First days anywhere are hard. I don't mean only jobs and schools, but also crowds, people, families. Every day is a first day. The first day you walk by a person, the first day you hear a certain song.
My first day today is at the Oneamarth Academy of Magics. Don't get me wrong, I had a lot of first days, and I know how it goes.
On my way to the administration office, I look at the people walking without acknowledging each other. Such a brutal world. They don't realize what's happening around them until it's too late or they later regret they didn't look close enough. Although they have their friend groups to talk to, a stranger doesn't judge you. They don't know you and therefore only speak their mind.
I tried to stay hidden after what happened to my family, but my conscience doesn't agree. It says to go into the world and help as many people as I can, but after what happened to Bromry- the last clairvoyant- I can't say I agree. I know that I have a gift and I'm supposed to share the knowledge, but I want to live more. I understand that Bromry died over 500 years ago, but people's greed hasn't changed that much. If so, it has only grown.
I enter the building looking around, not missing any details. No one knows, but I already visited it a year ago and six months ago, and three months after that. I had to make sure there was no real threat to me, other than the occasional bullies, but they're everywhere. That no one knew I existed. I guess the place isn't the real threat. It's the people. It's always the people and their wants, not needs. You don't realize that most of your desires aren't necessary until you have nothing left.
I've learned from past relationships that you can not change people's believes, but only point them in the right direction.
The secretary greets me from behind her desk. "Good morning! How are you today?"
It's the fake smile that doesn't reach her eyes that makes me take a closer look at her. Mid-sixties, straight black hair which is graying around the temples, wrinkles at the corners of the eyes and mouth, and freckles that pepper her nose.
I put the same fake smile on my face before answering. "I'm good. I'm here for my schedule."
"Oh, of course! I guess you're new here. I'm Samantha. What is your name, sweetie?"
"Dalya Padrye", I answer. I haven't used my real name in about 14 years. I used a spell on a guy who used to make authentic identities the day after that terrible night. I heard people talk about him at a gas station where I was trying to get something to eat.
From the moment that boy left me in the street I haven't changed my face back to what it was for more than mere seconds. I needed to make sure I haven't forgotten it, but I never will. This is the curse in my gift. I have every memory of my ancestors colliding with mine, a shrine for each life, I guess. I can go back into my memories, their memories.
"Here you go, Dalya. Your guide will be here shortly." Samantha gets me out of my thoughts.
"I'm sorry. What guide?" I remember I specifically asked for no guide.
"Oh, she's a pie! You'll like her."
My day didn't start so well and now this happens. I looked around. The building was empty. I knew I shouldn't do this, but my mood would only get worse if I didn't.
"Call her and tell her she doesn't need to come here anymore!" The coercion took concentration to work properly, but I practiced enough to do it easily enough.
"Of course! Right away." She went for the phone when the door burst open. A girl walked in. She is petite, with rich short blonde hair, an attractive oval face, thin eyebrows, a sharp nose, and well-defined lips. The exact description of a popular girl and not my usual type of buddy.
"How are you, Samantha? I'm here to give a new student a tour. Do you know where she is?"
"Oh, sweetie, there is no need. You can go. There isn't anyone in need of a tour."
"Ok… But who is this?" She pointed towards me.
"She's just getting her schedule. Here you go." She handed me a piece of paper.
I grabbed it and went for the door.
"Wait up! What is your name?" I knew the question was for me but I kept walking. I didn't have the time or patience for this.
"I'm Xilxisys. Xilxisys Nanwana. I'm a junior." She grabbed my hand and turned me around. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"
"Sorry! I need to be somewhere about… right now" I looked at the watch that was all that was left from my parents. I don't have to go anywhere in particular, but I was not feeling it-- to have a conversation with a stranger.
She paused for a second, looking at the watch as if she could tell where I got it from, but she shook her head. "Where are you heading? I can accompany you."
It looks like she didn't get the memo that I didn't want company, but I gave up. " Heading to the Vault that's all. Going to look for some information regarding a personal matter." I said and I wasn't entirely lying. I planned on going there just not today.
She blinked a few times, probably sensing that I wasn't going to tell her the exact reason for my visit to the Vault so she just slipped her hand through mine and pulled me after her.
"The Great Vault, you say. I've been there a few times but I got bored pretty fast and after a while I guess I just never went back. So… how far back are you looking for the information?"
It seems she didn't give up that line of questioning. I just assumed so. I don't interact with people a lot so I don't know how to read them. This is the perfect opportunity to perfect this type of skill. It will be useful, I know it.
"About 500 years ago, Before Clarity." I stopped to see how she would react. She seemed paralyzed but then quickly recovered.
"Ok. That is very old, but I believe that you will find what you need in the Vault. What exactly did you say you're looking for?"
Oh, she was smart, I'll give her that. Smiling, I continued walking. She hurried after me, now more curious than ever.
The Vault was kind of a museum. Some pieces can go back, dating to over 5,000 years before our era. It was also a great place to start researching the origin of some of my powers.
"I was wondering… what are you? I mean I'm a Sphinx. Rare, I know. How about you? And what is your name?"
"Seer and call me Dalya" I always say, seer. It's the closest fae species that has almost the same abilities as a Clairvoyant does. After all, even if I tell people I'm the Clairvoyant, they won't believe me and I'd rather not do it in the first place. I respect my privacy, even tho others don't.
"Cool. There aren't many, but they're all nice. Alright, here we are." The museum is larger than the photos I saw online, but then again, it was online. Everything is bigger in real life.
"Xilxisys, if you wanna hang around, can you find the oldest manuscript about fae powers?" If she was here, she could at least do something useful.
"Of course. I'll be right back with it and please, call me Xil. It's way easier to pronounce it this way." she said.
I took a seat at a table and not even 5 minutes later she was back with the manuscript and about four other scrolls. She was going to be helpful after all.
"Here you go. I hope you don't mind, but I brought other sources too, so you can look through them if you want."
"That's great, Xil. Thank you!" No one has thought to do this kind of gesture before. It is nice to have someone helping you without asking.
"No problem!" she jumped up and down, before plopping in the chair opposite of mine. I find her acceptable, which is rare to come by. No. I like her. What a long way have I gotten in just a few minutes.
About half an hour later, it started. The blurry vision, the headache, and the pain. So much pain… One minute I was reading and the next I was at a party. A huge one.
When the visions happen, I try to remember them as much as possible. In this way, maybe I can help. I know why Bromry died. She tried to do the right thing but in the wrong way. I'm gonna do it in a manner that will not hurt me and benefit others. I'm going to hide my identity, be anonymous.
The party was in full swing, with everyone partying, drinking, the whole shebang. Then there was screaming. There is always screaming. In a moment I was in front of the pool. Someone was drowning. No. Someone drowned already. A girl. By the looks of it, she died a few minutes ago, but people looked so drunk they couldn't tell a difference between a pigeon and a crow. They probably thought she was joking when she started screaming for help. One of the girls turned her over and I got a good look at her face. Blonde, brown eyes, full lips, and a sharp nose. Such a young and beautiful life is going to be lost and I can prevent it. With one last look at the body, I was back in my chair.
No. Not in a chair. On the floor. I peered ahead and saw Xil there.
"What happened? One second you were reading, the next you were on the floor convulsing. Are you alright?" She started helping me up, then changed her mind and let me down easily. "You shouldn't get up so quickly. It's dangerous."
"Oh. It's fine. Help me up now, would you? I would like to get on with my work."
"Work? No, no, no. No work. Has it ever happened before?"
"Of course not. Don't be silly. I'm fine." I looked at my watch and said: "I have to go. Can you lead me to the first-year dorms?" I knew if I didn't ask her she would just trail me to make sure I'm fine so I'll make sure she sees that and can stop worrying.
"Right. Yeah, sure. I'll grab my things and show you." She took her purse, which I just now saw she had, and threaded her arm through mine probably thinking that this way she could prevent me from falling again. She had nothing to worry about. It takes roughly 12 hours after a vision for me to have another one.
We walked towards my dorm in silence. Normally I liked it this way but now I wasn't into it. Although it bothered me I stayed quiet.
When we got to the dorm I went first. I climbed two flights of stairs and got to the third floor where my room was. 44. My lucky number. I made sure to tell Samantha that I wanted this room and by made sure I mean I coerced her. Ups. I am not particularly sorry for what I did. I wanted this exact one, but I guess I could have gotten it differently. I could have asked her nicely, but if my memory serves me right-- which it does-- I was in a foul mood. Now… if you ask me why I was that way I couldn't tell you. More like wouldn't. I don't like recollecting it.
I stopped at the door and turned around, not at all surprised to see Xil still behind me. I expected her to follow me.
"Would you like to come in?" I asked even though I knew what she was going to say.
"Yes!" She said more alive than at the Vault after I collapsed. I could sense the tension disappear.
When I turned the knob, Xil peeked from behind my shoulder to see it. It was simple. A single bed in the far right corner covered in white sheets, a few pillows, and my blanket. A blanket I was gifted at one of the shelters I stayed in during the first year after my parents were murdered. It was a light shade of purple, my favorite color. The first real gift I had gotten after that night. Next to the bed, there is a nightstand and on top of it a lamp. In the far left corner were my desk and a wooden chair. I needed to change that chair. Even from where I was staying by the door I could feel how uncomfortable it was going to be. I won't put myself through that.
I took a few steps inside to let Xil take a further look. Next to the door, to the left was a single wardrobe, and near it was my bag. I hadn't had time to unpack when I got here and didn't feel like it either. On the right side of the door was the entrance to the bathroom which had a shower, a toilet, a sink, and a mirror. On the inside of the door, there were a couple of hooks where were hung a few towels.
"Don't worry. It gets better with the years. I have a two-bedroom apartment, a bigger bathroom, and a vanity." says Xil with a small smile. "With each year you pass you will have better things. That is if you pass. I suppose that's why it gets nicer. There is a lot more room considering that more students fail as the years go on."
"How many juniors are there?" I expect to be at least 100 assuming that there are 1.000 freshmen in my year.
"About 50. I haven't counted them, you know." I think I just choked on my spit. How in the world…
"What do you mean 50? There have to be more, right? There can't possibly be only 50 juniors."
"Oh… but there are. In my first year, we were 1.200 or so, then my second 500, and now this. I know that it will seem drastic to you the way students get cut, but if you don't pass, then you don't have what it takes. Do you know what I mean?"
Of course, I know what she's suggesting. If you aren't strong enough and work with all you have, you won't pass. I get it. We need the best students out there in case they are needed. "Yes, I understand." I've been fighting most of my life to be the best to find who killed my parents.
"Ok. I'll let you get settled. Here is my number if you need anything, anytime. I'll wait for you downstairs before your first period to accompany you." She hands me a piece of paper with a phone number on it. I take it and the moment I do emotions stop me from talking. I clear my throat a few times. "Thank you for today. It was nice hanging around with you."
She nods and heads for the door. Once she is out I close it. I jump in bed thinking about today. I never felt this relaxed ever since that boy helped me out of my burning house, but he isn't a boy anymore. Now, he's all grown up and so am I.