Kane Shaffer, the Negotiator.
Michael white, the Scientist.
Farica Holloway, the Strategist.
Hoshi Kuwahara, the Cunning.
Johan Kraus, the Wise.
Sasha Romanova, the Doctor.
Eiten Baran, the Strongest.
Shauna Baran, the Defender.
Ronan Guinness, the Utilitarian.
Diana Dewey, the Sorceress.
These twelve together held the equivalent political power of an entire Union. Kane was the primary speaker of the twelve, however, at important meetings, Faulknor would take the reigns. The vote was still eight to four, with only Sheppard, Shauna, Sasha, and Farica against it.
"Eiten why are you allowing this? They're children! They aren't prepared for war!" Shauna yelled in desperation.
"Who said the kids were going to do all the fighting? I don't plan to let any of the kids under fourth years fight. If I must, which I believe is likely, I will go to the front lines myself." Eiten replied in a stoic tone.
The room was now silent. For only a few dozen seconds, which felt like an eternity, no one's gazes met. Until the silence was broken by the sound of footsteps going down the stairs.
"I believe it is settled then. Henceforth, Zodiac Academy is now the Zodiac Military headquarters and barracks." Stated Faulknor. In an instant, everyone except Sheppard vanished from the room. He looked at the watch which now read 22:03. Time had flown by and the meeting that he expected to only last an hour lasted well over three. Sheppard sat in his chair rocking back and forth. For the first time in years, he felt stressed. His mind wandered back to the first war as he dozed off...