< SBtC > Chapter One
Title: The Silence Beneath the Chaos: Chapter One
Rating: Currently, PG
Notes: Chapter one, which, mind you, is still very choppy and going under a lot of work.
Through the test of time, there was a single university that withstood any trials put before it. Not only had it survived all four world wars but it was also the center of much new scientific advancements. It was known to be the oldest and most prestigious university in the world.
Oxford University was home to well over one hundred thousand students and housed over fifty thousand staff members. Anyone who attended would say that it was the place to be, the school where dreams could come true.
Nothing bad was ever said about the university. Everyone that attended was always upbeat, as if the world was perfect and Oxford was the center of it. That was the campus as an outsider would see. But for someone attending the university it was completely different. Many of the students despised the school and, wanted nothing more than to attend another. The only problem was that Oxford was the only university in Great Britannia. It had taken over all the other universities and smaller schools creating a massive mega-university that spread throughout all of Oxford and overflowed into Stratford, which was most of the problem.
“Too many people!” A teenager no older then eighteen slumped down onto one of the benches that scattered the campus head falling back as she stared at the sky. Her dark brown eyes were narrowed just slightly as she watched the clouds. The teen’s black hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail with just her blonde bangs hanging loose, falling back as she tilted her head back farther to look at an approaching figure.
“It’s like one of those books we had as kids! Where’s Waldo or whatever…”
“You complain too much sis, get over it already. You’re the one that wanted to come here imbécil.”
“¡Cállate!” The girl’s head snapped up, so that she would glare at her brother who only flashed her a grin. “Sometimes I wonder why I bothered to make you stay in school in the first place!”
“Te amo e tu mi hermana.” The girl’s brother, her twin brother to be exact, was the exact opposite of his sister. His bright blonde hair and bright blue eyes gave him a far less Latino look and made him seem more American. He rarely used their native tongue anymore and when he did it was usually only in the presence of his sister.
“Oye Meari, what time is it?”
Glancing down at her watch Meari cursed and stood while grabbing her bag from where she had set at her feet, punching her brother in the shoulder
“Usted es tal idiota, Mika! ¿Por qué usted no me dijo más pronto?” she complained before stalking off, heading for one of the larger buildings on the area of the campus they were on. The blonde just grinned and swaggered along behind his twin. He loved to annoy her. That was the reason for his being there.
The twins had much the same schedule, but considering Meari had been the one to sign them both up for classes that semester it was not surprising. Mika had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. When asked, he’d always answer the same,“Play extreme sports!”
His sister despised this. She was working on a degree in international affairs with a minor in business. Meari had a natural talent for both, much like their father. She just happened to be a bit more motivated.
Mika, on the other hand, never applied himself to anything, though he had quite a talent for writing. Of course, the athlete would never allow such a lame hobby to ruin his record so it was one of those skeletons in his closet. His sister tried to get him on several occasions to look into a degree in journalism but he wanted nothing to do with it, brushing it off as something he did in his spare time and nothing more.
“Mika hurry up! We’re going to be late!”
“Right right…” Taking the steps two at a time he caught up with his sister at the doors, snagging the handle before she could and pulling it open. “After you.”
Rolling her eyes, Meari brushed past him and entered the science lecture hall heading for their usual seats in the front row. Reluctantly, her brother followed, glaring at her back the whole time. He would much rather sit in the back. But that of course was out of the question. The class was made up of almost three hundred students taught by two professors. It made for a rather interesting way of learning but the students adapted to it quick enough. Like any other chemistry class, a partial lab was set up in front of the massive chalkboards allowing for the entire room to look at them.
Students filed in, chatting about this and that while the professors filed in and made their way to the front of the room. One looked displeased as always, the other bored.
“Alright, that’s enough. Take your seats!” Dropping his briefcase on the lab table, gold eyes glared at the last few students that entered. “You are all late! Take your seats before I take away a full letter grade!” The threat worked as usual and hastened to take their seats.
“Jerk…” Mika muttered.
“Mika shut up.”
“Well he…OW!” The blonde hissed sharply while grabbing for his offended knee. He narrowed his eyes glaring at his sister out of the corner. Meari paid no attention to him though, her eyes on the two professors as they slipped their lab coats on.
Professor Kritios was world renown for his work in Chemistry. He was responsible for many of the new fuel alternatives and power sources that had come about in the past few years. His assistant, Professor McKinley, was one of the few female chemistry professors at Oxford and held her place with pride. She was a genius when it came to Organic Chemistry and assisted Kritios in much of his work.
It also happened to be that they were two of the meanest professors at the school.
“If you are all finished…Class has begun. I expect that all of you prepared your lab reports for collection today. There will be no late exceptions.” A few groans rose from the class but were effectively silenced with a single harsh cold glance around the room. “It’s your own fault, you had a week to prepare this. That is all the time that will be granted.” His lecture then went into full swing, Professor McKinley running the actual lab procedures as Professor Kritios wrote them out on the board. The only sound aside from the tinkering of lab equipment and the dull drone of the professor’s voice was the scratching of pencils and the occasional shuffle of a chair or bag. The only student not taking notes was of course Mika. He never did. It was not as if he cared, chemistry was nothing but a bore to him.
His eyes were drifting around the half circle of seats that the students occupied, instead looking for any interesting faces. Chances were that he’d never find any of these people outside of class but it was more interesting than chemical reactions and whatnot.
Mika’s attention was drawn to a head of slate blue hair, an eyebrow lifting curiously as he focused. He looked much older then a lot of the other students around them, which was odd given that the course was for freshmen. He looked strangely familiar for some reason. Mika narrowed his eyes in thought before nudging his sister.
”Hey…Hey Meari!”
“Shut up.” The reply was hissed as his twin attempted to stay focused on the lecture.
”Oh come on! I need your opinion on something!”
“It can wait.”
”No it can’t!” Mika urged, attempting to sound extra whiny, his eyes still focused on the man across the room. He heard his sister sigh and her pencil hit the desk. Mika smirked and motioned in the direction of the man. “Doesn’t he look familiar?”
“…A little bit.” Tilting her head, Meari studied the man for a few moments an eyebrow lifting. “Kind of reminds me of Professor Kritios. They have the same glare.”
Blinking, his gaze tore away from the man for a moment to focus on Meari.
“Really?” Mika looked back and forth between the Professor and the man he had found in the sea of students. “Si…usted tiene razón.” The likeness was kind of eerie now that he realized it but there was something about the man that intrigued him at the same time, aside from the fact that he had a really nice face.
For the next two hours, class dragged on as normal. A quiz was given towards the end much to the displeasure of most of the students and Mika was sure he had failed to no real surprise. The lecture was drawn to a close with the professors reminding them that there was to be a test the following class period and that their lab reports were to be turned in as they left. Professor Kritios dismissed the class with a wave of his hand, turning his attention to the chalkboard as he looked over the equations.
“Finally!” Mika stretched his arms and legs out, grinning like an idiot. “I’m starving! Let’s go get something to eat.”
“Do you ever stop eating?” Meari stood at the table with her hands flat against the surface as she looked on at her brother. “You seriously eat more than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Food is so good though! How could you not want to eat all the time?” Mika replied.
Shaking her head, Meari grabbed the strap of her bag and pulled it onto her shoulder, shoving her chemistry notebook inside. ”Are you coming or not?” she muttered, glaring at her twin out of the corner of her eye. Mika hopped up and started to gather his bag, eyes catching sight of the slate blue head he had been watching the entire class period. His eyes followed the man as he walked down to the concourse clearing his throat it looked like to get Professor Kirtios’ attention.
“Wow…they do look a lot alike. Creepy…”
“What are you babbling about?” Meari asked before following her brother’s gaze. She watched the two for a moment then stated, “They do. Strange. Maybe they’re related or something.”
“Brothers?”
“No idea, don’t really care. Lets get going.” She turned and started up the stairs leading to the exit. Mika, on the other hand, took a moment more to watch the pair on the concourse and his curiosity perked. His sister might not have been interested but it seemed like something to look into to the blonde; far more interesting than the class. The blonde started up the steps calling out to his sister to wait.
Down on the concourse, hazel eyes flickered away from the professor for a split second, following the twins up the stairs until they disappeared from sight.
”Something interesting Durian?” Turning back to look at the professor the slate haired man, Durian, cleared his throat, and shook his head.
“Of course not father.”
“I didn’t think so. I expect that you are doing well in all of your classes?”
“Yes father.”
“Good.” Kritios placed the last few papers he held into his briefcase, looking at his son with an expression that expressed something similar to contempt. “I expect it to stay that way.”
”Yes sir.” Durian took that as his cue to leave and turned on his heel, heading for the stairs. With his back to his father, his eyes narrowed. He hated his father with a passion. He hated everyone honestly, but his father got on his last nerve. It had been a mistake to come to Oxford in the first place, considering Professor Kirtios, his beloved father, was there. Now he had to act as if he really did respect the man, which was disgusting enough as it was to fake.
Rating: Currently, PG
Notes: Chapter one, which, mind you, is still very choppy and going under a lot of work.
Through the test of time, there was a single university that withstood any trials put before it. Not only had it survived all four world wars but it was also the center of much new scientific advancements. It was known to be the oldest and most prestigious university in the world.
Oxford University was home to well over one hundred thousand students and housed over fifty thousand staff members. Anyone who attended would say that it was the place to be, the school where dreams could come true.
Nothing bad was ever said about the university. Everyone that attended was always upbeat, as if the world was perfect and Oxford was the center of it. That was the campus as an outsider would see. But for someone attending the university it was completely different. Many of the students despised the school and, wanted nothing more than to attend another. The only problem was that Oxford was the only university in Great Britannia. It had taken over all the other universities and smaller schools creating a massive mega-university that spread throughout all of Oxford and overflowed into Stratford, which was most of the problem.
“Too many people!” A teenager no older then eighteen slumped down onto one of the benches that scattered the campus head falling back as she stared at the sky. Her dark brown eyes were narrowed just slightly as she watched the clouds. The teen’s black hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail with just her blonde bangs hanging loose, falling back as she tilted her head back farther to look at an approaching figure.
“It’s like one of those books we had as kids! Where’s Waldo or whatever…”
“You complain too much sis, get over it already. You’re the one that wanted to come here imbécil.”
“¡Cállate!” The girl’s head snapped up, so that she would glare at her brother who only flashed her a grin. “Sometimes I wonder why I bothered to make you stay in school in the first place!”
“Te amo e tu mi hermana.” The girl’s brother, her twin brother to be exact, was the exact opposite of his sister. His bright blonde hair and bright blue eyes gave him a far less Latino look and made him seem more American. He rarely used their native tongue anymore and when he did it was usually only in the presence of his sister.
“Oye Meari, what time is it?”
Glancing down at her watch Meari cursed and stood while grabbing her bag from where she had set at her feet, punching her brother in the shoulder
“Usted es tal idiota, Mika! ¿Por qué usted no me dijo más pronto?” she complained before stalking off, heading for one of the larger buildings on the area of the campus they were on. The blonde just grinned and swaggered along behind his twin. He loved to annoy her. That was the reason for his being there.
The twins had much the same schedule, but considering Meari had been the one to sign them both up for classes that semester it was not surprising. Mika had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. When asked, he’d always answer the same,“Play extreme sports!”
His sister despised this. She was working on a degree in international affairs with a minor in business. Meari had a natural talent for both, much like their father. She just happened to be a bit more motivated.
Mika, on the other hand, never applied himself to anything, though he had quite a talent for writing. Of course, the athlete would never allow such a lame hobby to ruin his record so it was one of those skeletons in his closet. His sister tried to get him on several occasions to look into a degree in journalism but he wanted nothing to do with it, brushing it off as something he did in his spare time and nothing more.
“Mika hurry up! We’re going to be late!”
“Right right…” Taking the steps two at a time he caught up with his sister at the doors, snagging the handle before she could and pulling it open. “After you.”
Rolling her eyes, Meari brushed past him and entered the science lecture hall heading for their usual seats in the front row. Reluctantly, her brother followed, glaring at her back the whole time. He would much rather sit in the back. But that of course was out of the question. The class was made up of almost three hundred students taught by two professors. It made for a rather interesting way of learning but the students adapted to it quick enough. Like any other chemistry class, a partial lab was set up in front of the massive chalkboards allowing for the entire room to look at them.
Students filed in, chatting about this and that while the professors filed in and made their way to the front of the room. One looked displeased as always, the other bored.
“Alright, that’s enough. Take your seats!” Dropping his briefcase on the lab table, gold eyes glared at the last few students that entered. “You are all late! Take your seats before I take away a full letter grade!” The threat worked as usual and hastened to take their seats.
“Jerk…” Mika muttered.
“Mika shut up.”
“Well he…OW!” The blonde hissed sharply while grabbing for his offended knee. He narrowed his eyes glaring at his sister out of the corner. Meari paid no attention to him though, her eyes on the two professors as they slipped their lab coats on.
Professor Kritios was world renown for his work in Chemistry. He was responsible for many of the new fuel alternatives and power sources that had come about in the past few years. His assistant, Professor McKinley, was one of the few female chemistry professors at Oxford and held her place with pride. She was a genius when it came to Organic Chemistry and assisted Kritios in much of his work.
It also happened to be that they were two of the meanest professors at the school.
“If you are all finished…Class has begun. I expect that all of you prepared your lab reports for collection today. There will be no late exceptions.” A few groans rose from the class but were effectively silenced with a single harsh cold glance around the room. “It’s your own fault, you had a week to prepare this. That is all the time that will be granted.” His lecture then went into full swing, Professor McKinley running the actual lab procedures as Professor Kritios wrote them out on the board. The only sound aside from the tinkering of lab equipment and the dull drone of the professor’s voice was the scratching of pencils and the occasional shuffle of a chair or bag. The only student not taking notes was of course Mika. He never did. It was not as if he cared, chemistry was nothing but a bore to him.
His eyes were drifting around the half circle of seats that the students occupied, instead looking for any interesting faces. Chances were that he’d never find any of these people outside of class but it was more interesting than chemical reactions and whatnot.
Mika’s attention was drawn to a head of slate blue hair, an eyebrow lifting curiously as he focused. He looked much older then a lot of the other students around them, which was odd given that the course was for freshmen. He looked strangely familiar for some reason. Mika narrowed his eyes in thought before nudging his sister.
”Hey…Hey Meari!”
“Shut up.” The reply was hissed as his twin attempted to stay focused on the lecture.
”Oh come on! I need your opinion on something!”
“It can wait.”
”No it can’t!” Mika urged, attempting to sound extra whiny, his eyes still focused on the man across the room. He heard his sister sigh and her pencil hit the desk. Mika smirked and motioned in the direction of the man. “Doesn’t he look familiar?”
“…A little bit.” Tilting her head, Meari studied the man for a few moments an eyebrow lifting. “Kind of reminds me of Professor Kritios. They have the same glare.”
Blinking, his gaze tore away from the man for a moment to focus on Meari.
“Really?” Mika looked back and forth between the Professor and the man he had found in the sea of students. “Si…usted tiene razón.” The likeness was kind of eerie now that he realized it but there was something about the man that intrigued him at the same time, aside from the fact that he had a really nice face.
For the next two hours, class dragged on as normal. A quiz was given towards the end much to the displeasure of most of the students and Mika was sure he had failed to no real surprise. The lecture was drawn to a close with the professors reminding them that there was to be a test the following class period and that their lab reports were to be turned in as they left. Professor Kritios dismissed the class with a wave of his hand, turning his attention to the chalkboard as he looked over the equations.
“Finally!” Mika stretched his arms and legs out, grinning like an idiot. “I’m starving! Let’s go get something to eat.”
“Do you ever stop eating?” Meari stood at the table with her hands flat against the surface as she looked on at her brother. “You seriously eat more than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Food is so good though! How could you not want to eat all the time?” Mika replied.
Shaking her head, Meari grabbed the strap of her bag and pulled it onto her shoulder, shoving her chemistry notebook inside. ”Are you coming or not?” she muttered, glaring at her twin out of the corner of her eye. Mika hopped up and started to gather his bag, eyes catching sight of the slate blue head he had been watching the entire class period. His eyes followed the man as he walked down to the concourse clearing his throat it looked like to get Professor Kirtios’ attention.
“Wow…they do look a lot alike. Creepy…”
“What are you babbling about?” Meari asked before following her brother’s gaze. She watched the two for a moment then stated, “They do. Strange. Maybe they’re related or something.”
“Brothers?”
“No idea, don’t really care. Lets get going.” She turned and started up the stairs leading to the exit. Mika, on the other hand, took a moment more to watch the pair on the concourse and his curiosity perked. His sister might not have been interested but it seemed like something to look into to the blonde; far more interesting than the class. The blonde started up the steps calling out to his sister to wait.
Down on the concourse, hazel eyes flickered away from the professor for a split second, following the twins up the stairs until they disappeared from sight.
”Something interesting Durian?” Turning back to look at the professor the slate haired man, Durian, cleared his throat, and shook his head.
“Of course not father.”
“I didn’t think so. I expect that you are doing well in all of your classes?”
“Yes father.”
“Good.” Kritios placed the last few papers he held into his briefcase, looking at his son with an expression that expressed something similar to contempt. “I expect it to stay that way.”
”Yes sir.” Durian took that as his cue to leave and turned on his heel, heading for the stairs. With his back to his father, his eyes narrowed. He hated his father with a passion. He hated everyone honestly, but his father got on his last nerve. It had been a mistake to come to Oxford in the first place, considering Professor Kirtios, his beloved father, was there. Now he had to act as if he really did respect the man, which was disgusting enough as it was to fake.