The Clearing

[Sυммer Rαιɴ || Wrιтιɴɢ ιѕ α cαllιɴɢ, ɴoт α cнoιce.]

The clearing is the most busy part of Yokai. Many students meet here, clubs convene, the all powerful student council holds school meetings here usually instead of the student council room.

[Grayson, Papa Gray]

Markaus always liked the outdoors much better than he liked the indoors. Something about being so connected to nature; a healthy tether to the world around you was very liberating. The crisp sound of fresh leaves, the smell of morning dew, the color of the sky as it just begins to wake. Soft dirt and gentle grass, the subtle waving of lazy clouds and stationary trees standing guard to protect the pure beauty of it all. Not only was outside preferable, Markaus got a bit claustrophobic and antsy each time he had to stay in any building for too long. That fear probably spawned from the years of heavily sheltered torment, but it was a pretty honest thing to fear, given Markaus's history. He walked his route still, hands stuffed in his coat pockets, long legs stretching out under the low canopy of leaves. His scent was different from those in the clearing. Naturally, there was a sweet honeysuckle and a subtle lilac. The Russian had underlying tones of nicotine and a stout drink; a few shades of leather in the mix along with an outlier of lavender. His bright green optics surveyed the foliage as he laid out the day ahead of him. It was nice to be out in the morning since he'd have to be cooped up in a stuffy classroom for hours on end. He heaved a sigh, leaning against a tree and pulling a small silver flask from his coat. He sipped the drink, a stout smelling liquid that was most likely vodka. "Here's to hoping the kids are whiny brats..." He took a long swig of the drink, swallowing harshly and without wincing. The Russian appeared to be quite the experienced drinker.

[Sυммer Rαιɴ || Wrιтιɴɢ ιѕ α cαllιɴɢ, ɴoт α cнoιce.]

"Give it back!" Came a shout, not far from where Markaus was. Felix Donovan had been enjoying his morning so far, before school started. He'd had a cup of hot tea, did chores around his dorm room (he was a neat freak, pretty anal about making sure nothing was out of place), and he'd watched the son rise. Needless to say, he hadn't gotten much sleep, but it'd been worth it. Having an hour or so before his first class, he'd walked into the forest to a little spot just away from the clearing. He had settled underneath a nice oak tree to read his book, which happened to be a history book for his first class, but he found it interesting all the same. Everything was going surprisingly well for the short, small sixteen year old. Unfortunately for him, bullies singled him out easily. In a school where most kids are ridiculously overpowered, the Empath never stood a chance. He'd been reading when a smirking, tall, white haired female vampire grabbed his book from his hands. Her red gaze taunted the mortal as he jumped to his feet, reaching for his book. Unfortunately for Felix, he stood at barely 5'2, while the girl was so very much taller, like most kids his age were. He could have ignored her and moved on, but he needed that book for his class. So, he ridiculously hopped up, hand swatting through the air for the book, held way too high above him.

"Why should I? Gods, if the Academy accepts little bloodbags like you now, it really must be losing its touch." Moka Akashiya taunted him. Simply put, she was bored. Usually she wouldn't care enough to taunt a kid like Felix, but she felt energized that morning. Laughing, she clearly thought the sight of the jumping Felix was hilarious. Felix himself thought it was anything but, his cheeks burning red with embarrassment, green eyes shining with anger. "I need that!" He growled, making another attempt for the book.

Moka laughed again, "You're such a pipsqueak. Humans like you shouldn't even be here." Effortlessly she put a hand to his chest. It looked like the lightest touch, but with vampire strength, it hit Felix like a bag of bricks. He felt his breath get knocked out of him and fell back onto the ground, head banging on the bag of his tree. Glaring up at her, he rubbed his head, scowling. But this wasn't a fight he could win, and he knew it. Of course, he could always make Moka feel sympathetic, but he didn't like manipulating other people's emotions.

[Grayson, Papa Gray]

"Do you know the definition of irony?" Markaus leaned against a nearby tree, seeming to appear from no where. His voice was deep and full, a round sound that mimicked smooth instruments. The accent was encompassing and very noticeably Russian. His lips worked into a gentle smirk, a cigarette hanging lazily between his pale lips. He stood up straight, clearing his throat as he recited, " 'The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.' Pardon me for saying so - actually screw that pardon, I don't mean it - I find this whole scene quite ironic. Something as powerful as an elite and elegant vampire," He gave a mocking and playful curtsy, eyes never leaving Moka's "could have the audacity to pick on a mere human." Markaus tilted his head, looking a bit like a dog cocking its head. "Overcompensating for something, it seems?" The teacher was a rather large man, standing at a staggering stature of 6'8 with broad shoulders and a round chest. His face was all angles and lines, his white hair going down to around his shoulders. With a swift and almost aloof movement, he took the book from Moka's hand, tucking it under his arm. With a hand motion, Markaus regarded Moka as if she were nothing more than a spoiled child, which was exactly how she was acting. "Go on then. Shoo, shoo. I don't hit children and I'm sure you have many important vampire duties to be attending to-" He dipped his head and body in another mock curtsy. "Your Highness." Once he had done that, he turned his back to the vampire, making it very clear where he stood on the subject. Markaus reached a hand down to Felix's small body, wanting to help him up, "Are you okay? It's a shame that some kids can't learn to play nice with others."

[Sυммer Rαιɴ || Wrιтιɴɢ ιѕ α cαllιɴɢ, ɴoт α cнoιce.]

Moka had only vaguely Markaus until he spoke, and while her expression didn't change much, the startled look Felix gave showed he hadn't noticed Markaus at all. The smaller male gulped as he looked up at the man, not recognizing him but certain that if he made Moka pause, he certainly wouldn't be someon to mess with. What stood out most was the Russian accent, which sent a shiver down Felix's spine. His nose crinkled slightly at the smell of Markaus's cigarette, but he didn't speak as he glanced back at Moka.

The red eyed vampire glared at Markaus for a moment before she put on an exceedingly fake smile. "I overcompensate for nothing, Professor. Merely passing the time." She glanced in Felix's direction with disdain. "But if you choose to spend your free time with a human... pet... I suppose I can't argue." Unlike most might be, she stood unflinchingly as her tall, well-built teacher took the book from her hands. However, her eyes narrowed as he mocked her, pride taking a hit. If she could have turned red, she may have, but instead she crossed her arms and frowned. For a second, it seemed she may say something, but Moka was clever, and she knew better than to take on a teacher. Besides, if she attacked a werewolf, it'd only add more fuel to those stupid stories of rivalry between vampires and werewolves. Deciding it wasn't worth it, she stalked away towards the academy, her silvery blonde hair swaying.

Felix couldn't help his smile as he watched Moka walk away. Serves her right, prissy little- He was interrupted from his thoughts when he realized Markaus was looking at him, his hand hanging down to help him up. For a second he sat there, dazed and confused as to why this random man was helping him. No one ever helps me. He thought, completely baffled by Markaus's actions. So baffled he didn't take his hand, pushing himself up with some help from the tree his back had been against. Eyeing Markaus with a small sense of suspicion, he patted off his clothes. "I wouldn't want to play too nice with her, either." He commeted, big green eyes angling up to look at Markaus. "I'm fine. It'll take more than a blood sucker to get to me, even if I'm human." He almost spat the word, eyes rolling voluntarily. Is anyone who comes to Yokai really human? Am I? He wondered vaguely, studying Markaus before his gaze dropped to the book the teacher held. He cleared his throat as if to point out the teacher still had his book, awaiting Markaus to hand it back.

[Grayson, Papa Gray]

Markaus glanced back over his shoulder, a little smug that he'd just told her off. Serves her right. Nobody should think picking on someone is a great way to blow off steam. The Russian was still waiting for Felix to accept his help, and blinked when he didn't. That was rather odd, even for a nerdy little introvert such as the smaller man obviously was. He held off a sneer. Nerdy little introvert... Now that his help wouldn't be needed, the man stuffed his hand back in his pocket, examining Felix. Markaus looked thoughtful, cigarette dwindling down to the end of its life, his lips pale and skin bright. He tilted his head again. "And what exactly is wrong with being human? Not much, in my opinion. It's just the same as being a vampire- without the stick up the ass. Or a werewolf- minus the humping of the legs." His English was still a little broken, but he made sense for the most part. Green eyes narrowing, he noticed he still had the student's book. "Oh. This thing, I still have it, eh?" He held it in his hands, looking over the cover. "What do we have here? You look like the type to be a reader." He glanced at Felix over the pages.

[Sυммer Rαιɴ || Wrιтιɴɢ ιѕ α cαllιɴɢ, ɴoт α cнoιce.]

Felix scowled, "Around here, humans aren't held in high regard. You'd be one of the few who actually pays attention to them- to me." The corner of his lips twitched when Markaus mentioned the humping of the legs, almost smiling, but he didn't want to give Markaus the satisfaction, so he pursed his lips in a blank look instead. Studying Markaus, he almost scowled at how tall he was. He's a freaking giant. Felix noted as he tilted his head up to gaze at the teacher. He still couldn't understand why Markaus had helped him, but some things just couldn't be explained.

He was about to thank Markaus, until he saw him flipping through the book. A "normal" history book for his first class... except in the back. Stuffed in the back pages was a thin manga book of a very explicit yaoi. Felix had never much been interested in love, romance, sex. But then again, he'd never been kissed or touched or anything of the nature. Because he was a natural bookworm, and boys supposedly were horny at pretty much anything, he'd picked up a yaoi to see if he had any twinge of anything while reading it. He hadn't gotten far into it, though he hadn't been particularly roused by it, either. It was just a story, after all, and he was pretty sure he was asexual anyway. Despite that, he suddenly remembered the book being tucked as a bookmark in his history book, and his cheeks burned bright with blush. "Give that back!" He exclaimed, panicked slightly, reaching to grab the book and yank it from Markaus's hands. Of course, yanking it only made the yaoi manga slide slightly out, enough to be visible. Please don't see it, please don't see it! Felix thought, aghast at the thought of his teacher seeing him read that sort of thing. Horrified, his eyes went wide, blush burning brighter.

[Grayson, Papa Gray]

Markaus had just been scanning the pages of the history chapter innocently, seeing what on earth he'd have to be teaching this early in the morning. He himself didn't have a clear agenda as to what he'd be teaching, but he assumed that he would just make it up as he went along. Not that he wasn't qualified- it was quite the opposite. He knew much about monsters, just wasn't the best at cultivating lesson plans. The Russian's eyes grew in surprise as he felt the book being ripped from his hands and he blinked, watching how red in the face Felix got. His green eyes sought out any clue that he could, reading the small label on the boy's love manga. A light lit up back in his mind, and he allowed the small smirk to climb up on his features. "Ah. Well, yes." So now it's a gay nerdy little introvert. "Very well, smallish boy." He let his cigarette stump fall to the ground, twisting his boot over it. "See you around." He couldn't help but chuckle as he walked away, left alone with his thoughts. If only the boy were aware that I myself had been a male stripper for the longest time. Markaus shook his head, entering Yokai and navigating the halls towards his classroom. Setting his messenger bag near his desk, he shrugged off his large coat, splaying it across his chair. Markaus rolled up his sleeves, letting out a breath. He decided to right out 'Professor Volkrov' across the chalkboard before his students came lumbering in.