Restoring the Timeline

Assignments Announced

In a twist of events, it was not only senior novices present for today's assignments assembly. Moroi were too. All conversation fell silent once Kirova and Alberta took the stage. Dimitri was amongst them, as was Art. He stayed on after Christmas to see if he could find ways to improve novice training methods. Well that's the official story anyway. In truth he was just not ready to test his budding romance with distance and poor scheduling.

"Typically the field experience of our senior novices has been held so that they will guard the senior Moroi" Kirova began. Already Moroi and dhampir alike were speculating what on earth could change about this year. "Queen Tatiana allowed more freedom in this year's assignments. As such, it will not only be royals assigned a novice. Nor is it limited to seniors". That caused a whole lot of chatter. Kirova had difficulty quieting the masses, eventually giving up entirely and handing things over to Alberta. Her approaching the microphone was enough to bring the hall to silence, everyone eager to know whether they'll be assigned someone, who will get whom etc.

"All novices know why you are here. As Headmistress Kirova said, not all royals will be assigned this year". Questions were thrown at her by Moroi, but the novices knew better than to speak. Well, most of them at least. It seems that the typical troublemakers couldn't hold their tongues when 'demanding' certain royal assignments and why it is being done differently when they'd be assigned a royal after graduation. Art spoke up at that, declaring that an assignment at all is not a given, let alone a royal.

"I remind all present, the allocation board determines assignments, with limited input from the Moroi council. And Queen Tatiana has implied that further changes may be occurring in the near future. For novices, this is the most important part of your education before your final trials".

Alberta took things back over once Art finished speaking. "Last week, you novices were given a booklet with details of how the next six weeks will play out. I trust you've all read it." All novices nodded which was a good sign, the changes not having made it to the booklet required stating. "To be sure, and for the Moroi's knowledge, Guardian Alto will restate the primary guidelines".

"You'll be on duty six days a week. This is actually a treat. In the real world, you usually work every day. You will accompany your Moroi everywhere. Class, their dorms, feedings. Everything. It's up to you to figure out how you fit into their lives. Some Moroi interact with their guardians as friends while others prefer you to be more of an invisible ghost who doesn't talk to them. Each situation is different and you have to find a way to work it out to best ensure their safety. Attacks may come at anytime, anywhere. We'll be dressed in all black when it happens. Always be on your guard. Even though you'll obviously know it's us doing the attacking and not real Strigoi, you should respond as though your lives are in terrible and immediate danger. Don't be afraid of hurting us. I'm sure some of you won't have any qualms about getting us back for past grievances." Students in the crowd giggled at this but most eyes turned to Rose, the animosity of she and Alto was legendary. "Some of you may feel like you have to hold back for fear of getting in trouble. Don't. You'll get in more trouble if you do hold back. Don't worry. We can take it. You will be on duty twenty-four hours a day for your six-day cycles, but may sleep during daylight when your Moroi does. Keep in mind that while Strigoi attacks are rare in daylight, they aren't impossible indoors. You are not necessarily 'safe' during these times." Finished, he handed the microphone back to Alberta.

"Changes have also been made to reflect the everyday life of a guardian." Everyone looked around to figure out what Guardian Petrov meant by that, but remained silent this time. "One day a week, each novice will be placed on a shift with a guardian. During that time, you are expected to place your charge in the care of someone you trust or to have sought permission from your assigned guardian to bring your charge along with you, IF your Moroi consents. This is to reflect situations of life after the Academy where you may have to bring your charge with you because you were unable to find someone to cover you. Perhaps they released you for general duties and then wanted to go out during a time when you were placed on shift elsewhere and were therefore required to find them a replacement".