[center][h1][b][color=mediumpurple]M A L L O R Y[/color][/b][/h1][hr][hr][/center]
[b]"How so?"[/b]

Mallory put a finger to her bottom lip, taking another curious look around the flowering courtyard. [b]“[color=mediumpurple]I guess I was just a bit overwhelmed by the extravagance of it all. But seeing as this is one of the most prominent magic schools in the region, I shouldn't have expected anything less.[/color]”[/b]

Unlike what most parents and carers would have described their experiences at or simple viewings of Mordhaben to be like, Mallory's mother and father weren't the most descriptive when it came to such. The girl had been told many stories, yes, however these stories were told so vaguely and indistinctly that it's almost a wonder Mallory had developed such strong curiosities for the place. But this would only leave Mallory without any clear expectations for the school, and thus absolutely stunned by the campus that now stood proud and tall before her. It was something she had never seen, and in her stranger case, never heard of.

She let out another low chuckle, tilting her head up to face her conversation partner. [b]“[color=mediumpurple]Also, it's perfectly fine to drop the 'miss'. I usually go by Mallory, if it wouldn't upset you to address me that way.[/color]”[/b]

Loud, bustling noises came from the front of the crowd, and the students began to gather around the large building further down. Mallory pointed towards their direction.

[b]“[color=mediumpurple]Ah. I think it's starting.[/color]”[/b]

She would quicken her pace towards the dense pack of people, not wanting to miss anything important. That was one of the last things Mallory didn't want to do on her first day.

When it came to the viewing of the short film after the administrator's rather unusual introduction, Mallory didn't speak much. Her eyes became noticeably wider once the tone of the film took a horrific shift, watching the black fog engulf an entire town and leaving nothing behind as it slithered away. Mallory stood almost dead still, not saying anything.

Once the film came to an end the administrator, or rather, his translator, finalised the opening ceremony with words that would certainly stick with Mallory. 

[b]"I ask that you take your search for knowledge and, if you wish, power, seriously while you are with us."[/b]

The same look of overwhelming curiosity and excitement she had been wearing when she arrived had returned, glimmering with life in her lavender eyes.
[hr]
The interior of the administrative building was [i]huge.[/i] And unsurprisingly, beautiful. It took quite some effort for Mallory to keep her mouth from hanging open each hallway she was guided through. From the beginning of the opening ceremony to the moment her and the rest of the students arrived at the cafeteria, Mallory had barely spoken a word, only taking brief glances at the hallway walls as she traversed through this new environment.

In the cafeteria she now found herself in, Mallory was also welcomed with new smells and new cuisines. But, wishing to keep things simple rather than gawking at the unfamiliar foods in the little time she had to eat, she took some bread and meat onto her tray and made her way to a table. Whether the boy from earlier or anyone else bothered to sit with Mallory, the girl honestly didn't mind. But a few new acquaintances on her first week at Mordhaben would definitely be appreciated.

[@hagroden]