[Reynard Marshall]

Reynard wandered down the halls a smirk plastered on his face. His guitar was strung over one shoulder and a duffel bag with his school books and a battery powered amp was strung over the other. By now most people who knew him or knew of him would come to expect him to be equipped as such. The man was always looking for an excuse to play some music and didn't mind lugging around the extra weight, even to class as long as he could get away with it. He wasn't disruptive in class with it just kinda had it with him at all times.

This wandering had been going on for about twenty minutes or so Reynard had recently gotten out of his last class for the day and wasn't quite sure what to do with his time. At least until pangs of hunger made up his mind. Reynard scratched his chin working out which direction he needed to go from where he stood to reach the cafeteria. After a moment's sluggish thought he turned on his heel and started down the hall the way he had come from.

After a few minute's walk Reynard arrived at his target destination. He placed a hand on each of the doors to the room and gave them a quick shove. They swung open quickly and he sauntered in with a smirk plastered on his face. His eyes scanned the room meeting the eyes of several students who looked up from their food to watch Reynard's rather dickish entrance but the glares didn't phase him in the least. He made a peace sign and saluted with it at his "admirers". A harmless yet sarcastic gesture in some cultures but an insult in others, which he meant was up to the individual it seemed.

Reynard chuckled to himself and made his way to the line to get some food. He slid his tray down the tracks of the line picking up a bunch of unhealthy sides and two entrees after all he was pretty damn hungry. He may or may not have forgotten to eat anything earlier that day, Reynard was a bit of a mess as of late. He tried to fill every minute of his time with some kind of distraction and as a result forgot the important stuff like 4 square meals or cleaning his dorm room. Reynard reached the end of the line and paid for his food. He turned and scanned the room for an empty table eventually spotting one in the farthest corner from the door and started toward it.

Reynard unceremoniously dropped his tray of food down on the table and sat down. He took stock of his haul and started to chow down making short work of each item one by one. He surely looked half starved at the pace he consumed something he hammed up a bit more for his own amusement than anything else. He wasn't opposed to interacting with others but the way he presented himself could be seen as unapproachable or rude, a side effect of his flippant attitude toward the world.

Words: 521

[Evangeline Lys de Verre]

tell me pretty lies

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Reynard Marshall -x- 701 words -x- enter croissant

Another day of classes gone swell! And finally, it was the end of classes for the day! What a joy to learn, but what an even greater joy to be out and about, with no work at the moment! Evangeline was practically skipping down the hallways, humming to herself, even going so far as to do a twirl as she walked around a corner. Funnily enough, not a lot of people turned to stare at her. Haven Academy was home to many a strange crowd, so by comparison, the ditzy, overly optimistic blonde was not even the strangest sight once everyone got used to her. Hell, she was even a welcome sight to many, as such blinding optimism did do wonders to make some people smile.

Her messenger bag full of her school supplies swung in relation to her movements, kept in check by one of her hands holding onto the straps. In her other hand, she held her Violin case, swinging it about as she pranced down the hallways. It always felt good to have the weight of her violin with her. Even when she didn't need to use it as either a weapon or an instrument, she would always carry it around with her. She felt off kilter and naked without it, and would not be able to fully focus in class without having it with her.

She paused at a crossroads, wondering if she should head back to her room to change out of her uniform, or if she should head to the music rooms to get some practice in. Her decision, it seemed, was neither as her stomach answered with a tiny growl, almost like a kitten purring. A light flush came to her cheeks as she look about herself, confirming that no one heard, before changing direction and heading towards the cafeteria.

Her entrance was like a ball of pure sunshine had entered the room, many students turning to look at her for a only a moment, some even going so far as to squint at the bright smile on her face. She made her way to the line, grabbing a tray and picking out several dishes that would be considered healthy. A platter of fruits and veggies, a meatloaf sandwich and a glass of orange juice. You could never go wrong with orange juice! Once she had paid and exitted the line, she stood holding her tray, staring across the Cafeteria.

Where would she sit? She was familiar with a lot of people, so she had choices abound to sit down with people already there. Perhaps she would s- Wait was that a guitar she saw?

Her eyes focused on a red haired man sitting at the very back of the cafeteria by himself, a somewhat dangerous looking individual... But what caught her eye was the telltale shape of a guitar poking out from behind the table. Grinning with joy and excitement at meeting a fellow musician, she hurriedly shuffled over to his table. She came up to the table in front of him, putting her tray down onto the table and sitting down directly opposite from him.

"Hello!" She said cheerfully, not even bothering to ask him if she could sit with him or not. "I could not help but notice 'zee guitar you have! Do you play music?" She added, as she placed her violin case on the table next to their trays, as she couldn't really eat while holding onto it... And also as a silent admission that she too played music.
"My name is Evangeline!" She introduced herself, before the man could even respond, giving him an absolutely sunny smile that showed off her pearly white teeth, her bright blue eyes focused on him. It was definitely a very... Unusual thing, for someone so sunny and innocent looking to sit down with someone who looked and acted almost like a douche. But Evangeline had never let the cover of books be judged in her eyes, and always liked to look on the bright side of people. After all, perhaps this man only looked menacing on the outside, and was a real softie on the inside! Only one way to find out.

[Reynard Marshall]

Reynard had just about wolfed down half of the food he had piled on his tray when his eye caught a student walking his direction. He looked up from his plate toward the person looking them over curiously. She was short, blond, kinda cute though a little young looking though Reynard was sure she was older than she looked. He doubted Haven would allow students to be too young. A smile spread across Reynard's face when he spotted Eva's black violin case. A fellow musician! Reynard was quite pleased to find he wasn't alone in that regard.

Reynard watched with slight amusement as the musician sat down across from him setting down her instrument on the table. He gave a nod of acknowledgement listening to the girl's greeting and watching her demeanor. This person seem absolutely innocent and nice. Certainly the contrast to Reynard's own more sarcastic carefree attitude. A demeanor he had carefully constructed around himself after his loss and when he decided to fight grimm in order to keep himself happy. It was mostly bull but most people couldn't tell the difference anymore, even his family.

He scratched his chin and nodded to Eva's question. "Indeed I do, been playin for about a decade now!" He replied cheerily leaning his weight over to swing his guitar around to show it off. It was a bright red stratocaster style guitar with a slightly tarnished silver ornate plate instead of the usual white. In fact, all of the metal on it with pure slightly tarnished silver with the ornate patterning. The instrument truly looked like a piece of artwork. Reynard had worked hard on replacing all the chrome using the talents he learned from his father to do so and was rather proud of it. It wasn't quite like his weapon which was entirely ornate metal but he couldn't exactly carry around a big axe all the time. He wasn't even sure if you were allowed to carry weapons outside of specific areas at the school anyway.

Reynard looked from his instrument to the girl and gave another smile showing off his own perfectly white teeth. The expression seeming to be far less sweet and innocent and was more like the grin a mobster might give in a casino when he just won a fixed game. Cheesy and over the top. "My name is Reynard by the way!" He finished shoving his hand forward offering a handshake with that ever present vulpine grin.

Words: 413

[Evangeline Lys de Verre]

tell me pretty lies

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Reynard Marshall -x- 580 words -x- disco eyes

This red haired man seemed to give off an air of lazy arrogance, but in a good way, not the abrasive kind. At least to Evangeline. Other students might not be keen on interacting with him, but Evangeline was enthused about finding another musician in the general crowd. As Reynard had hoped to do so with his casual gesture, Evangeline's eyes were indeed drawn to his weapon. It was a beautiful weapon, in a razor-sharp sort of way, very different from the soft beauty of Evangeline's weapon. She admired the weapon with an open display of awe written plainly on her face, tilting her head this way and that as her eyes followed the curves and the straight edges, especially the silver areas which shone with the luster of the aforementioned metal, albeit worn and dulled from obvious use. In her opinion, she found the dulled shine more suitable for the guitar and its user than if it were super shiny.

" 'Zis is a beautiful weapon! Did you make it yourself, Reynard?" She said, giving his suave smile a returning smile of her own, albeit hers was a lot more of innocent brightness, like warm sunlight. She took his offered hand and gave him a shake, before returning her hands to her violin case. She unclasped the locks on it and pulled the top open, revealing Lis Fleurissant. Like Reynard's weapon slash instrument, it was a work of art, a beautiful Violin. Unlike his weapon, however, the quality difference was immense. Her weapon was handmade by obvious master smiths, a beautiful creation of gold and pearlescent white, glimmering even in the diffused lighting of the cafeteria. All the way from the intricate gold embossing to the lower section of the violin, which, also coated with gold, could transform into the arms connecting to the brace of Lis Fleurissant's crossbow form, and the dimly glowing strings of the violin itself, practically screamed ornate. Graceful, elegant and beautiful, like a piece of heaven captured and crafted into a musical instrument.

"Sadly I did not make my own weapon." She said with a bashful smile. "I could never make any'zing 'zis beautiful. But I like to 'zhink that my music skill is very nice! I have been practizing for many, many years!" She said, her smile turning radiant once more as passion filled her eyes, her body leaning forward. She always loved talking about music, and meeting new people! Especially musicians! It was such a joy to have all of that in one! So happy was she, that Evangeline's sapphire blue eyes actually began to cycle through various different colors, swirls of green, pink, red, gold and all other hues chaotically shifting and changing in her irises. She realized she was probably getting a bit to excited and settled back down into her seat. She clasped the violin case back closed and gave Reynard an apologetic smile with a light blush of embarrassment.

"Pardon me. I sometimes get a bit excited. I just never 'zhought to meet ano'zher musician so soon! It is a very good 'zhing!" She said, shifting her attention away from him for a few seconds to focus on her meal. She took a bite of her sandwich and sipped on the drink before returning her attention to Reynard. "So, tell me about yourself! Where are you from, Reynard?" Evangeline asked after patting her mouth dry with a napkin, her hands forking a piece of fruit as she asked him.

[Reynard Marshall]

The girl's enthusiasm certainly was endearing. Reynard couldn't help but chuckle slightly and raise an inquisitive eyebrow when he noticed Evangeline's eyes changing colors. For a moment it confused the man but he quickly came to recall that Atlesian tech had come a long way lately and it surely had something to do with that. Hell, Reynard had met a few people with implants and prosthetics in the past. He decided against pointing it out, often times there was a story behind such things and it was seldom a happy one. Reynard instead turned his attention to the girl's question and slight misunderstanding. Reynard decided he would focus on that for the moment."Not quite. The guitar is just a stratocaster I've had since I was young. My father taught me how to work with precious metals so I remade all the parts and put it back together with them instead! Figured it would be a fun project and helped with both my hobby and my, at the time, future career. That is until I decided to become a hunter. It's not a weapon though, I keep that in my locker so I'm not carrying around a big axe all the time!" He explained cheerfully.

Reynard then turned his attention to Evangeline's weapon and admired the craftsmanship It truly was a piece of art even more so than his guitar or his own weapon. At least in his own opinion. The white and the gold just made the thing look regal! Reynard was quite glad to be talking music with another student for once instead of pretending to not give a shit all the time as fun as it was sometimes it was good to just gush about something ya liked without worrying about what people thought. He gave the weapon one more good look over and looked to Evangeline with a genuine grin less suave than before.

"Looks amazing either way. Doesn't matter who made it as long as the owner can play and I imagine you are quite good in that regard considering the experience." Reynard started scratching the back of his head and leaning back some in his seat casually. "Also, no reason to get all apologetic for being excited about meeting another fellow musician. We aren't all that common a folk in a combat school after all!" Reynard finished in an encouraging tone. He thought about the girl's next question for a moment. For a brief moment he had almost gave an info dump but figured it would be uncouth to just start depositing backstory like bad opening narration right of the bat. He chuckled at the thought and started speaking again. "I actually grew up in the city here. My dad owns Marshall and Sons so ya may have heard of us. We make all the fancy jewelry rich folks pine after. In fact we recently did a commission for some noble in Atlas shortly before I started going to hunter's school." He answered honestly taking off his signet ring from his small finger. He placed it in front of Evangeline to show the carefully carved crest of a fox encircling a ruby set in the center of the ring that acted as both his family crest and the logo for the business they owned.

Words: 549

[Evangeline Lys de Verre]

tell me pretty lies

template by Punki of Adoxography

Reynard Marshall -x- 543 words -x- backstory!

Evangeline nodded as understanding slowly dawned on her. "Ah, 'zis is not your weapon. I got it! I assumed because my o'zer friend is also a musician, and both her and me use our main instrument as weapons!" Evangeline said, gesturing to her violin as an explanation. She took a moment to close the violin case and take another fork of fruit into her mouth as Reynard spoke, flushing slightly at the man's complimented her by assuming she was a good player. She was, but it was still very pleasant to hear.

"Ah, merci! Maybe you will hear me play it, hopefully in a class and not out in 'zee field." She said with a bright smile and a small giggle. "But..." She said, tilting her head slightly at him, the smile fading and her expression turning thoughtful again. "Why did you decide to become 'zee hunter instead of a musician? You already look like a rockstar, so you would have been perfect as one!" She asked. Truth be told, Evangeline had never wanted to follow in her parents footsteps as musicians. Sure, she loved music. Absolutely adored all kinds of music and musical instruments, and loved learning about it. But she had always known her calling was more than just a musician. She had always had the inner desire to help people, and once her semblance manifested, she knew this was definitely her destiny. Did he also feel like that perhaps?

Evangeline would then proceed to eat some more of her food as Reynard appeared to think and compose his thoughts in regards to her question about where he was from, turning her attention back to him once she let out a wry chuckle and looked like he was going to speak. Her eyes widened infinitesimally at first, then noticeably with awe. "Marshall and sons!? Yes, I have definitely heard of it! My mom buys a lot of her jewelry from 'zere, and I have a few earrings from it too! Your dad really owns that? Does that mean you are from Atlas too?" She said, taking his signet ring that he had presented, and looking at it closely with interest, the bright smile back as she realized that she may have run into someone from her home as well. That made a total of four atlesians she had met here in Haven, if he was one. Herself and Aegle and Braun being the other three. She then gave him his ring back, and began to speak.

"My mom and dad are living in Atlas right now. They're musicians by trade, and somewhat famous, so you may have heard of 'zem if you listen to classical music. I joined Atlas Academy first as to be a huntress but later shifted here to Haven because I 'zink I can help more people here, especially after what happened..." Her words faded off on a slightly sorrowful note as she pursed her lips in sadness. The Fall was a tragedy that cost the life of many youths just like her. She shook her head, and gave Reynard a strained smile, "But hey... Zat's why we are here. As a 'zee future." She said, with a small shrug as she focused on her food once more.

[Reynard Marshall]

Reynard chuckled a bit at the misunderstanding his signature grin ever present. He leaned back in his seat and popped a bite of food into his mouth. He chewed a moment listening as Evangeline continued her dialogue. His frown dipped for a moment at the mention of him choosing the career of a hunter. It was true to the outsider it'd make sense he'd either take up after his father's work or try his hand at being a full time musician and at one point Reynard had plans for both eventualities. Life had a funny way of complicating things though.

His gaze momentarily drifted off into the middle distance as he considered how much he wanted to say about his past. At first, he thought it would be not much but, after a moment's consideration, Reynard decided it didn't much matter how much anyone here knew. After all, they were all supposed to be comrades against the grimm and those who would do harm to their civilization. Reynard refocused his gaze on Evangeline making eye contact as he began to speak.

"Well at one point I did want to take up the family business and do music on the side. Hell originally my guitar playing was even more just a hobby second to my practice at metal working and stone cutting. Buuuut then on a family outing to a village out in the wilderness bandits attacked the town. The adults drove em off and had started putting out the fires. Then the grimm came... They tore through the town and killed most everyone. My family barely fled but not before my sister was killed." Reynard paused a moment a look of deep seething rage burned just behind his smile showing for a brief moment how truly fake the whole demeanor was.

"I was seconds away If I had discovered my semblance I could have destroyed that beowolf!" He finished losing control for just a moment at the word destroy. His eyes shone gold like a cat's glowing in the night. The air around him momentarily shimmering like a mirage. The word came out loud and Reynard's drinking mug cracked in half spilling ice cubes onto the table. He had luckily finished the drink and was spared with a big mess. He was however not spared from attracting the attention of damn near everyone in the room. All around it was quiet and students stared. Reynard shrunk back in his seat and dawned a cheesy grin. "Sorry about that everyone." He called out sheepishly.

Just like that Reynard was back to normal. He looked back to Evangeline apologetically. "Sorry about that. Didn't think it still bothered me so much to think about that!" Reynard almost pleaded before clearing his throat to continue. "Anyway, I'm actually not from Atlas though I can see why ya might think that. My family's company does a lot of business with Atlesian distributors and I've visited several times. As for your parent's what are the names perhaps I have heard of em. I do listen to a lot of classical music. It's always good to listen to the fundamentals ya know?" Reynard finished finally still a little warry that his outburst may have left a bad impression and hoping to quickly draw the conversation away from that. It really was embarrassing and very out of his normal character usually he kept cool much better. He chalked it up a bit to his lack of inebriation, something he'd relied on more and more lately.

Words: 587

[Evangeline Lys de Verre]

tell me pretty lies

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Reynard Marshall -x- 514 words -x- bunny bandaids!

Evangeline's expression had turned from its usual cheerful one to a more... concerned one as she say Reynard getting more and more incensed as he spoke. The hatred burning in his eyes... Evangeline had flashbacks to a similar kind of hatred burning behind grey eyes rather than gold, and how those eyes had looked so... dead inside, with contempt clear against her. Evangeline actually flinched when Reynard suddenly burst out with his anger, recoiling a bit from him as if she was physically struck from the emotional backlash coming off of him.

But then he seemed to have gotten a hold of himself again, and seemed to be apologetic about it. No, he was not like Nikolas in that regard. Nikolas embraced his hatred, his apathy. Reynard rejected it, clung to being human, to try and be better. Evangeline's momentary fear of Reynard was instantly flushed away, replaced instead of sorrow and sympathy for his pain. "No, do not be sorry... I should apologize for asking such a sensitive question." She said in a low voice, coming forward again and reaching forward, grabbing a hold of his hand that had been holding the cup that shattered. She pulled it towards her a bit and turned it this way and that, asking, "Did you hurt yourself? I have some bandaids if you cut yourself..." She said, looking for any cut on his hand from the shattered mug. Since there wasn't blood everywhere already, if there was any cuts, it'd be minor. If she found any, she would pulled out a stack of bandaids, separating the amount she needed before sticking them over the cuts. Little adhesive bandages pastel blue in color with little bunny motifs on them.

Either way, she would hold onto his hand for a moment or two longer than necessary, looking at him in the eye with sincerity and sympathy. A silent 'I am here for you and I support you. I do not turn away from you.' Only after the span of a few moments would she let go and settle back in her seat. "I am trying to be come a huntress to prevent 'zat very thing. I want to help people. Save people. Help and save 'zose who are too weak, or too young to protect 'zemselves." She said in a serious, determined voice, giving him a soft encouraging smile after her words, before adding, "And we will do it, one day."

As conversation returned to a more normal topic, Evangeline grinned as Reynard asked about her parents. "Oh! My papa's name is Antoine, and my Mama's name is Fiona! 'Zey are popular performers in 'zee Atlas theatre. One of 'zeir more well known compositions is "Soleil Glaciaire", have you heard of it? Papa plays 'zee violin and mama plays 'zee piano." She enthused, back to her usual excited and happy way of conducting herself, back to being a bright ray of sunshine. "If you are not from Atlaz, where are you from?" She asked, before blanching a bit and quickly adding, "If you want to say, 'zat is."

[Reynard Marshall]

Reynard visibly relaxed a bit. Evangeline had not taken his outburst nearly as bad as Reynard expected she might. He cursed himself silently for losing his grip on his emotions there. Usually he was so much better about that. Reynard passively guessed now that he was so close to becoming a hunter in truth old wounds were aching. He needed only graduate from this school and he would be successful in his life's new mission. The most important step anyway, from there it would just be the hard work that came with doing a job well done and the constant struggle to stay alive. Both of those things were pale specters of a worry compared to the more pressing of his goals looming over his life in the present. He had to graduate!

Reynard's mind snapped back to the moment at hand however when he realized Evangeline had asked him another question. He looked down to his hand and saw a shallow gash. Nothing serious the band aids would be more than sufficient to keep blood from getting all over the place. He smiled up to the other student and nodded. "Yeah I guess I did, serves me right for losing my temper there." He mused with a wry grin. He patiently held out his hand for Evangeline and watched as the girl placed them over the wound. He chuckled to himself at the patterning. It certainly seemed to fit the girl nicely enough and he had just met her. Cute and innocent looking.

Reynard's eyes slid up from his hand back to meet Evangeline's as she continued. Reynard was not one to shy away from eye contact with anyone and certainly didn't want to appear sheepish or rude. Especially considering the gravity of what the girl had said. It was a noble just goal. One that mirrored Reynard's so perfectly. How many other students would tell a tale of such a goal? Reynard thought most of them would but it didn't make it any less grand. "I certainly hope so!" He said in answer to Evangeline's statement about success in helping those who needed it. His tone was one of joyful optimism with a shadow of commiseration too. If they were to save others it would surely damn them to an early death or injury. It was an unavoidable if seldom talked of fact that all who went down this path would eventually face. They were soldiers in a war against the world it's self. The grimm would always be there and human nature would never change.

As Evangeline told of her parents Reynard listened on intently. At first he wasn't quite sure if he had or had not heard of the pair but at the mention of Soleil Glaciaire he perked up a bit. It was distant at first but a memory soon came to the forefront of sitting in an atlas theater when he was especially young and listening to the very performance. It was one of the things that had pushed him toward music at such an impressionable age. He had loved it and wished he could produce such wondrous sound. His tastes sure had changed over time but the classics were certainly still a welcome genre. "I actually do remember seeing that very performance. When I was little! It was beautiful and one of the very things that pushed me toward music!" He admitted in an excited tone his demeanor telling what his more modest words did not. It was a big influence.

After a moment's pause he answered Evangeline's final question. "I am from here in mistral. Hell in this very city. When my family wasn't taking me around the world where business and trade took us. There are quite a few people out there who like jewelry and plenty of deals to be made with material distributors and such." He said finally with a nod at his last statement.

Words: 656