Farah didn't look back to see who was following her and who wasn't. It didn't matter since they were all here and already beginning the process of saving the realm – the thing Farah was burdened with preparing them for.
She had briefly cursed Tissaia for interrupting with the runes, but she was more grateful for the support in dealing with the stubborn one – Markus. She suspected he would be the most difficult to teach, but eventually, he would be the one who benefited the most from her training.
"As I said, your official tour will begin tomorrow, so there's no need to be worrying about finding your way. A guide will show you around to your classes and such things until you're able to navigate on your own. We wouldn't want any of you getting lost in your first days," she said, directing the words over her shoulder while maintaining an even gaze forward.
"Here we are," she said when they reached the end of a long hall. "Girls in this door on the left, boys on the right." Though the only boy was Markus – if indeed he had decided to follow along – the words were ingrained in her mind from all the beginning-of-term directions, announcements, and introductions she had to give each year.
Clementine gave Farah a beaming smile and picked up her things and made her way through the door on the left. She sat her trunk on the furthest bed and plopped down, back first onto the mattress.
Crimson chewed her lip absently as she trailed behind the group, glancing around. At the very least, she wanted to see if she could spot the good hiding spots. She walked into the dormitory, walking toward a random bed and sitting down. "Sooooo… Hi? What was all that?"
((Sorry y'all, this semester has been wild))
“What was all what?” Ash asked as she joined the girls in their new dorm, claiming a bed for herself and setting her locker nearby. “I think everything was pretty well explained for our first day.”
"My guy," she said, blinking, "We just got told actual magic exists, and we're gonna have to… what? Save the world? From what?" She shrugged a little, watching Clover get comfy next to her. "I feel like I'm tripping on something." And I really, really need a smoke.
Ash sighed and shrugged. “Well, I already knew it existed. I've been using runes and doing alchemy for years. But the elemental thing is new to me.” she admitted as she sat down on her new bed. “And it's only our first day here. We're going to learn what we're up against and how to fight it. Though chances of winning would probably be better if someone wasn't such a skeptical hothead about it.” she added with a grumble as she thought of Markus.
Crimson shrugged, getting up and digging through her trunk for her jacket, pulling it on and feeling the pockets-stil there!. "Well, I'm gonna go find some way outside for some fresh air." She said, before turning to Clover. "Behave. No smothering people in their sleep." She said sternly, hearing Clover meow.
At the end of the hall, there stood two figures. One of them was easily recognizable as Farah, and the other woman from earlier, Tissaia, was beside her. They were talking in hushed whispers.
“He’s missing?” Farah hissed, her eyes wide. “When did this happen?”
“When I went back to correct his mistakes in the runes,” Tissaia replied in the same tone. “He was completely gone. No trace left behind.”
Farah scoffed in frustration. “We need to find him. Where’s Saul?”
“Last I saw, out in the yard.”
“And Ben?”
Tissaia gave her a look. “When is he not in the greenhouse?”
Farah shot the other woman a look back. “It’s not the time for assumptions about other people’s whereabouts, Tissaia. Make sure they know about Callum’s disappearance.”
“But aren’t you at all happy he’s gone? Now you can hire someone capable with runes and filing,” Tissaia asked smartly.
“No, I’m not,” Farah retorted. “I’m more worried about what him going missing means. We have to find him. And soon.”
Crimson quietly closed the door behind her, stopping in the hall when she heard the conversation, freezing.
Tissaia straightened and cleared her throat. She had the angle to see Crimson coming through the door while Farah’s back was to the new, young witch.
Ms. Dowling turned to face the girl and corrected her posture and expression for the unexpected occasion of dealing with the student. “Crimson. How are you settling in?”
"Uh, fine." She said, shoving her hands in her pockets so they wouldn't see her fidget. "Just feeling restless, so I figured I'd go out for some fresh air…"
Farah nodded with a warm smile. “That’s quite alright. I know this must seem rather confusing and happening all at once, but I promise, everything will come to light soon. Do you need someone to show you the quickest way to the gardens or the greenhouse?”
“I’ll take you,” Tissaia offered.
Markus had gone to his room, albeit rather grumpily. Once there, he opened up his trunk and immediately changed into his other clothes, smoothing his hands along his shirt and taking in the bedroom he had been put into. Did he have a roomamte? He hoped not.
"I-uh, sure." She said, shrugging a bit. Who the hell is Callum???
Farah nodded. "You're in good hands," she remarked with a parting smile before heading down an adjacent hallway with quick, swift steps.
Tissaia lifted her chin a bit higher and approached Crimson in a few quick steps of her own. “Is there any particular kind of scenery you like?” she asked, trying to be kind. "I could show you to our greenhouse."
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