8:30 am…she pulled her sleeve back over her purple and silver watch. Orientation wouldn't last much longer and students would be navigating there way to the class rooms. A slender hand brushed deep silky strands of purple hair behind her. A small smug smile crossing her light pink lips, she had skipped orientation and just went straight to her class room. After all she had already gotten the VIP tour and a guaranteed place in the prestigious art program. So instead of cramming herself in an auditorium amoungst the other students she had taken advantage and immediately went to her class.

There was another reason why she had skipped orientation, until now it was strictly under wraps what high school she had chosen to attend. Last press release mentioned her staying in Kyoto… Her name was Valdis Mortimer-Ito. One of the most popular idols currently in Japan. Well her stage name was just Valdis Mortimer….the Ito was added on when her biological father adopted her after her mother had passed.The Ito part was not really well known…. Only to the academic board. Long story short she didn't feel like causing a scene at orientation.

Valdis slipped on her school shoes and placed her outside ones in her locker. She adjusted her purple ribbon and arm band and headed to the third floor to her classroom. Her shoes weren't really apart of the uniform being black boots instead of slip on shoes. Silver cross earrings adorned her ears with a small silver chain attached to a higher cuff earring on her right ear. Half her hair was done up in a messy bun while the rest was left to fall gracefully to her waist. Valdis climbed the stairs to the third room and entered her class room. Taking a seat in an empty chair near the window, now all there was to do was to wait and see what victims would walk through the door.

Standing in the doorway to the classroom, Amarissa took a moment to look around, adjusting her school uniform, before making her way in and choosing a seat by the window behind the other student. She hadn't heard yet about the art program, so her ribbons were basic. There was no jewelry and the only other thing she had on was a blue and silver hair band around her wrist.

Settling in quietly and putting away her map and class schedule, she leaned down to set her bag under her chair, tossing her long silver hair out of her face as she sat back up and looked out the window. It would have been a good view, if everything wasn't grey with perpetual winter. She sighed, a light and troubled sound. Shaking her head, she turned sideways in her chair to look at the other girl and be able to see the door.

If Amarissa had to use one word to describe her, it would have been 'dark'. She laughed in her head at the irony as she noticed that they looked like complete opposites. She seemed familiar though, and Ris gave her a brief smile as they waited for class to start.

The door to the class room swings open as a young man with short black hair runs in. He darts over to the seat next to the silver haired girl, and diagnolly behind the “dark” one. Panting he flops down on the desk to catch his breath. “Whew, made it. I know I’ve been coming here for an entire year, but why is it so different finding the room now?” He complains, not attributing anything to his mediocre to bad sense of direction.

As he looks up he notices the two sitting beside him and smiles. Then holds up a finger indicating that he needed a second to breath. Then after a few seconds the basketball teams ace manages to sits up and say “How’s it going? The name’s Kousuke, Kousuke Archer.”

After introducing himself he extends a hand to greet his new neighbors.

Amarissa watched as the new comer entered and took the seat next to hers. He wasn't new to the school, if his self directed statement was anything to go by, but she hadn't seen him around before. She watched him curiously, wondering if he was just going to sit there breathing hard or actually say something.

After a moment, he did speak and she smiled. "It's going," she replied, "I'm Amarissa Hiroshi, and it's nice to meet you." She leaned forward to shake his offered hand and her bangs shifted, revealing a small spot of pink paint on her forehead. Sitting back in her chair, Amarissa gave him the once over. Deciding he looked like an athlete of sorts, or at least that he worked out. Being obvious and assuming he'd know what she was talking about, she asked "So which is it? gym or game?"

More students were filing in, but she paid them no mind and as the teacher wasn't here yet, it seemed like a good time for a brief conversation. It was a bit unlike her, but he had started it.

“Gym or game?” He parrots with a slightly confused look on his face. “I’m a starter on the basketball team…does that answer the question?” He with a slightly self-deprecating smile to indicate he was sorry he didn’t understand the questions. “Anyways, I’m happy to meet you, as you seem to have guessed I’m in the sports program and you’re in…art?” He asks indicating the paint on her forehead.

“Are you a painter?” he asks conversationally with a smile. His demeanor was one as if he was talking to a long time friend and he listened attentively for the answer to his question.

Amarissa laughed at his questioning answer. "Yes, it does. You look athletic, so I wanted to know whether it was because you're into sports or because you work out," she explained since he also looked confused right now. She reached up to her forehead to find the paint first, wiping it on her fingers and taking note of the pink before wiping her fingers off on a wipe from her bag.

Straightening, her silver hair tossing back up, she finally answered Kousuke's question. "It's a pleasure to meet you too. Yes, I just came from my art program try out. You could call me a painter, I suppose. I do it for fun, mostly. Sometimes I sell my work. " She shrugged as if to say, it's no big deal, smiling.

Valdis turned a bored eye towards the door as a girl walked in and took her seat, and not long after a boy ran in fallowing. He seemed to be the less shy of the two for he …..once he could that was. Practice before school…it was impressive though nothing less should be expected for those in the specialty programs. If you were in a program in order to pass you had to have a passion towards it. She herself got in surprisingly not with her singing but her ability to act. The other two seemed to carry on with there conversation, it didn't look like she needed to participate. More students began to file in, the next was a group of girls chatting happily… They also took their seats on the other side of the classroom

It wasn't long before one of them sprung up squealing “ITS VALDIS!!!!!!!!!!” The whole group plus a few more students looked over and came over like a pride of lions around a buffalo. They swarmed her saying it was such a pleasure, are you really in our class, can I have your autograph, will you sit with us at lunch? At that last question Valdis held up a hand and politely smiled while shaking her head.

”I’m afraid I can’t…”

She stood and went to the girl behind her wrapping her arms around her shoulder and leaning her head on hers.

”I've already promised my good friend Ama-chan, I couldn't possibly disappoint her we've been friends for such a long time.”

That seemed to disperse them, while they all took there seats in disappointment Valdis couldn't help but notice a few glares shot at her ‘good friend’…she probably just made that girl some enemies… such was life. But it would seem she would have to keep up her act as good friends and eat lunch with the girl….That annoyed her but it was much less annoying then swarms of people just wanting to meet someone famous. Valdis also took her spot this time facing the two for appearance sake.

”Continue with your conversation”

Kousuke chuckled a bit at Ama’s reply. “Hahaha, no I do indeed play a sport, I’d have trouble working out every day without some kind of goal to motivate me.” He admits with a smile as he scratches the back of his head. “So an artist huh? I’m kinda jealous, my artistic skill…well let’s just say they leave quite a bit to be desired.”

Though as he finishes saying this he hears the first squeal. Pretty soon he finds the desk directly in front of Ama surrounded by people, several of which were over flowing into his area. He even recognized one of the other basket ball team player among the crowd. Which surprised him as skilled athlete were usually not impressed with much of anybody.

After the target of the uproar manages to calm it down he looks her over resting his cheek on his hand. “So it looks like some kinda star is here.” He comments, though with no recognition in his voice. It appears that he really didn’t recognize the girl. Though when she sits down and tells them to continue their conversation he smiles and finds that he can’t help but comment. “So the demoness knows the angel?” He says point out the clearly opposed dichotomy of the two girls, with Ama being extremely light colored, even her hair and while Valdis was very dark in everything but skin tone.

“So mind if I ask why everyone, suddenly flocked towards you?” He asks curiously.

The sudden shout and flock of people into her general direction kinda freaked Amarissa out, even though they were clearly excited about Valdis. Now that they mentioned it, the girl did look somewhat familiar. Amarissa had probably seen her face on a magazine cover or something. Wasn't she in that popular band? In any case, this was kinda scary and it made her very glad she wasn't famous.

So while this was going on, she pretended to be looking for something in her bag. That is until she her heard her apparent new nick name. Then suddenly, it was her space being invaded and by the pop queen no less. Amarissa stiffened at the unexpected hug. She didn't even know this girl! Her puzzlement ended after a brief few seconds as she heard Valdis tell the class that they were 'good friends' and having lunch together.

Surprise hit her first, followed quickly by annoyance and then dread, all crossing her face clearly as she realized the situation she had just been dragged into. The classroom, and soon the school, would not only know of Valdis's presence here but think that she, Amarissa, was her best friend. If they didn't pester her for information, they would surely shun her or worse try and pick on her. Annoyance became her dominate emotion as the crowd dispersed and Valdis turned to try and pretend she was in the conversation.

"Why? Why would you lie to them like and include me no less? I don't even know you, and don't really care that you're famous. Those people are going to tell the whole school and the media. There's no telling how they'll treat me. If you didn't want to deal with them, that's understandable, but it's your problem. You shouldn't have made it my problem, too." Amarissa practically hissed at Valdis, looking and sounding every bit as irritated as she felt. Unfortunately, that also meant that she looked and sounded about as dangerous ad a kitten. There really wasn't anything they could do to fix the situation now though and Amarissa sighed in annoyance.

Valdis leaned her head in her hand which was propped up by her elbow on the desk, mirroring Kousuke. A smile crossing her lips when he commented about the demoness knowing the angel. Her smile grew to a chuckle as the hissing kitten showed her claws. It was understandable, she just mad the girl a target for the other petty girls…. But the girl was the best tool she had at her disposal at that moment…she supposed she would have to take responsibility for it if it got to bad…Valdis reached out and gave the girl a pat on her head.

”Dear Ama-chan you were already a target; once you get that lovely armband if you get into the arts program it will be less of a problem. Kousuke is getting his far share of looks it was only a matter of time…that and I couldn't resist seeing that cute face of yours”

Basically what she was saying was Ama-chan was the easiest target so of course she was going to use her. Her violet gaze turned towards Kousuke.

”My name is Valdis Mortimer….reason the birdies flocked was because my face is plastered over Tokyo square….That and my cd is number one on the charts right now…”

If Valdis was proud of that fact she didn't show it, she showed as much disinterest as the two in front of her. Her eyes turned back to Ama.

”Since I made the lie I will take responsibility, consider me your new life long friend. If Ama-chan has a problem let big sister take care of it.”

Watching Ama freak out Kousuke couldn’t help but smile a bit. It was a little like watching a kitten get really upset with you for playing with it but not letting it win. “Hey, come on now, it won’t be that bad.” He tells her attempting to reassure her as he reached out and patted her on the head. “Besides even if some idiots decide to not pay attention to you because of the demoness I’m sure that there are plenty that will be willing to talk to and hang out with you. After all there’s one right here.” He says doing his best to give her a comforting smile.

Then his eyes moved over to Valdis. “You know you should ask someone’s permission before getting them involved in your problems,” he reminded her, showing his first serious face since he came into the classroom. “Well anyways, I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about regarding “looks” I don’t think I’ve done anything today to make enemies.” He tells her, completely oblivious to the implication she had been making.

However, his steam quickly sputtered out and his face took on the cheerful tone it had up until this point. Then Valdis talked about her achievements and Kousuke looked at her with an edge of doubt. “You don’t look very satisfied with your achievements, I guess they don’t mean that much at least not to you.” He points out as he returns his attention to Ama.

Amarissa sighed again, this time in resignation. "Fine, I'll help you and go along with this. Only because it won't take that much effort and there's nothing else I can do to fix it. " She smiled at Kousuke`s attempt at comfort. Then a light went off and she turned back to Valdis. "Just stop calling me that. It's Ama or Ris or even Rissa,if you must use a nickname." That said, she lapsed into silence. Until Kousuke pointed out the lack enthusiasm, then she gave the dark girl a questioning glance.

”He’s right, there will still be plenty wanting to talk to you, befriend you, whether there intentions are pure or not would be questionable. But such is human nature..”

She raised an eyebrow at Kousuke as he decided to lecture her… such ideals…he was only awarded with a bored stare. She was surprised how ever by his complete oblivion to his own popularity. She wasn't even going to dignify that with a remark. She looked back at Ama, apparently she didn't like her nick name.

”But Ama-chan it suites your cute sugary looks, and I've always called you Ama-chan why would you want me to change it now?”

Well it wasn't a lie… when the comment turned to her “achievements” Valdis just smiled. She wasn't at all proud of her current achievements. She really didn't even consider them achievements, she was a pretty face with a good voice. Visual Kei came out with a new band every couple of months, but her plan was she was sticking around for a while…Her true work would be revealed soon enough.

”I show pride when my voice actually reaches people”

Her smile turned to one with a look of extreme confidence.

Kousuke gives what Val said some thought and then nods, not finding anything particularly troubling in the statement. “Well everyone’s got something they care about, whether it’s being the best, touching people’s hearts or simply seeking a challenge.” Kousuke admits closing his eyes and leaning back with his arms crossed in a posture of sagely wisdom.

“What about you Ama, what’s your goal in coming here? It’s not the kind of place you enter without having one.”

Amarissa thought about that for a moment. Both Valdis and Kousuke had a point. Tossing her hair, she rested her chin on her hand as she thought about it. She had decided to completely ignore Valdis's remark as it seemed more sarcasm and rhetorical than anything.

"Well, I have a bit of passion for painting and this school has a great art program. I'm hoping to make a bit of a side job out of it, at least. If I'm lucky, it might progress further." she answered as she pulled out a light blue notebook and black ink pen, setting them on her desk and getting ready class.