Lovely castle we have here, the seven layers and all. Very aesthetic.
Welcome to IOTE, Institute of the Elements. A school for the truly gifted. We have everything, really, from a great campus filled with state-of-the-art facilities to package-included dorms (fully decorated, of course). Sure, our students are a little wacko, but hey, nothing's perfect (although IOTE is damned near perfection, if I say so myself).
Everything's great here, with our infallible six-year program. Really, everything. Ask any of the Year Ones to Threes; they love it here! See, there's one over there crossing the courtyard. Doesn't he look happy! Oh, but don't bother the Year Fours to Sixes, they don't like being disturbed much.
Wait, what did you say? The rumour of this school training especially gifted children to control the elements? As in, the four elements? Psh, are you joking? That's the stuff of fantasy books written by delusional authors, not schools. Where did that ridiculous theory come from?
I mean, our school is totally not called Institute of the Elements for that reason. No way. Not at all! Yes, really. I'm not joking. I'm serious.
(Or am I?)
Elliot's partner was his whole world, but after Allan's death, his ghost haunts Elliot's dreams. Everyone tells Elliot to move on, but he isn't sure he can.
*****
It's been a year since the love of Elliot's life, Allan, passed away. Everyone thinks he should have recovered after that much time, but Allan still haunts Elliot every night. He struggles to maintain relationships with his family, and despite a coworkers interest he can't summon up the courage to date. Elliot is living for the past, because to live for the present means he'll have to live with a hole in his heart. But the question Elliot has to face chases him through his monotonous days: is mourning Allan with everything he has truly living?
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