Aunt Cavalcade doesn't appear to have heard you, though her eyes haven't moved off you.
"If the school is going to succeed," she says eventually, "then it needs to work, and that requires two important elements." She holds up one long finger. "First, our students must learn to coexist with the outside world: many of them distrust humanity, just as many humans do not trust the undead. Second." Another finger rises. "Our students need to coexist with each other. Vampires and werewolves have centuries of rivalry and hatred between their two species, and that ill feeling exists to this day." Your aunt shakes her head. "Those traditions have been passed down to my own students, and as a result, Cavalcade Academy is playing host to the latest chapter in the turf war between the bat and the wolf."
Aunt Cavalcade's expression becomes more serious as she regards you, not that she was exactly all smiles before. "As much as I need them to form useful and productive connections with the human world, I need them to treat each other with kindness and with respect." She hesitates before adding, "At least, as much as schoolchildren usually do."
From behind you, you hear Lady Rastan sniff.
"In both cases," Aunt Cavalcade continues, glancing up momentarily at the vice principal, "it strikes me that an outside observer might be able to offer some helpful insights." She gives you what she probably means to be an encouraging smile. "You're a bright boy, seemingly, so I'm sure that you'll be able to help in some way. I would, of course, be extremely grateful."
Before you can reply, there comes a knock at the office door.
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