Cai Xian stands outside the cafeteria doors, waiting for the rest of Taipei to arrive. He's people-watching, keeping an eye on the freshmen as they go past, while he waits to see if all of his enclavemates made it in time.
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The legions gather
Taipei gathers for orientation.
Cai Xian
those-noble-scars
Qiu Yazhu
in-all-disaster
Yazhu is second, unsurprisingly.
"668b."
"759a," he responds, and she nods.
Zhou Taiyang
prey-how
"314a!" says Taiyang, trotting to keep up. She gives them both a tremendous smile, which Xian meets soberly and Yahzu completely ignores.
"759a."
"668b."
"Seen anyone good yet?" she asks.
Cai Xian
those-noble-scars
"Not without a power sharer."
He pauses.
"A lot of confused Americans."
Zhang Jinye
where-you-choose
She arrives soon enough to hear that. Well, yes, of course there are a lot of confused Americans, it's America. Probably it's still an unusually large number, but Xian should consider base rates.
"433a."
"314a for me!"
"759a."
"668b."
Cai Xian
those-noble-scars
"Has anyone seen A-Zhe?"
The term is not familiar in his mouth, but he uses it anyway; they must be brothers in the Scholomance, whatever they were before.
Zhang Jinye
where-you-choose
Zhou Taiyang
prey-how
Qiu Yazhu
in-all-disaster
"I will bring him here."
Qiu Yazhu
in-all-disaster
Five minutes later:
"Wu Zhewei stop poking the mortal flame equipment and get down here!"
Wu Zhewei
in-the-schools
"Coming."
"... 642a."
Qiu Yazhu
in-all-disaster
"Xian-xiong is 759a and I am 668b and -" which of them does she want to subtly imply is lower status than her more, this is such a hard choice - "Jin-mei is 433a and Tai-mei is 314a and we are all ready but you."
Wu Zhewei
in-the-schools
... Fine.
(He still wants his own mortal flamethrowers.)
Cai Xian
those-noble-scars
"Good to see you, A-Zhe," he says, putting genuine feeling into it.
"642a."
"Thank you, A-Zhe. I appreciate it."
He looks his crew up and down and grins warmly.
"Ready?"
Qiu Yazhu
in-all-disaster
As always.
Wu Zhewei
in-the-schools
If he HAS TO.
Zhou Taiyang
prey-how
Of course I'm not a complete child! I do think I should get extra credit for it though.
Zhang Jinye
where-you-choose
Yeah, Xian, I'm not going to make you heard even more cats than you already have to herd. (My sympathies for that, by the way; it's the one disadvantage to the job.) "Ready."
Cai Xian
those-noble-scars
He spots a gap in the crowd. "Then let's go."
Cai Xian
those-noble-scars
And Taipei slams through the (admittedly open) doors to the cafeteria in a V-formation, Xian at the head. All of them are wearing identical enchanted uniforms, a deep blue that looks like it will wear with the seven red suns of Taipei Enclave on the collars, knives at their belts and titanium-capped boots and a synchronized stride. Xian gives cordial nods to those he recognizes as he passes them, and if he's not showing off Taipei's quick wits or generous spirit or honest, reliable disposition, he sure is showing off their ability to teach fourteen-year-olds how to march in step, straight up to the freshman end of Taipei table, where they bow to Cai Baihan in unison.
Cai Baihan
government-and-laws
Cai Baihan waits half a second - waits another half-second - and then dips his head in response, and they straighten.
Zhang Jinye
where-you-choose
And then they can go get something to eat.