Colette Toliver's Story

Once all the students, or the rather called Ryders and their companions, were all lined up - or more like grouped up - in front of their said leaders, it was time to go.


The men took their leave first for the fact that a few of the boys began to argue and fight, while the girls stood and talked as they waited to go. Degore turned around uttering curses at the men as he did, and opened the tall and wide doors. The doors revealed a big long hallway made of stone. It had high ceilings and wide walls. It was obvious the academy was made to be a castle for Draconem. Degore walked the group down the corridor as he spoke and introduced each night suit and room as he passed. "That there, boys, was Sir Ryan. He had come here to try and kill Draconem, obviously, he failed." Degore said with a terrifying smile and hideous laugh as he pointed to a suit of armor. Everyone started looking at the suit, waiting for it to move.

The mask of the suit began to move and everyone stopped. A boy walked up to the suit and slowly opened the mask. When the mask was opened half way, out popped a little gargoyle with a loud terrifying scream that turned into a laugh as the boy and all who were watching jumped back with a yell. Degore stopped and glared at everyone. He walked over to the little gargoyle who was rolling around in the air laughing. He grabbed the little guy by the wings and the small gargoyle crossed it's arms and arched it's eyebrows. It was a funny sight coming from a little gargoyle like himself. "What's your name, kid." Degore said to the small thing. Degore was much bigger than the little gargoyle as he was 6 and a half feet tall, almost seven feet tall, and the little guy was only about one foot tall. "Slayer." The little gargoyle said, he sounded like a little kid. "Who's is this!?" Degore yelled and held slayer up in the air by his wings. Jay then slowly raised his hand and made his way through the crowd. "He's my companion, Sir." He said blandly. Degore dropped little Slayer in Jay's arms and said "You need to watch him, boy. You don't want him to always get you in trouble, 'cause that's what he'll do, boy. That's what he'll do." Degore said calmly then made his way back up to the front of the group. He slapped a kid that was staring off into space on the back of the head while adding "Alright, men! Let's get going! We want to make it to training before the ladies, don't we?! Then let's go!" Degore said doing a lot of hand gesturing then turned around and lifted up into the air and began to fly.

He flew the rest of the way there and landed in front of the doors. He turned to face the crowd as he waited for them to catch up. His hands were behind he back as he waited. Once everyone was caught up, he stared them all down. "Men, I give you our lounge!" He said and turned around and pushed the large doors open with some force. As they opened, they revealed a large room with tall ceiling, it wasn't big enough for all of Draconem to sit, bit he could still fit his head in it. There was couches, tables, chairs, bookcases with various books, candles, a fire place and on top of the fire case was a dragon egg in a glass case. Degore stepped in the room and the group followed. "Okay, listen up! Over on that table is a list with everyone's name on it. It shows your name and the room you're in!" Degore said loudly as he pointed to the sheets of paper spread out on a large table. It didn't fill up the whole table, but it filled up the end of the table. He then turned his position and pointed down two hallways on either side of the fireplace. "The rooms are down there. All of your luggage is already in your rooms along with stuff given to you by Draconem for your companions. I believe it's a few toys, treats, a bed and other stuff considering what you have. I believe he used his all-knowing sense to see who you all chose. Anyways, just go to your rooms, meet your roommates, unpack your luggage, then come back out here as soon as possible! So we can go and get training over with." Degore said then sat in a chair and watched the fire as he waited for all the men to return.

The guys then went straight to the papers. Jay found his name and room, Slayer sitting on his shoulder. He headed down a hallway and found his room. The hallway was big enough still for Draconem to fit through, and it made Jay feel like he was in a giant giants house. The door to the rooms were only big enough for Draconem to look in with one of his eyes and the room itself was only big enough to fit Draconem's nose and part of his snout. It was still a large room, but it was big enough for two people and their companions. There was a door at the opposite end of the room that led into the enclosure. Jay saw his stuff on the bed on the left side of the room, and someone else's stuff on the bed on the right side of the room. At the end of Jay's bed was a stone podium that had the name Slayer chiseled into a stone plague part of the podium. At the sight of it, Slayer flew over and perched on it becoming as still as stone as he did so. Jay then went and began to unpack his stuff.


After the men took their leave, it was the girls turn to go. Gracefully, the Gryphon turned from the group and opened doors to reveal a big long hallway made of stone. It had high ceilings and wide walls. It was obvious the academy was made to be a castle for Draconem. The Gryphon silently walked out onto the stone floor, the girls following. The hallway to the girls side of the building was lined with suites of armor as well, but there was less rooms. Each of the rooms were big and gym like rooms. The had plagues to the side of each room that said what class was held there. They passed Magic, Swords, Hand-to-Hand, and combat. Ash looked in each room with a smile on her face and Liath looking bored as ever. She was amazed by the size of the rooms.

When they made it to the dorm lounge, the Great Gryphon gracefully opened the doors and walked in the room. The room was big enough for Draconem to squeeze into. The Gryphon turned and finally spoke to the group. "Over on the table is a few papers. On one of those papers you will find your name and the room you are in. The rooms are down those two hallways. All of your luggage and a few gifts form Draconem will be located in your rooms. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me." He ended with a smile and slow nod then stepped back to watch everyone. He voice was clear and slick and comforting. Liath jumped off Ash's shoulder and went to find her name then returned to her saying "I have found our room, Ash." Ash just shot him a quick glance.

As the girls were lead down the halls with the plaques of all the classes, Colette examined where she would be spending her time.
Swords.
Hand-to-Hand
Combat

She grinned, looking at the studies she excelled in the most. She couldn't wait!
They went into the humongous lounge, and was informed her luggage was shipped to her room.
How eager she was to put on her favorite training outfit, completely allowing for flexibility, comfort, and style all at the same time.
And her lists and lists, complete with short and long term goals, her plans for decorating her half of her room.
She saw girls eagerly run over to the lists of rooms, their dragons shifting uncomfortably on their shoulders, their unicorns butting heads.
"Quinn, can you go see the list for me?"
She saw, because she was looking, that Quinn complied and flew over to the pieces of paper and then flew back onto her shoulder, her fairy dust sprinkling her shoulder.

"I have it."
"Good." She wanted to go to her room, set up her things, and then head to training as quick as possible.
She stepped towards the two hallways, but then remembered she wasn't alone.
She turned back to Ash, her hair flipping over her shoulder.
"I'll catch you later." she said, her voice sounding distracted, but did smile a little.

"We're in the right hallway." Quinn informed her.
Colette removed herself from the path of the left hallway, narrowly missing a unicorn hitting her in the head.
She glared at the girl and the companion and went into the right hallway.
She had to move rather quickly, considering the wave of girls trying to get to their dorms.
"They're so loud....", Quinn lamented.
"Oh, you're going to have to get used to it, I'm afraid."
Colette laughed.

Even though she was moving fast, she caught some of the paintings on the wall, which were beautifully put together.
Some fairies playing in the forest, their clothes colored with fairy dust.
A few gargoyles over a steep building, their stone-like features incredibly detailed.
Colette wished she could produce art like that, but she seemed to be almost entirely imagination-less.

She entered the room, which was actually considerably close to the lounge, and entered.
It was a large room, and she found her stuff on the left side of the room.

She collapsed onto the bed.
Quinn snuggled into the mattress, sighing with content.
One second.
Two second.
Colette sat up.
"Time to get to work."
Quinn groaned. "Have mercy..."
"You", Colette said as she stood up and cut open her boxes of things, "can stay right there while I set things up."

She got the packages open and smiled at her pad of yellow, pink, white, blue, purple, green, and orange sticky notes, words already on them. She stuck a pencil behind her ear.
She got on the mattress and reached for the tape measure behind her, calculating how long and how wide the walls were. Then, she went back to the beginning of the wall, took the pencil, and then went for the ruler on top of another box. The box was too far, so Quinn, who'd been surveying everything with weary eyes, reached over and handed it to her, with much difficulty since it was so heavy for her.
"Thanks." She divided the wall into 36 different stripes and put different sticky notes, alternating between blue and purple, with words such as 'Family Photos', 'Academic Accomplishments', and 'Favorite Bands'.
She wiped her forehead with her hand and inspected her work.
"Brilliant", she said as she looked at the wall, and then her watch. "And it only took me five minutes."
"Can we go now?", Quinn asked, who had awoken in the last few minutes, motivated by Colette's energy, and was rifling through her things.

"No, I still need to do two more things." She took out a piece of white paper, and stuck it on one of her roommate's boxes.
New Roommate,
Don't be freaked out over the wall. That's just a comfort to me when I get back, that I have things organized.
I have a very large desk in one of my boxes, which needs putting together, which I will do as soon as I get back, which will go between our two beds and respective spaces, on the wall opposite the door. It's a specially customized two-person desk, and there's a divider between. I hope you like it, and I offer it as a gift. Anyway, I was thinking the wall in the middle could be painted striped purple and then whatever color you wish, just for fairness. And if you go for purple as much as I do, then I'll go blue. Anyway, I hope you don't mind all of this, and am eager to meet you and hope we don't cause each other trouble.
"So formal", Quinn commented as she read over Colette's shoulder,"Add something nice."

"Hm.....", Colette pondered, then took the pencil behind her ear and wrote again.
I hope we can become very good friends.
Sincerely,
Colette Toliver

"Better."
Colette went back to her side of the room, and changed into her favorite training outfit, smiling down at the no shoulder ruffled top, and the bright blue color with a black bust to waist.
She exited out the door, and walked back to the lounge.
"I'm ready." she told the Great Gryphon, and she felt she was.

After Liath comes back to Ash's shoulder and announced he found their room, she looks back at Colette who's just about to head down a hallway. After hearing her say later, Ash gives her a smile and a nod. It wasn't like the smiles from before, this was more of a nervous smile. This would be Ash's first time away from home and her family. She was both excited and nervous, but that was expected from everyone.

"Let's get going, miss blanks-out-a-lot." Liath said in a bit sarcastic voice as he swooshed his tail a few times at Ash's legs. Ash shoots him a glare before going down the opposite hallway. The whole time she made her way to the room, people were bumping into her which caused Liath to get quite angry when his head kept getting hit. So he put his tail up in a quick motion and slapped a few of the girls with it. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry but maybe if you paid attention to where you all were going, I wouldn't have a problem." Liath said and Ash rolled her eyes. You might talk like a polite little guy, but you're so mean! Ash thought. Oh, I'm not mean at all. Just a little aggravated by these ladies. Liath replied and Ash raised her eyebrow at him thinking Really? In which he nodded.

Finally, Ash and Liath had made it to the room. Ash's stuff was on the right side of the room along with a large barrel shaped thing and what looked like a large red velvet dog bed. Ash had everything packed away in suitcases. Most of it was clothes and accessories. The beds already had velvet covers and sheets and pillows all made up on it. So, starting to really feel tired, Ash laid back on the covers and just stared at the ceiling as she breathed in and out. Liath watched her with curious eyes as she just relaxed herself for a little while.


He watched as everyone made their ways to the room. A few girls asked for an autograph, at which he raised an eyebrow and told them maybe later. When he heard a girl up behind him, he heard her say she was ready. He raised an eyebrow slightly and got an impressed look on his face. "Eger, are we? I'm impressed." He said, his beck turning up slightly into a smile as he eyed the girl. He was about a foot or two taller than the girl. He noticed the fairy on her shoulder. He looked at the small creature. "You have a hand full, don't you, little one." He said with a small laugh as he stated and not really questioned. He looked back at the girl. "We still need to wait for everyone else, dear. You're welcomed to sit here and wait or go talk to a few of your friends if you wish." He said and watched her a moment then he was dragged away by a small group of girls who were going berserk over a seeing a mouse.

As Aya followed the others, she hadn’t noticed that words were just rolling off her tongue. Trista had asked Aya about her favorite subject. She loved to talk about where she came from.

”We don’t call ourselves Japan anymore. Takeshi and I come from Nippon Village, which translates into land of the Rising sun, or some people call it Nihon, Origin of the sun, either is fine. The general area we come from is Wyvernbourne, a place on the farthest most side of Vesper. We are all of Japanese descent. We took Japan away from our name when horrible earthquakes, tsunamis, and Diablo forces had struck us and made us into smaller villages. Killing a lot of our population. There is a few villages spread out, but the village I’m from is the main homeland. You could say we are like the Tokyo of Japan. There is also Osaka, Nagasaki, and Sapporo to name a few of our villages. “ Already they were at the dorms and Aya had still not let go of Tristas hand. She had been so caught up in talking, she didn’t even notice.

”There is one elder for each along with a shogun. Do you know what a shogun is?” Aya asked and didn’t even wait for an answer. ”To sum it up plainly, it is a military and political leader. Anyway, the most respected and known in the village is out Elder though. Her name is Ai and she is very wise and gentle, she is about 110.She is the kindest lady you will ever meet and tells the most intricate and mesmerizing stories of our origins and such. However, she has become deathly ill though and will soon pass away, passing all the oral stories down to someone specifically in the village that she will chose. usually it is passed down to the Elders children but she does not have any. “ they were walking down the huge hallways now. She couldn’t help but stop talking for a few seconds to take in the view and take a breath. Everything was so big. There was so much space! After she regained her breath, she continued on.

”Ai says our village is like the Samurai District of “kakunodate.” Very old fashioned with lots of greens and many weeping cherry blossom trees. Japanese traditions, ceremonies, and festivals are performed here. We are like the Japan of Cree; we are even beginning to become very populated. We walk everywhere and also use bikes, so a lot of us stay in shape. Not only that but Kakunodate is known to truly capture Japans food taste.” her eyes quickly scanned over the room plaques, checking out what they would be doing. Hand-to-hand combat stood out to her the most. She might even continue practicing the samurai arts since she had time. She was confident she would do this! She would excel! She would not fall behind, she was not going to let the fact that she was a memorizing facts person and not a ‘feel it, do it person’ get in her way.

”The customs and such are still the same here which is why a lot of women are very lady-like, and the men are strong. In our villages, we brought back the use of Samurai. All of them live in the villages ‘castle’ or around it. They protect our village, along with the Wizards. Magic and pure strength/pride work together to protect our home. “ By this time they had gathered in the lounge and Aya had noticed just HOW much she had talked. Wow..A record. She frantically turned around to see Tristas face, ”I’m SO sorry! Somtimes I get carried away, um…” she brought her head down and saw that she was still holding Tristas hand. She quickly drew it back and put her hands behind her back. ”S-sorry.” Why was she talking so much? Why was she getting nervous? She only got nervous when she actually CARED about what the other person thought.

What about your friend? Who? Trista Silly!

I tell me friends everything! I can’t stop talking to them!

Was that why Saga? Was she talking so much because she saw Trista as a friend? What this what a friend was like? She looked back up and stared in Trista eyes. She didn’t seem like a bad person. On the contrary, she was being very patient with her. She had a friendly smile. And she got no bad vibes from her. But even so…a lot of people are just pretty faces and fake kindness. The only thing she had on Trista was that Saga liked her. But...how could she get the evidence that Trista was worth it? Worth risking Ayas heart?

Gears clicked in her brain.

She could use school! Aya found it hard to talk unless reading a school speech or talking about her home. She made a mental note to write a speech about what her expectations are for friendship. If she thought of it that way, maybe she wouldn’t get as nervous.

”Aya, I’m going to go look for your room,” Estabel broke into Ayas mind reality and she snapped her head around to see Estabel had grown fully to her peak. She was about the same height as Fucuello now, but her head was not as long, so she seemed shorter. She was bulky and held a lot of muscle, every inch of her was so sharp due to all the muscle. She was covered in fluffy black fur around her legs and a mane like a lions surrounded her face. She was beautiful!

”As I. I will be back Trista,” Fucuello nudged his head gently against Tristas shoulder and trotted elegantly beside Estabel.

”yeah…” Aya responded and watched Esta trot over to the list. She had to get through some kids and was a couple of people away from the list. Both looked over the children and found the information. They returned to their companion’s side in no time at all.

”I found the room,” the two black unicorns said in unison.

”I should go….” her voice trailed off, and once again she heard her brothers voice echo in her head.

Catch you guys later!

I’m not doing it. She is probably only talking to me because I was the only one there. She thought to herself. Well, her risky nature was gone. her logical mind was catching up with her quickly and catching faults in her idiotic thinking. She was hung around her brother way too much....

”bye,” Her voice came out rather coldly. She left at that and put her arm on Estabels side and walked away. What was she thinking!? Friends…she hardly knew the girl! She had to focus on school. On becoming better. On accomplishing her brothers dream! She wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of that.

But…you are still going to write that speech aren’t you? Estabel spoke into her mind, a worried expression across her face. Aya blushed and looked away.

”Hmpm!” a few seconds of silence and she spoke again. Of course… Estabel smiled to herself. Just in case….she proves herself..

-----

Once in the comfort of their room, Aya went into shock. Across her roommates wall was a collage of sticky notes. On closer inspection, she saw words such as academic accomplishments, family photos, and favorite bands. Analyzing it, Aya could use something like that to organize her school work. It was a good idea. However, she already liked her system. She walked to her box of stuff and read the incredibly long letter this, Colette, person had left her.

“Don't be freaked out over the wall. That's just a comfort to me when I get back, that I have things organized.”

I’m not she thought to herself.

I have a very large desk in one of my boxes, which needs putting together, which I will do as soon as I get back, which will go between our two beds and respective spaces, on the wall opposite the door. It's a specially customized two-person desk, and there's a divider between. I hope you like it, and I offer it as a gift. Anyway, I was thinking the wall in the middle could be painted striped purple and then whatever color you wish, just for fairness. And if you go for purple as much as I do, then I'll go blue. Anyway, I hope you don't mind all of this, and am eager to meet you and hope we don't cause each other trouble.

Desk…hmm…wall colors?

”I don’t care, do what you want,” she said to herself out-loud. About to throw the sticky note away, she noticed a side note.

I hope we can become very good friends.
Sincerely,
Colette Toliver

Aya winced. Friends. Friends. Friends. SheesH! People just threw this word around. She rubbed her temples and than threw the note away casually. No need for it now.

”Don’t you want to save it? Someone wants to be friends with you!” Estabel exclaimed and tried to dig into the trashcan with her head but…it was too big.

”No need. I don’t have time for that. Simple politeness is as far as I will go to keep peace.” Aya paused and glared at Esta, "Leave it," she ordered/ Estabel slowly started to back away from the trashcan, her head hung low with trash all in her mane. Aya sighed and went over to pick up the trash on the floor and in Estas hair and than stated to unpack. She pulled out her alarm clock and plugged it into the wall and set it on the small table next to her bed. She took out all her textbooks and notebooks and shoved them onto a bookcase she had asked to be brought here specifically. It was next to the foot of her bed against the wall. She started placing the books and notebooks one by one in an orderly fashion.

”but, you’re giving Trista a chance.” Estabel added and walked around the room, she found a stable like area with hey and such on the ground for her. She wasn’t ready to sit down just yet though. S

”Tristas a different story.” Aya replied matter-of-factually. She quickly finished that and then packed her clothes and hung her samurai swords on the wall over where the head of her bed is. Lastly, as respect to her village, she hung up their flag and symbols around her swords. A couple of cherry blossom flags/posters, and a white flag with a red dot in the middle. Lamps and bed sheets and such were already given which was nice. She would organize Estabels things later.

”Why?” Estabel asked.

”just because…” she replied childishly. She ripped a piece of paper neatly from one of her notebooks and wrote on it.

Choose what you want for the wall. I'll help you set up the desk.

Aya Ueto.

After she set the note on her roommates bed, she started to change. Smoothly, she removed her clothes in one swipe and put training clothes on. A tank top along with work-out shorts. She wrapped bandages around her wrist, hands, and ankles. She put running shoes on and that was that. Her attire. She started to stretch so she would be warmed up.

”is it because of Saga?’ Estabel continued to prude.

”We’re done talking about this. Now let’s go.” She cracked her neck and headed out the door. Estabel followed suit, and wondered if it was ok that she had already read Ayas mind before she answered. From what Esta could tell, she HIGHLY valued her brother’s opinion.

In no time at all she was outside and caught sight of a girl with long brunette locks talk to their dorm leader. He walked away soon after though. Her eyes followed him, what was he doing? She turned her head to the mysterious girl.

"Do we wait?" she asked. the girl was already in training attire, so she must have asked him something about the topic. Plus, she was the only person here and Aya didn't like to NOT know what was going on. She was a planner.

Colette had just realized she wasn't talking to a teacher, but the Great Gryphon. However, he seemed to be pleased with her, strangely, and she didn't think anything of being superiorly respectful.
Colette turned to the girl behind her. She seemed very familiar, and Colette wondered where she had seen her before.
Quinn went to her ear and whispered so no one else's ears could hear, "She's the girl from the bench, the one whose brother's egg was cracking."
Oh. That's why. It clicked into place.
When Quinn settled back on her shoulder, Colette realized a plethora of fairy dust was imbedded in her hair, which caused it to glow with what one would call a magical effect.
Oh yes, the girl was still looking at her. Frankly, Colette was annoyed no one was here yet.
"He said, and I quote, 'We need to wait for everyone else' ", Colette said as she exasperatedly blew hair out of her face, "Which, quite honestly, I should've realized people were going to take their sweet damn time instead of being eager like me to start and not even making time to meet my roommate......", she trailed off, realizing she was talking to a stranger. "Well, he said we either hang around or talk to friends."

She looked at the girl straight in the eye, her gaze unwavering.
Short. Skinny. But still had a very humble and determined aura.
She had the tank-top and the shorts to prove it.

Quinn went up again, and whispered into Colette's ear.
"She displays signs of physical force, respectful genuineness, and an all around effect of wanting to get things done."
Quinn can see all that?

"So, anyway, I know we're not friends or anything, because you were just asking a question, but I'd like to get aquatinted with my fellow Ryders. So hello. My name is Colette Toliver."
She didn't say it in a particularly sweet persona, and it was actually kind of a cold tone, but it wasn't harsh either, so Colette waited for her reply.

"He said, and I quote, 'We need to wait for everyone else' " Colette said as she exasperatedly blew hair out of her face.

”Oh, is that so?’ she sighed and felt a frustration bubble up in her stomach, she wanted to start! Wait, was this frustration? Or was it anticipation? She was itching to see how well she would do at the start and plan a schedule to improve her weaknesses.

"Which, quite honestly, I should've realized people were going to take their sweet damn time instead of being eager like me to start and not even making time to meet my roommate......" she rambled on, and Aya could tell this girl was frustrated. She held her hands in front of her and listened to the girl patiently. It was weird to hear her own thoughts being spoken out-loud…was this how she sounded to people? The girl trailed off into her next sentence.

” "Well, he said we either hang around or talk to friends." she added. None of that Aya was too eager to do. She didn’t want to hang around doing nothing, that was horrible. And she didn’t really have any friends here.

because Trista isn’t here~ Estabel chimed into her thoughts.

Knock it off! Aya yelled back to Esta in her head. She didn’t want to accept the fact that she saw someone as a friend. She was bound to hurt their feelings one way or another No one ever tried to look past her faults, her nervousness which always looked like coldness or being rude. Estabel nudged her head against Ayas shoulder as if to apologize and she returned the kind gesture by scratching the unicorn behind the ear. Aya was like Estabel, both were afraid to risk it and give friendship a chance. Both were afraid of rejection. But Estabel wanted other people to know how amazing and accepting Aya was. Estabel kept quiet though, she had no right to give advice to Aya about being more out-going when she wasn’t either. Aya let out a smooth breath, nothing else to do but be friendly. She couldn't dishonor her culture, the japanese were known for how kind, careful, and accepting they were.


”Yeah, it can be a pain when everyone else is not putting the same amount of effort you are.” honestly, Aya was a bit happy she wasn’t the only one like this. ”Peoples perspectives and priorities are always different.” she turned her head to stare at the girls worrying over a mouse who stood with the Great Gryphon. ”Our 100% effort into something, could be different compared to others. For example, their 100% effort into something may look like 10% effort to us….” So many times she had heard her brother speak the same words to her, and she was actually telling someone else the same thing. She was glad Estabel was right here beside her, it helped calm her down. Still, Aya had to restrain herself from coming off too cold. This girl seemed nice, and hard-working. She was out here even before Aya, and she was ready to start. Aya had no reason to put her in the same bunk as all the other lazy people in the world that irritated her the most.

” So, anyway, I know we're not friends or anything, because you were just asking a question, but I'd like to get aquatinted with my fellow Ryders. So hello. My name is Colette Toliver.” she said formally, well, Aya thought of it as formal. Finally, someone who wasn’t forcing her to be her friend!

”Ueto Aya,” she bowed her head slightly, a formal way of greeting people in her village. It was like the hand-shakes Americans do in America except without all the germs being transmitted. ”And this is Estabel,” she patted her unicorn promptly on the head and she neighed happily.

”Nice to meet you,” Estabel said warmly, she liked the girl. She reminded her a lot of Aya and plus, she wasn’t giving her dirty looks for being the way she was.

”Yeah, it can be a pain when everyone else is not putting the same amount of effort you are. Peoples perspectives and priorities are always different. Our 100% effort into something, could be different compared to others. For example, their 100% effort into something may look like 10% effort to us….” Colette was surprised this girl's thoughts were so similar to her own. She nodded, curtly.

"Something I unfortunately learned in the tutoring business." She replied wistfully with a sad but kind of annoyed expression on her face, remembering when she had to whip her students into shape, most notably Riley.

"Ueto Aya,” the girl bowed her head slightly,”And this is Estabel,” she patted her unicorn promptly on the head and she neighed happily.
”Nice to meet you,” the unicorn said, sounding very warm in her greeting.

"It is a pleasure." Colette responded curtly. She noticed the way the girl bowed her head, and examined this with a very slight narrowing of her eyes. Where had she seen this kind of behavior before?

Oh, I remember now! She's from the West!

"You're from Wyvernbourne,aren't you? I went to visit there last summer, and the bowing thing just seemed familiar. I really admire the attitude of the people over there. I'm from the North, myself." She grinned slightly.

She noticed something from the corner of her eye, and it was Quinn waving around her hands, her fairy dust spreading all over Colette's shoulder now. She really hoped this stuff didn't glow in the dark.
"Hello?", she whispered, "Forget something? Or someone?"

"Ah, yes, this is my companion, Quinn. I know people around here don't really appreciate fairies, but hey, I'm pretty sure she was meant for me." She was confident when she said this. She had seen the look on Riley's face when he saw Quinn, but she didn't care. Quinn was her companion and that was that.

"Charmed." Quinn flew over to them, now a lot larger than she was before, around four inches. She could still not be seen very well, but she did do a good job at projecting her voice so the girl and her dragon could hear her. She curtsied.

"I don't think a dramatic greeting best suited for the wealthy elite of the 18th century is appropriate here, Quinn."
Quinn ignored her, and Colette raised her eyebrows in amusement.

How rude of me, sorry Trista

Trista let go of his hind leg and he planted it firmly on the ground. Holding his head high, you could tell that nature had made this horse to be a virtual running machine that can reach speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour. His equine body is an impeccably designed combination of muscle and bone in an elegant and graceful package. His peacock feathers and teal fur glistened slightly in the lighting of the room. Trista had cared for him well.

”Fucuello, pleased to make your acquaintances, Liath, Ash.” he bowed his head slightly and quickly lifted it back up. His feathers fluttered for a second, moving with quick movement from the wind. Liath was rather strange, but he had manners which was reassuring to some degree.

He shifted his body to the right and went around Trista, shoving his muzzle into the box. He moved some things around and then took his head out, cocking it to the side. He had treats, a saddle (which was a bit unneeded since Trista and him already had one, still, an extra one was always nice), grooming tools, and much more. Most of the things he already had, but once again, extras never hurt anyone. Never hurt to be prepared. He shifted his head more to the right and looked out a window into the enclosure.

What a nice place to run! he thought to himself.



So, she did tutoring…that meant she was smart. Hmm, so she wasn’t only determination and good-looks.

” It is a pleasure,” Colette responded curtly. Aaaaand, she has manners! Ayas chestnut-colored eyes widened. Every person she’d ever met (until she had came here), had always been rude to her. Sure, there was the common courtesy in her village; no one displayed rudeness in someone’s face. But she could always hear whispers; always catch the subtle hints of uncomfortableness. Like with Riley. Urgh!........but...This girls different…just like Trista... and Angel…

So you like her then? You think of her as a friend!? Estabel spoke through their connection, excitement in her voice. Aya was about to answer honestly, when flashbacks from her old school days came knocking at her door. Estabel stood in ice-cold-silence. Ayas unsettling memories of bullying and feelings of fear were transmitted to Estabel. She felt every bad thing Aya had felt.

isolation….

Avoidance…

Sadness…

Loneliness…

Pictures of girls laughing at Aya behind her back, whispering cruel words about her. Thinks like ‘who would ever want to be her friend’ ‘I know right’ ‘She’s so stuck-up’ ‘she thinks she’s better then the rest of us’ ‘thank GOD she doesn’t try to talk to me. I sit next to her and I’m terrified she’ll say something to me’ ‘Can you believe her? She told me…’ ‘Did you see how she treated that poor girl?...that poor guy’ ‘She rejected…’ ‘Too good for a boy?’ ‘weirdo’ ‘strange’ ‘scary’ words and words, sentences, events. No one ever invited her to events, no one ever asked her to go to a festival. Everyone was so ‘scared’ of her that they didn’t even want her help for festival preparations. So, she just went home and studied. Estabel stood their a bit shaken up.

Aya couldn’t let this girl get to her. She was NOT here to make friends. She was NOT here to have fun. She was here to LEARN. She was here for her brother. She had a dream to accomplish. Screw making friends. The last time she had friends was in middle school....and every time, they stabbed her in the back.

"You're from Wyvernbourne, aren't you? I went to visit there last summer, and the bowing thing just seemed familiar. I really admire the attitude of the people over there. I'm from the North, myself.” she grinned slightly. Aya nodded.

”Yes, Nippon Village” she paused and ran her fingers through Estas mane, enjoying the feel of her fur through her fingertips. ”I see, coldest place on earth hm?” it appeared that Colette was about to respond until Quinn interjected. Aya stared off into space while those two chatted silently with one another, was it about her?

buzz! buzz! buzz!

her heart nearly clawed its way out of her chest. She was still caught up in her flashbacks, it pissed her off to no end that she still let those memories haunt her. She needed to let it go. Saga and her had talked about this, it was best to just...let it go. She reached into her pocket and took out her pink flip phone. She wasn’t too fond of the color pink but her brother insisted she get it. He said, ‘it’s cute! Perfect for my adorable little sister!’ so of course...he bought for her...and she happily accepted it. She wondered what he would say to her right now if he was here. She casually flipped the phone open and selected the new message. Smiling peacefully with a closed mouth, her features softened. How did he always know what to say?

Estabel was still recovering from before, having mixed feelings of fear and insecurity. And then..Warmness

”hey Aya, let’s go to the festival together!” Takeshi grinned.

“don’t you want to go with your friends?” she questioned, writing away in her notebook.

“aw, they don’t mind. Let’s all go together” he encouraged.

“I doubt they want to be around-“ Aya was caught off when four males came falling from behind her door. Hiroto the blonde and fairy laughter Nao were face-planted on the ground while Shou and Tora were behind them, rubbing the back of their heads.

“sorry to disturb,” Tora, a black haired beauty said.

“We didn’t mean to eavesdrop…” Shou said apologetically.

“what the-“ once again, Aya was cut off. She felt a bit annoyed.

“AYAAYAYAYAYAYA!” Nao yelled and got up, running to her as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her head into his chest. Giving her a hug. He let go of her for a second,“Ah, it’s alright if I do this right? OH AYA” he quickly embraced her again. Tora laughed.

“haha, she didn’t even say anything,” Tora remarked.

“OF COURSE YOU CAN COME SILLY!” Nao yelled, laughing incredibly high-pitched from his buddy Toras response.

“yeah, it’ll be fun” hiroto smiled. Aya grimaced in annoyance, she pulled at naos arm.

“Get off idiot, you’re so annoying! Why is everything a YELL with you?” she hissed. Saga laughed.

“Ah, she hates you nao!” Her brother slumped onto her bed, holding his stomach from laughter. The other boys laughed as well, it was a continuing joke that nao was hated by Aya the most. Nao fell onto the ground and pretended to cry.

“Aya!” he pretended to sniffle and be heart broken, Hiroto walked over and patted nao on the back.

“now now, it’s alright.” Hiroto laughed. Saga grinned wide as he looked at Aya.

“So?” they all waited eagerly in silence for her response. She glared at them all and then sighed.

“Fine, only because you idiots will cause trouble if I don’t go,” she spun around on her chair, turning her back to them. They all raised their arms in the air and cheered.

“YATAII!!!”

Aya shut her eyes. Her brother had a good choice of friends, he was always there for her, he never let her down. So, even if she REALLY didn’t want to, she would listen to his wishes this time. She texted back quickly and sent it.


Stop being an ass...I got it ok? I'll try my best..(>///~///<)

P.S.
if it interferes with school work, I'm OUT.

Aya shoved her phone into her pocket, fixed with a new resolve. Although she doubted it would make a difference whether she tried or not. Still, she had to try. Aya stared blankly at Colette as she introduced Quinn. Aya smiled kindly and genuinely.

”Cute, it’s nice to finally see a fairy. There are many in my village,” She wanted to add onto her sentence and say ’this makes this place seem more like home now,’ but.. obviously..she couldn’t bring herself to say it. Somehow, it disturbed her that her brother had such an influence on her..One day...would she be as stupid as him?

As she spoke to the girl, discerning her name was Aya, as it was normal for people of Wyvernbourne to put their last names before their first, she noticed a very unsettling expression appearing on her face in short bursts, going from stone calm to worried. She wondered what she was thinking about, and she weirdly hoped she was ok. She guessed it was just human sympathy acting upon her. Maybe she wasn't good at making conversation. They would make small talk. There was plenty to talk about the first day.

”Yes, Nippon Village”, Aya named her hometown, which Colette had never really visited. She'd gone to Nagasaki, but not much beyond that. She assumed they were very much the same. Shoguns, little humble villages.
Beautiful flowers. She reminisced in the back of her brain, remembering the sweet smelling cherry blossom branch she'd tried to take home in a vase, and how she'd put it back in the ground around her house, but it'd never grown much. There were a few forests with a lot of plants in her town, but her house didn't have a lot of soil.
When she mentioned where she was from Aya said, ”I see, coldest place on earth hm?”

Then Quinn interrupted. Not that she'd minded. Quinn hadn't really put herself on display.
She noticed a lot of the dragons had decided to show themselves off to the world, by being loud, weird, or outrageous, and she found it completely ridiculous.
Quinn needed a little bit of time in the spotlight, especially since she was so invisible. If she didn't put herself out there, no one would even notice her, save for the glow in Colette's hair.
Maybe it was just her bias in the way, but she didn't care.
She watched the way Quinn's hair reflected just a bit, the silver in her hair making her a little bit visible, but not by much.

”Cute, it’s nice to finally see a fairy. There are many in my village." Aya smiled warmly at them. Her unicorn, Estabel also look at them nicely, and she noted how she liked their aura and attitude.

"Yes, when I went over there I noticed quite a few of them, and I know they can only be found there, or on Willow island. There really are only dragons where I come from. And yes, it is the coldest place on Earth, although in Kelud it isn't as cold as in Barrowood, which is the closest city-state to the poles. I'm actually not really used to such sweltering weather, in my terms anyway, although I'm sure it's very normal for anyone who isn't from Aquilonis. And..... well, I fear I'm talking too much, actually."

She stopped, looking directly into Aya's eyes. This was to make the situation less embarrassing for herself, a lesson from her father.
She could feel the leather from her boots,the material especially suited for hotter weather. Her mother had gotten them for her,since most of her wardrobe was stifling for the new kind of weather she would encounter. Except for her training clothes, which she sweated a lot in, so they were mostly light and airy.

Speaking of my parents.
I should call them later. Maybe when I'm alone....
I should notify them on my location, my well-being, my progress in completing the decoration of my room, my new eating habits.....
Eating......
Her stomach rumbled a bit at the thought of food.
"I hope we can eat soon..... I'm getting a bit starved, to be honest. I woke up early, and it's been hours since my last meal."

"Lewd? How is this offensive? Is my seduction not working?" Angel joked, switching poses to both arms behind his head and a duck face. For a second Sagas acting fade faltered as a slight chuckle escaped his lips. He turned his head to hide the chuckle and then looked back. Bluejay left him to go retreat to his bed and Saga fell to his knees in desperation.

”Nooo, come back BlueJay!”

"Seduction~" Angel changed poses again- "Seductionnn~" Another change.

”Help me!” he cried over-dramatically and fell onto his side, reaching up to his dragon. One hand on his heart, he acted like he was dyeing.

"Oh the art of seduction!" Angel exclaimed.

”I’m…I’m at my limit,” he burst out laughing as he rolled onto his other side and looked up at Angel. Their weird funky bro reunion was over. Saga sat up and spread a leg out while the other one was being held close to his chest. Angel shrugged on a muscle shirt and Saga waved kindly to Reechi and burst into a small fit of laughter at the way she called out to him. It reminded him of someone he knew, someone VERY crazy who had the weirdest laugh and was just…strange. It made him feel more at home, joking around with Angel and Reechi.

”Hey Reechi, aren't you cute? Haha” he said quietly, trying his best to tone it down since his dragon was sleeping. He really wondered how much his dragon would grow. Saga turned his head to see the bed his little guy was lying on and blinked. The bed was 10 times his size! Saga pointed and had a astounded look on his face. His mouth agape he said, ”Isn’t that way too big?’ he covered his mouth and laughed lightly.

"And I didn't sneak in- looks like we're gonna be roommates." Angel grinned and stood up, slipping back on gym shoes and raising his hand for a high five. "Party rooooom." Saga grinned back just as happily at Angel and pressed his hand against the floor to push himself up. He brought his hand back in the air and then slammed all 5 against Angels hand.

”Yeah, awesome!” he nodded his head roughly and then held his head high, flipping his hair back with a backwards motion of the head.

(His boss expression)


"Need help unpacking anything? We should get to training as soon as we can." Angel said as he took in Takeshis unpacked belongings. Saga stared back at them, he only had a few boxes.

”Naw, it’s fine. I’ll unpack quick” he took out a pocket knife from his pocket and flipped it open, stabbing his box with it, he tore it open. He slid it back into his pocket and took his clothes out. They were folded nicely but were quickly ruined as he just shoved them into his dresser. Some were still folded but now were slanted weird. He felt bad that he was ruining his mothers good work… After that, he reached deeper into the box to take out a couple notebooks and shoved them under his bed. Lastly for this box, he took out all his hair stuff and make-up and put it in-between his bed and dresser in a small basket. The next part of packing was the hardest for him, this one..he actually took his time on.

"Where are you from?" Angel had asked while he was unpacking.

Saga picked his bass up in its case and laid it on his bed for now, than grabbed his amps and lined them up against the bottom of his bed. He had a small, medium, and large amp. Repeating the same motion as before, he opened a smaller box that was about half the size as the bigger one. In it were bass and piano composition and music theory books, CD’s of his favorite bands such as: LUNA SEA, U2, Vamps, and a few others, also other things like a bass strap and much more other music related things.

Wyvernbourne, in Vesper. you?" he replied. He set these things aside for now and went to the largest object of his stuff. It was already taken out of its box, but it was wrapped in white plastic. Tearing it off, it revealed a beautiful black piano. He wanted to move it in-between the two beds under the window.

”Hey, could you help me move this? I want to put it under the window, if that’s alright?” he asked.

Takeshi LOVED music. He and his friends had started a small band back home, but because of his leave a lot of things were put on hold. It was a bit disappointing to all of them but they all understood where he was coming from. They agreed they could still practice through electronics (video chat) or even meet up on weekends when he wasn’t training. Possibly get some lives in there if things went well. He truly wondered if he would have any time for that but he wouldn't give up on music. Even if apart, he will still practice.While waiting for Angels response, his phone started to buzz. Wow, his sister actually replied! He wondered whether she had sent a positive or a negative response......

Open text.....

reading....

reading....

"Psh!" he covered his mouth to hide his laughter. He texted back, enjoying his bickering with her far to much.

You're calling ME an ass?Come on....do I look like a donkey to you? No! I'm gorgeous!

P.S.
Alright, and in all seriousness...be good!



”E-eh? No, not at all. her cheeks flushed a bright pink as she waved her hand in front of her and shook her head. ” Honestly, it’s perfectly fine,” She remembered her conversation with Trista and how she had done the same thing. Wow, this was getting weird. Aya’s eyes shot in the other direction, looking down, and then looked up cutely when she felt Colettes eyes on her. She resembled the shrek character Puss in Boots when he was begging. She clenched her own hands tightly together.

There was an ackward silence, and she was relieved to hear her phone buzz. Saga! Saving her in the nick of time. She took her cell out and read his message, smiling to herself.She texted back.

Saga….you will never believe this, but I think I just met my twin. Theres this girl and she…she is just like me!! So weird!!

”I hope we can eat soon..... I'm getting a bit starved, to be honest. I woke up early, and it's been hours since my last meal." Colette mentioned, a slight grumble emitting from her stomach. Aya giggled softly.

”Wait here,” Aya stuck out her pointer finger and then walked off to one of the vending machines. She took a couple bucks out of her pocket and inserted it into the machine. She got protein bars, chips, and 2 water bottles and walked back over.

”Here, I’m sorry it’s not much….” she held out a water bottle and a handful of protein bars along with a bag of chips. Estabel peeked over Ayas shoulder and slowly inched her face closer and closer to Ayas and before…snatching one of the protein bars.

”Ah! Esta! No!” Aya snatched it back.

”I’m hungry,” Estabel hung her head down sadly. Aya sighed and unwrapped the protein bar Estabel had taken. She held it out.

”Ask next time, and here. You can’t eat it when it has a wrapper,” Aya stated. Estabel neighed happily and carefully took it from her human companion’s hand. It was yummy! But not very filling.

As Ash walked out of the hallway and looked around with a blank expression on her face and slightly wide eyes, the Great Gryphon decided to speed things up. He went around and told everyone in the lounge to get ready to leave. He then went down the hallways and stopped in each room to let people know they were going to be leaving soon.

It was the same for the boys, but with more of a harsher tone. "Hurry your asses up! I bet the girls are working faster then you guys!" He yelled at everyone in the longue who was sitting around them decided to make his way done the hallways and personally yell and curse at everyone who was just sitting around or changing. He went into everyone yelling "Hurry up, you maggots!" then continued to curse at the few men who were just sitting around talking. "Why are you just sitting there?! We have training to get to and girls to beat! Hurry up!" He would say as he hurried everyone along.

Most of the guys were scared of what would happen if they didn't listen to the gargoyle that was bigger then most gargoyles. They all came into the longue and waited for instructions. "Alright, maggots! Listen up!" Degore yelled in there faces and went around to slap a few people on the back of their heads for laughing, talking, or being on a cellphone. He then scolded them all and turned to the door. He opened it and flew out, the men all following him as he did so. He walked back down the hallway and out a door to the enclosure where a bunch of equipment was set up. There was targets with bow-and-arrows, mats for wrestling, an obstacle course with tires to run through, a climbing wall, a slide to run up and climb down, and other things. There was martial arts area, gymnastics, swords fighting, and then, for the companions mostly, special abilities. Sitting behind all the obstacles was noneother than Draconem sitting up straight. His tail was laid out behind him and went all the way back to the forest and mountains then out of sight. Beside him was a group of Pegasus, though more could be seen grazing in the pasture, and a small group of shirtless men with goat horns wrapping around there heads, revealing that they were Pooka in the shape of muscular men.

After scanning the sight, Degore smiled hideously, though he was truly proud, they had made it there before the girls. But, not so long after he thought that, the Great Gryphon can up, his beck twisting up slightly into a smile, knowing that he just ruined Degore's little moment. Degore crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the Great Gryphon. Upon seeing this, Draconem let out a hearty laugh along with a few of the Pegasus and Pooka. He found the tension between the two funny, part of the reason why he choose the two to become dorm leaders for the year.

Meanwhile, Ash and Jay ran into each other as both groups seemed to become one. Jay kept bumping into Ash as Slayer kept wrapping Liath's tail around his neck like a scarf and saying in his demon-child voice "Oh, look at me, I'm gay!" But, at the sound of that, Jay flicked him in the nose. Jay liked joking and messing with his cousin as much as Slayer enjoyed bothering Liath at the moment, but one thing Jay did not tolerate was homophobic jokes for the fact that it was not only making fun of Ash but most of his friends as well. Ash crossed her arms over and chest and looked up at Degore and the Great Gryphon, Jay did the same. Slayer and Liath sat on their shoulders and kept bickering and messing with each other as their Ryders waited for something to happen.

((Sorry, PC messed up & posted twice))

”Wait here,” Aya stuck out her pointer finger and then walked off to one of the vending machines.
What was she doing? She couldn't possibly be.....
She took a couple bucks out of her pocket and inserted it into the machine.
"Oh, wait, no, really it's ok you don't have to!", she called after her flustered.
But Aya still got her protein bars, chips, and a few water bottles anyway.

”Here, I’m sorry it’s not much….” she held out a water bottle and a handful of protein bars along with a bag of chips.
"Oh, no I really didn't want you to actually get me anything, I mean, we're strangers......"
Estabel peeked over Ayas shoulder and Colette watched as she snatched a protein bar.

”Ah! Esta! No!” Aya snatched it back.

”I’m hungry,” Estabel hung her head down sadly.
Colette insisted, "Please, it's your food, you paid for it."
Aya sighed and unwrapped the protein bar Estabel had taken, giving it to her.

”Ask next time, and here. You can’t eat it when it has a wrapper,” Aya stated.
She heard the unicorn neigh happily , take it, and then start to chew on it.

Colette opened the bag of chips, and held one out to Quinn.
Quinn took three of the smallest bites Colette had ever seen in her entire life, and then sank to Colette's shoulder.
"I'm so full.....", she sighed contently.
"You have got. To be kidding me." Colette responded.
"I don't need a lot. Human food is so big. My stomach is so small."
Colette shrugged and started to eat the chips, putting the protein bars away in her deep pockets.

Colette opened a water bottle, filled the tap, and gave it to Quinn.
She sipped happily, and then gave the cap back to Colette.

As they were munching quietly, the Great Gryphon came back into the room and started herding everyone out to train.
"Would you like to come along with me?", Colette asked Aya as they were forcibly thrown in with the crowd, girls eagerly pushing outside.
They got out into the enclosure and Colette looked on appreciatively.
Bows and arrows. Obstacle courses. Wrestling mats. She nodded, approving of the equipment.
Not any cheap stuff.
Areas for martial arts,gymnastics, sword-fighting, and companions.
It was quite a spectacle, and there was Draconem right in the middle, laughing at the imaginary static that had to be flowing between the two gargoyles.
There were also Phooka, half men, and half goat, and also Pegasus roaming around.
It was a bit overwhelming,but Colette was happy. This was her place. Rigorous exercise.Education.
Training, non-stop. She smiled at the familiarity.
Colette looked back at Aya. They weren't friends, but at least they were something. She didn't want to just leave her now.

The guy, whose name was Jay apparently, and his awesome gargoyle Slayer introduced themselves.
"Slayer's a wicked cool name. My dragon's name is Razeth. Pretty sick, huh?"
Razeth seemed to be happy about how Riley liked his name, and raised his chin.

"Nah" the guy said when he offered the chips, and turned back around. Riley noticed he'd done that alot when Riley was done talking.
Rude ass.
Maybe, Razeth reasoned he's a shy kid. He just doesn't know you that well.
Or maaybee, I'm being too much of a bother.
That too, Razeth agreed, and Riley threw a pillow at him, grinning.

Slayer, the gargoyle, seemed to be all for the food.
He looked back at Jay, and then came straight through the air straight at Riley.
"Woah, dude, calm down!" Riley yelled.
"GIVEME-GIVEME-GIVEME!" Slayer cried, all demonic and shit.
He grabbed the bag right out of Riley's hands and swooped up into the air.
He garbled down the chips, making a giant ass mess everywhere!
As he ate, he giggled like a little shit.
Oh fuck no.
Jay turned around as he crossed his arms and looked up at the gargoyle that was almost as high as the ceiling. "Dude," He started, shifting his eyes to Riley. "How much do you want those chips back?"
Riley felt the anger building inside of him, and so did Razeth.
Riley, I advise you to take a deep.....
But the words fell on deaf ears.
Riley exploded.
"What the actual fuck man, why the hell did your gargoyle do that? Fucking shit!!"
He looked up at Slayer.
"You fucking touch my stuff again, I will kick you sorry ass to the floor and mean it! You have got to be fucking kidding me! And from now on, make your mess on your own side of the fucking room! Got it!??!"
He kicked a box on the floor hard under the bed, taking off his shirt, and replacing it with a new one from his duffel bag. It was a light cotton thing. Razeth sensing he was done, climbed back on his shoulders and blew his icy breath on the back of Riley's neck.
Thanks, man. Who knew what would've happened next?
You must control your temper. It's not a big deal.

At that moment, Degore came back, shouting for everyone to get to the training grounds.
Riley was no longer fond of gargoyles.
He put on some sneakers from his duffel bag and stomped out.
When Riley got like this, he was sure to take his rage out on something.
I want to punch something. Hard.
You'll get a chance to do that, Razeth assured him, And it'll be much healthier than yelling at that poor kid.
That poor kid needs to learn how to control his companion.

When they entered the enclosure, Riley had to see through the anger in his eyes to be impressed.
There were many areas for different training activities, and loads of fancy, new equiptment.
First stop, hand to hand combat
I pity the person that has to take you on it that , Razeth shuddered, his glistening white scales reflecting with the light.
The only person who can be an equal match for me now is Colette. Hey, where is she?

He looked through the hoards of people, Phooka, Pegasus, and Draconem to the girls who were starting to mix with the boys.
He spotted her with a girl.
He walked over to her, about to challenge her to hand-to-hand combat. He needed it.
He saw her talking to the girl.
Who was she?
Suddenly, mahogany colored hair. Creamy white skin.
It was Aya.
Shit, I don't want my anger level to go down. If it does, then it'll never get out of me, and then when I go back to my room, it'll be hell all over again.
Your anger can get out of you?, Razeth asked as he seemed to chuckle.
Ha.Ha

"Hey, Colette!"
Colette spotted Riley and waved, smiling to him.
The girl, Aya, was just there.
"Hey, Riley. I'd almost forgotten about you."
"That's always a great thing to hear. Your favorite student too." He pretended to pout.
"You mean my most incompetent?", she laughed.
"I win two awards." He teased along with her, but already found himself distracted, as he looked in her eyes.
"Um....", he coughed, trying to sound casual, "Whose your friend?"
"Oh", Colette responded, "This is a girl I met in the lounge. Her name is Aya.Aya, this is Riley."
As if I didn't know, Riley gulped and smiled at her charismatically .

”It’s insulting if you don’t accept it,” Aya insisted and was relieved when Colette had finally taken them. Aya uncapped her water bottle and pressed it against her full lips, sipping it casually. It felt good to get the drink of life in her.

Colette opened the bag of chips, and held one out to Quinn. Quinn took three of the smallest bites that apparently surprised Colette. It wasn’t much of a shock to Aya, she was used to it. A whole piece of bread could probably feed an entire village for a night or maybe even more.
"I'm so full.....", she sighed contently.

"You have got. To be kidding me." Colette responded. Aya smiled softly, and covered her mouth with her hand to hide it.

"I don't need a lot. Human food is so big. My stomach is so small."

Colette shrugged and started to eat the chips, putting the protein bars away in her deep pockets. Aya sipped more of her water, an elegant poker face stuck on her again. Colette opened a water bottle, filled the cap, and gave it to Quinn. She sipped happily, and then gave the cap back to Colette. Aya brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and crossed her feet over each other, ankles touching. As they were munching quietly, the Great Gryphon came back into the room and started herding everyone out to train. The large crowd made her feel a bit uncomfortable…

"Would you like to come along with me?" Colette asked Aya as they were forcibly thrown in with the crowd, girls eagerly pushing outside.

”Sure,” she said, not like I have a choice.. she thought as girls pushed against her, way too close for comfort. She had a bubble, a nice, spacious bubble…they were in the bubble. She peered over her shoulder and craned her neck, trying to see over the girls. Where was Trista? She turned her head back around and gazed at the ground, watching her feet. She let out a soft, quiet sigh.

It wasn’t till they reached the enclosure that Aya lifted her head back up, admiring all the things to do and train herself. There were areas for bows and arrows, obstacle courses, wrestling mats, martial arts, gymnastics, sword-fighting, and companions. She wondered why there were no magic areas, but who cared? Right now, these were all things she could excel in. Glancing around, she hoped to see her brother. No luck. He would most likely have a hard time with this, probably mess around and get in trouble. She could imagine him tripping in the obstacle courses and doing a duck and roll, or covering his head and dodging punches or attacks, never returning a punch. The only thing he might beat her in, were the companions areas.

"Hey, Colette!"Aya spotted Riley coming towards them as soon as she saw Colettes hand motion from the corner of her eye. She was waving at him. She was smiling at him. Oh god…were they friends? She put her hands behind her back and bit her bottom lip, turning her head to the side. Her chestnut hair blocked most of her face.

"Hey, Riley. I'd almost forgotten about you." Colette joked. Aya gulped. Wonderful, they were on joking terms.
"That's always a great thing to hear. Your favorite student too." He pretended to pout. Her fingers twitched.

"You mean my most incompetent?" she laughed.

"I win two awards." He teased along with her. She stood there quietly, not daring to speak a word. Her heart pounded against her chest, and she found it almost hard to breath. Trembling fingers reached into her pocket as she flipped open her phone, begging her brother to respond.

Please..please…please…send me something, she thought. Ayas black, bulky stallion hung her head low at the sight of all the training equipment and Rileys appearance. Her master felt uncomfortable, and Estabel felt everything she was feeling. It was almost unbearable and she could hardly breathe. She dug her hooves into the ground repeatedly, digging up dirt.

"Um...." he coughed, "Whose your friend?"

Oh God..no…what was he trying to say? Get out, you’re in my way. She’s my friend. You’re interrupting??…

"Oh" Colette responded, "This is a girl I met in the lounge. Her name is Aya. Aya, this is Riley."

He smiled at her charismatically. Was he..mocking her?

”N..n..n-nice to meet you,” she forced herself to bow and looked away again. Where was Trista? Angel? Saga? Anyone right now would be fine! It took all her strength to make her breathing look normal even though her heart ached.

"Thank the Cree that is finally over!"

The speaker, a tall girl with shoulder length, brown hair, sighed as she collapsed on her bed, her white eyes closed, and breathed deeply, like her guardian had taught her. She hadn't seen why she had to attend the welcoming ceremony with everyone else, as she'd have been just as happy to watch the Ryders choosing their companions instead. Reaching up she fiddled with her ears pulling earplugs out of them, glad for her foresight against the inevitable screaming that Draconen always seemed to startle from the newest Ryders. Solara had even gone as far as to accuse him of enjoying the mortals screams of terrors, to which Draconen had laughed and changed the subject, something that had annoyed her at the time.

"you would think the Ryders would try and check on who was serving as their headmaster" A slight bit of humor colored the tone of a tall, red-headed woman who watched Solara, though her face was hidden behind the fox mask she wore all the time. Silent in her kimono and sandal-ed feet, she startled Solara causing her to start in surprise.

"Ravi!" Shouting in surprise, solara glared at her friend and companion. "How many times have I told you not to sneak up on me?"

Ravi, or rather, Ravian, giggled at her. "More times then either of us can count I'm sure, but I digress, your going to be late for your first class."

Glancing over at her watch Solafa jumped out of bed in one smooth movement, and landed in a crouch. "And its a class I like too!"

Running out of the room that she called her own, Solara, followed closely by Ravian, jogged and then slowing, walked to where the other girls where heading, till she ended up walking behind two girls, one with a unicorn following her, one with a fairy riding on her shoulder. Other girls were there as well, one with a grey dragon, and another with a second black unicorn.

"I hope you are ready to have some fun."

"I think you need a new definition of fun Ravi."

"They were nice, weren't they?" She asked Fucuello. He stared at her dully.

"If you say so.." he responded. Trista turned back to the outside one last time before sighing.

I don't want to go train... she whined. What was this that he was hearing? Complaining!?


Maybe I should ditch.... But if I go, maybe I'll meet Aya again and we can straighten things out between us.....I hope.

Ditching is out of the question. I will not stand a lazy Ryder!" he exclaimed through their connection. He nudged her back with his nose and egged her on to hurry up and get ready. He was in no mood to be late the first day. he was looking forward to getting back into the game. As Trista got ready, he snuck a look outside. Man, she was right. It was so nice. He couldn't lie, it did look appealing to him. A nice place to run, bathe in the sun, feel the wind against his skin. Race! Jump! Explore! His spirit was calling out to the said nature!

He turned his back on the view and eased his way to the door. Later, at another time, he could enjoy that vast and out-standing enclosure.

"C'mon, Fucuello," she said to her steed as she opened the door to the hall."Let's go."

"Right away," he trotted to her side and slowed down as he followed her in the immense crowd. This was unpleasurable. he could handle the presence of the humans, since most were so tiny and barely compared to him. However, the presence of the dragons were a bother. They had rubbed their nasty sweat or weird feeling skin against his fur and feathers that sent a creeped out chill down his spine. And he could had sworn that some fairies had played with the hair around his ears and were making them flap. he shook his head.

Knock it off! he muttered under his breathe. He could faintly hear the giggles of those pesky fairies. One day...he was gonna stomp on those stupid, pesky, tiny wings of theirs. If you could say Fucuello had a pet peeve, it was fairies. or more specifically, anyone or thing that is over-borderline rude and commits pointless pranks. While experiencing his minor dilemma, Tristas thoughts had transpired into his own. His ears shot up at her insecurity-which was a rare sight- and swatted her back with his tail sharply.

None of this. Knowing everyone isn't everything. You always have me, so cheer up. he sighed and turned his head away from her, pouting. How offending. Am I not enough? Not enjoyable enough for you? he questioned. The sunlight slowly came into Fucuellos eye sight, almost blinding him once they got out of the building. It was even brighter outside and it took him only a few seconds to get used to the change of lighting. Admiring all the activities, he was highly looking forward to his station and watching Trista ease her way through all of these 'obstacles.' Hah! He could barely call them that! To Trista, they would seem like kiddy games.

Fucuello bowed his head at the sight of Estabel, greeting his fellow unicorn. She returned the gesture and looked up at him sorrowfully. He shook his head, Esta was an...interesting character. He greeted Aya as well, her discomfort was not too noticeable but Trista had sharp eyes. It seemed both of them cared about each other deeply, but both also had their own baggage. He wondered what Ayas was.

Riley threw an alarmingly charming smile at Aya, and Colette rolled her eyes.
He always treated strangers with such charisma, ease, sophistication even!
She didn't understand his nature. How could he so nice around strangers, but with people closer to him he was known to throw fits without hesitation?
Well, he's comfortable with them, she reasoned, and she was probably right.
Well, not like he was in a bad mood all the time or no one would talk to him.

”N..n..n-nice to meet you,” Aya sputtered, as she bowed and then turned away.

What was wrong?
Was she.....nervous?
Colette looked on incredulously, as she saw Riley did.
The girl had seemed cold before, hardly bothered, a bit friendly. This was a complete change in personality.

"It's nice meeting you too!", Riley said appraisingly, wrapping an arm around each girl's shoulders.
His shoulders seemed weird. The arm that was around her seemed to hold an incredibly tight clutch. His other arm, however, seemed to be completely lax, gentle even.
Another aspect of his weird personality. He can be normal with me but polite with her.

She disregarded it as he began to say something, but then a girl came up to them.
"Hey, Aya! " she called as she ran over to the three.
"What's up?" She asked Aya as she then turned to Colette and Riley.

"I'm Trista, by the way, it's nice to meet you both, this is my companion Fucuello."
Riley took her hand and immediately shook it.
Good God, now he's getting out of hand
"Delightful to meet you Trista, my name is Riley.And of course, my incredibly awesome dragon, Razeth." He smiled wide at her, his eyes twinkling alarmingly. Razeth, at Riley's feet, nodded.
"Hello, I'm Colette. Also, this is Quinn, my companion." She motioned to Quinn by tipping her head, who was now trying to get comfortable on Riley's hand. Riley didn't seem to notice.She looked down to Fucuello, and noticed his brilliant white fur.
"Why hello there, your fur looks like it was recently brushed." She smiled hesitantly at him.

All this meeting and greeting and being polite was a bit overwhelming.
Colette did not make friends easily, because......
Well, because there was simply no time.
"Anyway", Riley said, his happy persona faltering for just a second as he looked down at Colette, "I was wondering when after Draconem speaks you would like to accompany me to a hand-to-hand combat area. I kinda really need it."
"Erm, sure....What happened?"
"Do not get me started." He gritted his teeth, and Colette smiled, amused. Some things never change.

”N..n..n-nice to meet you,” Aya sputtered, as she bowed and then turned away. Riley noticed her hide her face behind her hair, and sucked in a breath.
Why did she sound like that?
What was she thinking?
Was she...... scared..?
Maybe she just isn't into socializing. Oh, maybe she thinks I'm intruding. Or she doesn't like me! She hates me! She wants to rip me apart and sacri...woah where, am I going with this?
Razeth chuckled in his mind. I think she'd just shy. She doesn't hate you.Where were you going with that, by the way?

Riley contemplated his options. He could go for the nice, shy guy. Or even rude. But he realized this wasn't his nature to strangers.
Aha! Strangers!
Listen, Razeth, Aya is still a stranger! I don't know a lot about her. I can treat her like a stranger.
And what exactly does that accomplish?, Razeth asked.
We are about to find out.

He looked directly at Aya, feeling himself tense for a bit.
I do not know her last name,
her favorite color,
her favorite animal,
her personality,
her family,
where she lives,
who she hangs out with,
anything!
He relaxed.
"It's nice meeting you too!", Riley said appraisingly, wrapping an arm around each girl's shoulders, impulsively.
Shit, what have I done? This will make her more uncomfortable, won't it?
No backing out now, Razeth thought gleefully.
He held onto Colette for support, digging his nails into her shoulder. She shifted slightly, but hopefully she would not voice anything suspicious.
Aya, he treated lightly, only slightly putting weight on her shoulder.
He could not breathe. I don't know who she is!
He grinned at her, and let is be his best, widest grin. He decided to say something. What would he say? Who knew? He was barely in control now.

Some chick ran up to them.
"Hey, Aya! " she called as she ran over to the three.
"What's up?" She asked Aya as she then turned to Colette and Riley, which wasn't hard to do, really, as they were right there.

Ah, what do I do now?!
But the little part of his head, the one that dealt with people he didn't know, started to take hold of his thoughts again.
Be equally as charming!
What!?, he conflicted with himself, I can't do that!
You have to. It will appear more normal if you do, his alter ego reassured.

"I'm Trista, by the way, it's nice to meet you both, this is my companion Fucuello."
Riley took his hand off Colette's shoulder, found Trista's hand, and shook it.He then replaced his hand back on Colette's shoulder, gripping it to the point of madness.
"Delightful to meet you Trista, my name is Riley.And of course, my incredibly awesome dragon, Razeth." He smiled wide at her, his eyes twinkling contently. Razeth, at Riley's feet, nodded, glad for the attention.

He heard Colette introduce herself and her fairy.
He noticed how his arm was around Aya now, and how much it was just being. He tried to breathe. It was hard. Would he ever do this again? It was worth the heart attack.

Why am I here? What am I doing to myself? Why did I put myself in this situation!?
As I recall, Razeth reminded him,You wanted to blow off some steam.

Riley tried to recollect himself.
He could smell her.
Shit!

He forced himself to look down at Colette, his smile fading as he distinctly remembered what had happened in his dorm.
That seemed like such a long time ago.
"Anyway,I was wondering when after Draconem speaks you would like to accompany me to a hand-to-hand combat area. I kinda really need it."
"Erm, sure....What happened?", she asked, concern lining her voice.
"Do not get me started." He gritted his teeth, and Colette smiled, amusement crossing her face.

Riley removed his hand from Colette's shoulder again, and noticed how her little fairy was being thrown around in the midst.
"Sorry about that, Quinn.....", he sheepishly smiled, forgetting she was on Colette's shoulder.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a pack of spearmint gum, and chewing on a piece.
Usually it was for anger, and it was a little. That stupid gargoyle still got to him.
But now it was also for holding back another feeling. An unfamiliar one.
Riley really wanted the anger back.

After a moment of just standing there and waiting for Draconem to say what they were going to do, Jay couldn't get what happened in the dorm out of his head. He sighed loudly and Ash raised an eyebrow at him. "What's with you?" She said. Jay brought his hands to his face and dragged them down his face as he said quietly "Long story." He then walked away, his head hanging down slightly. He went over to a group of guys who were already trying to sell stuff to get a quick buck. Jay looked through the stuff they were selling, which was mostly just junk food their moms probably bought them before classes started.

He looked through the stuff and found a bag of chips like the ones Slayer had stolen from Riley in the room. Sighing, Jay reach into his pocket and pulled out some money and bought the chips then started walking away.

"Oh-yeah-oh-yeah-oh-yeah!" Slayer said excitedly in his usually demon-child voice and reached for the chips, to where Jay then snapped at him.

"No! You made the wrong first impression for the guy who we gotta' share a room with, man! You need to learn not to mess with other people's shit!" Jay barked loudly at the little gargoyle that sat on his shoulder. Slayer sundered slightly and got a big frown on his face then just lazily laid on his stomach on Jays shoulder.

Jay walked around, an irritated look on his face. A few people were beginning to stare because of how upset Slayer looked, but at the moment, Jay didn't give a fuck. He had a mess to fix that Slayer started. He then saw Riley standing with a few girls. Jay sighed in relief before realizeing that two of those girls had black unicorns. "Shit." He said as he looked down, closed his eyes, and shook his head as he raised his hand up to his face. He had a choice to make. Try to mend what had happened with the guy or chicken out because of his fear of black unicorns. He choose the first one. He walked up and gave a small smile to the girls before landing his eyes on Riley.

"Here dude." He said and held the new bag of chips out to Riley. Jay then proceeded to avoid eye contact with anyone or look at the black unicorns. He then got this flash of when he was a kid and that fucking unicorn ran him up a tree. His eyes widened slightly as he glanced at the two unicorns on accident.

Meanwhile, Ash was just hanging out talking with Liath who was trying to talk her into going and looking for someone to talk to. She just didn't feel all that talkative at the moment and just wanted things to get over with.