The Halls of Medeia - Prologue

[Ail]

Next comes the Chaplain, Father Richard, responsible for the religious and moral upbringing of the students. He complements the daily schedule given by the dean, stressing that everyday there is a morning prayer in the Chapel just before breakfast, and that everyone, but in particular the students, is expected to attend mass every Sunday morning. He introduces his assistant, Fiachra, and encourages the students to bring their problems to him first, if they need some spiritual assistance or fall into some kind of trouble and have no one to talk to.

Finally, word is given to the groundskeeper, a short man with little hair and red, irate face, somewhat reminiscent of a rat's. He calls himself Weir, and is responsible for keeping security in the school. He stresses yet again that the ruins are off-limits to students and most people, and that he and his son Marans will welcome with delight catching any transgressor.

"An' if ye thinks me and me son are fair scant legs for all of ye, remember we have guards patrollin' the boundaries of the grounds. Ye brats will not want to mess wi' them gypsies, no ye won't".

Although he is not very clear about it, it seems there is a body of guards, stout men from the nearby villages or some farther afield who try to prevent intruders from gaining illegitimate access to the school's terrains, and to prevent students from wandering about too much. Especially at night, this guards seem to include quite a few gypsies from a more or less permanent camp at the base of the hill, nearer the bogs. Weir also tells them that the big forest that stretches to the south has a small part actually inside the school's bounds, but that in some cases the separating limiting wall is weak and any adventurous fool might find an unhappy end were he, or she, to try go over it.

[A G Thing]

Listening attentively to the words spoken Christine was paying attention to the faculty as they spoke as it was something she knew could be very important to her. She even smiled a bit at the mention of Fiachra and noted that the art and the man himself might make her stop in to the chapel more often this year. Sure she did not need to hear most of what had been said but at every school she had ever gone to it was something she had learned to pay attention to for her own reasons.

Christine had been sitting attentive through the announcements mostly to hear of the various new or simply restated security measures. While they seemed a little excessive to her in some regards she also knew that she was going to try and test them soon. The prospect of visiting these gypsies excited her spirit and brought back memories. Still she would have to be careful for they may not be the same as those she had known before, but the slim chance of learning about her long lost friend again seemed worth it to her. She nervously rubbed the end of her hair ribbon as she looked at it with an uneasy smile.

Still she was not so distracted by that to ignore the mention of these ruins in the southern area and its dangers to the students. While normally she would simply have left the area out of her mind as more than a curiosity the fact that it was mentioned so much made her think about it. True the area might be dangerous like the faculty said but it also might be the key to her still being able to escape the facility for a time.

She would have to think about it carefully. In her previous years here she had occasionally managed to escape through the forest but there had not been as many defenses and now that they were mentioning it she wondered if they were now watching it more. She would have to explore the grounds a bit and see what had changed and what had not for herself.

Also she did not have any of her old accomplices still here as it seems that most if not all of her friends had either graduated or transferred to another school. Glancing around to try to spot George she adjusted her glasses and wondered if she should even ask him to help her? He was here on the charity of others but he also seemed to be far too cloistered for his own good in her opinion. She could not force him to join her but she would think about seeing if she could get him to come with her at least. It would be good for him to join in for a while.

It would not do for her to get caught this late in the game. Sure the stakes were high but without the prospects of adventures such as her night time excursions provided she knew life would get far too dull here at school. She did not want to picture her last year of school as one that would have no grand adventure in it.

[steveflam]

George does listen to the Chaplain, but thinks inwardly Yeah, I ain't no religious sod and don' want ter git involved in anything doin with it ter be honest. He nearly snorts at the thought of speaking to Fiachra or the Chaplain about spiritual problems but figured he should keep quiet about his feelings.

Now he found this Weir an odd sort. Tellin people you shant go somewhere its like tellin someone, "Oi, don't touch that". Of course you want to touch it and do what ye can to do so. If I want ter do it, I'll find a way to do so. It aint no red faced git who's gonna prevent me if me mind is set to it, he thinks to himself. An' havin men guard something yer not supposed ter go look at? I s'pose this upper class won't wants ter go see, but I will an I will find me a way to have a look see.

He didn't know all the rules yet. but he was sure about one thing. He was going to be sleeping at whatever mamby pamby hour they had set for the students. Ruins, eh?, he thinks to himself, already planning on visiting said place. Sounds like a place I would like ter see close up. Hope them men o Weirs gots good eyes n ears.

[Ail]

After the morning ceremonies, the rest of the day is given for the students to spend as they wish. As the morning lazily gives way to the afternoon, the students leave to greet the sun, alone or in groups, and to put into action the repressed energy they had accumulating during the morning.


For Fiachra:
More calmly, the staff also leave for their rooms, lazy walks or other occupations. Amid all of this, the Chaplain approaches Fiachra before the young man had even time to decide what to do. He asks for his attention, and says softly, away from other ears.

"These youngsters... please, I ask you to keep an eye on them. They are rebellious, it's their age and enthusiasm, and every year it's the same thing. They are drawn to the ruins. Every year, some of them go there, and every year Miss Victoria is harsh in punishing them. Be attentive, try not to let anything bad happen to them, and don't let them make anything stupid."

For George and Christine:
George and Christine leave the Reception Hall, as most everyone else does. Most of the students go to the yard, where they hang for a while. While deciding what to do, they notice (not necessarily together) three particular groups:

- a group of girls stays in the shade of the yard's collonade. They are talking very happily, with occasional bursts of laughter and knowing smiles exchanged all around. In not a few cases, the conversation is probably about someone they all know, and not necessarily endearing to them. The talk seems to be controlled by a girl that Christine recognizes from the previous year, Georgina Sargant. They are the same age, and probably will have classes together this year. All the other girls in the group are the same age or younger.

- a boisterous group of boys from the university, mosty around 20 yeard old, runs to the main building. Not five minutes after, they come out carrying cricket bats, pads and balls, rowdy and careless, running around without any regard to whether they get in anyone else's way. They look as if they're still waiting for someone else, before they depart to the fields.

- another group somewhat like the first detaches from the amorphous mass of students running hither and thither. They are boys and girls talking earnestly, but instead of laughing and mocking, they seem engaged in lively and friendly debate. A tall skinny boy who Christine also recognizes from her class in the previous year, Leander Alford, the son of Lord Wallington, seems quite at ease and very active in the group, which is composed mostly of older students than him.

They also spot a younger girl, probably of the lower sixth form, who stays behind near the entrance to the Reception Hall, apparently waiting for someone.

[steveflam]

George takes a minute to observe the three groups, studying them. The first group held absolutely no interest whatsoever. Bloody bunch a showoffs who old no regard fer others. Athletes too, he thought to himself.

For obvious reasons the group of girls held no interest for him either.

The third group could be interesting, but then again George never really liked being in a large group.

That left the lone girl, and he began walking towards her. Once he arrived at her, he coughed to clear his throat and offered a "Hullo, I'm
George. New here as of this year. An you? You look like yer waitin fer someone."

[Ail]

The girl jumps back as George approaches her. She was mostly looking inside, and didn't notice the boy approach.

"Uh? Oh, hello George. I'm Frances, and this is also my first year here. Waiting? Ah, yes... well, it's nothing important.", she adds, blushing just a bit as she focuses on George.

Frances is short, but has an energetic and nervous appearance.

[steveflam]

"Then you shant mind if I wait with you, do you? So, whutter ya going to be studyin this year?"

[A G Thing]

Christine exits the hall glad to be out and free to start planning her first adventure. As she walks out she notices she is not the only one who enjoys the prospect of having the day to herself.

Glancing about for a time she pays attention to the various groups of students around her. She see's a couple of familiar faces about the field and debates if she wishes to try and join them.

While she would be seeing quite a bit of Georgina over the year the idea of gossiping was always a little awkward to her as for some reason she just could not get as easily into the spirit of it. Concerned gossip was fine for her and even a little kidding around but few were the times when it was not about something she just did not agree with. While all the signs were there that the gossip was not perhaps pleasant she considered that she could not hear it from here clearly. Perhaps she could defend the person they were speaking about. She doubted she could say anything that would really matter but the thought made her both curious and a bit upset. Still she would have to go over there to find out what was being said.

The cricket game could be fun to watch but not if she was alone. It was almost like a performance and it looked fun to play, though from her own somewhat limited physical abilities she was not exactly about to join them. Still she considered watching them later once they got started. Perhaps George would be there though from what little she knew of him probably to watch as well.

Noticing further along some of the older boys and girls seeming to be discussing things quite animatedly she caught sight of Leander and the others laughing and talking earnestly. They seemed to be wrapped up in their conversations but she was sure they were just debating something intellectual but it did seem to be in good fun. Perhaps it might be something she might even know a bit of... Of course outside of the theater and her eclectic interests she was not quite sure she would be more than an observer but even that made her curious.

Taking a glance about as she readjusted her glasses again she then saw a lone girl sitting near the entrance to the school who seemed to be waiting for someone. She had just begun to think about walking over and introducing herself when George walked out. She watched as he looked around and thought about getting his attention but he also noticed the lone girl and turned to talk to her after a cursory examination. Perhaps she had been waiting for him to show up? Was that a blush on the girls face? She had immediately thought to go and talk to him but he seemed to be striking up his own conversation with her so she thought perhaps she would just keep aware of him.

She could wait to invite him on her planned adventure later! She could let him explore a bit for himself first, maybe he had adventures of his own...

Instead she chose a path that would take her by all three groups she noticed. While heading toward Georgina's group first she began to try and hear what was being said so she might know what was being talked about. She tried also to ignore the sinking suspicion that she would not enjoy it and walked up.

She walked to the edge of the group and listened for a time not really joining in but just listening and waiting to be acknowledged perhaps.

[Ail]

Christine:
Christine walks by the girls' group, affecting a casual passing by. As expected, the talk is about some teacher they had the previous year, and then shifts to some of the maids. It's not exactly clear what it is about, but the general tone is of mockery.

George:
Frances lowers her eyes for just a while, but then looks at George square on.

"I was just waiting for the chaplain, or better, for the assistant Chaplain. I want to ask him about women in the church. Are you religious, George?"

[steveflam]

Christine:
Christine walks by the girls' group, affecting a casual passing by. As expected, the talk is about some teacher they had the previous year, and then shifts to some of the maids. It's not exactly clear what it is about, but the general tone is of mockery.

George:
Frances lowers her eyes for just a while, but then looks at George square on.

"I was just waiting for the chaplain, or better, for the assistant Chaplain. I want to ask him about women in the church. Are you religious, George?"

George tries to hide his reaction but fails, barely.

He snorts, "Oh excuse me Frances. I aint the religious type. We kin talk about something else if yer like to. Don't believe. Never have, never will. I kin keep ya company until the chaplain or 'is assistant pass by however."

[A G Thing]

Listening to the girls as they continue to mock the staff of the school Christine wonders exactly why she even bothered to come over. Still the hive of girls that sat there mocking the teachers and maids made her upset to say the least, but she said nothing at first though her disappointed look and a rather abrupt shake of her head were clear enough if anyone saw them.

Looking back toward George and his perhaps friend she thought again about where she was headed. The prospect of the other two groups did not seem as attractive alone after this disappointment and yet she would not let it stand.

Christine spoke up as the other girls continued to mock the staff. "So you girls must not like having your rooms taken care of or learning and yet you continue to come to school? Really, you think they want to care for and teach people who don't appreciate them? Seems rather unladylike to me!"

Christine's voice was well trained and she used it to be just loud enough and harsh enough that it would have carried a good distance but not really been a shout. As she spoke she made sure to meet as many of their gazes as she could and ended looking at Georgina. She was not about to spend another year listening as these girls spread stupid rumors about others or mocked them simply because they thought being well off made them better. She might end up the new target but she would rather they waste their time with insulting her than anyone else.

Of course after she said this she thought to herself... "What a way to start a new year!"

[Alastor]

Despite having heard similar speeches from the faculty for each of the past few years, Niles pays careful attention during the entirety of the opening ceremony. Father Richard's remarks on hard work in particular always have renewed significance at the start of a new academic year. Possibly because of recent infractions, the staff members seem to put more emphasis on the boundaries than in the past, although no rules have actually changed.

Niles stands silently as Father Richard introduces him, smiling and trying to meet the gazes of the other students. He sees Christine smile back, but George appears to be suppressing a skeptical look and most of the others seem indifferent.

When Father Richard draws him aside after the ceremony, Niles listens to the Caplain's concerns before responding:
"There is a lot of interest in the old castle, but after today's warnings of the dangers, most should restrict their exploration to safer areas. I will try to encourage the younger students toward prudence and the curious toward other opportunities to satisfy their historical interests."

[Ail]

Christine:

The girls stop their conversation as Christine verberates them with her words. Georgina turns in her direction, and with an affected smile retorts

"Ah, Christine. Back for another year, I see. But dear, I fail to see the reason for such an outburst. Surely, you have noticed before how those two new maids who arrived last year like to put on airs when Master Phelps is around. And he's not even interested in them. Now, really, can't they look at themselves? And as for appreciating them, they only have to do their work. I don't have to be their friend."


George and Fiachra:

Frances smiles "Don't be sorry, I'm not much of a believer either" she says softly. "I just have questions" and she smiles again, somewhat mischievously.
Meanwhile, inside the Hall, Father Richard and Fiachra part ways, and while the elder goes through the door leading further into the building, Fiachra leaves in the opposite direction, meeting George and Frances outside.

[A G Thing]

Christine looks at Georgina and stays relatively calm but no less reproachful in her tone though keeps it civil none the less.

"Yes I am back Georgina. And what airs are they putting on that you think to mock them for? Their fancies and emotions might be plain for us to see but that is nothing to mock them for. Master Phelps may not notice them yet but I am sure you would not like it if the one you fancied did not notice you!" She looks around at the other girls in the circle trying to impress upon them how cruel this is. "Would you want to wake up to find out that others around you were calling you foolish for your efforts?"

"And while we are fortunate here to have someone to clean up after us and teach us, even if they are being paid they make our lives far easier and gentler so we can learn... If you can't be decent to them then I don't see why you should make fun of them either. They are not here for you to bad mouth them and spread their business around to make them some sort of mockery! No one deserves that just to amuse others!"

She adjusts her glasses as they slide slightly down her nose not breaking polite eye contact with Georgina. She looks around to each of them always returning to Georgina as if looking for understanding of why this is wrong.

[Ail]

Georgina does not stand down from her stage either. This has suddenly turned to a fight for popularity, and she does not want to lose her admirers.

"I don't understand you, Christine. I really don't. You attend this school, and you don't look particularly poor to me. As I understand, you're not in a scholarship, so what makes you throw a fit because of what I say of these maids? Everyone knows we live in different worlds, and they should know too. They're silly if they don't, because fantasies don't often come true. They should simply understand that and go back to their holes, and the sooner they get it, the better will be for them, actually."