[color="#a19989”]clone[/color]
{ after class / with Lyra }
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Hayes could say he had a lot of friends here at Ninth House. Had being a key word.
Sure, he still likes some people around these halls such as Inessa and… Was there really anyone else left? Left being yet another key word. Almost everyone Hayes was close with had passed away or simply disappeared - take Lysander, Lyra’s brother and Miles as examples.
Lysander was once Hayes’ close friend and Cipher confidant, and had been a significant part of Hayes’ life. Their friendship had deepened through shared studies and mutual respect for the arcane. They had even spent time together outside of school, with Lysander inviting Hayes to their family cottage one time. It was during these visits that Hayes met Lyra. Simply just met her, don’t mistaken this for Hayes knowing Lyra well, because he doesn’t. Right now she is simply yet another new face in class… A face that should’ve stayed at home and not stepped through the doors of Ninth House. That should’ve stayed focused on simpler times filled with laughter and peace, where magic was a tool for exploration and not the harbinger of doom it could become.
Miles was another friend who had simply vanished one day, leaving behind more questions than answers. A reason why Hayes was back. He had always wondered if there was a connection between Miles’ disappearance and the dangerous paths they had tread together. At times he felt like he was very close to uncovering what happened to his friend but he always ended up empty handed… Or with bloody hands in an empty, dark hallway when he thought no one would find him… Except for that one time when Renlin did.
If someone tells you Ninth House was a place where people could disappear without a trace, swallowed by the mysteries they sought to uncover then you should probably listen to them. And Hayes wished he could say that to all these new faces. But who would listen to him? Who was he to scare people? So don’t blame him if he says he was not happy to see Lyra. It had nothing to do with her, but he still felt the need to go up and talk to her. There was still hope. He can fix things.
From the back of the room he watched as the girl packed her things up, watched as other students were getting up and moving their instruments to the side before leaving. For a moment Hayes hesitated, an internal battle waging within him. Should he approach her? What would he even say? The weight of his guilt and the memories of Lysander’s tragic end still troubled him. Would talking to her even bring some comfort? As he approached, his steps were tentative, each one filled with a mixture of determination and apprehension. His mind raced with doubts - What if she blamed him? [color="#a19989”]”Leaving a good first impression,“[/color] he said softly as he appeared behind her. It was meant to be a compliment, if she knew to take it that way, his gaze landing on the instrument next to her. While he was not that great of a musician the room was always filled with so much talent even he knew how to recognize. ”I’m sure Ms. Walsh is impressed with all you new kids,“ a soft smile appeared on his lips, a sign he was coming in peace and good intentions.
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@Jass - Lyra
@Madilfill - Dumans kinda mentioned