02.Feb.12, 06:02 AM
Despite his reluctance, Talian had been among the first to arrive for the lesson. Schooling was familiar and comfortable to him, though the general atmosphere of Katila was still unpleasantly foreign. His primary concern was to avoid rocking the boat. If lessons were required of him, he would attend them. He didn't like it, but then again, no one asked him to. That was the unfortunate truth of life in general. It just stung with particular potency here at Katila.
He seated himself near the front, as he habitually did back at his old hall. He'd elected not to wear his knots. He never did, but this time he had an actual excuse: he didn't want to draw unwanted attention from the instructor. Talian aimed to being an attentive and obedient, though perhaps somewhat invisible student. He was used to private instructors. He'd almost forgotten what classroom settings were like. His best bet in such an unfamiliar situation so far from home was simply to be a good boy and stay out of the way.
"Here," he said as his name was called. He looked around at the others. He saw several familiar faces, none of which surprised him. Some he was happy to see, while others made him...well, uncomfortable to say the least, especially considering the topic.
He crossed his legs awkwardly and held his breath as the topic was announced. He suddenly felt like everyone was staring at him, even though he knew that not to be true. So many of the others had gasped or were whispering. He didn't dare look up, not wishing to make eye contact with anyone he knew.
He seated himself near the front, as he habitually did back at his old hall. He'd elected not to wear his knots. He never did, but this time he had an actual excuse: he didn't want to draw unwanted attention from the instructor. Talian aimed to being an attentive and obedient, though perhaps somewhat invisible student. He was used to private instructors. He'd almost forgotten what classroom settings were like. His best bet in such an unfamiliar situation so far from home was simply to be a good boy and stay out of the way.
"Here," he said as his name was called. He looked around at the others. He saw several familiar faces, none of which surprised him. Some he was happy to see, while others made him...well, uncomfortable to say the least, especially considering the topic.
He crossed his legs awkwardly and held his breath as the topic was announced. He suddenly felt like everyone was staring at him, even though he knew that not to be true. So many of the others had gasped or were whispering. He didn't dare look up, not wishing to make eye contact with anyone he knew.