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When she was eight, Yvaine accidentally stumbled upon an unused room hidden in the sanatorium's eastern wing. It had been her reading room for weeks, and her refuge for when some of the girls' tempers flared, as it often did. The room had been her little secret, until one day when she found two of the older apostles occupying it. Yvaine interrupted what seemed like an intimate moment. They were locked in embrace and the taller of the two had been in the middle of planting a gentle kiss upon the other girl's cheek.

Yvaine hadn't wanted to disturb them, but they caught her and immediately stopped to explain themselves. They were just friends, they'd said; the taller one was consoling her best friend because she had failed an important exam. Yvaine nodded in understanding, knowing full well the strict punishment that entailed. And here she had thought they were lovers, forced to hide their relationship from their peers! After that, she'd scurried away to give them some privacy, embarrassed for misinterpreting the situation so completely, but touched to have witnessed such deep friendship. 

Ever since, Yvaine had hoped to find such a friend. A kindred spirit to whom she could confide her soul. It was all she could think of as Mandi imprinted a gentle kiss upon her cheek. Yvaine was unable to stop the giddy smile from pulling at her lips; even Mandi had agreed that they would become very close friends. How wonderful!

She turned to Sophiel, expecting another kiss of friendship to follow, and was surprised to see the other girl hadn't been as thrilled with the display. Ah, perhaps Sophiel was not ready to be best of friends just yet? Yvaine nodded to herself; of course, a budding friendship must be cultivated as well. She will have to prove herself deserving of their friendship.

[color=#fcd17d]"It's wonderful to meet you both!"[/color]

The trio approached the food stalls then, Mandi and Yvaine linked in arms. The student behind the charmingly decorated confections stand was a young man, looking more than eager to attend on them. He had an almost too-wide impish grin as he examined her and Sophiel, one that began to unnerve even Yvaine. The boy's gaze lingered longest upon Mandi, a hint of confusion apparent in his face and looking almost like he was struggling to make a decision about something.

[color=gray]"Here you go… ladies,"[/color] he said with another pointed look at Mandi, handing them each an oblong pastry filled with a cream and topped with icing. [color=gray]"On the house! Make sure to check out the Baking Club. We're way better than the noisy Cooking Club over there."[/color] He gestured vaguely across from him, where some sort of commotion was stirring.

After thanking the man profusely, Yvaine took a bite of her éclair and swooned. The sweet chocolatey flavor had burst across her tongue and lit up her face with delight. [color=#fcd17d]"This is amazing, isn't it?"[/color] she looked at both Mandi and Sophiel expectantly, hoping they both enjoyed the treat as well.

Curiously, she glanced over where the member of the Baking Club was scowling, and was surprised to see a familiar face in the middle of it all. 

[color=#fcd17d]"Oh! It's the arguing boy from class!"[/color] Yvaine noted happily. She thought it was funny how he seemed to have a proclivity for arguments, going so far as to confronting who she recognized as one of the Miracle Seven. Yvaine knew as much about the so-called school's greatest pride only from what the headmaster had mentioned earlier, and even then she was aware that arguing boy would be at a disadvantage. She hoped he would win anyway!

[color=#fcd17d]"Will class be like this every day?"[/color] Yvaine turned back to her two companions, hands pressed together in joy. Boisterous classes, outdoor ceremonies, food stalls, and wonderful performances. Everything was in stark contrast to the priory, where strict discipline reigned paramount. [color=#fcd17d]"Everyone seems to be having so much fun!"[/color]

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