The next few weeks went by quickly, I found that I was sleeping most of the day occasionally waking up for tests, food or to use the bathroom but other that that I slept like a log. More people started waking up on the third week and the noise got worse, not pleasant to my now sensitive ears but there was nothing I could do. It still pissed me off though.
By the fifth week we were now given rooms in the academy dorms. The happiness I felt at leaving the infirmary was euphoric till I stepped outside, the atmospheric pressure was three times as much as earth. I swear the planet was trying to crush us to death. It was explained to us out side that the pressure was stronger here than earth when they where herding us like sheep from the infirmary to the dorm rooms. I swear I saw the smiles of the prefects that where leading us twist up into a sadistic smirk as we all collectively fell to our knees after stepping out side. The bunch of new students behind us had no idea why the traffic had stopped suddenly, I certainly didn't have an ounce of patience or good will to give them a heads up. If I was going to fall so where the rest of them!
As where led like a flock of sheep to our respective dorm then rounded up into boys and girls we headed our septet ways, literally the exact opposite direction from each other.
The walk to the dorm houses was awful, I was pulling at my legs and trying my best to keep my back straight but it was hard, the only thing keeping me going was the resolve to not look like a fool by crumpling to the ground. Although it did sound like a nice option, heaven knows the people behind me who already gave into the pressure where probably feeling far better not having to move. The pressure was starting to get to me though I was finding it difficult to breath with this new wight on my chest...
On the way to the dorm it was explained to us that the air pressure was a good way of training us, it wasn't to the point where we couldn't move but it hinders us enough to have to work all our muscles out simultaneously. "A great training method for first years." The female prefect had said, I don't know why but it sounded like a textbook answer to me. That was an unsatisfactory answer in my opinion. She went on then to explain that it was a pretty big part of why this planet was chosen as a school for us new upcoming soldiers.
Once we finally reached the dorm house, I have to say my jaw almost hit the floor. It was stunning. The girls dorm was a massive mansion of old red brick and stone, it was covered in moss and ivy that was in full bloom with a verity of colourful flowers. The gardens surrounding it had a willow tree off to the far left dipping it's long leaves into the glassy blue pond beneath it, as Lilly's bloomed to their full glory on its surface. Then to the right was garden of flowers dotted with benches for whoever, a perfect serene place to do homework or what not. The beginning of a green house that was peeking out from behind the left side of the building could just be seen, it's glass panes gleaming and glittering shouting out its existence to us.
Then there was the stone archway in front of us, it was awfully plain when compared to the things just past its entrance but it gave off an earth-real glow that intimidate me. This wasn't you're average gate.
It was the explained to us when we stopped just by it's entrance.
"As soon as you pass this gate you will be registered as residents of this dorm, no one can leave the premises past 21 hundred hours and no male can enter before 9 hundred or after 18 hundred. The same goes for the boys dorm. If a member of the opposition sex is in the dorm at bared hours the house and it's guardian spirits will deem a proper punishment for the intruder." The prefect glared at all of us wearing us servilely. "This also goes for the other year dorms, so girls if you are currently felling lucky because you are lesbian think again. If you are caught in an older or younger female dorm after hours the same punishment system will be in effect. Remember that please, even if you are just friends and are visiting." She sighs while rubbing her for finger and thumb over her brow, probably trying to quell an oncoming headache.
Whispering of the crowd picked up behind me but I ignored it in favour of studying the prefects eyes, she wasn't looking at me but that didn't stop me from staring. Her eyes where actually pretty normal colour out of all the bizarre colours I'd seen over the past few weeks. Hers where a warm dark brown chocolate that where highlighted which bronze and flakes of green, she felt very in tune with life, even though we didn't have I contact I could clearly read her emotions... stress was definitely dominating at the moment.
"I'm not done yet." The whispering instantly died down, the satisfaction I saw flash across her eyes was gone as soon as it came. "This is very important... if you have an illicit relationship with another student you will immediately be deported to war." She paused to let that sink in, the shock in the crowd was inevitable she was basically saying we would have the death sentence. After all sending in an untrained soldier into a war zone was basically marching them to his death. "Friendship is fine and is very much supported here though, even a little skin ship is ok... however no sex. It is not permitted." Again she rubbed at her brow, I think that's a quirk of hers. Some of the girls I could tell where up in arm at the mention of no sex but those where the girls that looked like limp noodle at the moment, actually most of us looked like limp noodles that's probably why they where giving us this information now.
"One last bit before you all go through the gate and get registered. Remember this house is alive and will demand respect from all of you. Don't mistreat the grounds, don't wreck the interior, don't litter, don't bully and so and so forth. Just don't do anything stupid and you should be ok. The spirits in the house are more than capable of disarming and punishing you. Do remember this." With that she grabbed the closest person to her which happened to be a misfortunate blond next to me, then ruffly pushed her though the gate entrance.
The proses was repeated a few times before we clicked and went through on our own with out the prefects "assistance". Unfortunately I was the third she grabbed and pushed through, I wasn't so luck as to walk through on my own.
As soon as we entered we where greeted by these cats there must have been like a 100 of them. They all where direct breeds of different furs and patterns but they where all this ghostly blue while being slightly see-through. This must be what the prefect meant when she said spirits.
A long haired, bushy tailed cat approached me while gracefully jumping up to my shoulder. Surprised by the sudden jump I was expecting a weight to accompany its landing on my shoulder but I was surprised to fell nothing. A faint cold breath was blown onto my neck giving me goosebumps, immediately I knew where to go. This cat was my Gide to my new room.
Walking into the dorm was just as jaw dropping as seeing the outside for the first time, stopping dead in my tracks to marvel at the the entrance. I felt a faint chuckle Whitehall feeling of humour being transmitted to me from the cat on my shoulder. A nudge of her nose had me walking again though, it was surprisingly warm and wet.
The inside was decorated with plants and ivy, beige plush carpet cushioning my footfalls and even though I had just walked through the mud outside none of it showed up on the carpet. Fascinating! The walls where a cream colour decorated with stunning paintings as ivy and flowers climbed up the walls accentuating the frames and its content. I would see big plush comfortable settees that I could totally see myself falling asleep in.
I was guided up a filing of stairs and took a left corner after reaching the top, I saw that there was an option to go higher and probably higher again but it seemed I was situated on the first floor. The long corridor I was led down was decorated with cream wall paper that had leaf and grape patterns printed across it in gold, it always seemed to catch the light and glitter that ever so slightly, almost as if it was trying to show off to me.
I reached my door, number 23, and turned the handle to open it. The door didn't even squeak as I opened it.
Stepping in my attention instantly went to the ceiling that was painted with a a galaxy theme. I. Loved. It! That was probably the best bit about this room, but that wasn't the only awesome thing about it! My bed was pushed up against the wall just how I liked it covered in warm chocolate colours covers and absolutely smothered in pillows, I loved my pillows, can never have to meany. There was a big double door oak wardrobe off to the bottom right, while a study table was in the top right with a chest of draws at the bottom of my bed in the left part of my room.
Then there was the balcony, two dark wooden doors fitted with stained glass of rainbow colours separated me from what looked like a stunning view. Walking up to it I found that opening the doors was easy and satisfying, especially when I saw what was behind them. The view of the pond and the willow tree was on full display and I already couldn't ask for a better room. Grabbing the white painted wooden railing of the balcony I leaned on it as I took in a deep breath. The air pressure was PST bothering me as much now, matey it's because we where in our dorms or I was in to much bliss to dwell on it I don't know.
A bell noise from behind me grabbed my attention it sounded like fairy's and was very dainty. Turning back I saw the long haired cat sitting on my desk gesturing at something on it.
Walking up to it I saw an assortment of different things, there was la letter briefing us on the school rolls as well as telling us in a weeks time we will have an open day. All of us had to go it was mandatory, we get to choose where we wished to be place, what category we want train in. For the days I till then it was for us to somewhat acclimatise to the pressure and get used to our new dorms, we would be living here for 5 year after all.
Then there was a map if we wished to explore the school grounds.
The layout of the academy was pretty simplistic but there is no denying that it was huge, the girls dorm was in the east where as the boys were in the west. Each year had there own separate building and once a year graduates then the next first years get their dorm, I could just make out two of the other four dorms besides our own when I was standing outside on the balcony. The buildings where so far apart for each other I don't even want to think of the commutes to the school every morning and evening.
In the centre was the academy, just behind that was the infirmary and at the front was the training field. Surrounding the academy was very dense forestry and living within it were deadly beasts of every shape and size. Not something us first years wanted to venture. But unfortunately it seemed the second years go campaign in there at the start of every year. Fun.
There is not a word in the human dictionary that I can even begin to think of to describe how incredibly huge this place was. An entire planet dedicated to training intergalactic soldiers has to be big.
After looking at all the stuff, the cat seemed satisfied. Hooping off my desk it walked over to my bed plied itself onto it and promptly went to sleep. Well I guess it's here to stay, not that I mind I love cats! Thinking it had a great idea I prepare to settle in for the night.
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I was currently laying on my bed marvelling at the ceiling having nothing better to do. We had a week to get used to to atmosphere of the academy before training started so I was left pretty board after all I'm very antisocial. We are aloud out of the dorm grounds but the grounds are so large I don't want to go alone... my sense of direction is absolutely shit after all. So I was stuck in my room with nothing to do. I did ask a few other first year students if they would accompany me around but they either ignored me or said no.
I examined my nails marvelling at how sharp they were as I thought about how I could approach the older students. I experimented with my new self the first week we were assigned rooms and found that my nails could slice through the wood of my bed frame with ease. I also found out while I went to the bathroom to shower that I had grown red and black scales in vulnerable areas, for example my neck, spine, my chest near my heart... amongst other important girly things...
I also made sure not to make eye contact with people, I instead looked at their forehead, this way ensured it looked like I was looking at them but I didn't suck them in or whatever.
I found out what danger my eyes could do when I accidentally meet a persons gaze and they were not strong enough to endure. It was with another female a few rooms down, I may or may not have accidentally sent her to the hospital. I don't know how I did it but I found myself transfixed to her eyes, they were a mixture of vibrant green, orange and yellow that swirled in circles round her puple. As soon as I captured her eyes with mine she seemed to first freeze then go into shock before dropping to the floor spasming, all the while I was busy reading her life story.
The spirits of the house had to drag me away while they quickly rushed the poor girl off to the infirmary and ever since then people have avoided me. Not that I could blame them I would have done the same. That night though I berried myself in my pillows as I hugged the largest one to me tightly while I fell into an uncomfortable sleep filled with her spasming figure haunting my dreams. I don't know why but in the moment, her falling to the floor as her head bounced off the carpet with a dull thwack didn't bother me even slightly, however as soon as I had time to think about it I was left feeling conflicted. One part of me enjoyed it the other was terrified.
My mind hasn't been able to rest easy since then and I did tend to avoid the others. Now that I think about it that's probably why the everyone doesn't want anything to do with me, I guess their afraid in case their next.
I experimented with other stuff as well, like my strength, speed and flexibility. All seem to far exceed what seemed possible for a human, but there was only so much I could do trapped within the dorm.
I tuned on my side, over the past couple of days the walls of my room seem to be getting smaller. I now better though, I know they aren't but I want out. It's starting to feel like a cage. But I don't want to go out alone...
Then there was a sudden sound of something hitting my windowed doors, I looked over to see nothing but I suddenly caught a glimpse of a pebble hitting my window again. Intrigued I got up and went to my double doors.
I sung them open and looked out to see the fire haired boy from the rocket in the middle of throwing another pebble. I caught the small stone before it hit my face and threw it back snapping his attention to me as he hunted for the next one to throw that was on the ground. I'm sure he listed the house and it's spirits off with what he's doing. I offered him a small smile that was returned with a wide grin of his own.
"What are you waiting for!? Come down here!" He shouted up to me while cupping his mouth.
I rolled my eyes stepped away from my balcony as I closed its doors and made my way to the stairs. I didn't like using the stairs in their intended way, instead I liked to slide down the wooden railing. The fact it was a spiralling stere case that went through the middle of the building helped, if it where a rectangle it wouldn't be as fun.
I got to the bottom fast and raced to the door eager to get out of this suffocating building.
"About time! I thought you were going to leave me here." He gave another goofy smile.
"Nope!" I popped the 'p' for added effect. "I had wanted a chance to get out of that place for a wile now." I smiled as well, I made sure though that I didn't meet his eyes. It was starting to become a habit.
He held his hand out to me. "I'm Lucifer Hellfire. It's nice to be formally introduced to you." His mocking tone of a noble boy made me smile. That didn't fit him at all and he knew it, making it the perfect opportunity to introduce himself with the fake tone.
I took his hand and shook it hard. "Mara, Mara Dragoon."
He then proceeded showed me the campus in detail and I thouhroly enjoyed my time out, it was refreshing how he showed me everything with so much energy. Even under the air pressure making it harder for me his sheer enthusiasm lifted me up a little. We goofed off a bit in the park near a fountain that eventually turned into a full blown water fight. By the time the sun began to set we were soaking and I was tired. The curfew was an hour away and I didn't not want to be locked out! But we decided to sit and dry off in the grass for a bit, my dorm wasn't far from the park and I was perfectly capable of making it back on time, Lucifer however... well I'm sure he'll be fine.
"Why haven't you looked at me directly?" His question was soft and nothing like his loud usual self. It threw me off a bit the abruptness of it and all.
I didn't say anything in response, I didn't want to say anything. I stared at the grass that we were currently sitting on whilst playing with a dandelion, those pesky plants really do grow everywhere.
"I heard you know." He whispers, I did hear what he said but if I didn't have my enhanced hearing I probably wouldn't have. I still don't look up though keeping my gaze down cast piking flowered off the weed like flower. "About the girl I mean, the one you sent to the infirmary." I winced, I didn't think any body knew outside of who was present, although I should have guessed nobody would keep quiet.
"Yeah?..." I asked slightly afraid although there was no need to answer the question. I felt his hands go under my chin lifting it so we were face to face, my eyes were still down cast though.
"Could you look at me?" He had a gentle voice, probably knowing this was a touchy subject for me. It kinda was.
"You probably won't like it." I still refused to look up.
"Try me." I could hear the smile in his voice which convinced me to look up into his eyes. It was on him I guess if he's sent to the infirmary I guess...
They were just as I remembered them. They were still an obsidian black, so black I couldn't see where the purple begins and the iris ends. They were so clear that they reflected my own red eyes back at me, a mirror image. He was as plain to read as an open book and I found myself absorbed in his life story. He had a good life, one with plenty hardships but he also had meany happy memories. He was intriguing but so was everybody I read. But... there was something pitch black in his eyes, something that got under my skin, something that gave me a heavy dose of fear that made me feel like it would end up separating the both of us, it gave me goosebumps.
I broke away after reading his entire life story, it's not like I can see everything that happens in a life that I read, the only thing I can see is the emotions that went with a time period in their life. Let me give an example, I can see if you were very happy when you where three I or if you went through a horrible experience when you where seven. I didn't know what happened to you exactly but I had a good gist if you where a happy person or not. Put it this way, there was no way you could hide you're emotions from me, I'd always now how someone felt if I looked at their eyes. Lying was also out of the question, I'd know right away if you were. It was handy this ability of mine I'll give it that.
He took in a shaky breath and smiled at me. "Wow, I was not expecting that." He chuckled, and looked at me warmly.
"Then what were you expecting?" I was nervous and I unconsciously griped the grass ripping it out of the ground. I could feel the dirt at her img underneath then and knew already it was gonna be a pain to clean.
"Well..." he scratched his head thinking. "I guess I was expecting something different? I'm not really sure but that was worse than what I had anticipated." I quickly looked down at the floor braking eye contact immediately. He sighed and I heard a thud, I quickly wiped my head round to see if he had passed out. He hadn't, he was staring at they sky looking deep in thought.
"You know," his eyes found mine and just as I was going to look away he started talking again. "Your eyes aren't as intense as they used to be." I look him in the eyes again. "They were so intense the first time you caught my gaze but now there just... normal? No that's wrong, their still intense but... it feels like you're done reading me? I'm not sure how to explain it, its like you're still reading me but not as in depth. I don't know, I give up. Point is I don't mind you looking me in the eyes now, especially naw that I know I won't Experian e that every time I look at you." He ended up giving me a big toothy smile, sowing off his little fangs and dimples. His words surprised me but I felt relived. I smiled and joined him laying down on the grass, enjoying the company.
"Thanks, I needed somebody to say that to me." I smiled and felt some of the weight on my shoulders lessen.
"You know I really have to wonder what beast you are. I don't know a creature with a gaze that intense." He was deep in thought once again, his eyes wandering over the clouds above.
I wanted to tell him I was a dragon but something deep and instinctual kept me from saying it. Almost like I was afraid of reviling myself.
"It's almost like a dragons..." he looked at me with a dangerous gaze, then he suddenly smiled like he completely brushed that thought out the window. "Nah~ no way~" He turned to me with a dangerous smile. "Right?"
"...haha....hahaha! Y-yeah! I'm definitely NOT a dragon." I smiled, I was lying through my teeth, but I just couldn't say I was. Something was telling me that would be a bad idea.
My life just got a hell of a lot more complicated.
[Well that was a long chapter! Well for me anyway. Now I know there are probably a ton of mistakes in here and I'm not the best at spotting them so if you see any if you could point them out politely I'd appreciate that!!
An I hope you enjoyed this chapter!]