“Please do not…” said the Asian boy. Maddox turned her head back in his direction to look him directly in the eyes. “An-tag-o-nize me.” He continued. He spoke slowly, clearly not fully understanding the English language, but learning it. She had to give him some credit for trying to make conversation, although she did wonder what he meant with ‘antagonizing him’ since she hadn’t said a word to him except asking him about what. Maybe he thought that was a bad word? She mentally shrugged. 

“What is bout?” Maddox nearly chuckled at this. She almost wanted to give him a wrong explanation, giving the word a completely different meaning, but the boy was faster. He guessed correctly that she meant ‘about’, oh well. There would be plenty of times she could mess with the boy. Just as Maddox gave him a small nod to conform his question, the door opened. Had they landed already? Maddox looked out of the windows of the aircraft and saw the ground, but they hadn’t landed yet. She turned back to the man who had walked in. He reminded her of American agents you see in movies. Black sunglasses, expensive suits and shoes, and an expression to intimidate anyone he made eye-contact with. He began speaking about Maniacles, pests and the lack thereof. [i]No pests huh?[/i] Maddox thought. It made sense. She didn’t think pests could swim and the only way on and off the island was via the sea or the sky – or maybe underground but there were no tunnels she knew of -. At the same time she should be careful to assume pests couldn’t swim. Maybe they could. She didn’t know, but she should have. 

And then… the man spoke of this so called ‘magic’. She kept looking directly into the eyes of the man, almost looking through them to prevent her from rolling her eyes or sighing. Harry Potter… Was he serious? She was still paying attention, but it was like listening to a fairy tale. What he said next did peak her interest. A school, a college. Maddox never went to college. Never even finished high-school. She dropped out to make some easy cash. She had never really regretted it, but she did like learning. Not learning maths or useless shit, but learning skills. Magic or fancy tech, she probably would learn something cool. It was Maniacles for God’s sake. They teach their students well, and if they are even bringing them to a remote island, then it must really be something special. Maddox didn’t show it, but her interest was peaked. 

“Well, anything you experience can be explained with science.” There it was. Science. She believed in science. Believed in laser guns. [i]Science[/i] was good, rational even. [i]’Magic\[/i] couldn’t be explained – except maybe by science if she were to believe the man -. The man spoke further about dorms and an academy. Dorms… She didn’t really look forward to sharing a room with someone. She liked her privacy. 

Suddenly she felt a queasy feeling. Kind of sickish feeling even. The helicopter was nearing the ground quickly, before landing with a soft thud. She unbuckled and stepped of the aircraft after the ones closer to the doors had stepped out. When everyone was out the man spoke further. Malfic City. So that’s where they were. She didn’t know it, but remembering the name could be useful. She briefly looked at the Asian boy. Would he understand all this? And if so, would he take the man’s – Richard’s – comment about the buildings seriously? Probably, seeing that he made quite a few notes back in the helicopter. Turning back to see the island, she wondered how large it was. The buildings blocked her sight from the horizon. She should have paid more attention whilst in the helicopter, but then again, she could recall it being foggy, so she probably wouldn’t have seen anything anyways.

The Asian boy spoke again, and Maddox question was answered when the man - Richard - spoke fluently back to him. It took her a little by surprise. He really didn't seem like the guy to know the language, but then again she only knew these types from film and TV, so that argument could be up for debate. 

'Well here we go. On our way to Hogwarts. Did you remember your magic wand?' Maddox jerked her head to the direction the voice was coming from. [i]Damn it... Stop it with the Hogwarts[/i] she thought. Nonchalantly she grabbed a dirt-riddled stick off the floor and pressed it firmly in his hand. "You can have mine. Your pink glittery wand requires an update." With that she redirected het gaze back at Richard and took mental notes about the important things (which was like 10% of the things he said).