With haste, the Principal was already beginning to lead Alfonse's parents away. The group was moving in the direction that Alfonse recognized as being where Preston came from... and as he watched for a few moments longer, the anxiety and nervousness swimming within his stomach had nearly felt sickening. Fret filled his youthful large eyes that soon lowered towards the ground, fingers continuing to weave through each other in a mannerism representing his very anxiousness. This whole entire campus was of completely new territory to him and everything was just... v-very intimidating. He hoped everything would be as simple as the man in charge made it sound... [break][break]

His guard remained stationed, though calm grey almond-shaped eyes seemed to be narrowing down on Preston watchfully. This was a sight Alfonse failed to see, due to his own sheepish gaze remaining befallen away from the tall, muscular-framed guard of his. He soon lifted his eyes to meet with Preston, whose amber eyes converged with his own. The color of his eyes were really pretty, like sunlight. His soft features and pleasant pine aroma was of some comfort to him in the midst of the industrial, cold environment, and he did feel some thankfulness... that if he were to be escorted by any youth his age, it was someone of this blonde's stature. [break][break]

A shy, but well-meaning smile crossed Alfonse's features as the boy begun to speak. He waved his hand in a mannerism that indicated following him, and Alfonse did so with his footsteps light beneath him. The fine material of his cloak gently swayed behind him as he strolled, providing an aura of quiet elegance that followed him. Relief accompanied the anxiety dwelling within him, for the classroom of staring students joined in their seats or even standing at the window would no longer serve as an audience. Th-thank goodness....[break][break]

His guard wasn't as quiet, his steps heavier and easily over-shadowing his own as he remained at a distance but never too far behind. Alfonse attempted to remember the names of the places the Principal showed he and his family, though some of it was difficult to recall the exact names of due to how much they differentiated from the academic environments he was used to. "He showed us a big gathering room. I-I think.... it is called the auditorium," He answered in a careful voice as he continued trying to properly sort through his thoughts to remember, "W-we also were shown the front courtyard, an office, and the entrance corridors..." Thoughtfully, Alfonse rose a gloved hand towards his mouth. "U-Um... that may be it..." He murmured in a voice falling into a soft and uncertain hush. H-he didn't know if that was actually what any of that was called, but that's what it all looked like to him... hopefully it was helpful to the nice seeming boy.[break][break]

As he pulled himself out of his thoughts, he realized they were nearing a place that did look familiar in atmosphere to him. There was no doubt that they were approaching a Library. This arose a brightening gleam in the hues of his Aquamarine eyes, vibrant and visibly interested but being patient and quiet as to let Preston speak first before he did so himself. The guard continued following them, beginning to transition into a more so relaxed posture as opposed to his fairly tense disposition back when they were with the group. Upon Preston opening the door of the Library for him to enter, Alfonse's smile sheepishly warmed as he gave a courteous bow of his head. "Thank you," He quietly spoke in gratitude, stepping inside into the premises of the Library's exterior. Wide child-like eyes took in the scenery now surrounding him, observing the tall shelves.... before inevitably spotting the other students inside.[break][break]
A number of them were staring over, some even beginning to audibly murmur among each other when his guard stepped inside to join them. This caused an immediate heating in Alfonse's face, his anxiety becoming a front-seat emotion to him once more. He inched his footsteps a little closer towards Preston, smoothing the front of his cloak, and remained right beside him... where it felt slightly less unnerving. "Um, what book a-are you looking for...?" He asked in a soft tone, his Aquamarine gaze once more casting upon him.

Quietly, the blonde student reciprocated pleasantries and Alfonse noticed that he seemed very shy. Almost like how he felt being in this strange and unfamiliar institution. Seeing someone else feeling uncomfortable, and being close enough to the other boy to see the soft and tame features of his demeanor managed to slightly ease Alfonse. It was nice to see someone whom even if only at a glance, he could... somewhat relate to... and also whom didn't look intimidating.[break][break]

The oceanic Aquamarine hues of his eyes shyly but curiously watched the blonde upon lifting his head from its bow, his smile softly hinting the outline of his lips. He didn't smell strangely, either.... a-actually, he had a rather nice smell of pine mixed with cologne.... it reminded him of the many forests he'd seen growing up, and of the cologne his father would put on to please his mother. The scent he'd picked up from the blonde was refreshing from the other odors his sensitive nose was exposed to since entering the more so student-inhabited regions of the campus.[break][break]

"Alfonse will be in the same class as you if he enrolls with our school," The principal carried on to explain with an expression practically radiating with determination and a big smile plastered on his face, "This of course means you will be seeing a lot of each other. Speaking of which-- what better way for your son to become familiarized with our academia and students than to have a star pupil escort him?" [break][break]

The question was one that made Alfonse's already prominent youthful eyes widen in alarm, lifting his head to glance away from the Preston and the Principal to look up to his parents. It but a second later, before anyone had time to respond, when the Principal eagerly suggested more possibilities. "I know you have plenty of questions that we can discuss while looking around, and perhaps visiting in my office. It would be a wonderful time for Preston to show Alfonse around and get to know other students," [break][break]

Immediately, his chest squeezed with nervousness upon hearing the idea of being separated from his parents. H-he didn't know this place, and.... h-he didn't know anyone here! Even if the blonde boy looked and smelled nice, that didn't mean h-he wanted to be alone... with him...! A-and, and he was willing to bet that the other boy probably felt the same way. Alfonse's expression radiated with an anxiousness that he need not to speak aloud for it to be obviously how he felt about the proposal, quietly gulping while an uneasy gaze flicked between the floor, and his father.... the one whom always had the final word. [break][break]

His mother seemed interested and open-minded, whereas his father seemed hesitant. "That's quite a reasonable suggestion.... I would like for Alfonse to interact with the same youth he would be seeing on a near daily basis," He considered aloud, before a handsome and considerate smile crossed his features while looking to Preston, "However, I wouldn't want to interrupt any important business of yours, young man. Would you have any spare time to accompany my son?" Alfonse's gaze turned silently pleading, anxiously remaining between the guards he'd already been standing between for comfort, but his father had avoided acknowledging his son's silent wish. Whatever he decided was best, his son was going to do.

The escalation of his heart beat arose an intense surge of distraught as Alfonse very quickly realized not only that he was trapped.... but that the scent of another creature had begun to gradually strengthen, one of which he hadn't recognized prior. It was, as though... th-they were heading his direction, upon him being trapped. Whomever it was... h-he didn't want to find out. He desperately thrashed within the net but he had no chance to free himself before being found by the the host of the unfamiliar scent. [break][break]
It was but moments after he'd been flung off his feet when a voice reached his ears, a shiver writhing up his spine when pausing in a hunched and tangled position in the netting. He was trapped.... h-he couldn't get away fast enough.... and felt forced.... to look upon the stranger that had clearly spotted him. His ears flattened behind him, eyes fearfully falling upon.... an eerie looking man.... hair whiter than he'd ever seen in one whom wasn't an elder, and a body that was bony and thin underneath his clothing. Alfonse's eyes stared at him without blinking, large and wary of the man who could have been responsible for the very trap he was stuck inside.[break][break]
With the usage of shadows, the net snapped upon the frail man's doing, sending Alfonse falling to the ground with the ends of the trap that'd been touched by magic fraying undone. The forest ground underneath him seemed burned.... lukewarm, as though seared by a flame. His heart continued racing, immediately backing away from the man as he crouched down with a hand extended towards him. Wh-what was he going on about, regarding a son wanting a fox...? Alfonse's eyes remained fixated on him, a humane aura to them that differentiated from a normal animal of his form, and he didn't dare look elsewhere. However harmless he seemed, he... was talking about wanting a fox to cheer his son up, and.... th-that didn't mean anything good for him at all, when a trap had been set... in the middle of nowhere... that he fell right into.[break][break]
Meekly, his ears remained flattened, his body nervously lowered towards the ground in a mannerism that reflected him cautiously shielding himself away from the other.... watching him through the mannerisms of a startled child, while trying to gain a grasp of all he'd accidentally stumbled upon. It sounded like he was under the idea that he was an... a-an actual real fox, one he desired to bring happiness to an ill-stricken child of his. He wasn't what this man was looking for... b-but how did he convey that without blowing his cover...? Alfonse nervously... hinted the expression of a nod... but remained cautiously guarded.

From the front courtyards, he had practiced drawing Hexing portals and using them to teleport or summon objects. Though he had been kept busy with his studying, Alfonse's mind once more wandered upon finding himself bored with what was asked from him by his mother.. even when rotating through different methods and pushing whatever limits he knew he had. He felt confident in his fluency with what he'd learned from his last lesson, and none of this was challenging enough to stimulate his thoughts from roaming.[break][break]
Having taken a small break, Alfonse sat along the lowest tiered seating around the water fountain stationed right in the middle of the courtyard. Water actively flowed from its several tall tiers, a very distant view of a sturdy walled-in barrier similar to that surrounding the gardens having fallen on the side of the courtyard opposing their estate. His hand had risen with a small circular swirling motion in air, a glistening swirl of water fluently dancing in a mimicking manner around his fingers as he sat in contemplative solitude. [break][break]
However peaceful his demeanor seemed, his expression was transparently bored and in a state of daydreaming as he flipped through one more page of his book sitting upon his lap... wondering how long it'd been since he was more or less kicked out from his mother's elusive meeting with the Council. When he peered from his textbook, he could see that the sun was still bright and shaded from the tall trees, allowing for only speckles of light to dollop the property. Sucking in his lower lip in thought, his Aquamarine gaze befell the thicket of shadow-woven trees residing beyond the barrier... before decidedly, trying to brush aside his actual hopes of leaving his home today, and trying to resume what he was supposed to be doing. [break][break]
He rotated his hand down towards the fountain behind him, sending the swirl of water plopping back into its depths. Closing his book, the boy stretched his arms up with a small groan then proceeded to stand up. Already he had an idea in mind of what he could do next regarding Hex Teleportation practice, and the thought was enough to uplift a small smile to his face. It was
something Master Leon started showing him before his family relocated to Canada, and though it wasn't necessarily part of the lessons his mother wanted him to show her his progress with, he still wanted to try doing it again while he was on his own.[break][break]
Departing from the fountain exterior, Alfonse left his book behind but kept the piece of chalk with him as he found a different area of the large expanse of courtyard pavement to resume his studies. Using the white chalk, he begun drawing the symbols he remembered from before, creating the possibility of a gateway to teleport not an object but himself. And... this time... he was going to even do it in his full Kitsune form, to test his control over shapeshifting. He worked on touching up the details of one of the symbols by using his thumb to smear away excess chalk, before standing up and away from the pattern with the chalk returned to his pocket. Upon seeing it appeared to be ready for using, his smile grew with anticipation. [break][break]
A dim shadow begun to align the chalked exterior after Alfonse used the proper summoning initiation. He backed away from it whilst seeing its magic beginning to transpire, the shadowy mist growing in radiation as purple sparks soon begun to weave throughout its circular space. By the time its portal was fully summoned and ready to be stepped into, Alfonse's own demeanor had shape-shifted into the animalistic stature of a Fox. One paw lifted off the ground, gazing at the portal in preparation.... and doing his best to first envision where it would be that it'd take him. A mental picture of the back corridor gardens filled his head. That would be his destination.... and when confident enough of being ready, he took a leap of faith and swiftly ran inside the Hexing Teleport. [break][break]
On the other side of the gateway, Alfonse's paws slowed from their running into a halt, as though he'd been blinked from one area to the other without a single millisecond passing. What surrounded him was not the gardens.... but instead, in the very wonderland of forest trees he'd been daydreaming about all morning. The very area he had desired to explore but had been ended early yesterday before getting the chance to see more while out with his mother. Instantly, Alfonse's ears flattened upon realizing what he'd done and expressive Aquamarine eyes took in the full tranquility of the desolation that befell him. A few steps forward, his plush twinned tails floating above him, the young Fox had teleported... quite a ways farther than he intended to. 'Oh no, this... this isn't what I meant!' Fretfully, Alfonse glanced around the territory from where he stood, 'It was supposed to take me to the gardens, not here...! She's going to kill me!' The portal had, indeed, listened to the desires of Alfonse's heart with seeing more of the forested realm as opposed to the visionary thoughts in his mind. [break][break]
With light and silent footsteps, the young Fox cautiously stepped along the spotting of grass aligning the wondrous Grandfather Oaks. His ears slowly rose in a meek, but curious nature as he took in everything... and what had just happened. H-he.... he shouldn't be out here... and he needed to draw another hexing portal back home. Luckily, he did have the piece of chalk in the pocket of his coat... b-but... what if someone saw him...? It was quiet out here, though.... maybe it would be okay to transform back, without worrying about anything.[break][break]
As Alfonse ventured over the small meadow, he reached an area where the trees were still abundant but more spaced a part, allowing for daylight to finally beam through. The flecks of green and blue around his iris's illuminated from the harsh light hitting his face, causing them to lightly wince as he lowered his head. His paws had accidentally crunched over a few crisp leaves when attempting to turn himself around and look for an area where a surface could be found to use chalk. His tails swayed behind him from the turning motion, catching a vibrant shine of gold among auburn fur as Alfonse navigated his way around the flat stretch of forest to find, hopefully... a rock, o-or something flat to draw on...[break][break]
His eyes brightened with relief when finding exactly what he needed. A large, but rather sharp looking boulder that wasn't far from what appeared to be a ledge of some sort. He immediately sped up into a run, leaping forward quickly with paws barely touching the ground for long, but tragically.... the boy was unable to reach the very rocks that would be his best means of returning him home. A loud snap and crack sounded around him, and without warning, the leaves right underneath him suddenly scattered as a netting snapped Alfonse right up and flung him into the air. His heart skipped a beat as he let out a terrified yip, startled by the sudden attack, and in a matter of a short few seconds.... he was trapped inside a strong netting, swinging high up from the perch of a branch. In a flurry of panic, Alfonse squirmed and twisted about within its entrapment, trying to break free as his heart hammered against his chest...

Time had trickled away effortlessly in his seclusion with his mother. Had Alfonse not been wide-awake and well-fed after breakfast, he may have lulled away from how safe.... and comfortable he felt, sitting beside his mother, like they always had since he was a small child. The pages of his book slowly turned, page by page, though his mind had drifted more than once in daydreams of exploring the thicket of wildlife shielding their new estate from the rest of the world. He hadn't kept track of how long they'd been sitting underneath the shade of one of many blossom trees, but the silence of nothing more than occasional gentle breezes and twittering of birds was interrupted by an unexpected frantic hollering of a young woman's voice.[break][break]

"*Lady Sinclairé!"[break][break]

His mother promptly looked up from her book, loose strands of hair that'd freed themselves from her up-do framing her cheeks as she lifted her head in the direction of which her named had been called. When Alfonse had, too, peeked up from his pages he saw one of their servants hurrying along the corridor pathway leading their way, though she'd stopped mid-way between the house and where Alfonse and his mother had been residing. With a pleasant smile, his mother asked, "Is something the matter, Mildrid?"[break][break]

"*No, w-well, perhaps... yes-- I'm not quite sure," The young woman admitted, fretfully smoothing the blue skirt of her simple long dress, "*A-A letter has just arrived, addressed to you... and it appears to be sealed by a crest from the Council with an imprint for a Summoning Request... " Her words were riddled in an uncertain, nervous tone that hadn't cracked the calm and composed demeanor of his mother. Her smile lessened at the news... but whatever thoughts she may have harbored from the suspicious arrival of something such as a summoning request, she didn't allow to rattle her demeanor around her son. [break][break]

Alfonse's eyes shown in curiosity as his head turned between the two women as they spoke, wondering himself who would had sent something of that nature and why, though it wasn't of complete peculiarity for either of his parents to receive such things from others. It was likely one of his family's colleagues, or someone from the Clan to deliver some kind of news. "Thank you for notifying me. Would you set it in the office, please? I'll handle it in just a few minutes," His mother's request with answered with a complying nod before Mildred once more walked in a hurried manner, turning on her heels and disappearing back through the corridors into the house. Alfonse watched for only a moment before standing up and offering his mother his hand. "Thank you, dear," His mother grasped his hand, using her own strength alongside his to rise onto her feet. [break][break]

When she'd stabled herself into standing, he slipped his palm away and took both of their books once more into his grasp. They begun heading back to the back entrance of their house, of which was a fairly clear view from where they walked with the blossom trees slowly falling behind them. A hopeful smile took form within his gaze as he thought about the recent conversations his father had with him before he departed, regarding how he would soon be asked to take on more responsibilities and training than he had been doing before. It meant that he would be able to help more.... and start contributing as part of the Dawn of Shadowstride. It also meant that maybe... he could start being a part of clan matters... like an adult.[break][break]

The thought encouraged him to find the courage to ask, "Can I go with you to see who the letter is from?" His mother seemed surprised by his question.... her rising eyebrows and pause causing his hopefulness to become combated with hesitancy. "Matters such as Summoning Rituals from the Council are better left for your father and I to handle," She told him in attempts of being careful as to not seeming scolding of his interest, though his hopeful smile had still lessened at hearing her words as his gaze lowered towards the vine and petal shrouded garden floor. "You're still very young and have other responsibilities you must learn first. It would be too much for someone your age," She added in a soft voice, glimpsing towards him before once more focusing on the nearing entrance way of the indoor exterior. [break][break]

Upon them entering, a vast space with a few different hallways was unveiled before them, the general area seeming to serve as a gateway of sorts to navigate through the house with some lounging furniture for those whom wished to enjoy the scenery of the gardens from inside. "Okay..." He quietly answered, attempting an understanding smile though the lowering of his fox ears and gleam in his eyes expressed his actual disappointment. I-It was probably too soon... to ask her that, when his father had yet to return home with news of what his next chapter in his teachings would bring forth. He was... being too eager. [break][break]

"I don't know how long this meeting will last, but when I return, you can show me what you've learned from your last hexing lesson," His mother attempted to cheer him up with a differentiating task for him to focus on, and to also find something that would keep him busy at home, "Why don't you practice while I'm away, how does that sound?" Alfonse lightly twisted his mouth to the side. Practicing more hexing didn't sound as important or interesting as being part of one of many summoning meetings he was never allowed to partake in... but he nonetheless offered a small nod in response. His mother could read him well and narrowed her eyes with suspicion when observing the distant look on his face. "That doesn't mean creating a Teleportation Hex to explore the forests, do you understand?" Immediately, his eyes widened, snapping his attention away from the scenic windows to look at her in shock. "I wasn't going to, I-I didn't even think about it!" [break][break]

She wasn't convinced and her smile, although motherly, was also warning in nature. "Don't disobey me, and don't wander far," She gently pat his head as a farewell affectionate gesture, before turning to head down one of the hall passages. Her patting was received with a slight groan as Alfonse somewhat tilted his head away from her, his face falling in boredom and disappointment as his shoulders slouched with defeat. Why couldn't he ever do anything fun? No secret meetings, no exploring, no using teleportation hexes to explore-- the list went on and on! At least his dad let him do more...