[right][img]https://i.imgur.com/LgbtnEJ.png[/img][/right]
In the time it took for Professor Mik and (probably) Val to exchange pleasantries and establish rules, Imogen had played out the fight four more times in her head, each version more exciting and action-packed than the last. In the second scenario, Imogen had them moving at inhuman speeds, and everyone in the crowd could only follow along through the sound of their weapons clashing every so often. She decided that wasn't enough of a spectacle, so in the next one, she had imagined the opposite: a long, drawn-out fight where time slowed just as they would hit each other, adding to the suspense.
 
Suffice it to say, the real fight turned out less eventful that she envisioned, although she was excitedly watching throughout. Magic wasn't something she saw often in her village, and to see one being performed up close was a treat. Imogen wondered if that's something she could learn. Or, wait, is it more like when she spars with Caius, which is super fun and exciting, or did it involve a lot of studying? Mages used these weird books, right? Boo, that sounded like a lot of reading just to do cool things.
 
In any case, even though the fight was pretty one-sided, she still cheered for Val alongside Jory. Now that she thought about it more, she supposed a knight should overpower an inexperienced student or it would be really embarrassing for him.
 
After Jory asked about what she thought of the fight, Imogen jumped up to express her opinions. [color=ffb5c2]"I was hoping it would be more like, bam! Pow! Boom!"[/color] Imogen gestured wildly, mimicking two people fighting as best as she could, and topped it off with explosion sounds for effect. [color=ffb5c2]"But this was good, too. Bet Caius would beat them up easy, though. He's so fast, they would never see him coming!"[/color]
 
Imogen's eyes widened then, aglow with mischief as an idea struck her. [color=ffb5c2]"Hey, Jory, do you think knights have really good reflexes?"[/color]
 
Too eager to even wait for his answer, Imogen was sprinting across the arena as soon as the question left her lips, taking advantage of the commotion of the crowd dispersing. She made up for her cursedly short strides with a swiftness born of years racing up and down a mountain for sport, and was halfway toward the knight professor within moments.
 
As was often the case with her, she didn't really have a plan. Just a burning curiosity and a considerable lack of forethought. [color=ffb5c2]"Imogen Sneak Attack!"[/color] she called out, which she probably shouldn't have, as she leapt up from behind Professor Mik, ready to tackle him.

Michail stood steady, taking on Imogen's tackle with a small grunt but otherwise remaining standing. He did let out a small laugh, looking down at the student. [color=00aeef]"It's not much of a sneak attack if you go shouting it,"[/color] He pointed out. [color=00aeef]"Try it without the war cry next time, you'll have a better chance with it."[/color]

[color=ffb5c2]"Aw, shoot."[/color] Imogen scrunched her nose in disappointment and huffily returned to Jory's side, taking Professor Mik's notes to heart. Definitely no yelling then, and maybe she can get Jory to distract him next time. She waved goodbye to Professor Mik and made no pretenses about her willfulness. [color=ffb5c2]"I'll try again when you least expect it!"[/color]

She turned to her deer boss and shrugged. [color=ffb5c2]"Guess they do have good reflexes. But we'll get him next time!"[/color]

[color=ffb5c2][center]︵‿︵‿୨♥୧‿︵‿︵[/center][/color]
Roaming about the monastery with Jory was the first time Imogen felt truly comfortable in these mountains that weren't hers. Just as she'd thought previously, nothing was the same. The scent, the winds, the atmosphere, the clouds, the people. It's fun and exciting, getting to experience all these new things, but there was also something lonely when everything around you is unfamiliar. She didn't have a Caius waiting for her to return, frowny-faced because she's covered with a slew of new cuts and bruises. No sweet Granny Anne who packed snacks for her to take along whenever she trekked through the mountain forests. 

There was a mini-Imogen in the back of her mind that was worried about missing everyone and everything at home all the time, but her short time exploring the grounds with Jory showed that there were new memories waiting to be made. And if her aching stomach was any indication, she would be too busy laughing to be sad all the time. The thought made her feel a lot better.

The two of them had to part eventually and Imogen sulkily headed to her dorm room with a pout, reluctant to end their adventure when the night was still young. They'd barely covered half the monastery! Imogen didn't like how quiet it had become without Jory to laugh with. Her room was too empty, her small pack of belongings not even close to filling it or making the space hers. She'd have to fix that right away. Maybe she can paint on the walls later tonight.

Imogen decided she'd had enough of her bare, lonely room just as the bell began calling everyone for dinner. Her face lit up at the sound of the chimes, doubly excited because one) yummy food, and two) yummy food [i]with friends[/i]. Before heading toward the dining hall, Imogen skulked about the dormitory halls, in a hunt for some lucky person--or people! the more the merrier, always--to eat with.