Shira patted the younger girl's head gently. It felt nice to have children in the academy, like having a younger sibling. She smiled, feeling satisfied at all the affection going around today. After a few moments, she returned to patting Kog, not wanting it to feel left out again.

"So, shall we all head over to invite Anemone to our grand ball, or should we see if Lia is alright first?" She was a bit worried about both people for different reasons. She looked to the others if they had any ideas on how to help everyone out.

Row after row of shark-tooth trees surrounded the worn, beat path, trembling with the pounding of horses' hooves. Their long, withered branches cast eerie shadows into her carriage, filtering the racing rays of light into hand chosen survivors that stopped, at last, when they met her sunkissed skin. With her chin in her hand, a lonely girl looked out from the curtained windows. The carriage was mostly made of wood--old, dark, wood; the kind of wood only found in the center of forests--and was drawn by a pair of well-groomed, chestnut brown steeds. Silver Crown Academy, she thought, in tandem with the feared announcement of the driver:

"Young Miss--you have reached your destination."

The carriage came to a slow halt, alongside the welcomed whinnies of the tired horses. The driver stepped down to open the door to the carriage, facing the front of the enormous, academic premises. As he pulled on the door, he immediately found resistance. A tense moment ensued, a drop of sweat falling from his forehead, as the stress of navigating the complex social situation took hold.

"Y-young Miss.. I would ask, if you would be so kind, that you unhand the handle."

No response. Whomever the carriage's occupant was, she didn't seem to be a very willing participant in the proceedings. The grand spires of Silver Crown towered above; thick, stone pillars of safety--or, perhaps, imprisonment.

The driver sighed heavily, caught between a rock and a hard place, powerless to force the occupant out without assaulting his decorum. Perhaps, with the right encouragement, the defiant female could be convinced..

Tarina smiled pleasantly to the new faces (and the known ones too)

"Well met, Princess Ailiel... and Brionne.  I look forward to learning more about you and your kingdoms.  I've never been able to travel freely, but my brief time at the Academy has certainly whetted my curiosity.  I'd better speak with Joanna, can I meet you all at Anemone's?"

Taking her leave, Tarina went over to Joanna and murmured her new plans to the guards-woman.  Joanna looked a little annoyed, but nodded her ascent... and fell in behind Tarina.

However before she could make her way over to Anemone's, Tarina noticed that there was a carriage just sitting idle in front of the Academy.  The carriage steps were deployed, but the occupant didn't seem to be leaving.  Tarina began to head outside to see if she could be of some assistance.  Joanna walked quickly to catch up and hiss her objections to Tarina.

"Tarina... we should mind our own business."

Tarina chose to ignore the advice and greeted the driver instead.

"Hello there, are you have some difficulties?  I'm Tarina Raptori, one of the academy students."

She peered inside, trying to see who the occupant was.

The carriage's driver wore a short, black hat that he removed and tucked beneath his arm when the student announced herself. He bowed his head courteously, trying miserably to hide his frustration. His black shoes were especially well polished for a man in his position.

"Well-met, Madam Raptori. Why, y-yes, I suppose that I am.."

His voice trailed off as he turned to look towards the emerald green curtains of the carriage. As they peered inside, a shrill "eep" was heard, and the curtains were drawn tightly together. The driver released another pitiful sigh.

"The good miss is somewhat--oh, how to put this--modest," he began, choosing his words carefully through a forced smile, "The outside world is very different from our humble kingdom."

A single eye sneakily peered out from the bottom of the curtains, obscured by shadows. Its gaze darted up and down the new arrival, fearfully curious. The occupant noticed that the student's eyes were fairly similar to her own. The student's shoulder-length, marigold hair looked soft, and well taken care of. Is this what a princess looks like?, she wondered.

Tarina had seen her fair share of servants put in awkward positions, so she emphasized with the driver.  But it was the 'modest Miss' that needed the most assistance.  However Tarina was confident of helping her... because initially she hadn't wanted to attend the Academy either.

"Could I come inside the carriage, Miss?  If you have questions or concerns about the Academy, I could try to help."

Joanna grabbed Tarina by the arm and shook her head in vigorous disapproval.

"You cannot go inside.  What if she attacks you?"

"I will be fine, Joanna... if there is trouble I'll say 'the word'."

Tarina knocked lightly on the door...  and then entered.

Stepping aside to allow her passage, the carriage driver placed his hat back upon his head and eagerly watched the student make her request. As no answer from within the carriage came, the solemn carriage driver crossed his fingers within his pocket, realizing that it was going to be challenging to make it to the next inn by nightfall after all. The horses neighed carelessly, stomping softly on the stone road.

To the driver's good fortune, the carriage door unexpectedly opened without resistance, and Tarina Raptori managed to step inside. The seats were cushioned opulently with shades of violet and gold. The material was very fine--silken, even--and felt dangerously comfortable. The faint scent of perfume wafted through the air; notes of citrus, ambrette seeds, and juniper. It emanated from the young girl, seated across the carriage in the corner, adorned with a faded, mint-green dress with a silvery sheen. Her long, braided hair fell down to her knees, which were stained with dirt. No shoes adorned her small, feminine feet, which were also smudged by dirt. She wiggled her nose at the stranger, and sneezed, before speaking.

"H-Hello," came the soft, foreign voice of the unknown girl. "Your eyes look like my eyes.. Are you Anoixian too?~" It seemed that she wasn't yet familiar with common, social formalities. Her hands gripped the edge of her dress, squeezing all of her nervousness into the thin fabric.

Finding a place to sit opposite the young girl, Tarina put on a friendly demeanour as she took in the stranger's appearance.  The mix of opulence the (carriage and her dress) versus nature (her bare feet and long hair) was noted.

"No I'm from Dayspring, if you've heard of it.  There are many students from different kingdoms and territories... I've been trying to learn more about these other lands.  What is your name?  You probably heard my name before, but just in case you didn't... my name is Tarina.  Now then, what seems to be the bother?  I'd like to help... and introduce you to some other friends."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:43, Fri 17 Mar 2017.

"Oh, that's all right," Rosegold said in a belated reaction to Brionne speaking to her. She was very good at, say, focusing in on a single hunting quarry in the swamps. Trying to keep up with a lot of conversationalists simultaneously was a whole other matter. "Nice to see you again. And nice to meet you, Eylee."

Lia's stern words came as a surprise. Rosegold was half tempted to beat feet at this point, as she was clearly behind the curve, but then Lia herself did, and Tarina followed suit. So Rosegold opted to stick around for the moment. "Ah.... sure, I'd like to practice with all of you, I'm really not good at this kind of thing," she told the people that were still there.

The warmth of Tarina's words visibly softened the girl's attitude about the whole affair. Her hands relaxed, and remembrance of social mores swarmed over her consciousness.

"I'm sorry--I don't know of that place; n-nor of you yourself," she admitted, somewhat embarrassed by her ignorance. Although she had been given ample reading materials for her journey, there's wasn't a lot of time to read them (between the bouts of motion sickness, sleeping, and worrying)."My name is Daphne Eirene Floros; very pleased to meet you."

She decided against explaining her obstinacy; in hindsight, her concerns about making friends in a place far, far away from home seemed silly. After all, her first chance encounter with a student at Silver Crown Academy was.. pleasant. She felt welcomed, and was moved by Tarina's kindness.

"And yes--I'd really like that," Daphne spoke with a smile, happily anticipating meeting others like the girl before her. She began smoothing out the wrinkles that she had inadvertently put into her dress. "Do you want to be friends?~"

Outside, the carriage driver waited patiently with crossed fingers praying for good favor within the depths of his coat pocket.

Daphne's trepidation reminded Tarina of her own worries about attending SIlver Crown Academy...

"Actually I'd be surprised if someone 'had' heard of me.  But welcome to the Academy anyway, Daphne.  I do want to be friends... and I'm going tell you something that might put your mind at ease."

Tarina paused and opened the window just enough to put her hand outside and display an OK gesture.  She was keen to rejoin her other friends, just as much as the driver wanted to be gone.

"This place is a chance to live freer... for those who want to take it.  And if you want to meet and befriend people of equal station, that's on offer too.  I don't know your own living situation, but mine was one of solitude and restriction.  Look around find your happiness... because you're stuck here regardless.  Now then, how about we go meet some other friends?  We're practicing our dance skills for a little social ball... and if you get stage fright, maybe we can drum that out of you too."

Tarina smiled and gestured for Daphne to follow.  She was willing to shoulder a bag if necessary, although her new friend probably traveled light.

Tarina's mutual desire for friendship tingled her ears. "Good!" she cried with an excited voice, much higher in tone than her speaking voice. One friend made, and many more to go!

Startled by the fortuitous development, the happy carriage driver rushed to the door to open it for the two young ladies. The door swung open, emptying the darkness within as bright light flooded the cabin. When the Academy came into view, it somehow seemed less foreboding now, knowing now the kind people she would meet within.

"Silver Crown Academy, Miss Floros."

The pair scooted out of the carriage and down the wooden steps set before the door. It seemed that Tarina's intuition was correct; indeed, Daphne had traveled exceedingly light--only a small, leather shoulder bag! A tiny butterfly fluttered out from the cabin as well, catching Daphne's eyes as it flew away. "She was keeping me company, but its time for her to go now. Take care, Butterfly!~" She waved farewell to her former companion, watching the little creature climb towards the sky, and unknown adventures. With her bag slung over she shoulder, Daphne offered her newest friend a nod, ready to follow her inside.

The carriage driver gave a thankful wink to his savior before packing the carriage stairs up, climbing to the front of the vehicle, and commanding the horses to pull. The horses, having enjoyed the break, were ready to get back to work. The carriage traveled back down along the same, stone road, the clicking and clacking of horse hooves fading into the near distance.

Tarina felt a small pang of jealousy, since she was forbidden to keep pets... even temporary ones.  In fact any bird that went near her quarters back in Zenthia... would have been shot dead by the guards.  However the driver's thanks were a nice things to have.

"Oh a word of warning... my bodyguard is grim and restrictive.  Try not to be put off, no matter what she says.  She'd rather see my solitude continue."

Joanna was quick to approach Tarina with a less than impressed expression on her face.  She nodded curtly to Daphne, but there was no warmth there.

"Can we be off to your practice now, Tarina?  No more detours."

"We can, but Daphne is coming with us."

Joanna said nothing more and the girls were escorted to Anemone's room (or at least its general whereabouts).  On the way Tarina pointed out parts of the Academy that Daphne would find useful... the stables, dorms, kitchen, and classrooms.  And Tarina also shared details of the 'Prophecy' and tried to gaug whether Daphne was excited or intimidated by the thought of being a potential Queen.  However when they arrived at last, Tarina made introductions on Daphne's behalf... but let her other friends introduce themselves in their own way.

"Hello girls, this is Daphne Eirene Floros of Anoixia.  She literally just arrived... and I think she'll be a fine friend to many of us."

Daphne saw the envy showing in her new companion's face, and she made a mental note of it. She quickly turned her attention to Tarina's unnamed bodyguard. She seemed to be a very serious woman, and somewhat annoyed by the "detour" of the last half hour. Feeling somewhat embarrassed by putting Tarina at odds with her guardswoman, Daphne sought to return the curt nod with a respectful bow.

"I appreciate the time you have spent on me."

As the three walked through the halls, Daphne's head whirled with all of the new places. She had no idea how she would possibly remember them all; her own home had been much, much smaller than these enormous premises. "Wow," she spoke aloud as she saw each new, wonderful place. The academy was like a palace to the young, baker's daughter.

The news of the so-called "Prophecy" was startling to the young Daphne. "But I don't even know how to be a Queen!" she protested, to no one in particular. It was amazing to think that she herself might occupy such an office. She would almost certainly daydream about the possibility for days to come.

Tarina provided a wonderful introduction, prompting a blushed bow from the honored newcomer. "H-Hello! I hope that we will be good, even great, friends!~" Her voice was like a pleasant rosemary tisane, cheerful and aromatic. She steadied her nervous hands over her knees. Her feet were covered with dust from the pathway outside, and her long, walnut brown hair fell to the floor in heavy braids.

Next to all these fine folk Brionne felt incredibly scruffy, especially more so when the young woman with long, long lustrous brown hair introduced herself.  There was something though that made her make an effort.
"Brionne, nice to meet you too. I wouldn't worry about the queen thing."

This was a lot of new people for Rosegold to keep up with, but she did her best. At least Brionne was from the same land as her, but she didn't have any frame of reference for this new girl. She seemed nice, at least. She tried to keep her tics still as she spoke, taking in the sight of her with her one good eye. "Hello. That would, ah... be nice," she said on the subject of becoming great friends. "My name is Rosegold Aleya."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:14, Fri 24 Mar 2017.

"We also have Aielie... who I've only just me in the last hour.  And finally Shira Edelfelt, one of my first Academy friends."

Tarina allowed a moment for handshakes, hugs, nods, and other greeting gestures.

"Many of us are from different kingdoms, but I say let's celebrate the diversity.  We came here for dance practice but I'm hoping that Anemone will also meet with us.  A practice ball cannot go ahead without boys and she might have some insider knowledge..."

Tarina then knocked on the door to Anemone's room.

Aielie smiled at Daphne. She was clearly nervous, maybe from the intense vibe given from the school. It was quite off-putting, with the harsh stone towers jutting out boldly, refusing to let you forget their existence. "Knowing how to be a Queen?" she said softly, but still as her jovial self "I'm afraid I don't know that, either. But it can't be that hard. It's not like you'd be running a kingdom or anything." She gave Daphne a playful wink before adding "It's nice to meet you, Princess Daphne. I'd absolutely love to be friends."

"Anemone? Haven't met her." Brionne shrugged as she had followed on the heels of the others. The new girl, Aielie, Rosegold and Tara.  THis was a part of the castle she was unfamiliar with, at least from this side.

The room where Anemone was staying was, as usual, locked. But when a knock came to the door, there was, for once, a response. The voice on the other side sounded vaguely like the headmistress' apprentice. But it was deeper, coarser. Perhaps she had a cold? But, that wouldn't explain her extended abscesses, "Who is there?"

As she asked the question, shuffling could be heard from inside of the room. Heavy footsteps. A heavy blanket being discarded on the floor. A sniffling noise. Yeah. She was probably sick. But, eventually, the knob twisted slightly, "I'm sorry. Miss Fae? Is that you? I'm sorry, but you know I can't cone out until you make a new dose of my medicine or send me hone. Everyone will see me like this if you don't..."

"Anemone... it is Tarina, is everything ok?"

Not wanting to catch anything (if the Apprentice's 'cold' was contagious), she backed away to give Anemone some space.  It seemed rude to intrude upon an unwell person... but she had dragged everyone here, so an outcome of some sort was desirable.  Tarina put some cheer in her voice.

"We just wanted to talk for a little bit, ask a question or two...  Do you need something?  I'm sure we could find you some soup or hot water."

"Tarina?" There was a certain nervousness to her voice. The strange thing was, though, it grew slightly higher pitched as she spoke, "Sure... I can answer a few questions. But, I swear, I'm not thirsty. Or hungry. I just ate a few hours ago. I just need my medicine. Without it, I can't leave this room. But Linda - erm, Madame Fae is out of one of the ingredients that the potion requires. There's a shipment of it supposed to come later tonight, but it will still take three days for the potion to brew... And, ah! I'm sorry, I shouldn't be troubling you like this."

The sound of a lock clicking could be heard. Anemone was going to open the door, "You can come in if you want, but you have to promise that you won't tell a living soul about this... Alright?"

Aside from a few quick waves and nods to the newly met girls, Shira seemed to be dozing off again that lazy morning. The normally overenthusiasticly talkative girl yawned and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off her. "Maybe Silverpaw knows an alternative to whatever ails you? We can ask once we know what confines thee to your lonely quarters. If of course the vow of silence can be bent around our merry round table." They still needed to see if Anemone was alright, and Lia too. It seemed like there were mysteries yet before any napping or dancing could take place.

Shira pushed against the solid door slowly.

Rosegold accompanied the others of her little group down the halls to Anemone's door, although she wasn't totally sure of their objective. She wasn't the best at social matters though, so she was glad to have a lead to follow.

She wasn't a big fan of binding vows, though, even if she was curious about what was going on behind the door. So for the moment she just kept quiet and waited to see what would happen from here.

There was a squeak as the door opened, revealing the inside of the room. Anemone's chamber was a pristine place. The bed was neatly made. The papers on the desk, save for three which she had been writing on when they knocked, were stacked neatly or bound with ribbon. There was a tea set on a table in the center of the room, though the cup which was full had been moved to the desk itself. There was one large window overlooking the campus that they rarely were allowed out on, then the woods.

One wouldn't have seen Anemone at first. She was hiding in the corner, which she had rushed to as soon as the door was open. But there was something strange. It didn't look like Anemone was there at all. The person there had stark white hair, cropped around their face in a short, wavy cut. Their body was the striking thing, though. The Princess of Miston had been muscular before. However, her form looked male in the pants that she was wearing. The girl was curled up with a single quilt, shaking, red eyes fixed on the group.

If this man-woman was Anemone, then Tarina could see how such a thing would need to be kept secret.  She suspected it was a curse or hereditary infliction... and that she knew about, being a 'cursed' Dayspring native.

"I promise not to speak of this to anyone... outside those who already know.  We wanted to ask about the upcoming practice ball, in particular where the boys are going to come from.  I'm... worried about outside influence, Anemone.  So what are you allowed to tell us?"

Tarina sat herself down on a cushion or a clean part of the floor.  It was unlikely the room had enough chairs for them all, so it was a charitable method of letting someone else have a seat.