"Lotta property, huh?" I observe, querying no one in particular and taking in the scenery.

Oooh, horses! Like every girl ever, I kinda like horses. Maybe not as much as most girls; I'm more intellectual than usual, and I'd rather punch something than put on tack and saddle. But still, horses are appealing creatures.

"Is that whole town the academy?" I ask, directed towards Ms. Welkes but not in such a way as to demand an answer. I imagine that a lot of the students are wondering the same thing.

I scope out the students milling around. Maybe I'll recognize some of them from the hordes of fights I've had or the fanclub meet-ups I've been to, or maybe just for casual reasons.

The dragon-and-knight-and-princess statue catches my attention immediately. I remember something Ahina said to me, and I take out my phone and send her a text:

Was that dragon thing about the statue?

I idly plug the Latin into Goggle Translate: "At this point, who has the greatest authority?"

Sybil, The Banshee, versus the Doomsayer was before my time. Organized meta battles for profit aren't crass, at least not in my mind. Some people might think so, but those people were weak. Why would one be afraid to show off or ashamed of being powerful?

Or beautiful. Or brilliant. I'm gifted in those ways as well, and I do not hide those gifts.

I wait to receive the election results by, again, playing phone games. I probably indulge in video games too much, but what use is power if you don't get a few perks, at least? I am, nevertheless, only slightly surprised when my name is called for monitor. I had actually expected to be assigned as the gopher by jealous baselines.

That lifts my spirits, and I put my phone away and go up to get my blue armband with a spring in a step a great big smile. "Thank you, Ms. Welkes," I say, with a bow.

I turn to the crowd, but primarily I face the baselines in my own class, and I say, "I will do my best to be worthy of the trust you placed in me."

I smirk at the baselines so that they know, or at least some of them know, that I know they elected me. Some of the metas may have figured it out, too. I kind of did, but I also had inside information after the fact.

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 51):

Ahina responds back quickly.  I guess.  Never really thought about the name.  We can ask Paulette.  She's the club president.  She'll know.  She knows everything.

---

Most of the Baselines look away when you address them.  Some looking down, others suddenly playing with their phones.  About four of them look at you and nod seriously.  They must be your fan club.

Ms. Welkes makes a wide sweeping gesture after distributing the armbands.  "Now then.  Every building you saw is part of St. George's.  The school is surrounded by a low brick wall.  That is the borders of the school.  You may not leave the borders of the academy without prior permission.  The exception is of course gophers, who are free to come and go as they wish.

"There are also areas marked as off limits to students.  They have all been psychically makred, so you will be warned through an interior voice when you approach within five meters of them.  If you should wander into such an area, you will be given a ten second warning to vacate.  Once you do exit the area, report to the first faculty member you see and explain how you came to be there."  Ms. Welkes pauses, her smile hardening a bit.  "Do not linger in such areas.  Do not be in them in the first place."

Her smile warms.  "Tomorrow morning at nine, a guided tour will depart from this area.  Attendance on the tour is optional.  A GPS ap specific to the academy is being sent to yoru cell phones.  There are also brochures in your room which present a map.   During the festival tomorrow, you are free to wander the campus.  Areas that are off limits should be avoided.

"Now.  Your class has rooms on all three floors of the building.  The first floor contains the lobby, equipment rooms, a small gym with changing rooms, an internet cafe, a couple of private conference rooms which can be reserved, and the rooms for our gophers.  Samantha and Robert?  Because you are boy-girl you will each get a small private room.  Congratulations.

"The second floor will contain the main dormitory.  You will each share a room with an upperclassman, most from the second year of the program.  Take advantage of being with someone who has made it through the first year.  Good relations with a senior can be of great benefit in the days ahead.

"Seraphina and Saul,"  Belkes looks at you both.  "Your rooms will be on the third floor.  Your duties will begin the day after tomorrow, and there is an additional morning class you will have to take.  Details of it are in a brochure left in your room."

She looks at everyone.  "You can get your room assignments from the desk in the lobby.  Your luggage will be delivered to your room in the next hour.  Refresh yourselves.  Rest up.  Look over the brochures in your room as they have important information you must know.

"There will be a buffet style meal served out of conference room 2 on the first floor starting at 6 PM.  Enjoy."

Belkes nods and walks over to the bus driver, who is pulling out luggage from the undercarraige of the bus.

Students begin to head up the stairs to the lobby.

There is a desk with two guys and a girl sitting behind it.  A line forms in front of each of them.  They smile and pass out room assignments and key cards.

You have room 312.

I'll pause here in case Sera has questions, etc.

Forbidden areas, huh? That's practically asking for trouble; the quickest way to get anyone to do anything is to tell them you won't allow them to do it. Based on the mind games the faculty have already played, I suspect that the "forbidden zones" don't actually have anything interesting in them. They might even be completely empty. Perhaps it is test of compliance, bravery, boldness, some combination, or something else entirely.

And maybe not.

Ultimately, I don't know if it matters.

Having to get up early won't be new, though it will still be unwelcome. On the other hand, I get my own room. Yes! And the gophers get private rooms, too, huh? Oh well. My place is naturally at the top, and some separation is important for that. Really though, I just don't like sharing my bedroom with anyone. The extra classes and duties that "pay" for the privilege are just more obstacles to overcome and, consequently, opportunities for self-improvement.

The rule against not leaving without permission is ridiculous, of course, and probably meant to teach some sort of stupid lesson. I will almost certainly ignore it. If I ever want to get something without anyone knowing, I can leave, get the thing, and be back in no time whatsoever. Just leave my phone in my room and off I'll go.

As the gaggle of students departs, I ask Ms. Welkes: "Is there a directory of students along with their phone numbers, powers, or both? I think it will be important to know who everyone is, and what kind of trouble they might cause. Also, do the other classes have monitors too?"

Once at the front desk, I take my key card and smile sweetly to the desk jockeys, introducing myself. "Hello, I'm Seraphina Martel."

Mirroring is important for getting other people to view you positively.

That's what mother always said. She was usually right about that kind of thing, as much as I hate to admit it.

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 53):

Welkes nods.  "There is a student directory.  And it will list meta vs. baseline.  But it does not list powers.  Though we find most of our students tend to advertise their powers on social media.  Don't they?"  She grins at you.

"Every class starts with monitors.  But if the monitor leaves the academy, the class decides if it needs a monitor going forward or not.  If the class elects not to assign a new monitor, the position is left vacant and each student in that class is responsible for their own actions."

The girl behind the desk grins at you.  "Hi!  Welcome to Saint George!  Let me see...oh."  Her smile seems to falter a moment before getting slapped back on.  "You are on the third floor.  Room 312.  Just a moment..."

She puts a key card into a scanner and taps something on her tablet.  The scanner makes a vooshing sound.  She hands over the card.

"The elevator is in the back. Stairwells are located at each end of the building.  My log shows there was an issue with the shower in your bedroom, but it was fixed.  If it acts up, you can send an e-mail to the maintenance mailbox listed in your handbook.  Any questions?"

You can see out the glass doors leading into the hall that Belkes is talking to Saul beside the bus.  The two of them start to move away, and seem to be walking around to the side of the building.

Ahina waves at you from the end of one of the lines.  She gives you a thumbs up.  "Congrats on the monitor job!"

I do not advertise my abilities on social media. In fact, I don't use social media; my parents didn't allow my to so much as have a phone when I was younger, and so I never got a taste for the easy attention social media brings. There was something vaguely disgusting about the whole affair, but then, of course I would think that: I don't need the crowds to tell me how great I am.

Even if I sometimes do appreciate their adoration.

"Thanks. Is there something wrong with being a monitor?" I ask her.

I get the sinking feeling that I'm still missing something important. Then again, if everyone goes after monitors because they're at the top, I've lived with that reality since I was old enough to attend kindergarten.

Paranoia.

It's not paranoia if they're actually out to get you.

They always are. My parents are right about that. The only people you can trust are people who are much weaker than you and people who have proven their loyalty multiple times. I want so badly to be an exception to that rule, not to trust others, but rather, to be the kind of person that even those weaker than myself can trust.

I look over my shoulder and smile at Ahina. "Thanks, Ahina."

I thought one of your posts had mentioned Sera having a fan site.  Not necessrily one she ran.  Is that right?  It's nothing that affects anything here. But just thought I should ask for future reference while I was thinking about it.  Thanks



Welkes shrugs.  "That depends on the class.  Monitors tend to have a high fail rate.  That's part of the job.   Sometimes the rewards you get for the risks you take aren't very substantive.

"The class you'll have to take will answer some of your questions.  Some you have to figure out for yourself.  Sorry.  Just...do your best.  And watch your six."

---

Ahina gives you one of those quick golf claps.  Not the insincere ones.  But it has a hurried kind of motion to it.  "Hope to see you at the buffet!"

Ahina gives you another little wave and steps up to get her room assignment.

There are a lot of baselines waiting to get on the elevator.  They stop talking as you walk up.  The elevator ride up is quiet.  They all get out at the second floor.  You wait until the elevator dings for the third.

The third floor seems to be one long hall with the elevators set in the middle of it.  Right across from the elevator doors are a row of vending machines.  Everything from Fresca to toiletries.  At least you won't have to go far for munchies or emergency pit stops.

312 is set near the end of the hall to the west.  There are only two other rooms, 314 and 316 beyond it on this side of the hall.  313 sits right across from your door.

You tap the key card on the lock.  It clicks, with a very distinctive THUCK chik set of sounds.

The room beyond...

Well.  It is a private room.

It could be described as a studio apartment, if the studio had been partitioned to turn it into two rooms.  A decent enough twin bed takes up most of one side.  A desk built into the wall occupies the other.  A mini fridge is wedged under the desk.

There's a window over across from the door.  The Venitian blinds are drawn and closed.  Between the desk and blinds is a thin door that leads into the bathroom.

There's a tub.  You can fit in it if you draw your knees to your chin.  Luckily it does have a massage wand shower head installed.

The sink looks dubious.  There's some kind of stain that's set into the plastic on one side of it.  Sort of a tannish yellow color.  It doesn't seem to be sticky.  It's just faded into the surface.

There's a smell in the bathroom like flowers that have gone past their expiration date.  Not unpleasant.  But not quite...floral...either.  Its odd.

On the other side of the bathroom is a walk in closet.  The closet is larger than the bathroom but thinner.  Assuming you don't have cases and cases of shoes or such, you should be able to get everything in here.

There's a full length mirror on one wall of the closet.  If Saint George's has spent any kind of money on luxury in this room, its on the mirror.  The glass is well polished and the frame is an attractive walnut.

A quick sweep of the mirror, rooms, and window show no bugs, cameras, or any kind of obvious spying equipment.

On a side note, we are almost past the set up.  So starting with the festival tomorrow (game time tomorrow), Sera/you will be in the driver's seat as far as where the game goes.  Feel free not to bite at any of the leads that have been or will be dangled.

What's going on with the monitor position will be explained as the game goes on.  Thanks

Yeah, Sera has multiple fan sites, but she didn't start and doesn't run any of them. She does have accounts on them and occasionally posts content, which her rabid fans devour. Sometimes she posts "mysterious" content just to see what her fans speculate about her.

You're still doing really great. I hope that I can keep things motivated!

I smile pleasantly at the baselines and wave at them. I even greet them verbally.

The rewards may be meager, but I value my privacy. After checking out the room, I make sure to give myself a good looking over in the mirror, in case some wacky nonsense had occurred on the bus and somebody stuck something dumb to me.

I then wait for my luggage to be delivered. It's not a lot, considering that I come from wealth. I've always preferred high-quality, durable things to fashion. I think I get that trait from my father, who is almost fanatical about disdaining popular things. I put everything away and put some air fresheners around to get rid of the weird almost-but-not-quite flower smell.

Then I check the time. If it's almost time for the buffet, I go there, and if not, I read that brochure we're supposed to have in our rooms, then I go to the buffet. I'm not a fan of buffets, but hey, it's sometimes good.

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 58):

The brochures provide general information about the school.  You can see the various class lists.

It appears that Saint George operates on a two semester system, with an optional third semester running during the summer.  'Summer school' as it were.

During the fall and spring of each year, a new class is admitted.  Your class is the Fall 2020 class.

As Welkes mentioned, the student directory does list every student, and whether they are meta or baseline.  One thing that catches your eye are the class sizes.

The Spring 2020 class has 10 baselines and 6 metas

The Fall 2019 class has 8 baselines and 4 metas

Spring 2019:  9 baselines and 3 metas

Fall 2018:  4 baselines and 2 metas

Spring 2018:  7 baselines and 1 meta

Fall 2017:  7 baselines

It seems you are sharing the building with the Spring 2019 class.  At least according to the addresses in the directory.  There is one monitor listed for the Spring 2019 class:  Constantie Aubach.  You have never heard of him.  He is in room 310.

The buffet turns out to be better and worse than expected.  The meat is all super tough.  But they have a good range of salads.  And they serve these little meat and cheese pies that are pretty tasty.

You see Ahina walk in.  She grins at you, then takes her place in line. Soon she comes to sit beside you.

"Anything good?

"I love my room!  I'm sharing a space with a girl named Lydia.  She seems really nice.  I am soooo glad.  I was sweating that.

"How 'bout you?  Did they get you moved in okay?"

The bus driver did deliver your luggage about ten minutes before you left for the buffet.

I should talk to that Constantine guy at some point.

At the buffet, I wait patiently in line. No reason to push or insist on being first to a buffet, after all. I'm all calm pleasantness to anyone who looks my way. I get some salad and savory pies before taking a seat. It reminds me of high school cafeterias, which I suppose is the intention.

I'm surveying the people while I eat and I wave back at Ahina. Nobody at my old school would have dared sit next to me without asking first, so I'm surprised when she does. I raise one eyebrow at her.

Then she just starts...talking to me. That's even more odd. I feel almost like I've entered a portal to another dimension. Nobody here is either visibly terrified of me or asking me out. It's a strange experience for me, but nice, in its own way.

I don't answer Ahina for about three seconds, then I say, "The meat pie is pretty good. I've never been to New Zealand, but I hear they eat stuff like this a lot. They moved me in fine. The bathroom smells a bit off and there's a spot on the sink, but I brought air fresheners.  I read the brochure. The class sizes are consistently small, with more baselines than metas. What does mean? It's very strange; I've never heard of an elite school or academy with more baseline than meta students. The ratio of metas does seem to be increasing over time, though."

Nom. Vegetables.

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 60):

Ahina blinks and then laughs.  "You're concise!  I like that!"

She picks up a meat pie.  "I guess I never thought about New Zealand.  I did go to Australia though.  Kind of an exchange program thing.  It wasn't as kangaroo-ey as I thought it would be.

"Anyway.  I wanted to let you know.  Chess Club's first meeting for the term will be Thursday.  It meets in the basement of the Oxenhill building at 4.  Hope you can make it!  I think you'll have a blast!"

"What'll be a blast?"

You both look over.  Louise is standing there, holding a tray.  She smiles at you both.  "Mind if I join you?"

"Well, uh. Thanks, I think," I reply to Ahina's description of my explanation.

Her invitation is almost an order more than a request.

"You're pretty forthright, everything considered. You'll have to show off your ability Thursday."

I look up from cutting open one of the savory pies to see Louise standing there.

"Nope. Go ahead," I answer her. I wonder what game she's playing, since she was clearly playing one on the bus.

"Ahina has invited me to join the Chess Club, and I think I will. It sounds about my speed, as far clubs go. Even the best can use leisure now and again."

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 62):

"Chess club?  I would have imagined you more along the lines of Go.  That's such an elegant game."

Louise smiles as she sits.  Ahina sort of frowns at her, but busies herself with one of the savory pies as well.

Louise glances around the room.  "Just us from the bus huh?  Well.  On the meta side.  I suppose people are unpacking.  I always take forever to unpack so I just decided to do it tonight."

She bites into a chicken and spinach pie and then sips her mint cucumber lemonade.  "Have you considered what elective you want to take?  The class list seems fairly broad.  I was surprised by how much they offer."

You do have one open elective class.  English, World Civ II, Geography, Earth Science, Computer Science, and your language class are already scheduled.  You just have an elective.

As Lousie mentioned, the course list is suprisingly extensive.  Everything from the usual Choir, Drama, and Art classes are open. But so are Bad Mitton, Antiquing, and Spelunking.

Pitch a few elective classes Sera might like and I'll let you know what ones are and aren't available.

I reply to Louise, "I was invited. I might take up Go, if the same happens."

Her insults slide off me like water slides off a duck.

"We all eat a lot, I'm sure," I say, in response to Louise's supposed surprise at the lack of meta attendance at the buffet.

"There are a lot more metas in this class than in previous classes, though, so maybe you're onto something. As for electives, I haven't looked through the list yet. I read the brochure, put out some air fresheners, unpacked, then came down here. I was hoping they would have some martial arts, like Destreza or Jujitsu."

Learning to fight without using my powers has helped me win fights with me powers before. I'm not an expert or a master, but I do have a couple certificates and a black belt. Father was especially insistent that I learn to fence, a proper skill for a proper lady.

"If not that, then something in math or physics. It's good to know about the numbers behind one's powers."

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 64):

"I did see most of the martial arts listed.  Kendo caught my eye.  But there was Jujitsu.  I'm sure of it."   She smiles at Ahina.

"What were you thinking of?  Ahina, right?"

Ahina makes an attempt to smile, but it is clear she does not like nor feels comfotable with Louise.

"I was gonna take an extra bio class."

"Right. That's your specialty, isn't it?"  Louise nods.  Ahina seems surprised Louise knows something about her.  "You are the reincarnation of Louis Pasteur after all."

Ahina frowns, pushing her glasses up onto the bridge of her nose. "I prefer to say I'm just a descendant of his."

Louise nods.  "Got it.  I'll keep that in mind. Well.  Good luck with Chess Club."

She only had a couple of pies and some broccoli on her plate.  And she's finished all of it rather promptly.  Louise smiles at you.  "I was reading up about the festival tomorrow.  There apparently will be games.  Hope we get a chance to compete.  Have a good night."

Ahina is quiet as Louise leaves.  But you can hear her mumble the word, "...weasel..." right after Louise is gone.

Louise is either stupid or not as subtle as she thinks she is, in which case she's only somewhat stupid. It may be unladylike of me, but I prefer to be blunt and direct, rather than discreet.

That being said, Louise does seem less complacent than I am. I nod at her, slightly and respectfully, when she talks about Ahina's abilities.

"I look forward to it," I say to Louise. "Good night."

I wait until she's gone and then I say to Ahina, "Let's finish eating and then we can talk about this while you show me where the club room is."

And that is exactly my plan. I will finish my dinner, more substantial than Louise's, and then I will have Ahina lead me to the club room. We'll discuss Louise's weasel-ish behavior on the way.

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 66):

"Oh. My.  Gosh!  Whadda bitch!"

The two of you have finished your meals and stepped outside.  The air is cool but not so bad you need a thick jacket.  Ahina checks an ap on her phone and points across up the hill to one of the buildings sitting in the traffic circle that surrounds the St George and the Dragon statue you drove by.

"It's over there.  Hope you don't mind a little walksie!"

She giggles and pockets her phone.

"Excuse my french. I just can't stand twosie faces like Little Miss Louise there.  What a sneaky snake she is.  But I guess they're everywhere, huh?"

Ahina sighs dejectedly.

"Anyway.  Watch your back.  I'll keep an eye out too."

Feel free to question away

"Yeah, she is. I don't know what she's planning."

I've always liked the cold more than the heat. Even in the short uniform skirt, the chill invigorates me.

"Don't worry about cussing. Feel free, and no, I don't mind walking." I smile at Ahina. She's genuinely nice to me, for now. I hope she stays that way.

"Two-faced rats are everywhere," I agree, as we make our way to the building with the club room.

"What do you think she was up to?" I ask, as I take a tin of sweet mints out of one of my skirt pockets. I put one of the candies in my mouth and, in most circumstances, I would just put it away again. It's a reflexive movement, but I catch myself halfway through and instead hold the tin out towards Ahina, so that she can take one of the candy mints if she wants to.

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 68):

I just realized how much the Coral color looks like Orange.  Switching Ahina to Seagreen

Ahina sighs.  "Well.  She obviously wanted you to get busted for freezing up Asshole Saul on the bus.  And I think you would've been.  Ms. Welkes seemed pretty specific about the bus being school property."

She smiles at the mint and takes one, saying thanks before she pops it into her mouth.

"I might've...'accidentally' hacked her phone.  Right before the ballot came up, she was textin' those twins, asking them to vote for you for monitor.  They didn't respond.  Then the ballot came up and...whoopsie Ms. Thing!  Looks like your plan hit a detour!"

Ahina laughs and then stops. "Well. You still got monitor.  But I'm sure you'll make a great one.  And I think you're a hundred times smarter than Miss Louise."

She considers.  "I think she's gonna try to stir up everyone against you.  Like 'break the rules and get Seraphina in trouble' or somethin'.  At least that's what I can her trying to do.  I mean...it's like you're the sheriff.  How do you get a sheriff in trouble?"

"I had a suspicion that was the case," I say, "But since when has enforcing the natural order counted as bullying?"

I look over at Ahina as we walk. "You can hack a smartphone with another smartphone that fast? That's impressive. Anyway, thanks." I smile at her compliments.

I stop two steps ahead of Ahina, when she stops walking. I don't know where we're going, but I still naturally assume a leading position. "To be honest, I just wanted my own room. But I appreciate your faith in me and I hope I can live up to your expectations."

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 70):

Ahina glances at you.  "The natural order is important."

She says this in a sort of neutral tone. You can't quite tell if she's upset or not.  It's more like she's wondering how you meant it.

The two of you stop at the steps to the building the Chess Club is in.  Ahina giggles and motions for you to follow her.  She ignores the stairs up to the lobby and heads to the side alley.

She checks her phone and then stops beside a security door.  She looks at her phone again and pushes a series of numbers on a keypad by the door.  The little light on the keypad winks green.

Ahina giggles again and holds the door open.  "We're goin' to the last door on the right."

The last door on the right has a sign that says Archives

Ahina opens it.  Inside is a large room with rows of shelves.  Each shelf is stacked with numbered cardboard boxes.

In front of all this is a large open area, and several card tables and chairs have been set up there.  On top of the table are several chess sets, some set up as if in the middle of a game, and some still in their shrinkwrapped box.

The only person here is a young woman, maybe a year or two older than you.  She is seated, drinking a Mr. Pibb, and leafing through a magazine.  Her auburn hair is thick and long, styled in a way that becomes her oval face.  Her eyes are deep blue.

The most striking thing is the skin on the back of her fingers.  From knuckle to tip, the backs of her fingers are a red darker than blood or the lipstick she wears.

She's attractive in both the classic and post modern sense.

She stands, smiling, as you come in.  "Hello.  Ahina?  It's a pleasure to meet you in person finally.  I hope you had a pleasant trip in.

"And who's this?  Are you Seraphina Martel?  I've followed your career.  It's a pleasure to meet you.  My name is Paula Mergrave.  I'm president of the Chess Club and The Dragons.

"Welcome."

I recite, as I was taught, in History and Moral Philosophy class: "Just as the weak are obligated to obey the strong, the strong are obligated to protect, lead, and guide the weak, by deed and word, with upright behavior."

Beat. Dispassionately, I say, "Saul failed in his obligations. He belittled and insulted the order and safety provided by those who are better than him by sowing chaos to soothe his own ego, and in so doing he harmed everyone around him. He will rise to his new circumstance, or he will fall and be replaced."

That's a lot of window dressing. The truth, of course, is that the strong rule because the weak cannot stop the strong from ruling. I don't have to like it, but in the real world, might makes right. I want to change that, though, as much as I benefit from it, and I also want Ahina to like me.

I'm not sure why I care about her opinion.

I raise an eyebrow at the electronic lock. "Very clandestine." I can't help but smile back at Ahina.

I hold up my hand in a greeting to the new girl. "Yo. That's me, Seraphina Martel. Nice ta meecha, Paula."

I take a seat across from Paula. "Do all the doors have passcodes, or is that just because it's an off day?"

I'm half expecting a secret handshake or introduction to a vigilante society. Those are pretty popular lately, even if they're distasteful to respectable people.

Ahina slowly nods to your speech.  You hear her mumble, "So cool..." under her breath.

---

Paula raises an eyebrow at your question on the pass code and then laughs.  "Oh!  The door to the alley!  The side doors on most of the buildings have such locks.  The main doors are open seven days a week during business hours.  Buildings like the gym and library have extended hours.  It's just faster to get to the archives here if you go through the alley door  You can come down the main stairwell in the lobby as well."  She shrugs.  "The alley door just saves you a few steps.  The passcode for it 1970.  That's also the year Saint George's was actually founded.  But not all the doors use that code.  This one is just a coincidence."

She sets her magazine aside.

"Do either of you want something to drink?  We have Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew...all flavors.., some skim milk, tea-hot and cold, and some Perrier.  We have some cookies too, but they're awful.  I'm waiting on our gopher to come back with the good stuff."

After giving Ahina a Mountain Dew and you whatever you want, Paula sits, crossing her arms on her lap.  She smiles at Ahina.

"So.  Like I said.  Good to meet you in person.  As no surprise, your application is approved.  Congratulations.  You are a member."

She looks at you.  "We were going to reach out to you as well.  We tried before semester, but we had some difficulty with a man named 'Reginald'?"

Reggie.  He's your Dad's assistant. He's always trying to end run some rule.  Your Mom really hates him.  But Dad won't let him go.

Paula shrugs.  "Anyway.  Welcome to Saint George's.  I don't know what you've heard...but this room is used by both the Chess Club and The Dragons.  I'm president of both.  The two are interconnected, though membership to the Chess Club is welcome to all students.  Meta and General Population.  The Dragons is a meta only establishment.

"I don't know how much you play Chess.  I'm not bad.  Won't be giving Jacob Aagaard a run for his money anytime soon.  But I only play for the intellectual stimulation.  Not for the art of it.

"The Dragons.  In brief, we are an organization that helps link like minded metas.  We are interested in working to change society for the better.  I know we just met.  And I apologize if this is prying.  But please let me ask you this question:  does the way the world works right now seem fair to you?"

"Coincidence, huh?" I repeat.

"Anyway, hot tea for me, please and thank you." Mind my manners. Politeness wins friends and prevents premature showdowns.

I take out my phone and verbalize what I'm doing: "The password for the side door is 1970. Okay, got it." With the note made, I put my phone away again. Then, I sit down and cross my legs.

I don't comment on my summary approval. I've never been denied membership in any group I've wanted to join. Being gorgeous, rich, and extremely powerful will do that for you.

"Reginald is my father's assistant. One of. He's a bit of a rebel and sometimes looks after me."

I flip my hair over my shoulder. I do that a lot; my glorious locks are princess-length, full and shining, and I am very proud of them. Paula's question is one I've given a lot of thought to before, and so the answer comes quickly and naturally.

"You're not prying. I think that I am lucky, blessed with good looks, money, and power, and so I probably don't understand how society really operates. I think that I can't really assess whether society is fair. There's probably more going on than I understand."

I look at my knees, adjust my skirt, and then look back at Paula.

With conviction, "But I think that what I do see is cruel and cold. The powerful rule and the weak obey. We, the powerful, are told we have an obligation to the weak, to be as morally superior as we are physically superior, but no one enforces that obligation. It's a farce and a lie, and I think that is wrong. The disconnect between presentation and reality, the lies used to cover the truth, whatever the truth really is."

In reply to Seraphina Martel (msg # 74):

Paula smiles and nods, leaning a little closer as you speak.

"An interesting view point.  And well said.  I especially like that admit there is much you still have yet to understand.  We all do.  There is still much to learn as well as do.  And you are correct:  when your perch is so lofty, it can be difficult to realize all the little dots below are more than just ants."

She waves a hand.  "The Dragons, as I mentioned, are a group that is interested in working to change society for the better.  But we are of course focused on how the meta community can make a better impact on the problems our world faces.  We sponsor volunteer work of course.  Everything to assisting in homeless shelters to helping consul victims of domestic violence.  But to be honest, a lot of that is more to bring our members face to face with the realities that we face.  We make the rubber meet the road so to speak.  It's one thing to think about how evil human trafficking is.  Its another to open the doors on a ship's cargo container and find seventeen families packed inside.  That happened to me when I first joined the Dragons.  I can't even describe what that was like."

She looks at the ground, her smile becoming more whistful.  Paula shakes her head and looks back up at you.

"But its important to see the maladies in order to face them, right?  A doctor can't prescribe treatment unless they've diagnosed the disease, correct?

"So that is part of what we do.  Another part is working to get our members to channel their energy into a common goal.  Even if everyone wants to do something about a problem, getting everyone to agree on how to solve it can be another matter entirely.  I'm sure you can imagine what I mean."

Paula stands, taking her empty can to a recycle basket and getting herself a water bottle.

"There's a lot of politics in the organization unfortunately.  If you've ever done charity work, you'll know that committee meetings can get rather touchy.  More tea?"

She returns to her chair, refilling your cup if you want anymore.

"One thing I try to do is encourage individual projects, at least as far as I can.  Ahina here will be working on bacterial research, right?"

Ahina grins and looks at you.  "I want to work on a bacteria that can be customized to treat conditions in medical patients.  Sorta like nanomachines, except organic."

Paula nods.  "We have some sway with the school.  So we can help get some projects green lit.  My goal with Ahina is to get her a lab she can use."

She turns to you.  "Any of that interest you?"