Fantasy Cherub High

[Lov32write]

Cherub High

Cherub High is a high school for all races in a modern world where fairies, angels, dragons, trolls, goblins
and many other fantasy-based creatures live together in harmony. Well, mostly in harmony.
They have their own troubles too. This world is not absent of its own petty quarrels, racisms, bigotries,
poverty based gangs, rich corporations and mad scientists. Yes. Mad scientists, too.
Our story begins on a bright Monday morning. Its the first day of school for our cleverly crafted characters.
Let this sweet, entertaining slice of fantasy-highschool life begin.

An original 1x1 rp by Lov32write and Sephus ​

 

[Lov32write]

​

10th grade was a sucky grade to start in at a new school. All the classic cliques had probably already formed up. All the would-be friends were already friends, and everybody seemed to know everybody. Still... Lolly Pascal knew she'd likely fit in quickly. She always did. She was among the beautiful races. A tall humanoid body sported an enchanting dark-skinned figure. Her strong back carried a set and nearly full-grown wings the color of ocean turquoise with golden highlights. From her head sprung a mop of near-perfect dark-turquoise gold-highlighted curls with similarly colored feathers sprouting above her ears. She had a bright friendly smile that reached her shining gold eyes and seemed to be sincere and kind, most of the time.

Lolly smiled to herself as she glided down out of the sky onto the sidewalk exactly 10 minutes before the first period bell would ding. She folded her wings behind her back and began to walk confidently towards the school's main domed building, a large purse slung over her shoulder carrying her text books and other such necessities. It was an entrance she'd been planning for a few days now. Arrive just in time to make her presence known to the students already familiar with the Cherub High campus but not too early so that she wasn't swarmed by those who would no doubt be admiring her wings, which she was very proud of. As expected, a number of eyes followed her entrance and walk towards the school. The clutch of small fairies in the garden murmured among each other with excited whispers pointing at her wings which were twice their size. A pair of trolls wearing the White-blue uniform of the school's tackle-ball team glanced her way briefly, determining the threat level of the new arrival before continuing their loud conversation. A brown centaur male with large glasses nearly bowled her over on his way out the door and apologized profusely. He had red tinsel and glitter covering his mane and tail and looked like he was running from his life. Which in a sense he was as a trio of cackling imps flew out the door, tossing glitter and tinsel at their prey.

Lolly shook her head. Highschool was the same everywhere it seemed. She shook her right wing briefly to get off the glitter that had managed to get on her and continued into the crowded hallways of Cherub High. As soon as she was through the doors she launched herself into the air with a quick beat of her wings. She could have pushed her way through the crowd below but that didn't seem wise with wings that could be broken by foolish swipe of a treeling's arm. She settled on the metal ramp that supported a makeshift second floor for fliers that could access lockers closer to the ceiling and made her way to her locker. After dropping off her lunch and books she wouldn't need immediately, she flew off the ramp, over the crowd and towards room 201 which happened to be in the same building she was currently in. With so many students and such a wide variety of races there had to be several buildings to accommodate them all. It made for an interesting, if not sometimes dangerous sort of chaos.

Lolly landed in a free space, her wings briefly brushing over a blue, marine-type creature as they folded. "Sorry. Bit crowded here." She apologized quickly before pulling open the door and trotting through to find a seat near the back and close to the open window where her wings wouldn't block someone's view and where she'd have an easy escape from the room if needed.

 

[Sephus]

Phineas stumbled on the last step as he made it onto the stone threshold of Cherub High's entrance. He took a moment to compose himself, straightened his water-tight messenger bag, and stepped towards the large double oak doors. The oak entrance slammed open and knocked Phineas to the side, into the stone railing that lined the winding stairways. He peered over the railing and felt instant vertigo as he watched a few stray pebbles fall into the wispy blue abyss. He closed his eyes and wrenched himself back to safety. His indigo eyes tracked a glamorous centaur with two imps trailing behind him, launching glittery hand fulls of school spirit at him. The students parted like the sea for the centaur.

He rolled his shoulders, straightened his medium-length tendriled hair, and gave the door a tug, pulling its massive weight with all his strength.

A large troll opened it the rest of the way with ease and a scoff as he shouldered past Phineas, "Outta the way Finny".

"Sorry" he meekly shouted over the clamor of students. He did his best to make his way through the throngs of young monsters. He watched a pair of wings ascend ahead of him. What he wouldve done for the ability to fly...to get away from all this. Not to mention they got their own locker floor: no hustle, no bustle.

Phineas skipped the trip to his locker; he would be late if he even attempted to make it down the hall and back. Mr. Grimes had little tolerance for tardy students, even diligent, studious finfolk like himself.

He neared classroom 201 when a winged figure landed gracefully beside him. Her wing gently brushed against his shoulder. The contact had Phineas standing up straight as he waved a hand, "No worRIes". His voice just had to crack at the most opportune times.

He followed the elegant creature in. He'd never seen her before. Maybe she was a new student? Possibly an exchange? Man, she smelled good.. he raised an arm slightly and inhaled: he smelled fishy. Dad's cologne didnt seem to do much to mask his ocean scent.

Mr. Grimes, the undead biology instructor groaned at him and slowly pointed at the last empty seat beside the new avian student. He stared at her for a moment. His felt his legs quake as he took a step, inadvertantly stumbling forward against a faerie's desk.

The class laughed, and Phineas quickly made his way to the back row with his head down, his ears pounding with embarrassment.

 

[Lov32write]

Lolly couldn't help the small chuckle at the young marine's awkward movements. How long had he been out of the ocean? She wondered. Considering his clumsiness, he must have been somewhat new to land walking. She noted his embarrassed expression which seemed to universal across all races. The lowered head, the lack of eye-contact and accelerated breathing with the occasional darkening of facial features. She tried to smile encouragingly at him as he slid into the seat beside her.

"I'm Lolly Pascal." She stated, extending a hand to her new desk neighbor. She noted the smell of fish and the ocean upon him and some other scent. Probably a cologne to mask the smell of his race which most found repugnant. Its wasn't attractive, but it wasn't repugnant either in her opinion. As her hand remained extended towards him, she briefly wondered if he would pretend to not notice her, or if he would stammer over his words as he spoke his own name and how she would respond if he did. He didn't seem the confident sort. A fish out of water as the saying went and how true it was. Regardless, mother had always taught her to be kind. And kind she would be.

 

[Sephus]

Was she rubbing it in? However the look in her eyes lacked any condescension or derisiveness. He wiped his hands on his loose-fitting sash before gingerly taking Lolly's hand. It was warm and her eyes were kind. "Phineas Maarei" He bowed his head respectfully, a sheepish smile sat on his lips as his eyes failed to hold her gaze. Moments passed and Phineas realized he was still holding her hand smiling obliviously. If fish could blush, he'd be purple. Perhaps he was purple.

He quickly released her hand and stuffed his hands into his lap, feigning an extreme interest in the biology of Lamp Plants and how to harvest its fluorescence. Mr. Grimes did a wonderful job at zombifying an already dry topic. However the lecture was going into one ear and out the other. Phineas felt strangely conscious of Lolly's presence. He wasn't sure if it was her naturally sweet scent or the fact she stood higher on the food chain. It definitely wasnt fear he was feeling.

Mr. Grimes then started on the effects of consuming a Lamp Plant. He brought out a small terrarium that contained a poisonous ant colony. He lowered the plant in, and in seconds it was devoured. He waited, as did the class, as this was the first interesting thing to happen in an hour. After moments of bated breath, individual aunts began to glow until the whole colony was a skittering amalgamation of a brightly morphing glow.

 

[Lov32write]

Lolly found more amusement in the reactions of her classmates, who ooh'ed and ahh'd and made other monster'y sounds of appreciation, than in the display of the glowing ants themselves. Her home, tucked away in the Mountains of Averanthia, contained many such wonders far more grand than this. Glowing plants and creatures who ate such plants were a common sight in the mountains. For those who lived in the heavily populated cities though, where nature had been carved away to make room for grand new advancements, she could imagine such things like this were a wonder. Truly, the one great wonder to her right now was how an undead creature had managed to get a teaching position at such an illustrious school. She, among with many of her kin, had a cultural dislike of undead, finding such creatures unnatural and very distasteful. Part of her could understand why laws in the big cities declared that the dispatching of an 'undead' was the same as murdering a living being but in her mountains, such creatures never survived an encounter with the Averanthian people.

This alone made it difficult enough to focus on the teaching as she had no respect for the creature. Add to that the topic was common one to her and she soon found her mind and eyes wandering around the classroom, taking in her new classmates. Lolly's sharp avian eyes picked up the not-so-subtle exchange of notes between a purple city nymph and a dwarf. It was clear the two were flirting, the way their eyes flashed and lips twitched. In the front of the room a treeling was clearly asleep, tilted slightly in its chair. The birds in it's branches kept up their melodic signing, adding a pleasant ambiance to the otherwise quiet and bored room. The undead professor continued his lecture and Lolly found her eyes back on the nervous marine creature next to her. Phineas...he'd said his name was? She'd never personally met a marine-person before, though she'd read about them. There were no oceans in the mountains. Small lakes and large rivers but river nymphs didn't really count as a "marine" creature...did it? Hmm, she'd have to consider that one.

Regardless, the boy did seem pleasant enough. Not haughty or arrogant, due to his clear lack of confidence. Was that because he was on land and not in the water? Why was he in a land school? Cross culture experience? The marine school near his home was filled? She wanted to ask but now wasn't exactly a good time. Or was it? She could pass a note, but...nah...She brushed the idea from her mind and stretched her teal wings behind her a bit, causing a ruffling sound that absorbed by the ambient sound in the room. She was already tired of sitting around. She wanted to be active, to fly high above the city and explore its boundaries or at least be outside learning instead of stuck in this stuffy room. Lolly glanced outside the window, seriously considering leaping up and flying outside when the bell rang.

"Thank the wind!" She breathed in relief, standing to her feet. Lolly collected her bag and waited in the back, not wanting to have her wings crushed by the stampede headed out the doors. She glanced down at the paper with her schedule in hand. The next class was World History. Room 111. Where was that? "Excuse me...Phineas?" She called out to him. "Do you know where room 111 is?"

 

[Sephus]

Thanks to Lolly's nerve-wracking presence, Phineas actually got something out of today's lecture. He also learned attractive a predator could be in his eyes; all his life he didn't understand the taboo attraction that many finfolk and prey alike felt for their predators. The bell rang and Mr. Grimes looked up, a little confused but conceded to the exodus of students. Phineas was always a bit of a slow packer, maybe intentionally, and he was one of the last few out. He was placing his waterproof notebooks and textbooks carefully into his small bag. He pulled the strap over his head and stood up.

He heard Lolly's voice behind him. "World History? With Ms. Tortella?" He gripped the strap of his messenger bag. "I'm in that class" He chuckled. He didn't know why he chuckled.

He cleared his throat, "You got your stuff? We can just head there first. Maybe get a good seat." Phineas made his way to the exit and held the door open for Lolly. He followed after her, and stepped ahead of her once they could slip into the slowly moving crowd. He glanced at her and then her wings. If she flew she could avoid all of this. They neared class 111. He wanted to say sorry for making her take the terrestrial way, but instead a troll's elbow knocked him hard into Lolly. The two fell against a locker. Before Phineas could realize what he was resting against, he could feel the Avian beauty's soft feathery body against his, and his face resting on two fleshy soft mounds. He turned purple and stumbled back. "S-Sorry!" He repeatedly bowed his head apologetically. "We're here".

 

[Lov32write]

Lolly winced as her wings were crushed behind her into the hard lockers when a stupid troll shoved her guide into her. This was why she preferred to fly above the chaos. It was too easy for one of the many small bones in her wings to be broken. These thoughts went through her head more quickly than the realization that Phineas' face was in a very awkward location. She heard the imps above her laughing with glee before Phineas had managed to stumble away, now a dominate shade of purple. Lolly pulled her books up to hide her chest, her own cheeks taking on a pink tint as she followed him into the class room. She had no doubt this story would be spread throughout the school by the end of the period. And on her first day too... She sighed inwardly at the embarrassment of it all but found a small part of her was greatly amused by how Phineas was far more flustered than he'd been moments before. She imagined the young marine was cursing his life right about now. Her mind made the quick choice to focus on the humor in the situation rather than the embarrassment. Things like this were usually forgotten within a matter of days if not sooner. Especially in a school where there were always new things to gossip about.

Lolly flexed her wings as she sat down, mentally taking note of how they felt and ensuring nothing was broken. Bruised perhaps, but not broken. That was a relief. She set her books down, glancing up at Ms. Tortella, a short but pretty fawn. She adjusted the glasses on her nose, waiting for the bell to signal the beginning of class before beginning her lecture of the 'Old Times' as they were called. The age in which every species had been barbarians of a sort and were in near constant war with one another before the Great Owl Lynchos had facilitated peaceful discussions between even the most violent of enemies a hundred years ago. The hardest peace summits were between the "prey" and "predator" class of people and while most of the tension between both types were gone in this modern age, there remained pockets of racism and taboos regarding friendship between both classes.

Lolly herself would have never considered herself a predator, just as many species she knew would have never considered themselves prey. It was amazing what a few decades of peace and working together to build an incredible society could do for once a people so divided by race and class. She glanced over at Phineas and chuckled a bit at his still purple face. She jotted down a quick note and passed it over to him.

"It's ok, wasn't your fault."

 

[Sephus]

Phineas' smile couldnt be contained as he read Lolly's kind words. He scribbled down a reply and as he was passing it, an imp in the back row snapped his fingers causing the note to slip from Phineas' fingers. Phineas desperately tried to catch it but didn't realize how far he was out of his seat already. The class turned to him after he fell onto the ground, a few supplies clattering loudly after him. Ms. Tortella's eyes were locked onto him and he scrambled forward and took the note.

"Passing notes Mr. Maarei? Care to share it with the class?"

Phineas shook his head fervently and quickly picked his things up, taking his seat again. A portion of the class was annoyed the he woke them from their daily 2nd period nap, while others were snickering. Phineas' shoulders seemed to cave in as he made himself as small as possible. Not like the Marine Academy was any different. He just wanted to go home at this point. Why did dad make him come here?

He avoided Lolly's eye for the rest of the period and the incessant thudding in his ears didn't stop. He was acutely aware of her, and he wondered if she was laughing too. He balled up the note in his clenched fist, though he didn't want to throw it away. She was probably the first non-marine to show him any respect at all. A bell tolled and a horn fan-fared the end of second period. Lunch was to begin.

He packed his bag quickly and slung his bag over his shoulder. He stood to leave but Lolly's eyes caught his. Somehow a glance could stop him in his tracks. His head hung low for a moment, before returning her gaze with a weak smile. Did she even want to hang out with him anymore? No doubt every clique wanted to get to know her.

A troll lumbered from the back of the room and shouldered past Phin. It was the troll that pushed him into her on their way here.

"Yo, I'm Rogg" He gave a smug smirk. "Rogg Trogg of the Trogg clan. My dad's the Chief". An imp followed behind him nodding with glee, penchant for the social power that came with being Rogg's underling. "I hope slimeball here wasn't bothering you. Come have lunch with me".

Phineas' written reply burned in his palm.

 

[Lov32write]

Lolly fluttered her wings a bit as the troll approached. Her nose wrinkled at the metallic smell of rust he emitted. She instantly didn't like him. "No." She stated simply then smiled pleasantly and waved a dismissive hand at him. "Bye."

Lolly looked to Phineas. "Show me where the lunch room is?" She suggested as she passed the troll and began to head towards the door. And then...Rogg grabbed her arm. "Didn't you hear me...?" All that he got out of his mouth before Lolly's feet were suddenly on his chest, using him as a launching pad as her wings beat with the force of a small hurricane. She flew back to the other side of the room sending papers and objects flying. The imp was knocked backed by the force of wings and the troll found himself in the ground.

Lolly massaged her wrist and glares at him, teal eyes flashing, a look of anger on her face. "I said no, cave rock. I wouldn't recommend making me say it a third time." Her voice was cold. She grabbed her bag and hurried from the room in her hurry to get away from the nasty troll. She needed air.

Lolly navigated the air ways to get her lunch from her locker. She was stopped many times with invitations to various cliques tables for lunch. To each person she said no not bothering to give an excuse why. She finally escaped the building launching into the air outside and spinning with glee at the pure freedom of the air. She spent nearly 10 minutes working off energy before settling down in a quiet spot near the lake to eat her lunch in the freedom of the outdoors.

 

[Sephus]

The troll fell clumsily and Phineas was in the trajectory of his massive arm causing the small finfolk to fall into some desks. He slowly sat and stood up to see Rogg and his underling Drac glowering down at him. Rogg picked him up by the scruff of his garb and dragged him out of the classroom. Ms. Tortella had already left for a staff meeting. Lolly's seemed to have left already as well.

Phineas' bag wasn't clasped properly, so his notes and textbooks left a papery trail in his wake. He struggled at first, but eventually resigned to his fate. He heard a bathroom door squeak open and Drac shooed out any occupants. Rogg kicked open the stall doors hoping to find an unflushed toilet. To his disappointment, all the students were prudent in flushing after themselves, so he settled with dunking Phineas' head into the water. After a series of dunks, Drac graciously pointed out that Phin was of a marine nature. The dunking was possibly pleasant for him. So Rogg, with maybe 25% of his strength, delivered a fat fist into Phineas stomach. The pain was immense and proved to be too much as a white light took his consciousness.

Phineas woke up a little later sputtering for breath or coughing out water that entered the wrong orifice. Rogg and Drac were gone and hit stomach and ribs ached when he would breathe. He stood up slowly and found his emptied and opened messenger bag under a running tap. The insides and contents were soaked through and through. For his own notebooks, it wasn't a big problem, but for the notes handed out by the teachers, they were now indiscernible and ripped at the slightest touch. Phineas sighed and tried to clear out as much of the unsalvageable notes and threw them in the trash next by the washroom door.

He stepped out of the washroom and did his best to avoid anyone, keeping his head down. He managed to find his textbooks once he retraced his steps to room 111. He then made his way outside. Lunch period would end soon and unfortunately he couldn't find his lunch. He glanced out at the green expanse that was the school's field and outdoor area, complete with a forested area and a small lake.

He walked down a series of stone steps and once he got to the landing, a familiar pair of wings caught his eye. It seemed she was almost done eating. He probably should've just left her alone, but his feet were already jogging her way. "H-hey" he waved weakly with an equally awkward smile. What was there to talk about?

"What do you have for third period? Maybe i could show you around".

 

[Lov32write]

Lolly looked up, smiling lightly. "Literature with Hanson." She lifted up an Apple she didn't want and offered it to him. Her nose wrinkled a bit as he got closer. "Why do you smell like toilet water?" She sometimes hated her heightened senses especially in a crowded area like this school. Before he could answer her a pair of nymphs passed by giggling at Phineas.
"Eeww, toilet water boy." One of them giggled behind her hand.
"Enjoy the swim? You should know better than to mess with Rogg." The other chittered.

Lolly frowned and looked back to Phineas as the nymphs passed by. "Rogg messed with you after I left? Jerk..." She grumbled, the feathers near her ears quivering a bit. She closed her eyes, sighing softly before looking back to the marine boy. "You're not very popular, are you?"

 

[Sephus]

Phineas' burned with embarrassment as Lolly's face turned at his smell and the giggling nymphs coined him another nick name. He already smelled back, why did he think it was a good idea to approach her? Though he couldn't help it; he went to her without a second thought.

"I.. ran into some trouble" he gave a weak chortle. Phineas wasn't the best articulating fast responses.

"R-Rogg? Nah, Rogg and I.. we're old friends. We've known each other since forever ago. Our parents know each other" Phineas wasn't sure if mentioning the bitter animosity between their father's was worth mentioning.

His head dropped. "It's that obvious, huh?" He took a moment, "It's probably not a good idea if I hang around you.." Phineas realized his thoughtless attempts at creating a connection with Lolly would actually be a detriment to her new school life. He gripped his bag's strap before turning heel and apologizing. "I'm sorry"

 

[Lov32write]

"Now hold on..." Lolly stood, putting a fist on her hip and looking thoroughly offended. "If you're leaving cause you don't actually want to be around me or you have other friends that you'd rather hang out with then go ahead." She waved an coffee-colored hand off in the direction of the school. "But if you're thinking you can't stay cause you're 'unpopular'...." Her fingers made airquotes and her tone slightly mocking. "Well, that's just crap. I really don't give two tail-shakes about cliques. They're for people who havn't figured out who they are yet." She relaxed after her speech and smiled genuinely. "Honestly, you're the first marine who hasn't been too unnerved or star-struck to talk to me. I've always been curious about your kin. Maybe we could be friends one day." Lolly shrugged and held out the offered apple again, waiting for him to choose whether he would leave or stay.

 

[Sephus]

Her kind words hit Phineas in an unexpected way. He turned back, his face still flush. Her presence and words seemed to have that effect on him. He sheepishly took the apple and thanked her before plopping down a scootch away from Lolly.

"Its.. i dont have other friends." He admitted softly, "I just didn't want you to be labelled as a weirdo for hanging out with me." His eyes were downcast and his voice was wrought with defeat. "You deserve better.. but if those are really your thoughts then I'd be more than happy to be friends.. one day" he completed his sentence with a smile and glanced briefly at Lolly.

Were apex predators always so forthcoming and unjudgmental? Perhaps Lolly was the exception. He felt his stomach grow warm as his shoulders relaxed. He took a bite of the apple.

 

[Lov32write]

School ended at 3:00 but Lolly didn't escape until closer till 3:30 with so many people wanting to meet her and comment on her wings. She smiled warmly, spoke pleasantly, but couldn't wait to escape the rabble. She caught up with Phineas outside the school, falling into step next to him. "So, I'm not just new to the school, but I'm new to the city too. Do you know of any cool places to hang out after school?" She smiled warmly.