I'm not a Rat 2/25

Tartarus would waddle forth from the distance with his short stature, the wobbling of the clearly oversized bear head offering difficult vision in truth. He was struggling to even concentrate with it on, but it was the better alternative.

He couldn't stomach his reflection. Those ears. It made him sick.

Slowly, the bear that was certainly not a rat made his way to the pair of adults with a low hum, seeming to patiently wait for chatter to die down before making an inquiry.

"Hello. How do I...education."

The boy was not great at linguistics at his age, clearly.
(Tartarus Task)
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 When the bear headed young man comes up to him, he drops it with a quiet-

"State your thoughts directly, and aloud, Miss Ka-Tula. Surely you are not surprised I agreed with you, when you stated the entire situation? It bore an inquiry. My only issue was any idea of force."

A massive, weathered hand, each disproportionately large to the rest of his forearm into his satchel to bring out a twine-tied set of paper, fingers gently pulling and tugging the loop apart.

"Ah. Is there a reason for wearing that?" A brow quirks as he looks at the kigurumi-headed young man. "Genuine question. I am unbothered, but it is somewhat curious." The man's voice is dry, slow, droning as a baritone- But, a strange, resonant tenor echoes after it, mellifluously and unnaturally.

The blasé expression never shifts, as he flicks a pen from his coat pocket.

"I will require your name. Age. Place of origin. Legal guardians. Known magical affinities. And any necessary educational needs or concerns you may possess."


(Ethric Athelier)
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 Tartarus would set his eyes upon the elderly professor as he heard the scholar speak, a low click and hum emanating forth from his bear headed form as he glanced down at the ground for a time. It was clear at the ripe age of thirteen, he'd not yet mastered the art of self esteem. It did not help that he was a rat.

Were that he was born a human like his father...

"R...reason. It's my head. Am bear. Not rat. See?"

A gesture would be made to the stringy, sinuous tail that lay behind him. It was as clear as day the appendage of a Rakuza. Not bear like in the slightest.

"Bear tail.....long bear tail. See?"

The young lad would bob his behatted head steadily at that. He'd never received so many questions in such quick succession. Oh god.

"Name is....Tartarus. Tartarus Task. Can call Double T."

The Task would nod.

"Father was a soldier. Mother was...drug addict. They'renot around anymore. My great Uncle Stavros is my guardian. He lives in the woods near the tribes. And uh....I'm pretty good at starting fires?"
(Tartarus Task)
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 The man talks, as he takes down Tartarus' words.

"... Bear. I see." A slow, quiet drawl, as ever.

"I am unbothered by this thought, though, being a bear in heart is irrelevant to your physical features. If it makes you comfortable to be ursine- So be it. I merely hope you do not let your garb make you uncomfortable."

There is no hesitance, no pity. Only quiet, marching words, leaving the young Task to choose how to interpret them.

His tone is as even as he scratches down the pen onto the paperwork, humming gently enough as eyes half lid. "Thank you. I appreciate such a business. I do require your age, as well, of course."

He flips through each of them, to the fifth, final back page. A flick of his fingers, and Ethric proffers it alone along with his pen down to the behatted young man.

"You will need to sign here. Can you read and write? You need merely put an X, and ask if you have any questions, Mister Task."

If he can, it's a two part waiver!

The first is an agreement that the undersigned is responsible for their own safety off campus, or if they go against the advice of faculty. The second half seems to be an acknowledgement of the right of academy faculty to arrest and detain individuals breaking the peace as they see necessary, in order to maintain neutrality and order.

He is, of course, free to read deeper for specifics before he signs.
(Ethric Athelier)
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 Tartarus now had his focus snatched by the wizened tone of Ethric, the young bear chewing upon his lip within the bear hat as he thoughtfully chittered. It wasn't often someone cut right to the center of things with him like that, but then, he had minimal experience with the outside world.

He would need to be better.

"....Heart bear? Don't understand. Look like bear, therefore am bear!"

The young lad would bob his head at that. He probably understood it was just a coping mechanism for his own self esteem issues, but the professor's lack of judgement took him by pleasant surprise.

"Age....one...two...four...seven...am thirteen. Yes."

The counting of numbers went deliberately slow, and if Ethric was attentive, he might see the boy was using his fingers for the effort and struggling through the view of the mask.

At the mention of signing however? The tail would waggle in consideration, before with sudden, FIERY zeal, the young bear would swiftly, almost proudly offer a surprisingly decent signature.

"Words is power."
(Tartarus Task)
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 A small, gentle nod.

He takes his pen back- But, he pushes the waiver into his hands. "Thank you, Mister Task. I appreciate this. You can take it over unto supplies and requisitions, yonder-" One finger points distantly to the auxillary building from the man campus, up towards the east! "In order to obtain uniforms."

"Inside the primary building, on the third floor, east and left wings," He speaks slowly, enunciating carefully- Though he doesn't hold punches on the size of his words. "Are the dormitories. They may all be claimed, but I encourage all individuals to locate and obtain dormitory partners."

"If you need aid in this endeavor, inform me."

"I am always available for any inquiries you may have-"

A pause.

"Including Dame Alankrantz's. Yes, I received your missive. It is much as I informed the Lady Stell- The former Lady Stellus."
(Ethric Athelier)
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 Tartarus Task exclaims, "!"
Tartarus would scamper off to acquire clothing that wasn't rags. And to allow noble Ethric and Dame Alenkrantz to speak.
(Tartarus Task)
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[20:53] Ethric seems to sbe speaking quietly with Teagan, making a few gesticulations. Something about... Nests?
(Ethric Athelier)
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Tartarus Task says, "Oh."
 Tartarus Task says, "You were from the square."
Tartarus Task says, "I remember."
 Tartarus Task asks, "Are you a student?"
Ekrast says, "No."
Tartarus Task says, "Oh."
Tartarus Task asks, "Do you have education?"
Ekrast says, "Of course not."
Tartarus Task says, "Hmm."
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "You should have one then!"
Ekrast says, "I'm 19. I'm way too old."
Tartarus Task exclaims, "Just say you're thirteen!"
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "Easy!"
Ekrast says, "That'd be weird."
Tartarus Task exclaims, "Life is wierd!"
 Rosemarin Loire says, "."
 Ekrast says, "There's a difference."
Rosemarin Loire says, "Ahah..."
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "No way!"
 Tartarus Task asks, "A difference?"
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "Wierd is weird. And that's not bad!"
Tartarus Task says, "Different is good."
 Tartarus would nod sagely.
(Tartarus Task)
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 Ekrast would shake his head in disagreement, sagely as well.
(Ekrast)
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 Ekrast says, "There is something sinister about a 30 year old who hangs out with..."
 Ekrast asks, "How old are you?"
 Tartarus Task says, "Thirteen! "
Ekrast says, "Yeah that."
 Tartarus Task says, "But my great grandpa raised me."
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "He was old!"
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "It wasn't strange!"
 Ekrast asks, "Is he still alive?"
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "Older people tend to be wise!"
Tartarus Task says, "Yeah, he lives in the sewers. "
 Ekrast says, "I see..."
 Tartarus Task says, "Stavros Task."
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "You'd like him!"
 Tartarus Task says, "He's super wise."
 Ekrast says, "What kinda name is Stavros."
 Ekrast says, "Anyways, let me tell you something. Rebel against authority and dethrone your masters."
artarus Task says, "Oh."
] Ekrast nods sagely.
(Ekrast)
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 Tartarus Task says, "The name of a wise, elder....rat."
 Tartarus would wince.
(Tartarus Task)
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 Tartarus Task says, "Oh."
 Tartarus Task asks, "Rebel against authority?"
Tartarus Task says, "Now you really sound like Stavros."
Ekrast says, "No don't do that."
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "But you just said!"
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "Now I gotsa!"
 Ekrast says, "You're too young! Plus don't let random strangers determine your entire personality."
 Ekrast says, "Be yourself."
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "But what if myself is the kinda person that lets random people influence my entire personality!"
 Tartarus Task says, "I'm confused, I'm just gonna be an anarchist."
 Tartarus had no idea what that word meant.
(Tartarus Task)
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 Ekrast says, "Imperfect."
Tartarus Task says, "Fire bear...."
Tartarus would catch flame.
(Tartarus Task)
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 Ekrast asks, "Why?"
 Tartarus Task says, "Cause..."
 Tartarus Task says, "Bears hibernate...in cold caves..."
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "Need fire!"
Ekrast says, "You're not a bear."
 Tartarus Task says, "..."
 The kindling that appeared to manifest around Tartarus would explode with intensity as he stared down Ekrast, the burning rat gritting his teeth from beneath the smouldering flame that enloaked him. His fists appeared to be balled with genuine anger, as if such a simple statement genuinely inflamed him.

A steadfast reminder, then, of the passion of his furious blood.

"TAKE IT BACK. I AM A BEAR. NOT A RAT."

He appeared to almost be hyperventilating, breathing in and out rapidly as he tried, and failed, to gain full control of his anger. It exploded like a wild fire.

"Not...I'm not.."

And then it sputtered into sadness. The poor lad.
(Tartarus Task)
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 Ah. Yes.

None of this made sense.


The lightshow would be given a blink as Ekrast tries to reposition himself. No need to risk injury when some anomalous being was having an episode. Eyes scan over his own self to make sure there wasn't a stray ember or raging fire.

Nope, he was fine.

A few more seconds go by as his brain centers itself and the reality of the situation sets in. He was dealing with a weirdo! So why not play into this vice of his.

"Uh."

He says, unsure.

"Right, Bear. That's what I meant - apologies."

Ekrast continues to look on, this brain fog eliminating itself as soon as Ethric tries to step in.
(Ekrast)
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Exploding in flame , breathing rapidly, it almost looked like the bear hat clad rat was about to explode. The intensity of the heat surrounding his form would burn more wildly with each extra drop of anger, the Task twitching rapidly as he clutched his head in sudden pain. It was so loud now, so bright. Too warm, but cold and shivering.

After fifteen seconds, the flames would dissipate. The words heard from Ekrast as he nodded slowly with a light nibbling of his lip. The vaguest of sad squeaks could be heard from within the bear hat, the boy plopping upon the ground with a nod a he put his head between his legs.

"It's okay....I don't look much like a bear. Never will..."
(Tartarus Task)
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 Ekrast says, "You're almost there, just gotta grow a bit."
 Tartarus Task asks, "You mean it?"
 Tartarus would perk up.
(Tartarus Task)
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 Tartarus Task says, "..."
Tartarus Task exclaims, "You're right!"
 Tartarus Task says, "I just gotta get stronger and bigger! "
 Tartarus Task exclaims, "Eat lots of meat!"
 Ekrast says, "Exactly."
 Ethric Athelier says, "I..."
 Tartarus was now determined to reach six feet tall. He would not be stopped.
(Tartarus Task)