Meeting. [Taron Veritas]

[Arrow]

There was the soft scratch of quill on parchment, the soothing tap of rain on the open sill, and the muted cooing of Aster's phoenix as he preened himself. Other than that, a tense silence that the Guardian most disliked.

Stress; the beginning of every new school year was defined by it. Stress of uncertain, homesick students that never seemed to get to class on time, stress of assuring reluctant families they would be safe, stress of the hatchings- a ceremony she recognized as a monumental occasion, but could simply not bring herself to be enthusiastic about the evening after a long day.

Twirling her quill thoughtfully, the Head Guardian finally glanced up at the the students seated across the desk from her. "Sorry to keep you waiting," she said, replacing the quill in the inkwell. "Did you bring your egg with you?"

[Taron Veritas]

Taron's eyes were level and set without emotion. He usually showed elders so much more respect than this, but he didn't like the idea of possibly giving up his egg. A frown had forcefully marred his features.

The black egg sat idle on his lap, making the circulation in his legs nearly come to a halt. Luckily, judging by how everyone else carried their eggs, his was one of the lighter ones. It wasn't as though he was stronger, so he had to assume his was lighter. After all, it wasn't as though he could lift theirs to compare. Nope: he saw what had happened to that one boy that touched his.

His fingers slid over the nearly silky texture of the shell, lacking notice that he was even doing this. Taron's thoughts began to wander as he stared at the woman. Why the hell am I here? The boy began to tap a beat on the egg while his mind continued to drift, I did nothing wrong.. that I know of. Oh I hope she's not asking me about parental permission... he bit his lower lip suddenly, at this thought. That was it, wasn't it?

Aprehension had built up a lot to where when she finally did ask, he nearly jumped out of his skin. Embarrassment washed over his face, but he kept his calm, just gulping the shame down. "I-" he cut off, simply looking down to his lap. Now he smiled to himself - the egg blended in with the black he wore so easily.

[Arrow]

(lol. guess what was sort of a stupid thing to ask; my writing has been crap, recently, forgive me :[ )

Guardian Aster's eyes followed his gaze. "Ah, right." She said, nudging back her chair and drawing open one of the many compartments to her desk. She carefully produced a small, glass vial of a pale purple substance and, motioning for Taron to set his egg up on the table, tipped a single drop onto it.

The drop sizzled and fizzed, a small trail of mist pluming over where the drop had fallen. With a faint hiss, it disappeared, and the egg sat, quite unchanged, where it had been placed. It was a second, but then, ever so slightly, there was evidence of a change.

A small fissure around the side of the egg licked a tendril of fire width wise about the egg; pale smoke, as if the egg was smoldering from within, hovered around it. Circling the shell the small crack traced its way entirely around and up before finally, piece by piece, shards of brittle egg began falling away. Grey smoke billowed from the fissure and veiled the object; chips of shell continued to break away.

Then there was a minute chirp of sorts, and the distinct head of the creature was silhouetted in the ash. As the barrier of smoke gradually faded, the tips of an ebony wing stretched for a second, retreated; then, quite boldly, the newborn Guardian stumbled awkwardly from the crumbles of its shell.

It was a tiny thing, no larger than a cantaloupe, and was the shade of darkest ebony with large, silver eyes. Its wings were highlighted by feathers that were a deep cobalt, and around its face were brilliant silver markings. The phoenix whistled once, a quiet, infant noise, and looked up at the pair of humans with inquisitive eyes.

[Taron Veritas]

Young Veritas had not predicted that the woman would be hatching the egg before his very eyes. While he wanted to claim it as an abomination, all he could do was sit back and watch as though he was in a trance. Though the timing was unnatural, he couldn't help but to be awed by the magnificent sight.

Beautiful wings emerged before the creature was revealed. A phoenix. It was a gorgeous phoenix that he was happy to befriend and learn. Something in him grew proud, knowing that phoenix's were quite the choosy type. Witty and cunning, one had to be, and those were not in plenty.

Eyes of rich blues and silvers gazed down upon the creature. The peep was adorable, especially coming from something so small. When it willingly stepped into Taron's open arms, the boy quickly decided that he needed an arm bracer for the phoenix's talons.

"Those are like blades," he commented, soon changing his grimace to a grin. "Falchion..." the name rolled off his tongue with ease as he pictured a common blade among rogues. How perfect of a name.

"Thank you," he dipped his head to the woman and went to take his stand to leave. There was much to do. Much to learn.