Finally, after months of waiting and getting ready, the day had arrived. The alarm went off at 6:00 and Severin lazily grabbed at it to turn it off. Moira was already up and showered, making breakfast while her hair dried under the white towel wrapped tightly around her head. Even though her first class wasn't until 8:40 she wanted to make sure that everything was in its place and ready to go. Meanwhile, Aslan was still sound asleep, unmoved by the momentous occasion.
Breakfast was served at no later than 6:24, compliments entirely of Moira. She had taken the time to actually bake a small loaf of bread swirled with cinnamon and butter and studded with nuts and raisins. It was served with the delicious custard sauce that her mother had perfected and passed down to her children, topped with a dusting of powdered sugar and dotted with berries. Freshly made Laidd-Whara (a berry-milk drink) had been poured into glasses and everything was neatly presented at their small dining table. By now Aslan had gotten up and, still in his casual shirt and shorts, had finally crawled upstairs to join them. With only Moira fully awake, they began to talk eagerly of what the day ahead would bring, enjoying the delicious breakfast as they wondered what their teachers would be like and what friends they would meet.
Finally, Moira having watched the sun rise out of their large front window for the past hour and a half, it was time to walk the half mile down the campus road towards their first class. Aslan and Severin were by now a bit more awake and more eager to begin school but it was Moira who still took the lead in heading out the door, ready to make all kinds of new friends. She was determined to make a detailed record of the first week because she knew it would be soon forgotten. Speaking in Keòen, they slowly took in the people and buildings they passed as they crossed the streets to go to school.
Rather than walk along the main street they took the shorter path through the heart of campus. Moira took note of every person that walked past, saying things like "Did you see how they stared at us?" and "I wonder if that's going to be our best friend by the end of the year!" Aslan and Severin laughed and soon joined along.
"Look at that bunch of girls over there. They're probably future astronomers," Severin laughed as he gestured towards a large mass of obviously freshman students talking loudly and flirting with each other as they slowly made it to the dining hall, blocking the entire sidewalk as they passed.
"No," said Aslan, "They're future headmasters and will soon be running the school!"
Eventually they pointed out passing students all the way to the music building on the opposite end of campus and paused outside, taking it all in.
"I counted 52 people that stared at us for speaking Keòen," said Moira excitedly. "Either that or the way we look. I guess nobody thinks Jadali is a real place on this side of the country."
"Nonsense. You forgot Dahhod," Aslan reminded her, smiling.
The three of them looked up at the dark letters on the front of the brick building: KENNYWOOD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. "Well," Moira said, taking a deep breath, "here we go... to our first day of our first year of college."
"It's my second year," Severin interrupted, a wink and half grin on his face.
"Shh! Don't ruin our moment!" she said, a smile breaking on her face too. With that, the three of them entered the building and headed up the stairs.
On the second floor was an array of students. Some people had instrument cases on their backs or under an arm and were pushing their way through the masses. Others were sitting on benches, focused on their phones and gadgets or talking to others around them. Many were in the hallway hugging each other and catching up after the long break. The three slowly made their way around everyone and spotted Declan near the glass doors by the elevator.
"Ahoy there, Declan!" Aslan shouted and muscled his way over. Declan was standing leaned against the window talking to a bunch of people. Next to him was a Catin guy that Aslan recognized right away as Declan's best friend Jeffrey. Next to him was a Catin girl that was unmistakably Tanya, Jeffrey's wife. Moira and Severin had sort of met them before but not officially. Declan saw them and smiled, calling them all over and introducing them to Jeffrey and Tanya.
"These two are some of my very good friends. Jeffrey is a trumpet player and Tanya plays euphonium. You'll be seeing them in band and stuff. If you need anything you now know two more people you can ask."
They smiled and waved at each other before turning and, finding space on one of the benches, walked over and sat down. There was a young man also sitting on the bench, calmly reading a small book as people milled all around him. Every so often he would smile cheerily and wave at someone but he was quiet and kept to himself in a very interesting way. There was an air about him that was hard to describe but Severin especially was drawn to him. Severin made sure to sit next to this young man and once the three sat down the young man gently turned to them. He had light blonde hair parted on the side and his wide, sparkling blue eyes were framed behind rectangular glasses. A light smile was on his face and as he caught their attention they noticed that he had massive scars covering most of his face, especially around his right eye and his cheeks, making him look older but not formidable. He sat straight and was wearing formal clothing, as if he were working at a school. He set down his book gently and spoke to them.
"Ah! You've finally arrived!" His voice had a familiar accent about it and was crisp and softspoken. "You must be Moira and Severin, and you must be Aslan! I am Nathan Surcaston and I welcome you to this school."
"You're Nathan?!" Moira asked, excitedly. "You're the one that sent us a card and gifts when we moved here! You're very kind and we're so glad to be able to finally meet you!"
Nathan shook their hands and as he did so, they could feel a certain power radiating through him. His eyes were wide, making him look almost timid, but he was as calm as could be. He was very different and there was something about him that they had felt before but couldn't quite figure out what. With a smile, Severin found out that Nathan was in his theory class and as the door to Dr. Kye's theory class opened a bunch of people, some scared and some excited, began piling in. Moira and Aslan got up and together joined the large mass of people and turned to wave at Severin and Nathan before they entered to find seats.
Severin and Nathan talked for a moment longer before standing and going downstairs to their theory class with Dr. Langley. As they were about to walk inside the choir room, Nathan turned to Severin saying, "Severin, there is something you should know about me. Keoa hadda."
Severin's eyes went wide. Nathan just smiled. Finally Severin replied, in Keòen, "Are you what I think you are? You possess an aura that makes me feel... safe..."
"You perceive correctly. I am indeed a Terabikai. I see us becoming true and great friends and not just because of the Strength which is in me."
Severin felt an immense wave of relief- one he hadn't felt in a long time. As they walked into class, he smiled and turned to Nathan. "You'll... sit by me, won't you?"
"Haha, of course I will! Everyone needs a true friend to guide them!" Nathan replied, cheerily, as he pulled a desk close to his.
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