In the ceremony hall of the halfblood palace were four teenagers lined up on a platform, kneeling with respect to three androgynous hooded figures: the leading founders from the first generation. With what was probably magical assistance, the voice of the middle figure was projected to the crowd below.<br/><br/>"Today, we will see off four of our most promising children as they as they leave to expand upon the knowledge and skills they already possess. The outside world is very different from the home we have built for ourselves here. Many of us have experienced it first hand. Many have not."<br/><br/>"The task set unto these four children is not an easy one, and we who will remain here can do little to aid them. But we will have faith in their abilities, and in the blessings of their ancestors, and await the triumphant return."<br/><br/>There was cheering from the audience, mostly composed of creatures with strange, mismatched bodies, as their spirits rose. Amidst the applause, the two figures on the ends stepped foreword and granted a shiny bracelet to each of the four children. With this, they would be able to communicate well with whatever intelligent creature might appear.<br/><br/>When the middle figure raised a hand, the crowd quieted.<br/><br/>"Remember your tasks, children. Make friends to draw into the palace. Search for promising mates on the outside. Gather strength and knowledge, whatever the source may be. And... protect your prince."<br/><br/>A young man with shaggy dark hair bowed his head in acknowledgement, and the three others saluted the founder. The crowds again broke into cheering.<br/><br/>A miniature procession followed where the four children lead their feet down a long, scarlet rug, the crowd following a bit behind with energetic faces and encouraging shouts. When they had reached the border of their territory, there was nothing left in front of them but a set of metal tracks on the ground which stopped after several yards.<br/><br/>Many creatures from the crowd gave looks like they wanted to stay to see the children off, but they had their own duties to see to. Not to mention, the boarding zone wasn't a place to be needlessly cluttered when one wasn't planning on traveling. So, with a bit of reluctance, and some lingering cheerful shouts, the group dispersed. After a short moment, the children were alone.<br/><br/>"How are we on time?" Rem asked, tucking a lock of grass green hair behind a long and pointed ear.<br/><br/>A tall girl with fiery red hair and red feathered wings pulled a delicate gold pocket watch out of her shorts' pocket. "We have three minutes exactly."<br/><br/>"Thanks, Ruo," the elf-ish boy smiled sheepishly.<br/><br/>"I shouldn't be the only one here carrying a watch," the girl frowned slightly.<br/><br/>"I have my phone," the dark haired boy from earlier smiled sweetly, holding up his smartphone as evidence.<br/><br/>"S-so do I!" Rem realized, fumbling with his jacket and almost dropping the smartphone he managed to find.<br/><br/>"I mean an actual watch. What if your batteries die? ... Oh, forget it," Ruo muttered dryly.<br/><br/>"Prince, are you feeling nervous now that the moment has come?" Sybil asked stoically, slightly shifting his build that was excessively tall and muscled for his age, the bronze markings on his arms and face catching the light from the gaps in the thick tree canopy.<br/><br/>"Not a bit," the prince grinned pleasantly. A small breeze caused his soft dark hair to tickle his fair skin. "For the next few months, I'm not 'prince,' just 'Shenra.' It sounds like fun! Not to mention I might meet my mate in the coming days..." An innocent grin teased his lips, contrasting the strange thoughts in his head.<br/><br/>At the talk of meeting a mate, Ruo's scarlet eyes seemed to dim for a heartbeat, but then returned to a fierce brightness. "Even still pr--... Shenra... please rely on us if any issues come up."<span style="font-style: italic">Please don't run off on your own and get into trouble.</span><br/><br/>"Of course... Ah! It's here! Hey, let's all sit together, okay?"<br/><br/>"Ah! W-wait for me, pr--Shenra!" Rem started and followed.<br/><br/>Sybil and Ruo hesitated, apparently worrying over one thing or another. Sybil closed his calm eyes briefly and followed with a steady gait, and Ruo soon sighed and followed.<br/><br/>Under Shenra's direction, they sat together as close to the middle of the car as the seating allowed.