The clip-clop of hooves on stone woke me.

I looked over at President Markfellow, who appeared to have dozed off over his book.

When we stopped he startled awake, looking mildly bewildered before seeing me and seemingly remembering where he was.

He looked out the window.

"Ah, Marvelous. We're here."

He graciously helped me out of the carriage, and a few workers took my bags, presumably to wherever I would be sleeping.

I looked up at the towering building in front of me. It had been the residency of at least one member of the Markfellow family since Jedah had declared it's independence 300 years ago. Initially it had been built to withstand attack, and was more of a fort then a castle. After the Great War, it was repurposed as the new location of Markfellow School. Two banners hung from the main towers: one, Jedah's national flag, and the other the Elemental crest. A flight of stone stairs led up to the giant wooden door.

A girl who looked around the same age as me was waiting for us on the steps.

She waved at me, and gave a bow to President Markfellow.

She wore the standard school uniform: boots, trousers, and a t-shirt with the school crest over her heart. Her t-shirt was blue, indicating her element, if you hadn't figured it out from the blue tips in her hair.

Aside from the blue tips, her curly hair was a light brown color, accenting the freckles that covered her face.

"Adrika, this is Jalin Harper. Jalin, Adrika Sankati." She stuck out her hand and I shook it. Then President Markfellow turned back to Jalin. "I trust everything is set up?"

"Yes sir! Professor Glazebrook told me to give Adrika the tour, and to tell you she's waiting to talk to you in your office."

"Well, thank you." He gave me a slight bow. "I leave you in good hands, Miss Adrika."

When President Markfellow was gone, Jalin turned back to me. "I was so excited to meet you! Since I'm a third year now, it's my first year greeting students, and you're my first one. I'll be your tour guide for today!" She grabbed my wrist and led me inside.

"This is the main hall. Just between you and me, it's completely useless aside from holding the gazillion portraits of Markfellow ancestors."

She pointed to the walls, which were in fact covered in portraits.

"I'd hate to be the one who has to clean all those things. No thank you. But this is the main entrance and exit to the school."

At the end of the hall was another set of doors, which led into a smaller hallway with several doors on either side.

"This is where we keep our supplies and such." We went through one of the doors, into what looked like a small shop. Jalin rang a bell on the counter, and a woman came out from the back.

She was a small, curvy woman, and her dimples showed when she smiled at us. Her hair, pulled back into two braided buns, was inky black.

"Jalin! What can I do for you?"

Jalin pointed to me. "New Student supplies."

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't even see you there. My name is Olivia Riviera, but most of the students call me Liv. My pronouns are she/her. What are yours?"

"My name's Adrika Sankati, and my pronouns are she/her too! It's nice to meet you, Liv."

Liv smiled. "If you need anything after today, supplies wise, I'm the girl to get it for you. I'm also the in-school doctor, so if you need anything medicine wise either I've got you covered. Now, let's get your uniform! The Headmaster already gave me your sizes, since I had to make you a custom uniform."

She disappeared into the back, still saying something about my uniform.

"Yeah, I forgot about that! Your element is something special, isn't it?"

"I guess? I didn't even know until this morning when Headmaster Markfellow told me."

"Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine."

A racket outside the door interrupted our conversation.

"Hold still!"

"I'm dying!..."

"You're not dying, but if you don't stop moving, I'll break my oath and kill you myself."

The door swung open and in came an older boy with white hair. He was carrying another boy in his arms, bridal-style.

The second boy looked less than happy about being carried like that. "Artemis! Put. Me. Down!"

"I thought you were dying?"

"Please?"

"As you wish, your highness." The white haired boy, whose name was Artemis, set him down, and the other boy fixed his clothing before his eyes settled on me and Jalin.

"Jalin."

"Ichero."

He grinned. "Why don't you introduce me to your friend?"

She crossed her arms. "Introduce yourself."

"I will." He took my hand and bowed. "My name is Ichero Dragos Valkascay, Crown Prince of Ovlaki and heir to the throne. And you are?"

"Adrika." I took my hand away, and he gave me a hurt look before going back beside Artemis and sulking.

This boy seemed stuck up, and it was annoying me.

Artemis looked down at him and shook his head. "Mrs. Riviera!" Artemis called.

"Yes?" Mrs. Riviera appeared, my uniform in hand. "Oh dear. Ichero Valkascay, what did you do this time?"

She handed me my uniform and supplies, before going to attend to Ichero.

Once I had my uniform on, Jalin led me out of there.

"So, now you've met the most annoying guy at school."

"Who, Ichero?"

"Yes. I can't stand him. He's used to having all the girls throw themselves at him in Ovlaki, but here he's just some dude who thinks he's better than everyone else. The guy that was with him is Artemis Vitali, his bodyguard. He's actually pretty chill, unless Ichero is in danger."

After that, she showed me around the school.

On the first level, there was the library, the dining hall, Headmaster Markfellow's room and study, and the entrances to the dorms.

On the second level were our classrooms, the professors rooms and offices, and bathrooms.

On the third level were the staff quarters, the alchemy lab, and the ballroom, which was used for special occasions.

Then we went back to the dorms.

"You'll be on my dorm floor. Not sure who you'll bunk with. It might be me. I do have an extra bed."

The first floor of the dorms was a common room, with couches and tables for homework or just hanging out.

There were a few girls at a nearby table. One of them waved Jalin over.

"Wanna play cards?"

"I can't. I've gotta show Adrika to her room."

The girl looked at me. "Hi! I'm Zaire, and my pronouns are they/them."

"Mine are she/her! I'm Adrika."

"Cool. This is Hailey, my roommate."

Hailey just nodded a greeting at me.

"Her pronouns are she/her too. Jalin you better join us for a game later!"

"Wouldn't miss it!"

"We're on the seventh floor. Luckily, we live in a time where elevators exist."

We climbed in, and Jalin pulled the lever that made it go up.

Once we were on our floor, Jalin led me to our dorm. "I'm the only one with an extra bed, so I guess you're with me. I'll get you a key made later. You can throw your stuff on the other bed. There's a few hours till mealtime, so I'm gonna take a nap."

Taglist

@stressedsnake

Two weeks. It had only been two weeks.

It had all started the day of my 15th birthday.

I had woken up, and went outside to get the mail. I had absent-mindedly sifted through it, knowing nothing was for me. I rarely got letters.

But then I saw it. Wedged in between an ad for a new carriage and the rent bill, was a letter with my name on it.

And it was from Markfellow School.

I ran back inside, almost slamming into my mother, who was carrying a fresh batch of bread for the bakery.

"What's got you wide-eyed and bushy tailed? Most of the time you and Alan walk around here like zombies at this time."

I excitedly held up the letter, too out of breath to speak.

My mom gasped. "Did you open it?"

"I can't, what if it says no?"

My mom chuckled. "Adi, have you looked in the mirror this morning?"

I shook my head. "Why?"

"Just go look."

I did as she said. "What the f-"

"Adi, language!"

"Sorry mom!" I said, and turned back to my reflection. My normally black hair was now many shades of blue, purple, and pink.

"They didn't mention any purples or pinks?"

"Yes, but they also said that every elemental is different. Maybe it's just rare?"

I shrugged. Either way I guess I better open that letter. "

I picked it up off the table, opened it, and started to read.

"Dear Miss Sankati,

We are writing to inform you that, should you wish it, in one week's time we will have a carriage to pick you up and bring you to the school campus.

Most likely you have already done your research on our school, and we hope that you will accept our invitation.

We look forward to seeing you in our halls.

Sincerely,

Headmaster, Cephas Markfellow".

Mom shrieked excitedly. " They accepted you!"

"I know!" I said, rereading the letter just to make sure it was real. "Oh! I have to write a response!"

"What is going on?" My dad asked, coming out of his and mom's room. "I thought some sort of shrieking monkeys had broken into our house."

"Dad!" I flew over to him and waved the letter in front of his face. "I got accepted!"

Dad smiled. "Good for you. When do you leave?"

"Next week. Oh, I'm so excited."

"Hip hip Hooray, no more annoying baby sister!"

"Shut up, Alan. You know you'll miss me."

"Yeah right, short stack." Alan said, pulling out the nickname he knew I hated.

"You can't call me that anymore. You've only got four inches on me, last I checked."

"Still shorter, still a short stack."

I punched him.

"Owww. I really regret teaching you that."

And now, here I was, about to get on a carriage. My bags packed and ready to go. Mom couldn't stop crying.

"Mom, I'll be back on holidays."

"I know." She sobbed. "It just feels like it was just yesterday when we adopted you, and now here you are going off to a big fancy school."

"Your mother and I are proud of you, Adrika."

"Thanks, dad."

Just then, the carriage pulled up. A man stepped out of it. He was tall and thin, with a face that looked older than he probably was. A green waistcoat peeked out from the collar of his long brown overcoat, and he wore matching brown dress pants.

I recognized him instantly. Who wouldn't recognize the president, after seeing his face on everything your whole life?

He bowed at the waist. "Cephas Markfellow, at your service."

My mom went pale. "Your uh, Presidency! We weren't expecting you to come yourself! If we had known I could have-"

"That's quite alright, Mrs. Sankati." He looked at me. "You must be Adrika!"

I couldn't speak, so I just nodded.

"Marvelous!" He picked up my bags and strapped them to the carriage. "Ready to go?"

"Just let me say goodbye first." I turned back to my mom and dad, and held my arms out for a hug.

"Do us proud, sweetheart."

"I will, Dad."

I turned to get in.

"Hey short stack!"

I turned around. "Alan? I thought you had your blacksmith apprenticeship!"

"You think I'd let you leave without saying goodbye?" Alan said, hugging me. "And remember, Mom and Dad will always love me more."

"Yeah, right. I'm adopted remember? They chose me. They're stuck with you." I stuck my tongue out at him and hopped in.

"Hey!"

I laughed and gave him the middle finger.

He gave one back, and I just caught my mother's horrified face as the carriage pulled off.

The President laughed. "I have a feeling you're going to be a bit mischievous."

In all honesty, I had forgotten he was there.

I blushed, glancing down. Surely this was no way to behave in front of the President, for fuck's sake.

I glanced up at the President, then looked away quickly when he caught my gaze.

He laughed. "You can look at me, y'know. I'm not going to send you to jail for being curious."

I smiled.

"There we go! A genuine smile! Please. It's nice that you have a good relationship with your brother. My siblings and I, well, I wish we were close like that. And a little mischief is good for the soul, I always say." He winked. I noticed his eyes were a startling shade of green, the only evidence that he himself was an Elemental as well.

"But I'm sure you have questions. Go ahead, ask away. I'm all yours for an entire hour."

Actually, I did have a few questions. "Well, first off, could you maybe tell me what my element is? The pamphlet didn't exactly say anything about pink and purple markings."

"Yes... I had a feeling you would ask. The truth is, Adrika, your element is a bit more... exotic than the main four. In all honesty, it is why I was the one to escort you."

"So you're saying my element isn't one of the four in the pamphlet? How is that possible? What other elements are there?"

"Well yes, but also no. You are what's referred to as a Cosmic Elemental. It's an extremely rare element, so much so that you mat be the only Elemental who has it. Because of it's rarity, not much is known about it, but we will do our very best to teach you what we do know, along with your standard Elemental training."

"So I'm the only one?"

"To our knowledge, yes."

"Wow." I bit my lip. "Why me?"

"The Gods have their ways. The only one who knows the answer to that question would be Mira himself."

"Will that affect my training?"

"Only slightly. It will not be an issue."

"Oh. Okay." I wasn't sure what else to say. What do you say when speaking with someone who is basically royalty?

He pulled out a book and a pair of reading glasses, and I decided to look out the window.

The rolling green farmland passing by made my eyes feel heavy, and before I knew it, I began to drift off.

I might as well sleep now.

After all, today starts a grand new adventure.

Taglist

@stressedsnake