Somewhere in the wilderness of deep woods Montana lies St. Vladimir's Academy, it's brick structure standing tall against the backdrop of trees and mountains and the high gates and magical wards locking out any who might be unwelcome. The school year was just beginning but already the grounds were busy with Dhampir and Moroi students and teachers alike headed to where they needed to be. To the west were the Dhampir dorms and to the east were those of the Moroi, both were separated into male and female areas and everyone had at least one roommate. Staffing quarters were within the main building and it was fast becoming obvious that this would be a busy year.
Angelina, and she'd kill you if you called her that to her face, was busy yanking her small duffle bag out of the trunk of one of the nondescript black sedans that had served as transportation for most of the lesser class. Her face was marred by a dark scowl as she had to fight to pry it out from under several other, much heavier bags which belonged to the Moroi who'd chosen to ride with her. Sebastian was an ass, but a good friend none the less, but the fact that he was royal meant that not only did he have WAY too much stuff but he also shouldn't have been riding with her in the first place... No arguing with him over that fact though. With a huff Angelina finally gave up and turned with a glare on the dark haired Moroi as he coughed in order to hide an amused laugh.
"I thought you were a tough girl Anna, and yet here you are... letting a few suitcases thwart your efforts to get a good room this year," he teased.
She rolled her eyes, "And whose fault is that... I'm pretty sure that's all YOUR stuff burying my bag. Why didn't you ride in one of those fancy cars like the other Royals instead of making my life miserable."
He pretended to be hurt, putting a hand over his heart. "You wound me... I would never INTENTIONALLY make your life difficult."
She deadpanned, "Uh-huh... riiiight..."
Anna had known Sebastian since they'd both started here and, contrary to popular belief, he'd been the one to start stalking HER not the other way around though she still didn't know why. For some reason, he liked her... like a kid sister and he was the annoying older brother she couldn't get away from. Not that he hadn't tried that whole pushing her away bullcrap... She just hadn't let him and, in her typical tough love way, had told him to suck it the hell up cuz she wasn't going anywhere.... Maybe that's why he liked her actually...

Serena climbed out of the black car that had driven her from the airport, with a few others. The entire trip she had been placing her hair just so, hiding away the scars on her neck. Now, she just couldn't wait until colder months where scarves made practical sense. She threw in bad over her shoulder and walked a small ways from the car. She looked around herself, amazed by St. Vladimir's. It was a lot larger than her school back home. It was also a lot farther from her home in Italy. Again, she adjusted her hair and started to walk toward where her dorms would be. She spotted a boy and girl, who seemed to be friendly, although from the look she was giving him, she wasn't entirely sure.

The boy was clearly Moroi, tall, pale, and slim. The girl seemed to be Dhampir, however, hunched up under all of, what she assumed to be his bags, she couldn't positive. She walked up to the struggling girl and took a couple of the bags from her. In a quiet voice, with a hint of her Italian accent, she spoke, "Here... Let me help."

Although, she didn't really want to, she'd prefer to run off and hide away in her room, she couldn't let the girl struggle. It was quite clear that the boy had little intention of helping her himself. She gave the girl a small smile and looked to the boy, she was curious if he was Royal. Considering the way the girl was helping him, it was likely that he was. She gave him a small curtsy, not really sure how to deal with Royal Moroi, she tended to avoid them at her old school.
~
Rae had rolled up in a lovely BMW convertible. He climbed out, not bothering to grab his bags, someone else would. He stuffed his hands into his pocket, so had some to the time to return to the stuffy school, St. Vladimir's. He shook his head and walked toward the Male Moroi dorms. Of course, he took this time to check out any new or old female students. He spotted Angelina talking to Sebastian and some other girl. The girl didn't look too young to be coming up from the elementary campus, which meant she was new all together. Cute too. She was a Dhampir though, it was such a shame, they all had such lovely figures. He found it a little amusing, the situation Dhampirs were in. Only able to reproduce with Moroi, who either never intended to do so or did and intended to leave. Not to mention, Dhampir relationships with Moroi, humans, or other Dhampirs were always a bit of a scandal. Especially if Dhampirs left their Moroi to do so.

He ran his hand through his hair, ah the under privileged.

"Mr. Costa," a male voice accented by Russian inflection spoke up, "I don't suppose you intended to head to your dorm without your things?"

The voice belonged to Aleksander Belikov, one of the Guardians working at the school and a Mentor in the Dhampir training classes. "It would be a shame if whoever intended to carry those bags for you dropped them and ruined something, wouldn't you say?" Alex was always giving the Moroi students a hard time but usually it was simply good natured teasing, as this was. He always found the Royal's self entitlement amusing even if he did keep it to himself. Alex had been standing still as a statue by one of the pillars in the courtyard and despite his black clothes being a stark contrast to the marble of the pillars it was almost like he'd been invisible till he'd spoken... a Guardian trait that tended to come in handy when watching out for the students.

~*~

Anna glanced up as another girl sidled up to her and helped her with the bags. She was, at first, surprised and then she gave the other girl a smile sensing that she was shy. "Thanks," she said as she cut Sebastian a wry look. "At least SOMEONE is helpful."

Sebastian grinned and shrugged, "What can I say... bad back."

Anna snorted and then offered a hand to Serena, "I'm Anna Ross and this Moroi asshole back here is Sebastian Lazar... Don't mind him, he's just another Royal."

Sebastian again feigned hurt, "JUST another royal... I thought I was your favorite."

Anna laughed, "Yeah... right after Rae Costa." She blinked, "Speak of the devil...." She saw Rae headed towards the dorms just as she had mentioned him. She had been being sarcastic of course... Rae was a typical royal in her eyes and honestly she would like to knock him off his high horse sometimes.

Rae looked over at the sound of a voice, saying his name. He looked to Aleksander, his hands still in his pockets. He cocked an eyebrow at him before smirking, "They'd have to be pretty inept to ruin anything in those bags and I like to think more highly of your students than to assume that of any of them."

He kept his smiled on his face, this guy should know by now how things work around here. He glanced back at the three he had passed just moments before, "Not to mention, Sebastian is having his bags carried by two pretty little Dhampirs and I don't see you chastising him. Although, I suppose if I go to my dorm now, I don't get to check them out on the way over."

Rae didn't really like authority, nor did he pa much attention to it either. This man, despite his strength, wouldn't actually lay a finger on him, at least not without jeopardizing his entire career as a Guardian. He smirked again, "But I think they deserve a little more respect than that don't you, Guardian Belikov."

With that he turned and continued his walk toward his dorm.
~
Serena looked between the two as they bickered. There had hardly been any interaction between Royals and Dhampirs before testing, she was amazed at how.... at ease they were. She looked at Anna's hand when she offered it to her. Tentatively, she took it into her own and gave it a small shake, "Serena Abatangelo."

She looked over when she mention Rae Costa before looking at him. He walked passed, she caught him just as he looked away from the three of them. He seemed similar to those she remembered from home. Maybe St. Vladimir's wasn't going to be too different. She looked between them and bit her lip a little, "An-na Ross and Sebastian Lazar... Lazar," Her tongue rolled over the r's in their names as she struggled slightly with the Russian last name. She repeated it once more before deciding that it was close enough.

She lifted the boy's bags onto her shoulders and looked at him, "We go to your... um.. dormitorio."

Alex chuckled as Rae walked off, he wasn't actually worried about it really... he just enjoyed giving the kids a hard time. It kept things from getting tedious just standing here. "Perhaps if you asked nicely the pretty Dhampir girls would help you," he joked. He didn't know Rae well, he didn't really know any of the students well. He had only started as a Mentor here the end of the previous year and the same could be said of his new Guardianship position at the school. He watched as the two girls gathered up their bags and Sebastian's and chuckled again before going over.

"Dhampirs are here to learn to protect you Mr. Lazar, not carry your luggage...." He reached out and took the extra bags from both Anna and Serena. "You girls are not allowed in the male Moroi dorms, I will help Mr. Lazar if he is incapable of carrying his bags himself."

Anna shrugged, "There you go Seb, we're not allowed. See ya," she waved to Sebastian and caught Serena by her shoulders and steered her in the direction of the Dhampir girl's dorms. "So, this is your first year here? You're going to have some catching up to do... I'll help if you want."

~*~

Sebastian watched Anna and the new girl leave, she was kinda cute but hell if he was stepping anywhere near that. She looked way too innocent, the kind you settled down for a long relationship with and he definitely wasn't the guy for that... Not with his... issues. Besides, Anna was the type to decide whether she liked someone pretty damn quickly and she'd obviously already decided she liked Serena. If he so much as even tried to toy around with the new girl Anna would have his ass in a heartbeat. He shook his head before turning back to Guardian Belikov, "I've got my bags."

He took them from the Guardian and turned to head to his dorms. He wouldn't have actually have made the girls carry his things... Okay, he might have made Anna because watching her struggle was hilarious... but not the other girl. He wasn't a pansy ass like most of the other Royals, he just liked giving Anna a hard time. She was like his kid sister... the other girl though... She seemed way too sweet to end up a Guardian, he hoped she knew what she was getting into.

As he headed towards the dorms he glanced at the roommate listings, he half hoped he'd get someone who'd leave him the hell alone. Last year he'd been unlucky and had gotten a Moroi roomie who he swore was the most talkative guy in the school... he'd eventually had to invest in earphones and an ipod to drown the guy out.

Serena was surprised when the man approached them and took the bags away from them. She nodded when he said that weren't allowed in the male's dorms. She gave the two a small wave before she felt hands on her shoulders. She tensed slightly as Anna steered her toward their dorms. Her mind was a buzz, did she have any scars on the back of her neck? Were any of them peaking over from under her hair? As though it were nothing, Serena reached up and brushed a small amount of hair off her shoulder to cover the back of her neck. Luckily, she had enough hair that it still covered the sides of her neck, where most of her scars were.

It took Serena a second to register that Anna was talking to her. When mentioned catching up, she shook her head, "No, I went to Santa Catherina's back home in Siena. She is a human Santo... Not like San Vladimir. I believe, fighting is the same in all... languages," She laughed quietly at herself, "I am not too sure about my... um.... history... um... those classes. When I did not learn the English translation from Italiano," She looked over her shoulders at the girl who was still pushing her alone, "Grazie though."

They reached the dorm and Serena saw a listing of dorms. She walked over to it and looked for her name.
~
Rae made it to the dorm and groaned a little at whom he would be rooming with. A young Dhampir boy ran into the dorm and looked at him. He didn't say anything, just lifted what he held showing Rae that he was carrying his bag. Rae nodded and turned from the listing and walked up the stairs to the Senior floor and into his room, which at the moment was unlocked. He took his bags from the Dhampir just to get the satisfaction of throwing them on the bed. He turned to close the door to find the Dhampir still standing there, "What? You want a tip or something?" He sighed, "Fine. Stay in school."

With that he promptly closed the door and walked over to his bed. Opening his bag, he started to fish out his belongings and started to put them away.

(Kseniya)
Kseniya felt the jet lag the whole way from the airport to the school, and it didn't seem to be going anywhere fast. The bus that all of the transfers were on bumped along the Montana road quietly until they pulled through the large gates. Most of the students pressed their faces to the windows, speaking in hushed Russian. One of the boys in the plush blue seats in front of her was whimpering about not fitting in with all of the Americans. The young girl reached her hand forward, whispering back to him as she touched his shoulder, "Ty budesh' v poryadke." She told him that he would be fine because well...he would be.

With a little sigh she stood once everything was stopped and grabbed her suitcases from over their heads. All of them stepped off the bus in a bunch, muttering in Russian again. Niya couldn't stand just staying there and she set out towards ...well...one of the buildings. Honestly she was looking for anyone that looked like they were in charge, since all of them had just been given directions to go to the right dorms and to find their rooms. She wanted someone that could tell her where all of the rooms where and when classes started.

That was when she heard and accent that was unmistakable, and from someone she hadn't been with one the trip there. The man was tall and filled out, not a teenager, but he didn't look like someone who would be horrible. In an oddly strong voice she spoke the the Russian man, "Вы говорите по-русски? ... Если это так, вы были бы готовы мне точку в правильном направлении?" Her eyebrows rose, emphasizing her question. It was clear from the look on her face that she was new and that since she still had her bags on her shoulders that she didn't exactly remember which dorms to go to or what to do with herself.

---

(Trishia)

Unlike the students, most of the teachers had been on the campus either all summer or..well..at least for the past month. That was how long Trishia had been back since visiting her parents at their home in D.C. Some of her purple locks were fluttering around her face as she headed towards the male Moroi dormitories, making her shaking her head to try to get them back into place. Of course on the day that all the students got back she had to go talk to one of the Moroi teachers that was also helping with assignments. The papers in her arms, along with two of the books, were like lead weights in her arms. Of course her arms were thin and long, like most Moroi, and she'd been carrying this stuff for a good ten minutes.

There were people come in off of a bus, maybe the transfer students they'd spoken about at the meetings, and she saw Belikov talking to a few of them before each headed off in their own directions. She gave a wave to Rae, one of the Seniors, along with Anna and Sebastian, before her eyes stopped on the new girl she'd never seen. She grinned even wider before she waved ecstatically. She loved new people.

That was when all of her books and papers flew out of her hands and on to the ground.

With a face flush with blood and a small pout, she bent over and started piling her books back together. It was going to take a while longer than she wanted it to, but she had to get all of the papers so that she could go over them with the language departments head.

Alex was still watching everyone heading to their dorms when he heard someone speaking fluent Russian behind him. Arching a brow he turned to face the speaker and found himself face to face with one of the transfer students. He had forgotten about the transfer but hearing his native tongue was interesting after going several years without having done so.

"Of course," he pointed towards the girl Dhampir dorm, "There will be a list of roommates on the door and it will tell you what room is yours."

His green eyes caught sight of a paper blowing across the courtyard in front of him and leaned down to pick it up before glancing around to find where it had come from. He spotted Trishia and chuckled somewhat before turning back to the student. "I hope you will be comfortable here, I know it is a change. Come speak to me if you need help again, for now I must return this paper to its owner."

He turned towards Trishia and headed over, leaning down to help her gather her things. "Here you are," he handed them to her with a smile.

~*~

Sebastian glowered, "Well... isn't this perfect..." Apparently, his roommate would be Rae Costa... Well, at least they'd be content to leave each other alone. Sebastian was pretty sure that every other Royal student here had heard of his failures as future prince and his father's disdain. Rae would probably demand a room change, especially since it was no secret that Sebastian made it his habit to hang out with Dhampirs and non-royals rather than 'his own kind'. Hell, he'd even been known to date a few. He sighed and stepped over Rae's bags, tossing his own onto his bed. "I'm going to need a cig... or a shot... maybe both..." He could already feel a headache coming on from all the background colors from the auras bombarding him today.

~*~

Anna smiled, "Cool, I knew other countries had Academies... Just never met anyone from one..." As she glanced at the board of roommates she arched a brow, "Who is... Kseniya?"

Serena looked at Anna as when she asked about a girl named Kseniya. She assumed that this girl was most likely Anna's new roommate. However, Serena didn't have an answer. She shrugged, "Don't ask me... I am new here."

Again she laughed a little, she decided that she liked Anna. She was nice. Although, Serena still worried about her secret. When she applied, she had begged for a room to herself. She didn't want her roommate to wake up early one morning and see all of Serena's scars. She bit her lip a little, as she always did when she was worried or in deep thought. Fighting classes had always required hair up and pulled back back home. She assumed that it would be no different here... She just hoped no one caught onto why she only ever wore turtle necks to class.

She looked at Anna, "I should go and put my things in my room," She started to walked away but stopped and quickly turned back to face her, "When is dinner?"
~
Rae stepped out of the washroom that the two of them would be forced to share. He was wearing shorts but left himself shirtless as he dried his hair. Clearly, he had just come out of the shower. He looked at Sebastian for a moment before he walked over to his bag, which was half unpacked. He grabbed out a white t-shirt and turned to look at Sebastian again, "Alright, if this is going to work out, which I highly doubt it will, we are going to have to set some ground rules," He tossed his cell phone at him, "Put your number in that. I'll text you if I'm bringing a girl back to our room and you can text me if..." He pulled his shirt on over his head, "if you manage to drug and drag a girl back. Tell me, I don't need to walk in on that."

He stretched and waited for his phone, "Anything else?"
~
Gunner didn't leave the campus during the summer. His mother and uncle were his only real family that would take him in. So when the others were gallivanting off and enjoying their summer. Gunner was here. It wasn't that bad, he got the gym to himself and a few of the guardians would spar with him and teach him to keep him busy. It got lonely though. Not to mention, it was annoying having to pack up all your things and never leave, just to move room. He sighed before he noticed papers flying as he was walking to his dorm. He managed to catch the ones that tried to blow passed him and looked around for the owner. Seeing Ms. Matila, he walked over to her as Guardian Belikov handed her a sheet as well. He stopped and nodded to them both before handing the sheets to the two teachers. After a moment, he took his leave. He didn't work at all with Matila, since she taught the Moroi magic, but he did know Guardian Belikov. He walked away from them both without a word all the same. As he headed toward the boys' dorm, he spotted a familiar sight. Walking over to the girl, he pulled Anna into a headlock, "Good to see you again, Anna Banana."

He looked up at the surprised and slightly frightened friend. He was slightly confused from the way she acted, she seemed like she should be with the Moroi. However, he short stature, screamed otherwise. He looked down at Anna, "Who's your friend?"

Sebastian arched a brow as the other guy exited the bathroom and tossed him his phone, "Sure thing..." He typed in his number and a name and then tossed the phone back. "Wow... drugging my girls, that's what they're saying now huh?" He shrugged with a smirk before giving the attitude right back to him, "Better than what they say about you at least." He wiggled his eyebrows at Rae as if the guy should know what he was talking about, "You know... they have creams for that."

~*~

"Dinner will be at-"

Anna was about to answer Serena when a familiar voice called her name and she was suddenly wrapped in a headlock, "Ack! Anna Banana... really? You are cruel and unusual you know that? Only you are sick enough to twist my name that way cuz you know I couldn't bear to hurt your pretty face by beating you." She struggled out of the headlock and smoothed down her hair with a glower before socking him in the arm with a light punch. "Her name is Serena and she is soooo out of your league," she teased him. "Serena, this is Gunner... my good friend whose ass I am kicking in training class this year. I mean it Gunner, you are so not taking me down again. My pride can't take it."

Rae let out a humourless chuckle to Sebastian's comment, "Whatever you say, Lazar..."

He took his phone back and stuffed it into his pocket. He gave the guy a smirk, "Now, whatever rash, STD, or thing of sorts you are trying to vaguely refer. I'd like to take this moment to point out that they could very well be talking about that and would still be more likely to come back with me."

He sat down on his bed. He had intentions of heading back out and scoping out the scene. Seeing, who was knew, if any ugly girls removed their glasses and were suddenly stunning. All that nonsense, but decided against it. He could get social at dinner. As much as he hated it, he was stuck in this room. He'd already tried to get out but it was a definitive thing. As long as he was stuck here with Lazar, he might as well make sure that Sebastian didn't get on his nerves. He placed his hands on his stomach, "We need to figure out shower time... if you take those."
~
Gunner grinned, he'd was jokes and laughter now but the moment you put him with a Moroi or anyone to protect, his demeanor changed. However, right now, he was free to not worry and it showed. He released her from the headlock as she struggled to get out of it, knowing he'd probably never get an introduction if he did. When she hit his arm, he feigned pain and looked at her, shocked, "You hurt me so..."

He then looked to the girl as she introduced him, insisting she was out of his league. Gunner smirked and looked at Anna, "So you hope. If not, you don't get me all to yourself."

When she in turn told him that she was going to finally kick his ass in training, he laughed out right, wrapping an arm around Anna's shoulders, "I think not. While you are off enjoying summer, I'm still here, Love. You haven't got a chance. Your pride is just going to have to deal with another year as number two."

Serena kind of just stood there awkwardly as the two spoke. She was a little amazed by Anna. She herself hadn't managed to have many friends back at Santa Catherina's. She kind of distanced herself from everyone. However, Anna seemed so open and friendly, it was something Serena wished for. Of course, she had her reasons on why that could happen. Gunner looked at her again, looking her up and down. It was clear that he was sizing her up. Finally, he held out his hand to her, "It's nice to meet you, Serena."

Serena smiled slightly and nodded taking his hand, "You too, Gunner," She struggled with his name slightly. It was almost worse than Lazar. She didn't attempt to say it again, knowing that she couldn't make it sound like they had. She looked between them, "I assume you are in the same year?"

Gunner slammed his hand against his chest, acting like he had just been shot, "You didn't tell me she was Italian!" He chuckled and nodded, "Yes ma'am..."

Sebastian snorted and again fired back in his typical fashion, "Only because you'd pay them to."

As Rae brought up shower time he laughed dryly, "You morning, me night... Simple as that. It'll give me time to sanitize the shower after you use it."

Seb was the type who enjoyed butting heads so unsurprisingly he was actually having fun tormenting Rae but damn if this migraine wasn't getting worse... and this was only the beginning. He suspected if he didn't get some kind of alcohol into his system before long to dull the light show that was the auras of the people around him he'd be slipping up against someone's mind and hell if he was going to pull that shit with Rae. He didn't need to be in the Moroi guys head, could deal without intimate knowledge of another dude... no joke. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sat up before yanking open one of his bags and kicking the dorm room door shut. He pulled a bottle of Captains out and unscrewed the lid, "Oh... and Lazar... you say anything about my drinking and I'll make you see snakes crawling out your eyes in the mirror for days. You've heard the rumors so you know I can."

Actually, he'd never compulsed anyone that way on purpose before... it had only ever happened once and it had been when he'd lost it for a minute when the anger had gotten seriously bad... He didn't like using his magic that way on other Moroi or Dhampirs, hell he didn't like using his magic at all. He yanked another bottle out of his bag and wiggled it at Rae, "Thirsty?"

He didn't really care if the other guy turned it down, kinda figured he would, but hell... he wasn't anything if he wasn't polite right? He collapsed back on the bed again with a groan, the speed of the movement making his vision swim.

"Shit..."

~*~

Anna grinned, "And you know how much your boyish charm and dazzling good looks kill me... Why, I don't think I could handle not having your attention a moment longer!" She lunged at him and vigorously mussed his hair, leaving it a mess before she punched him again.

"Hey now... just because you bested me at the hand to hand bit doesn't mean I didn't mop you across the floor with stakes. You're stronger but I'm faster... prettier too," she winked. "You're not keeping up with me this year..."

Gunner was one of the best in their class and they'd had a long standing friendly competition going on, it made them both better to have someone to challenge them, someone to test their skills against... and both of them took training very seriously even if it was for different reasons. She turned to Serena and chuckled, "Yeah, same year and friends since elementary school..."

She glanced at Gunner when he noticed she was Italian and laughed, "I didn't want you begging her to speak words of love to you in her native language... and you know you want to."

She glanced at Serena, "You should have lunch with us if you want... Don't leave me alone with this guy." She elbowed Gunner lightly... Ah, violent affection.

Eliza Linford

A soft sigh escaped through her lips as she looked down at the piece of paper in her hands and followed the very simple instructions to go to her dorm room, which was in the eastern wing. She found an empty room and immediately walked into it, claiming her bed and the side of her room. She sat her bags down on the bed and herself was soon to follow. Her eyes bounced around the room, nodding at every feature as she lowered her head a little. She often thought about how she got here, which was by two buses and a cab. Her parents wasn't up for her coming to the academy, which is still a bit unknown to them, but she didn't really care what had thought. She's coming into her own now so she can start making decisions for herself.

Eliza finally got up from her seated position after a few minutes of sitting down and started to unpack. She didn't really talk much to the people downstairs - But it seemed like they were too engaged into their own conversations, so she definitely didn't want to interrupt. Not on the first day at least. Her eyes fluttered to the opening of her door as she hoped that no one would just walk in, unless it was her roommate or potential roommate. She walked over to her dresser and placed everything, nice and neat, in the respectable drawers. She then took the hangers and hung her clothes up. Eliza took a step back with her hands placed upon her hips and smiled. "Done." She muttered to herself while turning towards the opening of her door again. Nothing.

With the shrug of her shoulders, she grabbed herself a book from her own personal collection and waltzed out of the room, closing the door behind her as she walked down the stairs. She still didn't say much to anyone but her eyes glanced towards people and she would only look down if they glanced back. She sat down into one of the comfy lobby chairs and sat back into a reading posture, crossing her legs and eyes glued to the pages of the book.

She heard people chitchatting about some things she was interested in but still didn't budge to do a little meet and greet. She was going to simply wait until somebody approached her, if anybody was willing to approach her.

Rae shook his head at Sebastian's joke and watched as he stood and grabbed a bottle of alcohol from his bag. He wasn't going to say anything, lots of kids managed to get their hands on alcohol. Best not rat on them or they might rat on you later. He grimaced at Sebastian when he threatened him with snakes. Reasons on why he didn't like him started to shine through. When he offered him a drink, he shook his head, "No. Don't need your infectious diseases."

Not to mention, it was still early. Rae was a partier but not that crazy. He assumed the drinking had something to do with Sebastian's spirit crap. Finally, he stood and headed to the door, "I'll leave the two of you alone."

He then walked out of the room and back outside.
~
Gunner stood still as she leapt at him, mussing up his hair. He didn't bother trying to fix it, letting it stand up on end. He looked at Anna again she punched him. Once more he looked pained, "Why must you hurt me so?"

When she brought up stakes, he wove his hand as though he was dismissing the conversation, "Stakes aren't going to do you much good if you can't get close to me because you can't beat my mad skill."

Again, Serena was on the outs. She didn't mind though, happy to stand there and listen to them talk. She laughed slightly at the two off them and was a little taken back when Anna invited her to eat lunch with them. She gave a small nod, "I would like that."

Gunner pursed his lips, "You can... If you can say that in as many words as possible Italian."

This got a small laugh from Serena but she nodded, "Mi piacerebbe unire i due di voi per il pranzo."

Gunner nodded, "There we are, seemed we have a new lunch mate," He looked at Anna, "I take it that Sebastian is here?"

Lena slid calmly out of the cab, picking up a bag in each hand and carrying them inside with ease. She didn't need help, and she didn't want it, either. God forbid that anyone should offer. They were mostly all inside, her parents had been fussing with her far too much for her liking, demanding to fly with her to America, even if they would only have to fly back home the day after. But she was there now, and she was overjoyed by it all.

Hurrying to her room quickly, after checking where she was in the dorms but not checking who she was sharing with, she was far too excited for that, she dumped her bags on one of the beds. Unpacking could be saved for later, when people were tired out or doing their own thing. But now, this was what she had been dying to do.

Actually approaching someone proved to be much harder than it ought to have been. She'd studied English for years, perfecting it for when her mother finally agreed to let her leave, and she was royal, they had to treat her with decency, but she was still nervous. She'd never been in a room full of people her own age before. So putting a grin on to her brave face, she started to approach a group of people, laughing and joking with each other.
"Good afternoon!" She greeted, the smile firmly fixed on her face.
-~-

Elliott didn't have much to carry in to the school. Just a killer backpack weighing him down as he found his way in, baffled by where he was supposed to be going and praying he didn't end up looking like the school idiot as he tried to find his way around.

One hand ran through his hair as he glanced around, muttering to himself about how stupid he felt stood there, waiting for somebody to just point him in the right direction as he wandered slowly towards the school. It was just like him to have lost anything the school might have sent to help him find his way when he arrived.

Anna frowned, "You know... I saw him earlier but it has been a while. Usually he has texted me by now."

She pulled out her phone to double check that there were no messages... There weren't. Anna scowled, "If he is sick and didn't say anything earlier..." She glanced at Gunner, "The guardians are everywhere right now so I can't go check on him and you know how he gets..."

"How who gets," Sebastian asked as he stepped up behind Serena and set his chin atop her head oblivious to the fact that he might be making her uncomfortable... but Anna was aware.

"Seb... have you been self medicating?"

Before Sebastian could answer though a new moroi girl walked over and greeted them politely. Sebastian smiled one of his charming half grins, the power of spirit enhancing the charisma he already had... even Anna could feel it and knew Gunner probably did too. The two of them had dealt with him for a long time... long enough to know he was on one of his self destructive moody streaks... he was probably hoping Serena would tell him off or planning on chasing this girl so he could get himself slapped later.

"Hey there," Seb greeted, "Welcome to the party."

Anna glanced at Serena nervously, and then smiled kindly at the moroi girl. "Hey... I'm Anna. This is Gunner, Sebastian, and Serena. You must be new."

Gunner looked at Anna as she looked at her phone. He was preparing to head to the Moroi dorm, since Anna couldn't, when Sebastian popped up behind Serena. He looked at the girl as it looked like her eyes were going to bulge out of her skull. He watched as every muscle in her tensed but despite her clear discomfort, she didn't move or say anything to stop Sebastian.

Gunner was about to tell Sebastian to leave her alone, because clearly she wasn't, when a Moroi joined them and Gunner bit his tongue. He nodded to the girl and gave a wave when Anna introduced him. He glanced back warily at Serena, he decided not to say anything. If this girl was going to be a guardian, she was going to be in desperate need of a back bone.
~
Serena looked at the two of them as they worried about Sebastian, when a voice popped up behind her. She already tensed at the sound but her eyes widened and her body went rigid when she felt a chin on her head. Her hand started to fiddle with the sleeve on her shirt. Anna asked him something about self-medicating and Serena gave her a confused look. She had heard stories about Spirit, the fifth element wielded by the Queen. However, she had never met anyone who had it. Or someone she was aware had it. She wondered if Sebastian had it as well... The stories of the effects of Spirit had made their way to Santa Catherina's as well. She didn't have a chance to ask nor hear his answer before a Moroi joined them. If her body could, it tensed further. She wasn't normally around this many people she didn't know. She was rarely in the presence of two Moroi and never had any of them even thought of placing their chin on her head.

She was scared to move her head, in fear that Sebastian's chin would cause some of her neck to be revealed. She wasn't exactly at the state where she could openly hit him, even if a elbow to his side would make him back off. Instead, she kept her eyes straight ahead and gave a shy wave when Anna introduced her.

To Niya the man talking English seemed odd, but she smiled and nodded thanks quickly. The man had just noticed a paper, which distracted him, and she took that as her turn to leave. He spoke some quick last second directions and she nodded over her shoulder at him. "Спасибо опекуна." One quick twist of her hips sent her towards the female dhampir dorms. Her bag pulled on her shoulders as she walked, jingling slightly. It took a few minutes for her to reach it, but with a muscled forearm, she pulled the glass door open to walk into the lobby.

There were quite a few people in there for the early time of day, but the most crowded area was the dorm room listings. She wiggled her nose and pushed her hair over her shoulders before she walked up and looked for her name. With a small smile she nodded and took down the room number and the other name beside hers. Someone named "Angelina" Was going to be rooming with her. Running her hands through her hair, she made her way up to the room, dropping her bag into the middle of the floor. Honestly she didn't think it was right for her to just decided on a side of the room, so she just nodded and sat down on the floor, opening up her syfy book.

---

(Trishia)

So many papers had blown away, it was going to be a miracle if she could present her case in full. Her sharp teeth pulled pieces of her flesh from the inside of her lip as she looked up, finding Alex Belikov holding a page out to her. She was a few years older than he was, but she'd always wanted to talk to him, if only because his background was quite interesting. For a moment she felt silly, with her disheveled papers and her messy purple ended hair that was flying around her face. After a moments hesitation she smiled as well and reached her left hand out, taking the paper from him before she found another being brought to her attention. One of the year round students, a dhampir she hadn't gotten to know yet, was also holding out a paper for her. She took his as well before he walked away. As she stood from the ground, she smiled at Belikov. "Thank you very much Guardian Belikov. That was very appreciated. Просто дайте мне знать, если я могу вернуться пользу в будущем." For a moment she was going to turn away, but then her more ...personable side reared it's head and she grinned at him. "Are you excited for this new year? So many new children and all of the new things we can teach to them. Not to mention that graduating class getting ready for all of their big exams!" There was almost a fiery energy around the young Moroi as she stood there, bouncing slightly on her toes.

---

A few more papers blew away in the distances, high above the trees, still quite close enough that the man outside the wards could see them easily.

Eliza Linford

Eliza was perfectly fine with reading in the main lobby of the academy but that was screwed up when another participant walked in and greeted herself. She tried her best not to look their way but she couldn't help it. She closed her book with a thud then placed it in her purse, getting up with a slight huff but bump into a male. "Oh, pardon me. I am so sorry." Eliza said while standing there, biting his lip. The male looked somewhat lost and had a very confused look plastered upon his face. "Uhmm, are you new here too?" She asked him with a smile spreading among her facial features. Her hand extended itself outwards as she introduced herself. "I'm Eliza. You are?" She asked towards the male. When or if they shook hands, she would drop hers back by her side then rock on the balls of her feet. "So, since you seem a bit lost, maybe we can venture the mansion together and find our way." She laughed a little then looked back up at the male. Eliza straddled her purse back onto her shoulders while waiting for the male to respond before walking off.

Lena nodded slightly towards each of them, a mix of moroi and dhampir, before introducing herself. "Yes, I'm Lena. Lena Szelsky." She informed them, looking at the boy with his head atop of one of the girl's. He seemed overly familiar with her, much to her discomfort, something that intrigued Lena.

"You don't look so comfortable there." She teased with a small smile, in an attempt to ease the poor girls' tension, or make the boy pull away. Still, they did not seem to be particularly disgusted by what may have been a display of odd affection.

---

Elliott was startled by the girl, but broke out in to a smile quickly. "No problem, I should've been looking where I was headed!" He grinned as he shook her hand. "I'm Elliott, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you, Eliza." He hoisted the backpack back on to his shoulder, before gesturing for her to lead the way for both of them. It was nice, at last, to have someone there to joke with after the endless travel. The school was huge, and seemed rather daunting when facing it alone for the first time.

"Yeah, that might be helpful. It'll stop me crashing in to anyone else, at least." He chattered pleasantly, a faint Irish brogue staining his voice as he did. "You may have averted countless disasters with that." He smiled as he followed Eliza along.