As I step away from the reception, I have a few more answers than I did before which is comforting. There's an on campus mall with just about everything we could need in it and on our student cards, we've recived 400 Roses so we can go shopping for dorm decorations and such. My mom said she would drop my suitcase off later so I'm not too worried about a couple of the rules put into place by Principle Marcus, like leaving campus.
Roses are the name of our currency, and have been for a very very long time. Roses are gold coins with a beautiful rose in the middle, we have silver coins too, those are called Nightshades. One Rose is worth five Nightshades. In American dollars a single Rose would be worth about twenty U.S. dollars which is great, because to us Roses are like dollars to us. In most places, once we've had our currency turned into a currency for a place we're visiting it's nice to not have to worry about money.
I've already texted Yue, Alice and Cleo and we have found out which dorm is ours. Building South West Yew, floor 9, flat C. Girls and boys both have separate dorms, with eight buildings. Around those buildings is some thin forest with a slope upwards and a huge eight foot fence. There's the outer four buildings, all with vertical forests, North and South, East and West. The inner circle has North East and West, and South East and West. And then in the centre there's a pool, a smoking area and even a small twenty four hour convenience store next to the gates.
About a stone's throw away is the women's security center. It's positioned between the first year and second year girls dorms and the same applies over at the boys section. It's a ten minute walk from the dorms to the school, which is nice and the student mall is right next door, we can even see it from our dorm windows.
However the boys dorm overlooks the student venue. It has a bar for second years, two movie theatre screens, a huge concert stage, and a laser tag section. The academy grounds are huge, we even have our own massive greenhouse and a huge lake, and even a small mountain. They built a stone platform in the middle of the lake, and so now all the different elements have somewhere to practice without causing damage to others or messing with the elemental energy each type is creating.
So Now I have a few less questions and a few more too... Like for example, what am I gonna decorate my dorm room like? We still need two dorm mates too... Will they leave the spare rooms empty instead? What will it look like? Are the bathrooms on suit or do we have to share?
My questions are soon answered as me and my closest three friends meet up in the parking lot. Yue is grinning brightly as she approaches us, Cleo is still casually chatting up some new guy who's leaning against the hood of his "expensive" car. Cleo seems convinced this guy is something hot. I think he's a poser. Regardless, she heads over to us and Alice is on the phone to her babysitter.
It doesn't take too long though. Maybe a few minutes? But then we're off to our dorm discussing what we think of all the gods. Cleo seems convinced that they don't exist at all, Yue is convinced they're hiding, and Alice is reminding them that gods have better things to do than prove that they exist to a bunch of teenage girls with very limited powers. I think the gods are cowardly for not showing themselves. Where is Gaia? Why is it that only humans with Crystal lillies have powers? If they love us all equally why are we any better than the rest of the world?
The dorm building elevator is big enough for maybe 10 people? Not large but not small. The music is classy and we're all nervous, our bags already packed full with the important stuff. We end up talking about what we want to do when we leave while we rise upwards to our home away from home for the next year.
Our dorm is one of five and there's also a space for all of our floor to practice our elements inside safely. The whole thing is fire proof, water proof, insulated with metal and the glass on the doors and windows is so tough, even a master elementalist can't break it. Upon entry of dorm 9-C, we see the huge kitchen and dining area. It's huge, with two large windows and two black couches pushed up in front. There's a large flat screen tv to the right of the couches and a breakfast bar with six stools. The counters are long and take up around half the wall space with three fridges beside the door and a trashcan too. Then we look at the layout of the rooms down the hallway.
Alice wants the one next door to the kitchen. She had contacted the principles but Mr King told her straight up that as long as she is careful, she can keep her baby on campus. There's a small day care on site for staff but some students who are young parents apparently use it too. They also can send a babysitter to your dorm if it's urgent so Alice had already been lifted of anxieties. It also settled which room she was having which is at least a little helpful. Yue has the next room, not wanting Cleo and her nightly escapades to wake Dana. Then it's me, third room down the hallway, and as Cleo is about to pick from the remaining three, two girls walk in.
The first girl is someone I know but not too well. Her name is Elena Bernard. She's a talented earth elementalist and reserved but nice enough. We used to have piano classes together when we were kids.
The second girl- Oh fuck. It's Mania King. Oh god she's terrifying. Those tight leather pants hide nothing and she seems ok with that. She looks like she has nothing to hide, physically at least...
Mania raises an eyebrow at us all and grabs a room key without a word. The furthest room from the door, facing the door it's self. Cleo takes the room next to mine and Elena timidly takes the remaining key with a shy smile, the sound of door to Mania's room being opened fills the slightly awkward silence as we all gawk at who our flatmate is. Mania King. Nobody knows who she really is but the King family were said to be the eyes and ears of Darkness. The Bishop family are the same for Light, and everybody knows them. They have two twin sons, just a little older than me. Those two are super dreamy too. I wouldn't mind them sharing me once in a while...
Alice clears her throat and Elena has already shuffled into her room, a small suitcase following shortly behind on it's tiny, noisy wheels. Cleo and Yue then turn to me a grin "So this is gonna be fun. I imagine Mania likes a good party, so how about we throw a little dorm-warming party once we're all set up?" Cleo has always been a party animal. Alice simply groans "A small one. I have Dana, remember? And classes start tomorrow. The first week is the hardest! I know they just want us to pass but it's insane" My Firey friend's face sinks and then twists in confusion, like somebody told her we're getting rid of the moon. Alice sighs and puts her palms on Cleo's cheeks "you've lived here longer than me, how the fuck do you not know about the schooling system? The first week is hell. You gotta have fourty eight hours of a subject to sit the exams for it. Once you have them you can sit an exam but you can only sit one a day and four in a week maximum. If you fail, you have to get another 12 hours to retry"
Cleo is obviously mortified and huffs with anger. "I guess that makes sense... It just sucks! I wanted to have a party. A real party!" Our token ginger hugs Cleo and rests her head on her shoulder with a soft smile. "It'll be ok, Cleopatra. You'll be ok without a party for a little while. For now, let's go unpack what we have. Maya's mother said she'd drop off all our stuff together so that we don't have to piss around and run home to come back"
I'm so grateful my mother exists. She knows just how to make my day better, even if she does meddle and mess around with my stuff and social life sometimes. So, Alice and Cleo wave us goodbye. They decided to go grocery shopping while I was lost in thought. I sigh and wave to Yue casually "I'm gonna go set up the few items I remembered to pack. My mom said she'll be here in an hour" but a small, cold hand takes mine "I want to talk to you, Maya. Mind if I join you while you do?" Yue is never really that serious. She's a bit of a spacey, nerdy goofball. I had noticed she's been quiet today but then again she did just have our new principle tell her that she wasn't real and she's so nervous. Yue wants to be a doctor, and her parents are proud no matter what... I want her to be happy. She deserves to be.
I lead her to my room and enter. It's bare and lacking in colour, but there's a desk and desk chair, a bookshelf, a large set of drawers, and a wardrobe. There's also a few essentials already given to me by the academy. My school books are all here, they also left some toilet paper, sanitary pads and tampons, a multipack of bottled water, and some hand soap. Nice.
I remove my laptop and put all my school books on a handy bookshelf. I set my notebook down on my desk and set up my pencil pot. I then plug in my laptop and phone charger and put my laptop on my desk. Yue smiles at me and sits on my desk chair "I figured I'd wait till you and I had some real alone time. I don't want Cleo making a mess of stuff and Alice is... I love her but this isn't her business. It's yours. As you know Cye is Jason's older brother. Their mom misses you and so does Sadie" Sadie is their dog. Jason's dog to be specific. Lady Sadie is her actual name and she's a lovely little grey pit bull. You may think they're vicious but they used to be called Nanny dogs. Apparently they're great with kids. Sadie wouldn't hurt a fly, but she might try and lick you to death. I miss her so much... "Yeah, I miss her too. But I assume this is about more than just Miss Steermint and Sadie"
Yue gives me a look. I'm not sure what it is, but I've never seen her look at me like this before. She looks sad, but not? It's not concern, but it looks similar. "Why did you and Cye break up?" She finally asks after a few seconds that felt like an eternity. My heart gets stuck in my chest and I have to take a deep breath as I feel my body start to tense.
I feel like there's not enough air in my lungs and I can't even speak if I wanted to. Then I do my best to exhale and it comes out a lot shakier than I hoped for. Now Yue knows I'm upset and she immediately comes to my side.
We sit on my bed and she holds my hand in silence, waiting for me to he ready. "...He wanted proof of my devotion to him. It got scary. Like asking me to cut Nick open for just being friends with me. I then found out he was sleeping with Alicia Townsgate behind my back for the last three weeks of our relationship. He then tried to tell me he just wanted to make me jealous so that I knew how he felt about me being friends with you, or Jason or Nick" She looks taken aback by this information, and then she laces her fingers with mine and squeezes my hand "I had no idea... He still calls me Chen actually and it's really not great. I don't expect you to talk to him or anything, but he says he misses you all the time. I just thought you should know about it"
It shocks me that Cye still calls Yue by her dead name. It's a horrible way to tell your friend that you like them but you don't respect them. I never thought he was such an asshole. " He kept trying to pressure me into sex, and that's why I never wanted to. Promise me this stays between us for now? I'll tell the others just- Not now. Things are pretty chaotic as they are right now. Let them settle in before I go causing more problems" Yue nods in agreement and reaches up to ruffle my hair playfully before she answers "I understand and I really appreciate your honesty. I'll keep your secret, Maya. And if you need me, you know where I am. If Cye ever tries to pressure you again, let me know and I'll 'accidentally' credit card him"
I pause. I'm now confused. My tiny air elemental friend sees my confusion and hits me with a definition as soon as the question leaves my lips "What's credit carding?" Yue seems to find joy in this and cracks her knuckles "It's when a skater does a kickflip and hits themselves in the balls with the skateboard. Put simply, it hurts like hell"
Yue then smiles and lets go of my hand "Now for the good bit. My mom sent you a present for helping us redecorate my room" I tilt my head with a grin. A gift from Mrs Li is always a cause for celebration, even if it's only small. Yue fishes around in her backpack for a while and then pulls out a black cable and a large round circle "It's a coaster. You plug it into the USB of your laptop and put your drink on it, and it keeps it warm for you. She also has another gift for you but wants me to invite you to dinner on Wednesday night so she can give it to you in person"
Dinner too? Sweet! "Sure! Sounds great... Other than the curfew we have" But Yue already seems to have thought of that "My dad will pick us up straight after classes, we'll go for dinner and then he'll drop us off back at the school afterwards" I agree while texting my mother about the update in plans and she seems overjoyed, asking if I want anything else from my room. I ask her to pack me an extra bag of clothes and my invasive mother tells me she had anticipated such a thing and had already done so. My mother, Skye Anae-Bane tells me she will be here in ten minutes.
As if on cue, Cleo and Alice walk in with bags full of groceries as I exit my room with Yue who has already got her yellow DS in hand. Retreating to her room to set things up, Yue leaves after a small wave to the other girls Alice and Cleo set their spoils down in the kitchen with a huff. Kitchen ware, pillows, scented candles, food, utensils, glasses, even a blender... Alice fills a bowl with apples and places it on the breakfast bar while Cleo unboxes everything else. Alice then puts away the groceries and they put the fluffy ashy-brown pillows on the light cream couches, then sets up the candles too.
There's a knock on our door, it's probably my mom. So, like the good daughter I am, I get up to let her in. The only problem is that the person at the door isn't my mother.
It's Cain King. All the blood immediately rushes to my face and I can only assume I look ridiculous. Cain gives me a wave and a small smile that widens as someone suddenly appears behind me "Um... I'm just here to drop off my sister's things". Cain has two large suitcases, a duffle bag, a backpack, and two large things on wheels that are covered by cloths. A cold, pale hand with black claws places it's self on my shoulder and I'm given a light nudge to the side. She doesn't look all too happy and so I very quickly step aside and head back into the communal area to help Alice put up some curtains she had purchased. The two girls decided on purple as the theme for these communal areas after what I can assume is consistent bickering over blue or red. I'm ok with that.
Mania moves so silently for a girl who wears such huge shoes... She intimidates me. But I can hear the suitcases and the covered items on wheels get transported down the hall while the two whisper unintelligible words to one another. What's under those cloths? What does she have under the cloths?!
I hear Cain give his sister some kind of phrase in a language I'm sure I've never heard of before and then the door closes behind him. Well... That was weird.
Soon enough Yue rejoins us to set up the Wii and Xbox in the lounge area. Cleo has lit some scented candles and Elena has even joined in and put a small lavender plant out on the breakfast bar. She's quiet, but joins in every once in a while as all five of us play Mario kart. We're all having a blast until Mania walks in.
She doesn't say a word, just bringing in her own food and putting it in the fridge as Elena already had done as soon as she arrived. "What was under those cloths that you took into your room, Mania?" Cleo pipes up. I almost wet myself at the idea of this woman's response and my dark skinned friend seems to give up on the game to turn to face this foe.
Mania tilts her head then looks around lazily "I'll tell you, but you have to promise to keep your mouths shut"
And then she suddenly leaves. After a few moments she does return though, with- Oh my gods.
Mania has two ravens perched on each of her shoulders. They looks pretty calm but as she comes closer, we all pause our game and turn to admire the creatures. Mania then smiles and strokes one of their feathery chests "I couldn't leave them at home. They hate my brother and they have really bad separation anxiety. The slightly bigger one is Manu and the smaller one is Morgana" they each have a little leash around their ankles that attaches to what would otherwise look just like a bracelet. "...Please don't touch them. They've been known to get nasty with strangers. You have to let them get used to you if you want to touch them" at least Mania isn't as terrifying as I thought she would be? That's a good thing.
"Oh, by the way, the Principle didn't put that curfew in place to cause harm and upset people. Sure, he's racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic garbage but he actually had a reason for the curfew. Nobody will tell you about it but there have been disappearances over the last year. The teachers don't tell you so they can avoid panic and government officials just want to cover it up anyways. But there have been ten teenagers disappear in the span of ten months"
Everybody goes silent. And then Elena begins to laugh "That's ridiculous. They would tell us if something like that happened" she checks the time and sighs with a smile "Well, I had better go, I have to meet my aunt to get my stuff. I'll see you guys later!" we all say our goodbyes and wave, even Mania who simply shrugs. Once Elena leaves the scary woman turns to look at us once more "I'm just saying... If Someone I knew had information like that, I'd want them to share it. Also your stuff is here now. Go help the nice lady bring it all inside. I'm going for a shower" then she makes her exit. She's so nonchalant and careless, it seems to be that and her lack of social tolerance that makes people so afraid of her. That, and the way those sharp green eyes take in the room around her. Mania is like a predator. She sees things in a way I can only imagine. She's perceptive and light footed and absolutley the most badass woman I have ever laid my eyes on...
But do I know her well enough to trust her word? It makes my stomach churn uncomfortably. The information feels right, but why would anybody want to cover that up? Teenagers are going missing, that's a big deal!
Everybody is silent, and we all look at one another. We're all confused, nervous, intimidated, and shocked all at once.
Yue laughs nervously and then my phone starts ringing. Pulling the rose gold phone from my pocket, I check the caller ID and sure enough it's my mother.
Time to go help her bring it inside, I guess.