Eira watched out the window of her carriage as the long graceful spires of the Naxxeris Academy poked out of the fog like strange spiny fingers, she sighed and reached a hand out to pet the fat lazy creature at her side. It stretched out a gray a gray and black paw and purred in an attempt to be cute.

Are you nervous, my lady?  It thought to Eira.

Eira shook her head.  “Not nervous, no, just curious to see how things have changed. It's only my second year and already I'm older than some of the others. I missed last year’s courses because of that stupid camp my family sent me to so I won't be with any of my other friends.” Eira looked out the window, a strange look falling over her graceful features.

The creature purred louder and butted it’s head against Eira’s arm. You are nervous then, my lady. It is okay to admit that.

Eira shrugged and trained her eyes on the rapidly approaching castle. “You may be right.” She muttered.

         Rest now, we will be there before you know it. The cat curled up on Eira's lap, purring quietly and Eira: shook her head, her eyes glued to the towers rising further and the large stone walls become Visible through the deep gray fog.

After an hour or so the carriage stopped behind several other carriages and the driver opened up the door with little decorum. “We have arrived, Lady Eira, the Academy is just ahead. I will deliver your things to your dormitory.” He bowed as the creature jumped up on Eira's shoulder. Eira pulled up the hood of her cloak and stepped out into the fog, the cold bit at her pale skin but she hardly noticed. All around her students poured out of carriages and filed into the gates of the familiar building. She grinned and followed the line of other students as the large metal gate with the name of the academy slowly faded into existence.  Eira stopped at the gates and looked up at them, the condensation from the fog dripped off of the cold metal and she admired it for a moment and closed her eyes to take a deep breath

Just then a hand touched her shoulder, Eira jumped and flipped around, her wand in her hand before she’d had a chance to even see who it might be. A thin little blonde with bright blue eyes smiled innocently at her. “You must be new here too! Welcome to Naxxeris Academy!” She said in a bubbly voice.

Eira shook her head. “Something like that, we're supposed to gather in the courtyard aren't we? I believe the fourth year students are already gathered there.” They were last time at least. She recalled thoughtfully.  

The blonde shrugged her shoulders and grabbed Eira’s hand in one swooping motion. “I suppose so. Come on, let’s go!” She said as she pulled Eira to the courtyard through the gates.

The courtyard buzzed with excitement as students new and old chatted nervously, some exchanging in embraces and talking about their summer. Violetta Idril scanned the courtyard for familiar faces. She’d seen Eira enter with some new girl but she knew Eira would be in the second year classes and so decided her time was better spent on people she’d be seeing in her classes. She noticed a boy off to the side leaning against a tree conjuring a fireball and watching it intently. That one looks like fun. She smiled, her fangs peeking out from behind her lips, when suddenly a gleam caught in the corner of her eye. Her eyes flicked toward the gleam instantly to a boy sitting on a bench playing with a gem on his necklace, clearly deep in thought.

Vi approached him and gave him her best winning smile. “What a gorgeous gem, wherever did you get it?”

He didn’t look up. “It was given to me before I came here, it keeps me calm.” He said flatly.

Vi frowned in exasperation. A beautiful girl is before him and he can’t even look up!

Sid didn’t notice her apparent irritation. “Was it noticeable from that far away?” He chuckled softly to himself and looked up at Vi whose warm smile immediately returned. “Where are my manners, my name is Sid Anderson.” He stood up and held out his hand.

Vi’s smile grew, her fangs once again peeking out between her bright red lips. She placed her hand in his and curtsied gracefully. “I just have an eye for gems I suppose, particularly ones of such incredible beauty. My name is Violletta Idril; it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Her eyes met Sid’s confidently before flicking back to his necklace. “You said it keeps you calm? How interesti-“ Someone knocked into her and she scowled. She turned quickly to scold the culprit but instantly recognized the brunette before her and her scowl faded into indifference. “Eira?”

Eira blinked in surprise. “Vi? Hi! I wasn’t sure I’d see you this year, this is um…” She gestured to the blonde beside her, suddenly aware she had no idea who she was.

The blonde quickly stepped in.  “I’m Keren! Nice to meet you Vi!”

Vi could feel a scowl begin to twitch at the corners of her lips. “The pleasure is all mine, I’m sure. This is Sid, I was just remarking on his wonderful gem.”

Sid looked back up reluctantly from his gem. “Uh.. Hi. I’m Sid Anderson.” He extended his hand to Eira and Keren. “Glad to meet you.”

Eira smiled politely and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.” As she let go of his hand she scanned the area, trying to get her bearings.  Her eyes landed on a boy leaning against a tree playing with a fireball. He looked up at her and their eyes met. Eira’s face grew red and she looked away quickly.

Vi’s eyes narrowed in agitation and she raised an eyebrow thoughtfully.

Keren grabbed Sid’s hand the second Eira let go and shook it vigorously. “It’s so great to meet other newbies!” Her eyes lit up. “So what kind of monst-“

Just as the words were about to leave her mouth a crisp and authoritative female voice sounded clearly across the courtyard. “Welcome students! Some of you are new here and some are not. I understand it's a little chilly, so I will just go over some new rules. First off, due to some issues last year- revealing what type of monster you are is forbidden. While you are here we request you stay in human form unless circumstances arise in which you cannot remain in that form. Also, due to an increase in older students, this year first and second year students will be in the same dorm. Now, without further ado- first and second years pair up and head to your dorms. I expect all of our older students to show newer students the ropes.”

“I guess you’ll have to wait to find out. But I’m not sure there are very man like me here.” Sid grinned in relief as he grabbed his pack that was sitting by the bench. “Well I guess this is where the fun begins.”

Vi nodded. “Indeed it is. Hopefully I’ll see you around, Sid. Best of luck!” As she said so, Vi disappeared into the crowd to rejoin her class.

Keren frowned a little, a strange look in her eyes. “Lets go, Eira. You know where the dorms are, right?” Eira nodded distractedly, her eyes darting around the crowd. “Well then lets go!” Keren urged her and tugged insistently on Eira’s sleeve.

“Okay. The male dorms are near the by the female ones, would you like me to show you the way too, Sid?”

“Sure.  If they’re near each other, I don’t see why not.” He said, his hand dropping from his gem a he followed Eira and Keren.

A few moments later they stopped before a tall red brick building. “Well, here you are then, I think Prof. Conri is the one in charge of the new comers dorms but I’ve never been male or in these dorms so I couldn't tell you for sure.” Eira said, giving Sid a smirk.

“Come on Eira lets go, it’s cold out here.” Keren said as she slowly stepped further away.

“I’ll catch up, you run ahead.” She said. Keren sighed and quickly sprinted off. Eira’s smile faded into a serious look. “You better keep that gem hidden or at least away from Violletta.. Her interest in it isn't just superficial.” Without another word Eira turned and ran to catch up with Keren.

The boy with the fireball smiled as he watched the petite brunette he’d caught staring at him walk off with two other student. He stayed back from the crowd and muttered up to a gray cat in the tree above him. “Show the new students the ropes? Well, this could be an interesting year.”