The Best Worst Opening Ever (Open)

[Simon Salabim]

Two presents under each arm, Simon kicks the gates of Cabal Academy to get past, frowning as he takes the sights in.

"This place is huge. How am I supposed to find anybody here?"

What a pain in the ass.

[Rowan]

As promised, Rowan had accompanied his brother both out of curiousity and a sense of responsibility.

"Come, now. I'm certain there's a lobby or a reception desk." Rowan would chuckle good-naturedly! Despite this, he couldn't help but have his attentions pulled away as he had a long look at his surroundings.

Simply marvelous. So different, yet rather modern. He could understand the appeal of coming here.

[Gene Sarda]

As Gene was looking around, she saw two guys standing around. Oh, they must know where I can find someone! Gene thought.

Jogging up to them, Gene plastered a grin on her face and waved at the two men. She'd been through a lot on her journey to the academy, but she still could be nice. 

"Hi guys! My name is Gene. I'm looking for an instructor or director to tell me where I should go, do y'all happen to have any idea?" Eyes sparkling, Gene hoped that her friendly spirit would be exactly what she needed to make some friends. 

At least if they don't like me, they can't say I didn't try!

[Simon Salabim]

"I do-"

Simon is cut off at the new girl jogging over. He furrows his brow in a bit of confusion. Did he look like he was a student here? Already? Man, this place was easy to fit into.

"Hey, Gene. We just got here, so I don't know. We're gonna find one though, so if you want to, you can follow us, I guess."

You know. Whatever.

[Rowan]

Rowan would laugh before giving Gene a courteous bow, pressing his arm across his chest before straightening back up.

"Pleasure to meet you, Gene. I'm Rowan and this is my twin brother, Simon. We're unfortunately merely guests here at the moment." he'd say but nod along to agree with his brother's invitation for the girl to follow.

"Maybe with the three of us, we'll have better luck finding what we're looking for."

[Gene Sarda]

Gene forced a bright smile. It wasn't that she was unhappy or they didn't seem nice, she was just exhausted. Her body was trembling, ever so slightly, from lack of sleep.

"Yeah, that would be great! It's really great to meet you, I'm sorry I mistook you as a student. I kinda assume everyone but me is comfortable here and knows what they're doing," She said, ending with a small chuckle.

"But also, I'm glad y'all are new too. At least I know I'm not alone in this! If y'all have any ideas, I'll gladly go along with you. Oh- hey there's someone walking by! Maybe you should go ask him." 

[Simon Salabim]

"What do you need one for, again?"

Simon asks, almost like she hadn't really pointed out another person. He was fine with her assumption, after all, since he was clearly just that good.

"I bet I can teach you stuff you'd normally learn here, anyway."

[Rowan]

Rowan would note her exhaustion, looking at her with some concern.

"Just remember if you take on an apprentice, you have to make time for it." Rowan would say to his brother, offering the poor girl his arm if she needed support. The poor thing was shaking on her feet.

"That means less time for yourself."

[Gene Sarda]

Gene took Rowan's arm, appreciating the companionship. Then she turned to Simon to say, "I specialize in magic with plants. Or Qi, as most people seem to call it. I mostly use it to grow plants to make medicine, and I heard a rumor that if there was anywhere I could go to find a teacher, it was the academy!"

Taking a glance at Rowan and Simon, Gene tilted her head in questioning. "What are you two here for?"

[Simon Salabim]

"If I took an apprentice, I'd teach them when I had time, Row."

Simon sighs, shaking his head. He turns to look at Gene, frowning thoughtfully.

"Magic with plants? Well if you were learning magic, you'd head to Ayatlan.But I guess this is a close second."

He shrugs.

"We're here because 259's ranks are depleted, and as allies, we came to support them."

[Rowan]

"That's not fair to your apprentice." Rowan would shake his head.

Still, no use discussing a hypothetical as it seems he wasn't actually going to teach her.

"Indeed. It's important to assist our allies in their time of need. Have you heard of what happened in Blackwater? A terrible thing."

[Gene Sarda]

Narrowing her eyes at Simon, Gene replied carefully, "Yes, plants. I heard there is an extremely talented horticulturist somewhere in this territory, and I only need to find out who they are. I do think it's thoughtful that y'all came to lend a hand, I'm sure someone is going to greatly appreciate your sacrifice. And as far as Blackwater, I'm afraid I do not. I've been traveling for the last... Goodness... I don't know how long it has even been.... Anyways! I've been traveling mostly alone for a long time from my home village to come here and I'm afraid I am a bit outdated on what's been going on."

As people walked passed them to the left and right, Gene was unsure who to stop and ask for directions. Everyone looked like they were doing something important, and she'd feel bad taking them away from that task. 

There has to be someone who can help. Just one person who has the time to stop and help us out. 

[Simon Salabim]

Simon nods. It was a terrible thing, indeed.

He's not entirely sure why he's getting the stink-eye from Gene, but maybe he crossed some cultural line or something.

"Alright, I'll tell you what. I'll see if I can teach you something with your magic, then. If you're good enough, and you feel like it, I'll teach you as an apprentice. Or it can be a one-time deal, I don't care."

He shrugs.

[Rowan]

Ah. He's not listening to him at all.

Rowan doesn't offer any more words in terms of the apprenticeship. He'd allow Gene to make a choice, looking towards her and shrugging.

[Gene Sarda]

Gene raised an eyebrow at Simon.

“Though I do appreciate the offer, I don’t recall you specializing in horticulture. And after all, that is the only thing I’m looking for here. So while I’m sure you’re very knowledgeable in magic or Qi, whatever you choose to call it, I will have to pass. Unless of course you have some vast knowledge about horticulture and plant magic you haven’t mentioned yet.”

Intently, Gene studied his face trying to anticipate his reaction. After a second she added, “however, once I’ve found who I’m looking for specifically and am settled in, I would be very easily persuaded to meet up with my newly acquired friends. I’m sure we all have things we could learn from each other regarding our magic.”