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[indent]She'd barely been awake for long enough to get through her morning rituals when the guards had barged in, claiming escort, but having the end of a rifle pointed at her head. Siena was hardly pleased with the treatment, but when firearms were being used, it was safe to assume that her opinion on being woken was far from relevant. Given the general atmosphere since her arrival, the mage was actually unsurprised. With a stifled yawn, the girl found that other students were, also unsurprisingly, being herded in a similar manner towards the same building. 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Why are there so many guards right now...?[/color]'[/i] The thought was hazy through a veil of drowsiness, drawing with it a feeling of hot iron dread in the pit of her stomach. Swallowing her breath, Siena wondered briefly if they were being sent on yet another fight. Against more of those [i]creatures[/i]? A shudder threatened to pass through her, but it became quickly evident that they were not being herded for any visible trucks after being gathered. Rather, they were being led towards a building, students peering at the group and...parting. Glancing between her peers, Siena was relieved to see familiar faces in the crowd. 

Then promptly concerned when one of those friendly faces was missing. 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]Where's Aaron...?[/color]'[/i] Though she hadn't connected with the other boy as quickly as she had to some others, he had been friendly enough when they'd been eating. Where was he? Concern broke through the filters, crashing through with a splintering force that pounded the dread deeper into Siena's stomach. [i]'[color=ff57ff]Maybe he's just in a different team or something.[/color]'[/i] A blatant lie to comfort herself, really. Without giving herself time to think, the girl instinctively pulled at her hair, twisting it around slender digits until she could feel her circulaton begin to cut out. Her concern was unwarranted, she was sure. He was probably just with another group of students...right?

But alas, that was of little concern to their current escorts. Soon, the group found themselves in what looked suspiciously like a classroom. Odd, given that most of the group was older than her, with a handful that were younger. Siena brushed her bangs out of her face, curiosity burning faintly as always. Glancing towards her roommates, Siena followed Marcus towards the back of the room, eyes catching sight of Angel briefly. 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]You almost killed her,[/color]'[/i] crooned a familiar, mocking voice. Her own. Guilt and apprehension snaked their way through the rest of Siena's emotions, dampening the mood as they weaved between feelings of camaraderie and affection. Despite it all, Siena did her best to give a faint smile to her friend as she scuttled to take her spot. [i]'[color=ff57ff]Coward. Pretending like the other day never happened.[/color]'[/i] 

If only she could quiet herself. 

Fortunately, Siena didn't have long to brood. Her eyes snapped to attention as Mr. Francisco broke through the shroud of thought with a voice that felt all too warm for the experiences she'd had thus far with USARILN. Following his introduction, Rosa's entrance was equally as attention grabbing, especially after soldiers began to stream in with a multitude of boxes. 

The distribution of requisitions was largely uneventful. Having received her request for stationary, Siena was surprised to find that the quality was on par with her usual preferences. Checking over the pens and pencils, she was woefully unprepared for what she was going to receive next. 

"[color=ff57ff]Awwww, puppy![/color]" Siena was ecstatic to see the [i]most precious thing she'd ever seen[/i]. Chief Tater Tot, as the dog's paperwork identified him, peered at her with wide, warm eyes, his tail perking up at the sight of a human being, a few eager pants and a flick of his tongue making his enthusiasm clear. [i]So. Cute.[/i] 

Dogs were even cuter than she'd ever imagined them being. 

A quick read over the paperwork told the brunette that her new dog had a "ruby" coat, though a quick glance told the brunette that ruby wasn't the best descriptor. It was a golden, reddish brown, not unlike the coloration of his namesake...and he was a therapy dog. Staring at the tan-coated canine, Siena wondered what exactly that entailed. Did that mean she could...bring him to classes with her? Excitement bubbled to life, effervescent in the wake of almost unadulterated joy. Holding a finger up to the cage, the mage was thrilled when Chief Tater Tot approached to sniff her finger, seeming to give his approval before he tried to lick it in affection. His tongue was largely met with the cage, but it was no matter. 

[i]She had a dog.[/i]

As if to make the day better in return for an unsavory experience in battle, Siena also received her requested Squishable Nessie, its plush and spherical shape providing a familiar comfort. Nessie the Plessie II, she mentally dubbed the inanimate creature as she set it on her lap. Though Siena wanted to release her new canine friend, she knew better than to let him loose during class. Nessie would have to be an ample replacement until then. 

When classes began in earnest, Siena was quick to choose self-study over relearning basic Algebra, preferring not to strain her mind by making it work through mind-numbingly repetitive equations that she'd already learned before. 

And she was long gone. Goodbye class. Siena has her dog, she doesn't need anyone anymore. Despite the fact that she was studying in earnest, the Arbiter found that time passed quickly through the lessons. Then again, it always passed quickly whenever she had a book in hand, no matter what the topic. When Freddy returned announcing lunch, Siena was surprised...and at the same time entirely too excited for a chance to play with Chief Tater Tot. 

[i]'[color=ff57ff]I have a dog...![/color]'[/i]

Yep. That high wasn't going to end soon.[/indent]