<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"I'll be more than happy to teach you how to pick up people, at a later time."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>That would certainly be an interesting lesson, but so far Kleris was more interested in the people he knew than strangers.  Still, he would never turn down an opportunity for seduction lessons from the tiefling.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Okay!" Lillin said.  "I'm going back where we exited!  You remember, right?!"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"I've got it, just go!"  Letting Lillin sprint ahead, Kleris focused on the new<em>expeditious retreat</em>spell, perfect for just such an encounter.  Two of the shadows weaved through her magic armor, their cold claws not tearing, but still making him shiver and weak.  Fortunately he had enough strength to carry himself at least, and sprinted around the spirits after Lillin.  Everything was a blur of black on black, and he had to turn around lost a couple times, but then he spotted the bright glow of the alley and almost leapt through, stumbling into the material world.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Kleris!" she exclaimed as she hugged him.  "I'm so happy you're alive!  I...I'm sorry for getting us into trouble.  I thought we'd be safe, and..."<br/><br/>She whimpered, tears falling from her eyes and staining Kleris' robes.  "It's okay, you're back, and that's what counts."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Shaking with surprise, adrenaline, and a bit of weakness, Kleris just hugged her back a little feebly.  "Hey, don't blame yourself.  We were prepared enough to get out of there, yeah?  We'll take care of each other."  The horror of the encounter past, it was all worth it now to be with Lillin.<br/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;">Arrival at Redhurst</span></div><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Now, I'm going to ask you, where were you, and what were you doing?  Think carefully before answering, because I have a divination spell active to detect any falsehoods you might say."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>One of the disadvantages of being a teenager in magic school, divinations.  He wasn't even sure what they could say if they wanted to lie.  But Lillin stepped up.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"Dean Khûdzak," Lillin began.  "I merely wanted to have some fun; I convinced Kleris to sneak out with me to a portal to the Plane of Shadow, it was all my doing, but then we got attacked by shadows!  I was so scared I ran, but I waited to see if Kleris would return!  But we managed to escape, and we were on our way back when you caught us.  I'm willing to accept whatever punishment you give me, but please be soft on Kleris!  She's new, and wouldn't be out if it wasn't for me!"</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>"Hey, you didn't kidnap me.  We just wanted a look off campus."  And off-plane to be completely honest.  Fortunately there was some sympathy and other things distracting the dean.<br/><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">"That's up to Dean Khûdzak," he said.  "But there are greater things occupying his time, so nothing for now.  We had an intruder, but he was apprehended before he could do anything.  There are sentries standing guard in all the dorms, too.  You're safe now in Redhurst, our faculty's too well-defended for any roving shadows to get inside."</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>Kleris didn't know what could worry the dean so much, but trusted a school full of wizards and experienced, practiced faculty could turn back nearly any potential threat.  Whatever it was, he was grateful for the distraction.<br/><br/>"Lillin, I had a wonderful night.  Thank you for taking me out.  It was a little exciting there at the end, and I'm exhausted, but I don't regret anything."  He gave her a hug goodnight at the dorms, wishing she could stay and just fall unconscious in bed together, safe.  "I'll see you tomorrow, sleep well..."<br/><br/>Sneaking into the room, he wasn't sure if Zull would be up yet, but he didn't want to disturb anyone as he changed clothes and slipped back into bed to catch a nap before morning.