---

---

Wesley disembarked the ferry with a smile lingering on her lips, and the sea air tusseling her curly wild mane. She was glad to be back. She couldn't wait to get back, no dodge her father's enemies, no looking over her shoulder. She was safe, or as safe as she could be with angsty teenaged witches and wizards.

She shifted her bag on her shoulders and preceeded inside.

----
A little while later, she sat at the Vulpes table, dressed in the school uniform now, which was a little shorter on her long legs, as she sat with her back toward the table and her elbows propping her up with her long legs crossed over the other and the top on rocking.

"I should warn you all now, Don't expect to win the House Cup this year because I solemly swear I'll be up to no good." She said with a smirk on her full lips.

She spun inside pulling her legs underneath the table. "Besides, Aquila usually locks that down." She said as she waited impatiently for the Ceremony to begin.

Adjusting his tie, Sterling smirked at Wesley’s comment. “Fine by me, as long as I can be up to no good with you.” He said with a suggestive wink, eliciting an eye roll from Sonny beside him. He looked at her defensively, “What? It’s a joke!”

Taking a gulp of her pumpkin juice, she stared him down with disbelief. “You just think you’re so suave, don’t you?” She asked, setting her goblet back down.

“Well, my name is Sterling Matthews, you can’t get more suave than that.”

“Oh, shoot me.”

A giggle ran down the table at the friendly banter. Bellies were getting full, and the warm feeling had settled over the great hall. What would the new year hold? It was hard to tell just yet.
First years would have to wait to be escorted to their dorms, but the rest of them already knew their way around. Sonny was the first to get up from her spot at the Vulpes table. “I’m absolutely stuffed, I can’t even look at another bite.”

“Yea, I’m done.” Sterling agreed, setting his napkin from his lap and onto his plate, getting up carefully. “Anyone else up for contraband firewhiskey in the common room?” There was a slew of groans in response, but a couple of people on board, along with Sonny. “Let’s go, then.” Sterling said, leading the group out of the Great Hall.

The common room for the house of Vulpes was extravagant and luxurious, with plush red velvet victorian style couches around a fire place and japanese style pillow pad in the corner, littered with pillows and blankets - the perfect place to lounge. As soon as the group entered the common room, they were greeted by a medium sized lynx and a black and white kitten.

“Saia!” Soony crooned, immediately kneeling to the level of her lynx, petting it affectionately.

“Pizza!” Sterling said with enthusiasm, scooping up the kitten into his arms and immediately playing with the ferocious tiger. “I’ll be right back, I’m going to run up and get the firewhiskey.” He said to the group, then running down the spiral stair case that led to the boys dormitory. The girl dormitory was up the spiral stair case, which he had never been in. His things were in his room, to his surprise his studious roommate Sean hadn’t gone to bed early like he usually did. Pizza jumped from his arms, circling around his legs before running after most likely a mouse, leaving Sterling to rifle through his things before finding the bottles of shampoo and body wash he had smuggled the firewhiskey in.

He ran back up the stairs with enthusiasm, Pizza running just ahead of him. “Time to celebrate!” Sterling said in a sing song voice to the cat, thankful no one else was around to hear him. He returned to the common room with a great big smile, holding the bottles out as if they were in actual bottles and not hygiene product packaging. “To a new year!” he cheered, passing the bottles out, and taking a swig of his own.


[center]

---

---

"Fine by me, as long as I can be up to no good with you." Sterling Mathews said with a wink, causing Wesley to laugh her loud Wesley laughs.

"I may have to take up on that." She said, she was always known to flirt and with this new found shape of hers, it seemed it was getting easier by the second.

Sterling then had a few words with Sonny and Wesley simply rolled her eyes, not out of spite just out of amusement. Then Sterling had the grand idea for firewhiskey. Wesley and Alcohol, sorta like Orange Juice and Toothpaste, it's not right but it happens whether you want it to or not.

"I'm in." She said and stood up, and they allmade their way toward the common room, where Kovu, her mountain lion sat waiting for her. Kovu sauntered over, sniffed and the huffed and scurried off somewhere. "Oh don't be such a bitch." Wesley muttered only to receive a look from the beast. They had a love hate relationship too, that seemed to be the theme of her life.

She plopped down on one of the sofas after taking a bottle, from Sterling propped her long tawny legs over the other cushions with a cheeky grin, and took a swig.
"How you managed this, I will never know." She said after a swallow. Her brown eyes raising to his."I think I'mma have to keep you around?" She said flirtatious grin on her red lips.

Rudi was the last to exit the ferry, as she had stayed back, not wanting to be noticed by any of the other students. She wasn't particularly excited about starting school at Olenda Academy, preferring to have her mother be her teacher, but she knew that she was becoming a burden, and so she accepted the feat of public school. If her mother was happy, she was happy, and she repeated that to herself the entire ride to Olenda. Now she was beginning to question that statement. She stepped off the ship, adjusting her white beanie hat, ruffling the puffball at the top with her free hand. She glanced self-consciously down at her gray long-sleeved shirt with a black heart in the middle of the upper half of the shirt. She brushed some sand off of her tight black skinny jeans and shifted her bag, proceeding to enter the building.

About a half an hour later, she strode timidly into Great Hall, not sure where to sit. She had been sorted into the Cerva House, but she wasn't very keen on asking anyone where her table might be. Finally, she spotted some students with the crest on their uniforms and sat at the very end of the table they were sitting at, away from everyone else. She fiddled with the fork and spoon before her, not bothering to eat anything. She felt sick, and didn't want her first appearance to be one of her covered in her own vomit. She waited patiently for the Ceremony, taking a sip of the pumpkin juice in her goblet, just wanting to pass the time a little. Rudi also didn't think it would be too risky to drink something, and she was extremely thirsty.

Lodi stepped cautiously off the ferry, making sure that she didn't trip like she had her first year. As she stepped off, she looked up at the castle. She was indeed excited to be back. Orenda had always been a home away from home for Lodi.

Lodi grabbed at her dragon tooth necklace as if to make sure it was still there and smiled feeling the familiar charm still around her neck. With that, she shouldered her bag and fixed her windswept hair before heading inside at the tail end of the group of students.

---

Proceeding through the doors and into the hall, Lodi rolled her shoulders while the familiarity of the place hit her. She headed straight for the Vulpes table and noticed Wesley speaking with Sterling, a group of Vulpes students gathering around them. Lodi strolled over and heard the tail end of their conversation and Sterling's amazing plan of action of firewhiskey in the common room. No one turned to Lodi until she piped up in a rather sarcastic tone from behind Wesley, "Now, that isn't all that upstanding of you, Ster." She grinned at the group, grabbing a last slice of bread before they headed to the common room.

Once inside the beautiful, extravagant common room, Lodi's clumsy little tabby, G, greeted her by pouncing into her arms. Lodi smiled as she coddled the cat for a moment before the cat licked her chin and jumped down to go take her spot on the windowsill. Lodi was about to join the cat when Sterling came back down the stairs and proceeded to pass out the bottles of whiskey. Lodi smirked and held hers up to toast to the few words that Sterling uttered before taking a gulp of the stuff. Despite her obviously small body, Lodi was not a light-weight. She was not an alcoholic, but Lodi had a tendency to enjoy drinking. The reason for this was that Lodi had a mindset where she didn't really know what else to do. She never had to study or do work and currently, she had absolutely no clue what she wanted to do with her life once out of school, so drinking was an activity that could take her out of her boredom with life. However, only the people closest to Lodi knew this and she was hellbent on not letting anyone else know.

Lodi proceeded to look around for Wesley and caught a glimpse of her friend's flirtatious smile at Sterling. Lodi grinned wickedly as she hopped over the back of the couch Wesley was sitting at and slung an arm around the girl. Acting like a true, annoying, sister-like best friend, Lodi cut Wesley's flirt short. "Well, I bet that's not all he's good at, eh Wes?" Lodi smirked at the girl mischievously and let out a laugh. If there was one thing that Lodi was good at, it was knowing how to push her friends' buttons and Wesley was no exception.

Skylar Black

As the sorting ceremony began, there was still no sign of Braelyn. Skylar started to get worried. Could she have switched to another school? Drop out maybe? No, that wasn’t her thing.

Skylar sat for what seemed like an eternity, halfway listening and watching the nervous 1st years be sorted. Some excited, some not. The ceremony had ended, still no Braelyn. She gave up searching for her. Now she was staring at the blonde headed boy travel from table to table, still trying to remember his name.

“Skylar!” someone shrieked.

Skylar jumped and before she knew it, this person was hugging her from behind. It’s Braelyn. Skylar looked stunned, but realized who it was and broke free from the embrace and turned to hug her back. People were staring at them. Skylar was a little embarrassed by the attention, but didn’t really care. She was back with her best friend. She did notice that the blonde boy was one of the ones staring.

“I swear, I’m so happy to see you, but what is that blonde boys’ name?!” Skylar asked while nonchalantly pointing his head in his general direction.

“It’s good to see you, and it’s Chase.”

“Gah! Of course it is. I knew that.” Skylar said while kicking herself for forgetting that.

“Well then why did you ask me?” Braelyn asked with a smirk.

“Man, I missed you.” Skylar said and hugged her again.

“I’m starved! Let’s eat while we catch up.” Braelyn said sat down and started making herself a plate of food.

---

---

As Wesley gave Sterling the 'eye', her annoying best friend plopped down on the sofa, nearly knocking her and her digninty right off the couch before snatching her around the shoulder. " Freaking A, Lodi!" Wesley gasped, getting her barrings. Lodi really was the sister she never wanted.

"Well, I bet that's not all he's good at, eh Wes? She said with a snicker and Wesley wanted jump off a cliff. Now, Wesley was far from easily embarrassed, she takes herself as she is and expects the same from others, however, she did not like going from sexy to goofy in a matter of seconds either. THAT was a good was to embarrass her, even if it was in front of Sterling Matthews.

"That's for me to find out, now isn't it?" She said with a mischievous grin in her eye at Sterling that shifted to a death glare at Lodi. She then grabbed a throw pillow and whacked her upside the head. " Don't you have someone else to bug?" She said through clenched teeth and kicking her off the couch.

Much to Murdo's great displeasure had his sister Isobel cordially joined Sterling's suggestion of firewhiskey. She had a guilty-pleasure look on her face as she briefly glanced at her brother; and scurried after Sterling and several others.
He sighed, understanding that he could hardly keep a curb on his sister's alacrity for simple pleasures and social interactions. He ate little while at the table, quietly got up, and began heading towards the dorm rooms, to which he was already familiar with, as this was his second year in the Academy.
The school was quite beautiful indeed; with its high domed ceilings, stone walls, and stained glass windows. There were certainly some French and Spanish architectural influences, and Murdo began to feel as though he was at Hogwarts as he heard his footsteps ring through the antiquated halls.

Collapsing onto a throne like chair, Sterling tossed back a generous amount of firewhiskey, feeling the warmth grow from his chest. He winked with amusement at Wesley, grinning as Lodi sat beside her with a cheeky comment. The two were always a riot together, and he could think of plenty of situations he would like to be with the two of them alone. “Ladies, ladies! No need to argue, there’s enough of me to go around.” He joked, then tossing back another shot.

Laid out on the floor beside his chair with her lynx, Alison sniffed her bottle gingerly, wincing at the smell. “What’s wrong Sonny, too strong for you?” He asked.

She glared up at him, “Well sorry I’m not an alcoholic like the rest of you.”

Rolling his eyes, Sterling looked back at the scene playing out between the two girls as Wesley smacked Lodi over the head with a pillow. He chuckled, shaking his head at the two. “You’re so mean, Wes.” He jested, involuntarily scrunching his nose as he teased her, then patting his leg suggestively as he turned his stare to Lodi, “you’re more than welcome to bug me, Lodi. I won’t kick you off.”

“Oh you are such a slut!” Sonny cackled, finally taking a substantial shot. She immediately began to cough, making Sterling laugh as he then plucked the bottle from her hands, then offered it to Isobel instead. “Hey! I wasn’t done!” she whined.

Sterling waved his bottle in front of her face, “At the rate you’re going, we can just share.” He said, laughing at the girl. It was weird how close the two had become, considering it all started with him wanting to fool around with her, but now they acted like two people who had known each other for too long, and boy did he love riling her up.

Pouting, Sonny laid out to pet behind Saia’s ears gently. “Honestly girls I don’t know what you see in him.” She directed towards Lodi and Wesley.

“Pffft, obviously my chisled good looks and obvious charm.” Sterling answered as if it was plain as day.

(accidental double post)

As was his common habit, Murdo walked in big strides with his eyes glued to the floor. While he was walking, a group of boys blocked his path.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" said he. But one of the boys, apparently the leader of the group, shoved him back before he could finish the sentence, causing him to stagger. Murdo collected himself; his hands clenched into fists, and a look of bitterness came to his face. Each of the boys took a step back and began to surround him, evidently eager to cause some physical harm. By the look on Murdo's face, it seemed as though he would land a swift punch on whoever was standing closest to him. Instead, almost immediately, the muscles of his face relaxed and a look of tranquility came to him. His fists unclenched.
"Apologies gentlemen," he said. "I forget to share the path with my fellow students. I understand I may have caused many annoyance with my pomposity and rough mannerisms from last year. I repent. If it pleases you, you may each slap me across the face and tell me how much you despise me."
The boys looked rather disappointed at this wasted opportunity to liberate their personal frustrations. There was no fun in fighting someone who had no will to fight back. They carried on with the direction they were walking, shouting curses at Murdo as they went.
"Go back to Scotland, you preening shit!" one of them shouted.
Murdo smiled amusedly and continued on his way to the dorms.

“Ladies, ladies! No need to argue, there’s enough of me to go around.” As Sterling spoke, Lodi rolled her eyes at him. He was too cocky for his own good, but she liked that about him. It could get annoying, but most of the time it was just plain hilarious. In any case, Lodi thoroughly enjoyed teasing him by she informing him on a daily basis of how full of himself Sterling really was.

Lodi's heart clenched a bit as Wesley gave Sterling a mischievous grin. Yeah, her best friend was gorgeous and if she ever wanted a guy, then Lodi had no chance. Despite this emotion Lodi was feeling, she kept a playfully wicked smirk on her face as Wesley plucked a pillow from the couch. While chuckling and her friend's annoyance, Lodi attempted to duck out of the way of the flying pillow, but her attempt was in vain and the pillow struck the back of her head with a muffled thud. She grabbed the rogue pillow and held it as if she could block anything else that Wesley threw at her with the pillow Wesley proceeded to kick Lodi off of the couch asking if she would go bother someone else and Lodi couldn't stop herself from snickering. She put on a mockingly thoughtful expression and answered the girl, "Oh, I always have someone else to annoy," Lodi paused -in order to cause Wesley to think that she was finished speaking- and then added, "But you're so much more fun to annoy."

Sterling also piped up, mockingly telling Wesley that she was mean and Lodi could not keep the victory grin off of her face. Lodi's attention turned from Wesley to Sterling as his voice was then directed at her. "You’re more than welcome to bug me, Lodi. I won’t kick you off.” Lodi continued to give a smile smile at Sterlings words and rolled her eyes with exasperation. Snickering softly, she chucked the pillow she had been holding at Sterling's head and then proceeded to plop down on the floor next to Wes's feet. Lodi was about to make a snide remark to go along with her throwing of the pillow; however, she did not get a chance to because Sonny suddenly began to cackle, called Sterling a slut -to which Lodi raised her bottle to-, and finally took a good, long shot. Sonny then proceeded to cough forcing Sterling to pry the glass from her hands and give it to Isobel. Lodi gave a feeble attempt not to laugh at the blonde, but she once again failed. It just felt so good to laugh as much as she was and it was hard to stop. There had never been a group of people that Lodi had felt more comfortable with than the members of the Vulpes house. They were all family and nearly everyone in the house seemed to share some sort of emotional connection. On a night like this one, when one person decided to throw a party, everyone joined in -even Sonny who appeared to not like alcohol all that much.

Sonny pouted, but Lodi could tell that she was just a bit annoyed with Sterling. Directed toward Wes and Lodi, Sonny asked, "Honestly girls I don’t know what you see in him.” Lodi let out a huffed chortle and mumbled under her breath, "I honestly couldn't tell you." With that, Lodi took a long swig of the firewhiskey and let it run down her throat slowly.

Lodi heard Sterling say something about his good looks to which Lodi snorted at, but in truth, she was not listening and was a bit lost in her own thoughts. If Sterling or anyone had brought more of this alcohol, then Lodi knew that she would have to remind herself not to drink in excess. It was a problem of hers -started around third or fourth year- that she had to stop. Lodi offhandedly wondered if Wesley knew about Lodi's slight drinking problem. She had never outright told her roommate about it, but then again, Wesley could read people like a book. Perhaps this was the year that Lodi would finally tell her most trusted friend. Even if Wesley did know, telling her would probably take a load off of Lodi.

Lodi shook herself out of her own thoughts, forcing herself back to reality as she realized a ball of fur approaching her from out of the corner of her eye. Apparently, G had come down from her pedestal on the window frame to greet her friend, Saia. Lodi couldn't hold back the chuckle as the clumsy cat stumbled twice, but continued to barrel past Lodi and right into Sonny's pet. As G stood back up from her tumble, she stepped back a moment in order to take a look at Saia. The lynx had definitely grown and was now much larger than the shorter, more petite G. However, G gave Saia's front leg a quick sniff before finally deciding that this was indeed her friend and pounced once more on the lynx.

---

---

Wesley pursed her lips at her bestie.
"Oh, I always have someone else to annoy," Lodi paused and Wesley frowned, "But you're so much more fun to annoy."
Wesley then rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why I even bother with you half the time.” She said with a fold of her arms. Then Sterling chimed in.
"You’re more than welcome to bug me, Lodi. I won’t kick you off.”

“ Ugh, Please.” Wesley said, She knew was flirting too but honestly, Sterling stood not a chance with her because he had an ego as big as the planet as well as being as transparent as a window. Wesley liked mystery and humility, after all, Wesley had enough of an ego herself, she didn’t need any more.
. "Honestly girls I don’t know what you see in him.” Sonny added and Wesley snorted,
“ Evidently, nothing anymore. I’m bored and I’m still thirsty.” She said and with that she snatched the bottle from her bestie’s hand. Now, Lodi never actually spoke on having a problem with drinking but Wesley grew up around enough drunks to see it when it happened. Lodi tried, she really did but temptation was a real bitch and Wesley knew that. She hoped one day, Lodi would talk to her about it but until then, She just kept an eye out. Lodi was a tough chick, surely it was her own will power she was trying out first before she got any real help, Something Wesley herself could relate to. Just then, Kovu stalked over, Wesley swore sometimes, the beast could read her mind as he curled up beside Lodi, giving her something to do other then drink, while Wesley was well on her way to become a little more then buzzed. “ Gu-ys, I’m Bored!” She whined, “ Let’s do something!”

Rolling onto her back, Sonny faced the ceiling above, crossing her legs delicately one over another and gently bouncing her leg in a rhythm only she could here. She rolled her head to watch as Sterling passed her bottle to another, watching as Isobel cuddled next to Mark, a sixth year with deep blue eyes. The girl had good taste. Lodi’s cat had approached Saia, sniffed her to affirm her recognition, then pounced on the lynx with a playful ferocity. Still not full grown, the lynx was still awkward about it’s size, attempting to flip from his side to his back to playfull

Rolling onto her stomach, she propped herself up by her elbows, looking past the snuggling pair and through the window to see the starry night. She had forgotten how beautiful the sky was from Orenda. Suddenly she felt inspired to sketch the world outside, to capture the dark lines of the twisted and knotted trees that reached into the skies like hands worn down to the core. Wesley’s whined from her spot on the couch, suggesting they do something. Looking back to the group, Alison pushed her hair back decisively. “I’m actually going to go to the courtyard for a little bit before curfew comes around, I think I need some fresh air.”

Before giving any of them the opportunity to invite themselves she hopped onto her feet, hurrying up the spiral staircase into the girls dormitory. Saia and G ran off chasing one another in another direction, picking up where they left off. She had the same room as last year, and her roommates still hadn’t returned, probably out with their friends still, it was still a while until the students had to return to their prospective dorms. Rifling through her things she pulled out her portfolio and her art supply case which held colored pencils and charcoal, which was all she needed for now.

Sterling was barely phased by Sonny’s sudden departure, he was used to it. She tended to get tunnel vision once her mind settled on something, and he was already a little buzzed - definitely too buzzed to care. Wiggling his eyebrows, he leaned forward to the girls. “And what do you girls think we should do?”

Without a word to her friends Alison breezed through the common room, knowing they’d think nothing of it. Sonny had her ways, and sometimes she was so caught up in her own world it was like everyone else wasn’t there. She figured she should write her family, but honestly she was having such a good time she didn’t want to ruin it. Her fingers were itching to sketch, Orenda was the only place she ever felt like she could sketch freely and not be mocked for it. America was accepting and diverse of all races and magical or non magical ancestry or cultures, no one cared about silly things like wether or not someone enjoyed something as mundane as sketching.

”Can I help you gentlemen?”
A familiar voice interrupted her train of thought, rounding the corner to see Murdo’s path being blocked by a group of boys notorious for harassing students and instigating fights. Hiding behind the corner, she peeked from where she was to watch the scene go down. Wincing as the one of them pushed Murdo back, she expected all hell to break lose, but instead Murdo collected himself and apologized for basically nothing. Shocked, Alison withdrew, pressing herself against the wall. She was so perplexed she hadn’t even realized Murdo and her were about to cross paths until he was standing right in front of her.

Clutching her things like she would a child, she looked at him with her mouth agape for a moment in silence, like a doe caught in headlights. “Um...hullo, Murdo.” She said in an attempt to gap the awkward silence, but only felt like she made it worse. Straightening herself so that she wasn’t pressed against the door behind her, she ran a hand through her hair as if to freshen her mind up. “I wasn’t spying, it was just coincidence...but it was very impressive how you handled those boys.” She complimented her United Kingdom brethren.

Murdo made a slight frown at another unexpected encounter with someone. When he caught sight of Alison, a faint blush colored his cheeks for a moment, and he started. For a moment, his lips trembled as if to say something, then he bowed in a courtly way and began:
"Good day to you Ms. Oglethorpe. How horrid of me to be so unforthcoming in making a formal greeting to you. I had already been somewhat aware of your presence in Orenda, but now it seems I am decisively assured of it. It is fact plainly known that those born under nobility, or of great wealth, such as ourselves, are incessantly talked about. Everything we say and do is spoken of among the masses, yet are often dreadfully twisted into absurd and scandalous tales. But I suppose it is better than never being spoken of at all?"

A smile tugged at her lips, Murdo was the same as always, his words deliberate and elegant. She nodded her head in agreement. “Eloquently put, it seems like in America they’re all cross breeding so it seems they don’t have many elitist.” As soon as she said it she realized how bad it sounded. It was as if she were back at Hogwarts, mocking the half breeds. Color flushed her own cheeks much like Murdo’s had, averting her gaze in embarrassment. “I mean - how they’re blood line descends mostly from ours so it’s difficult, so I understand their fanatics over it.” She tried to recover, biting the inside of her cheek out of habit.

“It is indeed better than being not talked about at all, though, I will agree with you on that.” She laughed nervously, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. Her palms began to clam up, forcing her to wipe them on her jeans discreetly. “I-uh...I mean it’s sort of my fault we hadn’t crossed paths earlier, I might have been..avoiding you.” Once again she laughed nervously, “I was paranoid perhaps, that maybe Grimm and yourself were still in touch and he would ask you to keep tabs on me. I know if the roles were reversed and you asked him to watch Isobel he would. I’m sorry, you probably aren’t, even his best mates don’t write him, I don’t know why I thought you would.” She fumbled with her thumbs as she spoke, hands clenched around her things, holding them close to her chest. She felt foolish and childish for her previous assumptions, obviously given his reaction to the boys in the hall Murdo had changed, or at least was trying to. “Hope that you can forgive me for my presumptions.” She said apologetically.

Although some people remained in the main hall, still eating at their house tables or socialising or generally loitering, quite a few had begun to leave in dribs and drabs to return to their dorms and common rooms. Sat at the Aquila table, Lyria wolfed down the last of the food on her plate - it wasn't as though she was worried about putting on weight, she could eat like a horse and still have the curveless figure of a prepubescent beanpole. The sorting was over, and she was pleased to see Max being sorted into Aquila; that would give her all the more opportunities for her to tease him at school... and of course she might help show him around a bit. If she was feeling generous.

She drained the last of her pumpkin juice and stood from the table, extricating her spidery legs, and noted that somewhere along the table between her and the door out of the hall was Max, talking to another first year - she hadn't really been listening during the sorting, was the girl's name Eve? Ede or something like that. Whoever she was, she should probably at least go and say hi to her second cousin, so as she strolled in their direction she interrupted their conversation with a ruffle of Max's hair. He may not be at school with his brother, but Lyria was there to make sure he couldn't escape embarassing family members entirely.

"Welcome to Aquila, little man," she said with an impish grin, cocking her head slightly to the side. Her tone was joking and lighthearted; so maybe she was teasing him a little, but ultimately it was intended to be a friendly gesture.

Murdo smiled but couldn't help but feel a bit tense at the mention of her brother's name.
"No apologies required Ms. Oglethorpe," he said amiably. "Besides, I'm quite used to being the subject of suspicion. Your brother and I have long parted ways since our quite immature days at Hogwarts. And frankly put, I am not in the least interested in knowing how he is faring. Like all people he possessed both certain virtues and vices; and he did certainly leave a lasting imprint on me. When young boys chafe against the demands placed upon them, they begin to grow restless and yearn for nothing more than to wreck havoc and assert themselves through violence. But such days are past and a man must establish himself through cooperation, shrewdness, and diligence. Much like my late father had."
He paused to observe her for a moment. Seeing her style of uniform and badge, he said:
"I see you are of the House of Vulpes? My sister Isobel is with you then. Please watch over her. She is quite dear to me and I am concerned for her; as she accepts every new experience and acquaintance without forethought as to whether it would do her good or harm. Indeed, much like a famished person given entry to a buffet."

Returning Murdo’s weak smile, she nodded her head as she spoke, recognizing the familiarity of their back and forth. In America they were all so brusque, and blunt. For the most part those of the UK were much more proper, creating a picture of words as they spoke, especially those who spoke as Murdo did. She had only been at Orenda for a handful of hours and already she had grown accustomed to the ways of her American classmates. There was a certain comfort in talking to Murdo, one she never thought she would find. It was like a real conversation, not one that left her bouncing from subject to subject as most of her conversations with Sterling did. She had spent all summer with family, barely spent any time talking with them, and for the better half of the previous school year she had spent at Orenda, perhaps she was adjusting to their culture...

His mention of her house broke her train of thought, forcing her to look down at her own robes she had thrown over her casual clothes to see the Vulpes emblem printed on the breast. Registering his request, she blinked absently before nodding in affirmation, “Of course, although she is a big girl. She’s actually up with our house mates right now, it seemed she was having a swell time.” She chose to exclude the fact that his sister had been cuddling with a boy, sharing a bottle of firewhiskey.

Glancing down the hall, she worried how much longer she would have before curfew. “Listen, I’d love to catch up sometime soon, but I was actually on my way to do something. We’ll cross paths again soon.” She said with a twinkle in her eye, smirking impishly. Retreating down the hall she gave a brief wave, “Lovely to have cleared the air with you, Murdo, you’re a noble wizard, with or without your family name.” and with that she turned on her heel and continued down the hall.

Once she reached the courtyard, she was met with the crisp cool night air. Fall would come and go, she had to savor it while it was here. Already knowing the perfect spot to catch, she hiked across the field to turn into a obscured portal that led into the open rolling field that led into the lake. Taking a seat on a high hill that looked over the body of water, with twisted trees speckling the grounds. Charcoal was perfect for what was in front of her. She dove right into sketching, overzealous and eager. All summer she had been under the watchful eyes of her mother and Grimm, and rarely had time to herself to participate in her own hobbies. Here, in the dim moonlight, there was no one around to judge or boss her around. Orenda was her safe haven in more ways than one, but for now all she cared about was being able to sketch.

Sterling was barely phased by Sonny’s sudden departure, he was used to it. She tended to get tunnel vision once her mind settled on something, and he was already a little buzzed - definitely too buzzed to care. Wiggling his eyebrows, he leaned forward to the girls. “And what do you girls think we should do?” Those around them who had tagged along parted into pairs or groups, returning what was left of the firewhiskey to Sterling while mumbling a thanks. He guessed most of them weren’t drinkers, and besides he wanted to make the contraband last.

Saia and G used him as a jumping post, running around the room wildly, making him wince at the proximity they had been to his precious family jewels. “Lodi, get a handle on your cat.” He said in mock anger, then guarding himself, watching the animals warily.

Finally he stood, brushing his clothes free of debris and wrinkles, looking at the girls once again. “We could always go on an adventure.” He suggested, grinning mischievously. Adventures with Sterling normally resulted in hideous altercations where he had to smooth talk his way out of losing his house an enormous amount of points, which he wouldn’t want to do so soon i the year. But they were never dull stories. The castle of Orenda was so massive in size there was always places to explore, secrets to unravel, it was difficult to withhold curiosity.

“I’ll be back.” He said, collecting all the bottles and returning to his room. Firstly he consolidated the spirits, tossing the empty bottles and hiding the full ones, then changing into jeans and plain black tee and fresh looking black lace up shoes. Within ten minutes he was back in the common room looking at the girls expectantly. “Come on, let’s go!” When met with questioning stares he scrunched his face with drunken frustration. “Come on, you said you want to do something, let’s go!”

Eden took in the spread of food laid out on the table before her. Everything looked and smelled so good. She reached for a hot honey-topped dinner roll and pulled it apart, taking in the scent of the fresh-baked bread before savoring the taste. "So, what classes are you taking? Max asked her, as he named off the classes he was in.

Eden scrunched up her nose as she thought about it. She was pretty sure first years took all the same classes. "Um, I have Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Transfiguration, DADA, Herbology, Astronomy, and of course Basic Flying," she replied. Then she lowered her voice to a whisper and leaned in closer to Max. "But I already know how to fly. Chase taught me back at home."

She reached over to grab a slice of cake Max had told her was especially delicious, and laughed when he got some of the whipped cream on his nose. Suddenly, fireworks were going off, exploding into the House Animals over their respective tables. Eden clapped and cheered as the Aquila eagle formed over their table.

She looked over at Max, who was enjoying the fireworks as well. ""So Eden, seems like this is a great way to start a year. What could possibly go wrong?"

Eden laughed at his comment, but then she had a strange feeling in her gut. She cleared the throat, starting to feel uneasy about the school year again. "Probably more than you think," she said. She got quiet for a minute as she focused on eating for a little while longer, until she heard somebody walk up behind them. She looked over as as one of the older girls in their House tousled Max's hair while welcoming him to Aquila. Eden smiled up at her, perking up a little. "Hey, if you're done eating, do you want to go check out the Aquila common room?" she asked.

Max Reed:

Max had all those classes too, probably the same as Eden, except he also was in Danforth's class as well, and his work seemed more...intricate. Max might be pressured, but he was also incredibly intelligent. And he studied really well. To be honest, he was fairly advanced, but they had these certain rules so he needed to do this. that, and he didn't want to seem weird on his first year.

He was somewhat jealous that she knew how to fly already. Granted, he KIND OF did, but he wasn't sure if it counted. "Do you have your own broom? I got mine. An Aether V, one of the best brooms out there". The Aether V was one of the most valuable, and one of the best, brooms currently in existence. it could literally make you feel like you were not even on a broom, without the risk of falling off.

He twitched his nose some more, before wiping the whipped cream off of his nose and laughing himself. He enjoyed the fireworks, and then he heard that name. He replied to his cousin in a friendly, playful, but semi annoyed voice "I told you NOT to call me that Lyr!"

As the festivities seemed to start dying out, Eden asked if he wanted to see the Common Room. "Sure! I think it was...this way!" he noted, grabbing Eden's hand as he made his way...in the exact opposite direction. Max rarely ever got lost...unless he is going there for the first or second time, in which case he almost ALWAYS got lost...something Eden was bound to find out.

The day had been fairly uneventful thus far. After the sorting ceremony and beginning of the year feast, Ryland didn't quite feel like heading back to the dormitories just yet. He had heard some of his house-mates mentioning having some firewhiskey back in the Vulpes common room, and while it sounded like fun, it wasn't really his thing. He looked around the Great Hall at those who still sat at their tables, and noted that Reid must have already gone up to his dormitory, probably locked away in his room with a sketch book.

He noticed Braelyn, a good friend of his since their first year at Orenda. They had Basic Flying class together, and neither of them liked or were very good at it. There was a girl sitting beside Braelyn, and although he thought he recognized the face he couldn't quite place her name at the moment.

Ryland got up from his table and walked over to sit down on the other side of Braelyn, putting his arm around her shoulder. "Hey, Brae, good to see you. How was your summer?" he asked. He waved at the dark-haired girl sitting beside her. "I know you," he said. "I know I do. But, I'm sorry, I can't remember your name."

"I told you not to call me that Lyr!" came Max's faintly irritated reply, but it was still lighthearted so Lyria knew she hadn't really offended him too much. She responded predictably - with a short laugh - and turned to leave the hall, calling back jokingly over her shoulder "Don't get too lost on your first day, 'kay?"

The irony of her comment was lost on her as she headed down the main corridor, not seeing Max lead Eden off in completely the wrong direction to the Aquila common room. Lyria herself didn't have much of a plan for the rest of the evening, she would probably wind up back in the common room eventually, but first she decided to pay a quick visit to the owlery - she always liked to check on Samwise after travelling, and so she made her way up to the owlery tower.

Looking out of the great owlery windows you could pretty much see out across the whole school; the flying pitches, the rolling fields that spread down to the lake. She was sure she could see a figure sat on the hill above the lake, but it was too dark and far away to make out who it was. Puzzled as to who could be out in the grounds by themselves at this time and what they could be doing, Lyria turned away from the window and descended the owlery tower steps again, letting Samwise perch on her forearm - he kept his nocturnal sleep patterns during the holidays and at so right now he was at his most awake, and cheerfully accompanied his owner as she began to trek across the school fields towards the lonely figure on the hillside.

She really hoped she could find her way there in the dark without getting lost.