initial discoveries (open)

[jewel]

Thus far, Ouran had yet to disappoint. From the manicured grounds to the elaborate fountains and stunning architecture, Marion remained thoroughly impressed with what the academy had to offer, aesthetically speaking at least. She had yet to really intermingle with the rest of the student body. Fat wallets and an esteemed family name only helped to escort someone so far however. Once safely within the large, iron-wrought gates it was entirely up to the individual themselves to establish some kind of social standing and avoid the critical eyes of their peers. Someone was always watching carefully, waiting for that moment in which a single misstep is made. What most people fail to realize is that – although the young men and women of Ouran appear to maintain a certain sense of decorum – they all secretly consider one another competition. On some level, they are there to achieve something … and you either form precarious alliances with which to accomplish this, or watch as everyone else surpasses you. Pleasantries would be kindly exchanged and they all smiled graciously, but was any of it truly genuine?

Preoccupied with her thoughts, Marion had subconsciously found herself turning down yet another unfamiliar hallway. Unlike the others, this one was completely empty; the silence disturbed only by the sharp click of her heels. She didn’t seem particularly bothered by the fact that she was lost. Instead she was filled with a newfound curiosity, pausing to examine a set of mahogany double doors. Whatever lay beyond them must have required quite a large amount of free space. Glancing over her shoulder and confirming that no one else was around, the young woman slid long fingers around one of the polished handles and pushed tentatively against it. Admittedly, she was surprised they hadn’t been locked. The staff must really have maintained an admirable level of trust in their students.

Closing the door once she’d let herself inside, the tall blonde felt instantly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the room. Everything about it was absolutely spectacular. Gargantuan crystal chandeliers hung suspended from the arched ceilings and the floors shone brilliantly beneath whatever sunlight filtered in through the surrounding windows. Large Grecian-styled columns rose up and seemed to disappear, gilded mirrors acted as art upon the wallspace and a long staircase sat majestically in the very center, spread with a luxurious red velvet carpet. Now, she knew there were things she could have easily boasted about her native country .. but this was in an entirely different league of its own. Was it a ballroom then? Some kind of ceremonial hall? Before she could explore further however, a faint echo drew her attention to the door.

"Is someone there?" she called, suddenly feeling more than a little self-conscious.

[/justify][/font][/size]

[chi]

Quiet steps echoed down the long, tall halls of Ouran with an almost calming feel to them. Along with those steps was the scribbling of a pen on paper, a slight squeak from shoes as someone turned on the toes of their shoes. Said person was a first year, who was far too focused on writing to watch her steps as she wandered down the stairs. Absently reaching up to brush red hair behind her ear, Chi looked up momentarily to find herself in one of the less familiar halls.

"I should have paid more attention." she reprimanded herself slowly, eyes reaching across either side with disinterest. "I can always find my way out later."

Lost, the blue eyed teen examined the corridor before shrugging and taking a turn to the right, pen meeting paper again. This time, though, it was tapping in quick succession instead of writing. Frowning, she looked to the words again with a sigh. Chi hummed lightly, biting the end of the pen before holding it between her teeth to smooth down her dress.

She had been taking notes the whole day, not that they were at all related with school work. In truth, it was very nearly the opposite. She had been taking notes on people all day-more their behaviors, reasoning and such-despite how odd it could seem if anyone stumbled upon the little notebook.

Chi paused at a door, turning the handle and pushing it open, shutting it again without even looking around. Taking the pen lightly between her fingertips, though keeping it in her teeth, she finally surveyed the room. She blinked in surprise to find she had overlooked someone else, blue eyes going expectedly blank. She didn’t know her, though she looked to be her senpai, so she couldn’t adopt any specific role until she found out anything.

“Am I interrupting you?” she asked, removing the pen from her teeth and clicking it once so that she could write with it at a moment’s thought. The noise resounded through the large room briefly, the only noise for a moment. “I can go if I am.”