[color=#FFDB58]“You’re very welcome, Mr. Lucshen.”[/color] The smile on Madison’s face was as warm as ever, as if the little lapse of of his awareness hadn’t happened, as if thoughts of the war, freshly unburied, hadn’t begun to flit in and out in the back of his mind. He eyed the envelope curiously as Jake handed it over, tearing it open and looking over the the paper that had been neatly folded within. [color=#FFDB58]“Well, I certainly appreciate that your family informed us. Especially with Family Day so soon on the schedule!”[/color] With deft hands, Madison folded up the paper once more, sliding it into the pocket of his blouse for safekeeping. In the corner of his eye, he could see Oren stepping out of the darkness to join Maeve. Some of the tension that had wormed its way down his spine released its hold.

Good.

Madison beamed at the young man before him. [color=#FFDB58]“I look forward to having you, Mr. Luschen. I hope you enjoy the curriculum that I’ve put together- for both my classes. I wish you the best in getting settled in your new room.”[/color]

And then came the voice of another student, admonishing Mr. Luschen for what he was doing. 

He turned a little to see who it was, only to stiffen a little. If Jake- or anyone, really- had been paying attention, they might have noticed the professor freeze, the guilt that shone fresh in his eyes, his lips thinning into a line. Brushing out his skirt, Madison uttered a quiet [color=#FFDB58]“Now, if you’ll excuse me,”[/color] before hurrying to join Professor Kovalenko at Byrne’s side. 

[color=#FFDB58]“Is everything alright?”[/color] His voice was kept soft, but there was still a clear note of concern within it.

[@akirashadow][@VitoftheVoid][@ScoundrelQueen]

[hr]

[color=#F87217]“Seems like it.”[/color] Quite literally hopping out of his chair, Percival snatched the last of his food and shovelled it all into his mouth, like a squirrel making last minute additions to a hoard that was desperately unprepared for the long winter to come. It didn’t really all fit, so he sort of had to awkwardly press his hand against his mouth to hold everything as he chewed, choking a little as he rushed through the remainder of his meal. After an agonizing few seconds, he managed to swallow the whole mess down, then smacked himself on the chest to clear his windpipe up some. 

[color=#F87217]“If there’s a bunk-bed or anything, I call dibs on the top. Just saying. The top bunk is the best one, and I’m willing to lay my life on the line if it means securing it. I mean, not really, but, y’know. You get my drift.”[/color] Percival bent down, threw his bags over his shoulder, and then went on his merry way. He’d have to get one of those slip-things for weapons sooner than later, seeing how he was currently keeping some good ol’ sharpened steel tucked away in his suitcase, but getting settled in his room was higher up on his agenda than anything else for the moment. 

He had to admit, though, as far as roommate goes, he got off pretty lucky. Isaiah didn’t seem like the sort of dick that would get on his case if everything wasn’t absolutely immaculate and museum-worthy, or the sort of guy that would just let a sea of pizza boxes drown them both. He was kinda quiet, sure, but it wasn’t like there was anything overly wrong with that or anything. The quiet ones tended to have a lot more patience for his bullshit than most others. 

Key freshly in hand, Percival bounded down the hall of the boy’s dorm, counting off the numbers under his breath until he reached 203. He sort of fumbled with the lock for a moment, struggling to get it open one-handed, but eventually triumphed over a short battle and pushed the door open.

The inside of the dorm was...sort of nice, actually, if not really boring. There were two twin beds at the back, each pushed apart to their own separate sides of the room, with a window leading out to the woods positioned between them. Two nightstands, placed right beside the beds. Two wardrobes at the [i]foot[/i] of the beds. A pale grey carpet that smelled fresh out of the store, some plain wood desks, two plain wood chairs, a plain wood floor, and plain white walls...

Sure, it was practical.

But it was also boring as all hell.

That was going to change very, [i]very[/i] soon. 

[color=#F87217]“Dibs on the left side!”[/color] Without waiting for any affirmation that Isaiah had heard him, Percival swung his bags onto the left-most bed. He followed shortly after, leaping onto what surface wasn’t now covered up with a loud war cry. There wasn’t much space, however, which lead to him knocking his head against the wall and giving a quiet [color=#F87217]“ow, shit”[/color]under his breath.

A great way to start off the year, honestly. Perfect way to set the tone. 

[@Prosaic]