The door swung open, and a woman walked into the office. She was tall, standing at, at least, 6 feet high. It was impossible to tell her exact body weight through the baggy, plain, and grey ankle-length gown. Notwithstanding, the ill-fitting cloth did not hide her beauty. A delicate oval face harbored flawless pale skin, captivating green eyes, and full pink lips. Her hair was completely hidden under a white bonnet.
Fiona partly closed her eyes; the woman was a gorgon, one of the many descendants of Medusa. On making eye contact with her, the gorgon smiled. Her smile was not kind. Rather, it was ridiculing. Fiona immediately decided she detested this "Joan".
"Why! Isn't this our new student?" Joan said in mock surprise, placing her palm on her chest.
"It is. Please do help her settle in." Edward answered, fondling with his spectacles.
"It would be my pleasure. Come." She pulled the door open and nodded for the latest enrollee to follow her. When the girl didn't budge, she snapped, "Are you deaf?"
Reluctantly, Fiona fell behind the unpleasant gorgon. They went back out the staff building and made their way through several adjoining paths. Finally, they entered a tall apartment house. The lobby was a small round hall connecting various stairs and doors. Supernaturals paced the area, none giving attention to the duo at the entrance. Joan walked to the middle of the reception and spread her arms wide.
"Welcome to House Ivy, the girl's dormitory. And I am your House Mistress, Joan the Vengeful. I'm to handle all your non-academic, non-therapeutic, female affairs." She proclaimed, grinning despicably. The action revealed two razor-sharp fangs.
Despite herself, Fiona took a look at her surroundings, out of curiosity. The place was dull, with stone walls ranging from shades of greenish-brown to black, as well as dark red and navy blue drapings. Due to the curtains being drawn over the windows, and only a single bulb hanging from the high ceiling, the lightening was dim. Fiona thought the dormitory was the perfect setting for a horror film.
"If you've taken your fill of the lobby, I'll escort you to your room." Joan somehow made the normally polite statement sound rude.
Up a long flight of stairs they went. By the time they'd reached their destination, Fiona's legs ached. They'd arrived at the very attic of the building. Joan turned the doorknob. Inside was sparsely furnished, having only two beds, two wardrobes, a rickety desk and chair, and a cracked wall mirror. Much space was being put to waste in the large room. On the bed sat a girl.
There was no need for Fiona to squint; the girl was a pixie. She was small, barely taller than a toddler, and as fat as a grown man's thigh. Her hair was pink, matching her similar-colored iris. Her face looked animated, due to her unrealistically big eyes. The only physical feature that made pixies distinct from fairies was their lack of wings. Both had the forever childish appearance and colorful looks.
However, in spite of her "cuteness", there was something seriously creepy about this pixie. Perhaps it was the way she left her eyes widened, never blinking.
"Bam Bam." Joan called the girl. "Do not think for a second I don't know you've been up to one of your tricks." The girl, Bam Bam, stared innocently at the house mistress. Joan continued. "But now is not the time to penalize misbehaviors. Now, you must meet your roommate."
"Aren't I in isolation?" Bam Bam asked.
Joan clicked her tongue. "You still are, but maybe it's time you had some company."
"Ah!" She then suddenly exclaimed. "The brightest idea just came to me. Bam Bam darling, why don't you act as a guide to our freshman here." She gestured at Fiona. "You are currently dealing with sadism, aren't you? This will be a true test of your mental stability."
Wasn't sadism taking delight in inflicting pain on others? Fiona frowned. What kind of roommate was she being paired with?
"And you..." Joan turned to Fiona. "You are to see no one for guidance except your roommate, unless she is not present. Do you understand?" She didn't wait for a response, looking away. That was good, because Fiona didn't intend to give her one. "I will be observing both of you. You best strive to please me, considering a bad grading from me will definitely add a month or two to your stay here."
It seemed unfair that this vicious woman should be deciding anyone's fate. A commotion at the stairs drew both Fiona's and Joan's attention. Behind them, a leprechaun fumbled with a full sack. She was trying to balance the big bag on her tiny shoulders, with considerable difficulty. When she noticed Joan scowling, she rushed up, balanced or not.
"Good. Good." Joan clapped her hands, after which she snatched the sack.
The action caused the girl to fall, but she quickly got up, scurrying away before she became the object of her house mistress' scorn.
Impolitely tossing the bag to Fiona, Joan explained, "This contains your clothes for the semester, and your bathroom locker key. In it is a pair of school uniform, the sport outfit, three day dress, some underwear, a towel, shoes, and other little necessities." She eyed Fiona. "They might be a bit oversized, but its all we could gather on such short notice. You'll have to make do."
Fiona bit her tongue. She would not speak. She MUST not speak. The gorgon was obviously enjoying verbally tormenting her. She would not give her the satisfaction of confirming her taunts were having their desired effect.
"Welcome to MARC, love." Joan said, grinning from ear to ear. She was no longer trying to hide her spite, her eyes gleaming with malicious intent. "You're going to absolutely hate it here."
NB:
THIS NOVEL —IN NO WAY— HAS TO DO WITH SEXUAL ABUSE OR SEXUAL SADISM. Pixies are historically known as mischievous creatures, who often play pranks on people. Bam Bam, on the other hand, plays her pranks with a dark twist. By the time she meets Fiona though, she has gone through plenty therapy and is generally a better person. So, relax! There isn't any traumatic or life scarring scene on the way.