Solaris Ion

Ember’s eyes flickered up to the student standing before him in the all but abandoned library. He tries to remember his name, for though the pair had not met prior, Ember could swear he seems familiar.

And he hated it when people knew of him without him knowing them in return.

“You want your fate foretold?” He asks, rhetorically of course, “Sit and hold out your hands. Would you like past, present, or future?”

He speaks clearly in a memorized script, gently closing his book and setting it on the table. He quickly folds up his sleeves and mentally checks over himself, debating warning the student that he may faint in the process.

"I do apologize for bothering you while you are reading..." Solaris hadn't meant to just come out of the blue like that, but he had heard about Ember's talents and had wanted to see them for himself, and hopefully get some answers about his future.

Once his request was accepted, he sat next to Ember, at his direction "Hold out my hands?" He asked, a little wary about that request. He certainly hoped it didn't require two normal ones.

"Ah, how rude of me. My name is Solaris. I am a third year in Ignihyde.... I do appreciate you doing this for me on such short notice. I have some plans for the future and I wish to see if they will play out."

“You new to campus or something? I think everyone can hear Sebek coming a mile away,” Jinx shook his head. This guy must have thought he was being smart, “Silver is also like a knight or something. He’s on my infiltration team.”

That ought to satisfy him. Didn’t make any sense for Solaris to be getting nosy anyways, they’d just met. In Jinx’s opinion, he wasn’t that interesting anyways, unless you wanted to hear him complain about history class or potionology. Most people didn’t. Fiddling with his moonstone necklace, the brief anxiety he felt had waned.

Little did Jinx know, he was quite far from the truth. If anything, Solaris would be considered a military brat, but he had no intentions of enforcing any sort of laws.

"I was not aware that Sebek actually socialized outside of his small inner circle... aside from telling people off." He commented, both suspicious that Jinx would be friends with him and also throwing a little shade at the loudmouthed Diasomnia student. "Ah yes, Silver. He certainly counts. It must be quite interesting to be a personal guard of Malleus." he commented, letting it go this time. Perhaps it wasn't an interesting slip.

Solaris noticed Jinx messing with a necklace of some sort. He wondered if his inquisitive nature was making him nervous. "Quite a lovely necklace you have there. I too, am fond of the moon." He commented, not really sure how else to break the awkward tension.

"I do indeed, I happen to be on my dorm's team, though I am also not in the spelldrive club either. I am part of the basketball club. Are you in a club?"

BEING ON A PIRATE SHIP should not have been such a bad outcome — after reading plenty of stories in his youth about the bandits of the sea, he was fond of them. exploring what was likely a true, sunken ship, there was some excitement behind his previously defeated eyes. it didn't last long, ears perking up to the sound of snapping wood. beneath their feet no less, it seemed that with all of the water damage, it couldn't possibly hold the living. crashing down into the lower levels, all they could do was pick themselves up & continue onwards. brushing off dusty, splintered wood from his uniform. " we can't catch a break. "

the area beneath the deck was void of the ghost realm's natural moonlight, leaving their entire team in darkness. jack's eyes adjusted quickly, before he was off of the ground. though, there wasn't much to see. no split paths, no decisions to be made, just one straight, dark tunnel, through the depths of the ship. " no point in stoppin' now. i'm gunna check it out. " keep up, or be left in the dust.

In hindsight, they should have tested to see if the old ship could hold all of their weight, but alas that was not considered until it was too late, until they were in the depths of this ancient creation.

With a sigh, Solaris pushed himself up, looking over his arm for any damage, quickly finding that it was alright before standing up and watching Jack start to walk off. He certainly didn't waste any time.

"It is best that we stick together down here. We have no clue what this ship contains." He commented, matching pace with him.

Clementine glances at the bathset, immediately recognizing it as generic (he won't use any of it), but otherwise doesn't take his half lidded eyes off of Solaris. "Aaw, Sol, you do care". As usual, there is a slightly mocking undercurrent to his enthusiastic words.

He blows Solaris a kiss, and plans on picking an Ignihyde student to give the set to, as a backhanded gift. Not today, though, of course. Today was his day.

Solaris rolled his eyes as Clementine blew him a kiss. Honestly, he wasn't expecting anything different, but it was annoying to have such a false display of affection thrown around, especially at him.

"If I truly cared, you would have gotten a better gift. As I said, do not think too much of this, I am simply being courteous." He explained, frowning as Clementine clearly mocked his mannerisms.

"You must think yourself to be quite the comedian. I suggest you find a clown costume to fit your attitude." He huffed, having wished he hadn't bothered at all. Clementine was not someone he really considered to be a friend. But, because he happened to know him, he was trying to be polite, as his parents had taught him to be.

But with some people, even the thought did not count, as it so clearly seemed to be with this weirdo who thought ghosts were into him via trying to kill him.

"I guess..." He responded about his order. He already knew people found his habits and tastes weird but it made people less likely to pinch his things so to speak.

He looked to the third year again wondering if the other was teasing him or making a threat. He raised a brow...this was odd. Most people in Ignihyde feared him a bit. Especially after his programmed bugs made a name for themselves in his early years. Sometimes a bit of time out on someone's devices during peak gaming times in spite of an altercation gained you some respect and fear in a dorm where their tech was a life line.

Looking up to Solaris (curse all these tall men...was there something about non islanders that gave them tall genes?) He tried to read the others' expressions for a moment before chuckling slightly. What a poker face he respected it. "Well Upperclassman I'm sure we will be fine." He stepped forward with the queue. "Hopefully we will be back in our dorm soon. I miss the hum of computers...Ramshackle is...much too quiet in the white noise department for my liking....and too loud in the people department."

"Are sour things your favorite food? Or are you simply partial to that in drink form?" If Rove liked having that sort of thing all the time, he would be impressed that he was still alive, though truthfully, a lot of the Ignihyde students had interesting diets.

Solaris wasn't one to be afraid very often. After all, he'd beaten one of the worst illnesses you could be diagnosed with, though not without a loss. Adding to that, Solaris did not rely on his computer or "tech" as much as he did his robotics. He was definitely the odd one out in his dorm, as he was not into gaming nor did he need the internet to survive. The data on his computer was not particularly interesting, it had his homework and what seemed to be some sort of code for one of his personal projects, though it left little information on what it was.

The fact Rove wasn't scared by his threat, though it was an act, was something Solaris found intriguing, in a positive way. "Quite so. I plan on dealing with these ghosts personally. They have interfered with my plans long enough." This time he was serious. He planned to get to the root of the problem as soon as he could. "Is that so? You must be quite uncomfortable. Hopefully, we can all return to our dorms soon."

He tilted his head and looked down at his arm before looking at Rove again. "You underestimate me, Rove. I assure you my designs can handle far more than a little moisture and dust." He commented, keeping his cool, despite the minor insult, as Rove was just thinking about him. "If it were a cheap, manufactured arm then yes, there would be issues. However, it was made from scratch, by yours truly, with only the finest of materials."

Clementine was still trying to scope out the ladder when he heard, "I think you should try, that is a good idea. I will wait here in case the ladder breaks."

Uhm, no?

"Really, me?" he tilted his head. "But you're so much taller, wouldn't it make more sense for you to go up there?" He stepped a little closer to the guy. He knew the guy didn't trust him for squat, he all but called him an idiot a second ago-- wait, he did call him an idiot a second ago. It was likely the guy would turn it around on him, and then he'd have to turn it back, and they'd just be talking circles around eachother until the guy did what Clementine wanted. Well, Clementine wanted to get out of here already. So he decided to speed things along.

He lidded his eyes, as his smile turned a shade more knowing. "Are you sure you aren't just looking forward to the view from down here?"

He rolled his eyes as Clementine suggested that he would enjoy the view if he climbed up there. How full of yourself could one person be? Apparently a lot more than he had originally assumed. Solaris was of the mindset that your hard work and accomplishments should do the bragging for you, talking yourself up to others was pointless.

"I have no interest in watching you climb up there. I simply suggested it because you are smaller and lighter. If the ladder is compromised, it has more chance of breaking if I were to climb it." He stated, matter of factly. "It was also your suggestion, might I add."

In truth, he wanted Clementine to climb up there to find out that the barrier most likely encircled the entire storage room and get him out of his hair for a moment so he could think of a solution without a certain someone talking about how desirable they were yet wished to do no work. A ridiculous mindset, if you asked him.

Solaris pulled out his phone, hoping to text one of his fellow club members about what was happening and to hopefully provide outside assistance. Perhaps the barrier was weaker on the outside?

His expression fell as his message did not go through, then saw his phone had no signal. Great. This thing really wanted them dead.

"I cannot reach anyone, the barrier is blocking communication as well" He informed Clementine as he tucked his phone away.

WITH THE GHOST DEFEATED, a silence fell over the library. seemingly safe for the time being, he couldn't bring himself to answer any of trappola's gloating; knowing that he had been the first to make error in battle. instead, taking it upon himself to further inspect the books in front of them. reaching out to grab one out of the air, jack blew dust off of it's cover; unearthing the words THUMPER as the title.

opening the book didn't ring any alarms in his head, not at first. the moment the pages were shown to him, there was a blaring issue with the book: it had no words. instead, he was able to hear what the book's name might have implied: the thumping of a rabbit's feet against fresh grass, birds crying against the wind, the unmistakable smell of flowers to his nose — his first reaction to lift the book, looking for signs of any of this existing in the spirit realm. turning the pages further, a shiny item caught his eye, touching it on reflex; the world began to change around them.

WARP: THE GHOST SHIP COVE.

Almost instinctively, Solaris raised his left hand for Ace to high-five. Call it a basketball club reflex. "Leaving right away would be a waste. Perhaps this ghost was guarding key clues as to where the magestone is." He commented, looking at Jack as he also heard the chirp of birds. Before he could say anything he felt himself being transported, yet again, to another area of the ghost realm. Though he couldn't quite make out where they were now, at first.

The fog almost seemed to dance unnaturally, giving him a glimpse of a long-forgotten ship, not too far off from where they were currently. He began walking towards it, with caution. After all, they had walked right into the librarian ghost's hands, quite literally.

"This ship looks like it could fall apart at any moment. Let us proceed with caution. We have already sustained injuries from our last encounter."

Next: @cardhearted

HIS OWN ATTACK COMES ON REFLEX, forgetting to consider the spectral natural of their enemy as he goes for his self - proclaimed most reliable weapon — his fists.

JACK HOWL rolled a [ four ] and MISSES.

reeling his fist back, aiming for the face of their enemy, an expression of pure surprise overtakes his features when his flesh goes through the ghost's transparent being. stunned, he's unprepared for the counter.

LIBRARIAN GHOST rolled a [ twelve ] and HITS.

LIBRARIAN GHOST rolled a [ nine ] for ONE HP DAMAGE.

stumbling back from the attack, jack's eyes meet the first one of his teammates that he can find — solaris. " sorry, blew it. " he huffed. struggling to shake off the sting of making the worst move yet out of his group. sometimes, instincts do fail. learning the valuable intel that it was true, you could in fact not punch a ghost. next time, he would have to be faster on the draw.

JACK HOWL finishes with FOUR HP.

LIBRARIAN GHOST finishes with TWO HP.

Well, this was going splendidly....

He glanced at Jack, noting his expression and gave him a quick nod and a small smile of encouragement. "It is not over yet. Next time."

Between Ace and Davaa's sparkler show and Jack trying to punch the thing, it seemed as if the entire team was cursed to do very little damage. At this rate, the ghost would end them all if someone didn't do something. Unfortunately, Solaris was also subjected to this curse.

Solaris rolled an 11 and 5 for damage: It hit for .5 damage

Librarian Ghost rolled a 17 and 8 for damage and hit for 1 damage

Solaris finished his turn with 4 HP

Librarian Ghost HP: 1.5/5

He clicked his tongue in disappointment as his spell did not quite get the power to back it up, barely harming the ghost, though he had little time to be annoyed as it made a follow-up attack this time, causing him to take a few steps back from the force of it.

"The ghost is on its last legs, Ace. Take it down!"

Next up: @cardhearted

AND SOMEHOW IT CIRCLED BACK TO HIM. his sense of leadership had yet to fail, even in the change of scenery, hardly feeling disorientated with the shift at this point. it was becoming the difference of stepping through a doorway. ignoring their quarrels, he walked towards the castle doors like a man possessed - knowing that this was what they had come there for. it wasn't about deciding who would lead the pack, or who was in charge; it was about finding the magestone. if jack had to make a guess, this was as good of a start as any other. being led there by the dimension brought natural suspicion, wondering if it was apt to help them, or lead them astray.

pushing open the doors with an eerie howl, it wasn't an entrance hall that they were met with, but instead a library. " you guys are seein' this too - right? " he asks out, to no one in particular. his eyes are following the books, not holding a position on the shelves, but instead floating across the halls. tilting his head up, his ears pressing down with the motion, he stares at flames in the sky - the only light source within the entire room; following the same route as the books, as if invisible strings were pulling them.

"Believe what you will, but I am not being grumpy." He commented, leaving it at that, hardly reacting to the slap to his back. They had better things to do than joke around.

As the doors opened, he turned to look at them, intrigued. Not because of the doors, no but what was inside. How peculiar to have books floating about. He couldn't help but to reach out and grab one.... or so he thought as he felt a chilling sensation travel down his arm as a ghostly figure emerged, having grabbed his hand instead.

"Gentlemen, it seems we have company." He calmly said, pulling out his pen with his free hand. Now was the perfect opportunity to attack, point blank.

Solaris rolled an 11 and 19 for damage: It hit for 2 damage

Librarian Ghost rolled a 5 for damage and missed

Librarian Ghost HP: 3/5

Solaris wasted no time in using a wind spell on the ghost, effectively dealing damage and getting the thing to let go of him. Once it did, he jumped back towards his teammates.

Next up: @cardhearted

“Right. Nice to meet you too,” he straightened out his posture, but couldn’t match his height. Didn’t even have the benefit of wearing shoes, it was almost embarrassing how short he was, “You can call me Jinx. Let’s start on our way back.”

The grass felt prickly under his feet, a most uncomfortable texture. Just perfect for a long walk home. At least his bed would feel all the more comfortable in comparison.

“So… you a cop or something? The only guys I’ve seen that mind their posture all the time have been cops or royal guards.”

Jinx wasn’t the only one studying the person he’d suddenly ended up with. Solaris was taking his own mental notes about the Pomefiore student, though he hardly seemed the part. Sure, he was in his pajamas, but nothing about him screamed the overly glamourous look Vil and most of that dorm had. It was certainly interesting.

He noticed him try to stand taller, something many people attempted around him. He could hardly blame them considering how tall he was, in fact, he expected it. "Noted. And yes, let us be of."

He raised an eyebrow at the question. An interesting choice of words. "I am neither, for now, I am just a student. I was raised this way." He responded rather vaguely. "Royal guards, on the other hand, are a much less common sort to see around. I cannot help but wonder where exactly you would have encountered them"

That was far more interesting than his story, he could almost guarantee it.

If it wasn't for the staff to take care of Floyd during the day, it's only a natural assumption that Floyd will be running through everything by the afternoon hours. The sun has begun setting and the students are spaced out doing anything they can; finishing laundry, putting equipment up, running errands, napping in the grass, or talking amongst themselves. You could say he tried slipping past and going through the campus building without getting spotted...

But he's not as lucky as he thought and obviously, he was caught by Solaris trying to measure the waterfall from the springs below the campus. Although he wasn't far from the front gate or the Mirror Chamber, he he hadn't thought anyone would come this far for... well, a dead mirror hall.

Hands in his pockets and knee deep in the fresh water, Floyd sways as he speaks. "Feather Star checkin' on the mirrors? They don't work still, so I'm not sure whatcha doing."

To say he had not expected to be greeted by Floyd upon arrival was an understatement. While the behavior of his fellow club member as to be expected, the location certainly was not.

He had planned to come out here and gather clues as to what was going on and felt the mirrors were the perfect place to start looking. That and he figured he would not be bothered all the way out here while he looked. How utterly ironic this chance meeting was.

"Good evening, Floyd. I am checking the mirrors for myself. This mess the school has gotten into is quite the puzzle, and I am simply trying to figure out what I can." He explained, before tilting his head with a curious expression on his face. After all, most people did not hang out in waterfalls at night.

"Might I ask what you are doing?"

     Basketball club’s most promising rookie was present at the school’s court — surprisingly, earlier than usual. Ace wasn’t known for his punctuality or eagerness for vigorous work of any sort. Thus, this abnormality would surely guarantee a stare or two from others. 

"A pity your enthusiasm is not always like this. You might actually improve if that were the case." He commented, not particularly impressed, considering the Heartslabyul's student's track record.

Walking over to the rack where the basketballs were kept, he picked one up before answering Ace's question. "I am looking forward to it, most eagerly." Solaris aimed at the closest hoop before shooting for it, the ball dancing around the rim as if it were not going to go in, and yet, it managed to do so. He clicked his tongue. " I suppose I need to warm up a little more."

“Yikes.”

Yikes is right. He wasn’t even prepared to fight ghosts with his own team, now he’s gotta battle the ghoul realm with this guy, that kid, and Jack. Davaa’s deadpan exclamation of dread and frustration did little to portray he was actually perturbed. He was at least 2% perturbed.

The following deep sigh did more to get across the exhaustion. He scratched the back of his head, then craning his neck to survey his immediate surroundings. More tacky architecture. Super! 

THE SUDDEN SWITCH UP DOESN'T DAMPER HIS MOOD - no issue with the matter of a team when the concept of teamwork holds little weight. in his mind there might be an idea of the value, but the execution goes painfully amiss; thinking that by handling his own right, he was doing what was best for the group. because clearly, someone had to be the responsible one.

the initial monochromatic scheme of the world is not very startling to him, wondering if it's just him - or if this is a sight that is shared by his teammates. after the brief taste of this world he had in the halls of the school, jack is relieved to have no accompanying smells to make him crinkle his nose up in disgust.

though, what does bring him a surprise is the sudden yell from his dormmate - ears perking up & tilting rapidly to match each location his voice echoes from off the walls. it's disorientating to say the least. " so much for not lettin' the whole place know we are here. "

The monochromatic scene before Solaris was something highly intriguing, something he wished to study most eagerly. But alas, that would have to be put on the side for now as he had 2 tasks for this mission. Get the magestone, and make the ghosts regret messing with him. He could study later if the time permitted.

Solaris hadn't even noticed that his team was different, at least not until a certain someone shouted.

Glancing back at Davaa, he was glad at least Jack seemed to be of the same mindset as he. "My thoughts exactly. Now we do not have a strategic advantage." He would have to reassess his plans, both for the change in team and now this disturbance. Pulling out his notes, he began studying them, occasionally taking in his surroundings.