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Chapter 2

The walk to the administration office was like torture to the young man. Everyone knew it was he who had be stranded out in the water that morning. Some students were sympathetic calling Clayton a jerk for what he did but they were few and far between. By the time Ridley finally reached the admin building he must have been stopped at least fifteen times.

Walking to the secretary, a white rabbit with big brown eyes and what seemed like a rather jittery personality she was first to speak, "Student Ridley Diam. About the incident this morning yes? Mr. Semling will see you immediately then."

It was all spoken so quickly he could only stand there with his muzzle slightly open and a finger up as he was about to speak. He recovered himself brushing off his shirt and jeans with a nod, "Well... at least he's punctual."

"His office is the last down the left hall. You can't miss it," Said the secretary quickly as she went about sorting files with inhuman speed. The woman had something odd about her other than the speed at which she handled things, and the fact that she knew his name and was able to connect it to his face so quickly.

He took the instructions to heart and started to walk down the hallway looking up at the portraits on the wall. The previous deans were all there though he had to stop at the last and largest portrait. Edward Semling, he was a dignified looking tiger with intense eyes of amber. Ridley stood there remembering the fall of Angeltech in the cataclysm. It was long ago but the history books told of the significant role this man played in aiding the enemy, Ridley's grandfather.

He clenched his fists for a moment and shook his head slowly, no, that wasn't right at all. Raine was used and made to look like the enemy. It wasn't fair to blame him for what Raiden did to the world.

The black fennec turned to the office doors and gave a knock before opening them. The office was decorated in rich dark woods, the walls all covered in custom bookshelves and filled with various tomes of knowledge and leisure. The far wall held a rather large portrait window viewing the grounds in a way that let Ridley see at least three of the seven statues on campus.

Dean Edward Semling II was proudly displayed on the desk as the jaguar behind it stood up his black fur only contrasted by his amber eyes. The man was dressed well in a black suit and red tie which made the fennec feel a little uncomfortable. Secretly the dean liked this aspect of the situation. It made him feel empowered.

"Mr. Diam you are on campus for one day and already there is trouble around you... what do you have to say about this," Said the dean in a soft tone as he sat back down in his blush leather chair.

Ridley frowned slightly and spoke, "I'm sorry I'm a deep sleeper? He got me while I was asleep which is why I am here. I would like a reassignment of rooms. I won't be able to sleep there or study with a jock bothering me all the time."

"That Jock is my nephew... I had hoped you two would get along actually but it seems there was a mistake actually," Said Semling with a slight frown making the fennec's ears droop. Ridley knew the mishap of insulting one's family all too well.

"I'm sorry I didn't know. What mistake," Asked Ridley instantly upset with himself for asking the question as he was fearful of the reply? It was apparent this man wasn't on his side of the game.

Semling smirked slightly before nodding, "honors students don't bunk with the standard fare... You have been reassigned to the honors dorms in the Blind wing. We noticed it last night actually. How unfortunate you didn't come to us earlier..."

Ridley frowned slightly with a sigh, "Yeah... sure..." He stood there in front of the desk for a few moments in silence expecting more.

"Well? What are you doing? Move on... Oh and the guards told me... We may have a few talks you and I about your most interesting mark," Said the Jaguar as he folded his hands together and rested his chin on top of them.

The fennec couldn't get out of there faster without looking like he was panicked. He pressed his back against the door to the office for a moment as he had to slow his breathing and heartbeat. He didn't like that man at all. There was just something sinister about him that he couldn't put his finger on.

After a few moments of near panic attack the fennec caught himself again and wandered back to the lobby where the rabbit set a sheet of paper on the counter with Ridley's new assignment. Her smile was painted and fake letting Ridley know that she was in on the rather unnecessary meeting that had just transpired.

Ridley took the paper with a frown, "if that was all why couldn't you just give me this from the beginning?"

"Mr. Semling has things done his way all the time. I'm not one to question his meathods Mr. Diam. See ya around... Blackie," replied the rabbit making Ridley do a double take. It took a moment before a flash of a rabbit wandering away from the dorm in a cheerleader outfit came to the surface of his mind.

With a sigh he pushed out of the building knowing now that the cards were all stacked against him. He didn't like the situation any better even though he had a new room assignment. He looked down at his new assignment and frowned a bit deeper seeing it was all the way across the campus. He might as well check it out before he lugged the trunk again.

He started to look up only to run directly into another student and fall flat on his rear. He looked confused for a few moments before he saw a hand reaching down in front of his face. Looking up the fennec blushed only to see another of his species reaching down and offering him a hand. He took it and let himself be lifted to his feet by the traditionally colored canine.

Green eyes and a friendly smile greeted Ridley as he bit his lip and nodded, "Hey I'm uhh... sorry about that. Been distracted."

"You're that guy that was in the pond this morning aren't you? Clayton's such a jerk," Said the man with a nod as he crossed his arms across his chest. His clothing was rather plain, just a red t-shirt and blue jeans that looked a little threadbare.

Ridley nodded as he regained his composure, "Yeah... how did you know it was him?"

"He's the only asshole that does that prank. Well him and his football posse. You're Ridley Diam right? Man what a name to carry," Said the yellowish colored canine as he twitched his large ears.

The black canine frowned and nodded looking down, "Yeah... I know. I'm a monster because my grandfather was... I've heard it all a million times now."

"Actually I was gonna say wasn't Raine the one that prevented the whole shebang in the end? I know he gets a lot of crap for what Raiden did but I believed him. Where's he at these days anyway? Livin the hermit life I suppose," replied the man with a smile before he looked slightly embarrassed, "oh sorry I'm Que Drake. It's a pleasure to meet you Ridley."

Ridley nodded taking the hand, "nice to meet a friendly face... Yeah grandpa is living in Death Valley alone. Dad says that after Columbia and Kit died he just had nothing left. He's a shell of what he used to be tired of the ridicule and just wants to be left alone."

Que took the hand into his own and gave it a firm shake before letting go and glancing at the paper, "Oh you get to bunk in those fancy dorms. No one there ever gets into a fraternity but damn are they smart. It's where the psi guys are to so watch what you think."

"I wasn't aware there were students with abilities here. I thought most of them went to New Haven," replied Ridley a little surprised.

Que just chuckled and nodded, "Here I'll help you to your dorms. I'm a second year student myself. I was just as surprised about the specials program here as you were. It's very hush hush."

The two walked to the east campus where the new dorms looked almost like a set of townhomes. Upon reaching the door to the dorm Ridley was assigned he found that it was just as he thought from the outside, plenty of room and no roommate. His heart beat fast as he saw the amazing accommodations for the first time.

Que whistled slightly looking about the entryway. There was a sitting area to their right while right in front of them was a stairway leading up to a doorway. They stayed on the first floor exploring for now. Opening the door from the sitting area they found a kitchen and dining area. Ridley smirked slightly as he did enjoy cooking.

"So like did you score big or something," Asked Que curiously.

Ridley looked a little confused at that before he nodded, "Umm well Dad wasn't given the family legacy. Raine gave it to me personally when I was twenty.

The memory came to the surface like it was yesterday. Ridley was going through a hard time in his life working a mindless job and like usual without friends of a relationship of note. The only thing he had that was close to friends was people he met on the hypernet that didn't know what or who he was in the real world.

Sitting by himself at the edge of the river Ridley looking into the water seeing his reflection. He took a deep drink from his beer as cars passed behind him without a care. He flicked his ears a few times as he felt a presence nearby. It was like something inside him was stirring, coming to life. He didn't fight it as he just didn't care.

Someone sat down next to him and offered him another beer. Ridley looked at the bottle in his hand and sighed as it was empty. He just let it go watching it fall into the water below as he took the bottle from the stranger and used a claw to pop the top off with a soft, "Thank you."

"Yeah... no problem," Replied the stranger making Ridley look up. The man was covered in a black robe with the hood up to hide his identity. The voice sounded so very familiar to him. It took a few moments for him to remember the red eyed man at the door arguing with his mother.

Ridley just turned and took a swig from the bottle, "You're a little late to see the mark aren't you? Got it four years ago after the accident."

"I'm sorry you have to carry my burden. I never wanted that for anyone else," Replied Raine softly as he reached into his robes and lit up a cig pressing it to his lips and taking a long drag. "your mother and father are fighting a lot lately. I never really approved of her but your father has every right to be free to choose. I'm sorry it seems he chose wrong."

Ridley nodded and sighed as he closed his eyes, "I know you wanted to see me. I remember when I was younger."

"It's okay. Masatoshi and Rukan came for a visit on my behalf. Got me pictures and the such. Little light in a dark world I guess," Replied Raine with a sigh as he puffed on his cig another time before throwing it into the river. "So... What now?"

Ridley shrugged and looked into the river as he spoke softly, "I don't know. I don't have enough money to be on my own at this point and finding someone who will room with a Diam is impossible... I guess it doesn't matter much since I'm damned to live forever."

Raine nodded slowly, "Not entirely true actually. There is a way to kill the undying... we just aren't ready to go yet."

"We?"

"I've left you thirty five million dollars. I don't have a use for it and heavens knows your father will squander it. Do something good with your life. Go to school... learn as much as you can. Maybe one of us can be a use to this world," Replied Raine as he stood up and dropped his cowl to smile at his grandson. He hadn't aged a day after twenty five it seemed.

"Thirty five million!? Where in the world did you get that money," Said Ridley getting to his feet quickly. He had to grip the rail on the bridge as he was quite wobbly at this point. Ridley felt the urge to evacuate all he had drunk from the sensation.

Raine was walking away as he spoke, "Raiden had scores of gold deposits just in case his effort didn't work. Well turns out I remembered all of them and was able to collect what hadn't been looted already. Turned it in for real currency just last week and had it deposited to your bank account. Don't tell anyone... it'll be bad for you."

Ridley stumbled forward but knew he was in no condition to chase the man down instead he just shouted, "Why did you do it Raine!?"

The cloaked man stopped and looked over his shoulder for a moment. He stood there in silence for some time before answering, "No one deserves my fate... I can't damn a whole world to agony... You'll understand one day..."

"So your grandfather left you enough money to go to this place," Asked Que curiously after the telling of the story. Ridley had left the amount of money undisclosed for the time being.

With a nod the black fennec started up to the door at the top of the stairs, "Yeah... Like I said he wanted me to do something productive with my life."

Opening the door they found themselves standing in the bedroom. It was about as large as the downstairs complete with a desk for study. Ridley was almost slack jawed at this. It was better than the apartment he had back in Virginia. Que seemed to have a similar reaction and they both just stood there for the time being before Que spoke, "Yeah we are definitely throwing parties here!"

Ridley chuckled slightly and quirked a brow, "No one would come to party I hosted Que..."

Walking to the room attached Ridley saw it was a rather simple bathroom with a shower instead of a tub. Can't have everything he supposed.

"Hey Ridley we should probably get your stuff over here yeah? I'll go with you so Clayton doesn't try anything," Said Que with a smile as he nodded to the door back downstairs.

"Right..."

The two made their way across the campus in general silence though from time to time Ridley caught the sideways glances and saw students whispering to one another. Best get used to it thought the black fennec as they finally reached the Dragon dorms. They made their way inside only to find Ridley's things were actually still in his trunk but outside the door.

Que shrugged and smirked slightly to the black canine, "I guess he doesn't wanna deal with you either."

"Yeah well he's probably too busy kissing his uncle's ass... I can't believe Clayton is Dean Semling's nephew... That's all sorts of screwed up," Replied Ridley as he grabbed the other side of the trunk and frowned.

The two lifted it with a grunt only to have the door open and Clayton hop out to land on the trunk. The two fell forward with a yipe at the sudden gain in weight and fell down in unison as the tiger laughed triumphantly.

Ridley closed his eyes for a moment trying to keep his anger in check when Que shot off his mouth, "Clayton you fucking douche! You know we have a meet in a week and if I get injured it could cost the school!"

Clayton laughed standing up simply huge compared to Que but the fennec didn't back down as his hackles rose, "You don't scare me you oaf. You go scamper back and play your neo modern gladiator games while I do something I can actually use in the real world."

The tiger stared the fennec down for a few moments before letting out a chuff and walking back into the room. He slammed the door behind him with a growl making the building shake slightly.

"Wow... you really don't like that guy," Said Ridley getting back to his feet with a surprised look.

Que shook his head grabbing the handle on his side of the trunk as he spoke, "He's a football jock. No brains all brawn... I can't stand em. The only reason he hasn't been expelled is because his uncle is dean. You know they still have Angeltech backing them as well so... money..."

The two took the trunk back to the new dorm without much event after that though students were talking as they saw Que with Ridley. Certainly Ridley felt like he was hurting the man's reputation just by being around him. A small pang of guilt but he assured himself that sometimes it was okay to be a little selfish.

Dropping the trunk in the sitting area of the new dorm Ridley smiled and nodded to the other fennec, "Thanks for your help Que. You're not gonna wait till I'm asleep and do something terrible to me now are you?"

Que smirked and laughed slightly, "Not unless you want me to!"

The two fell into a sort of awkward silence there as Ridley looked a bit uncomfortable at the reply. Que saw it and shook his head with a nervous laugh finally breaking the silence, "Naw man I'm not like that... I was just playing."

"Y...yeah," replied Ridley a bit timid as he looked away.

Que could feel the uneasiness in the air and nodded, "Hey I gotta go to the track... big track meet next week and all. Gotta keep in form."

Ridley just nodded as he bit his lip and looked to the door. Que had closed it just as the black canine spoke, "Thank you... I guess..."