[center][h1][color=#af7ac5][b]Valerie Durand[/b][/color][/h1][/center]

As Valerie stepped off the boat and onto the grounds of Central Duel Academy, she couldn't help but give a low whistle. The brochures and web pages hadn't really gotten across just how impressive the entire setup was, especially the volcano looming over the entire island. Of course, her spiritual hanger-on decided to chime in with a different opinion. 

[b]"Is that an active volcano? On a secluded island with naught but hapless teenagers? I'm inclined to believe this Seto Kaiba may be a tad mad."[/b] Ceruli, Guru of Dark World murmured from his position hovering over Valerie's shoulder, unseen and unheard by the vast majority of the students around the two. Valerie simply responded to his snark with a roll of her eyes for stating the obvious. They'd watched some of the Battle City reruns just two weeks ago, of course he should know by now that the most famous billionaire in the world was just a bit batshit insane. 

[color=#af7ac5][b]"Look, just remember what we came here for, alright?"[/b][/color] Valerie murmured as quietly as possible, trying not to alert anyone around her to the fact that she seemed to be talking to herself, for all intents and purposes. 

[b]"For you to finally be able to settle down and have some stability for an extended period of time without those irresponsible louts you call parents pulling you from place to place?"[/b] Ceruli responded pointedly, to which Val narrowed her eyes at him in annoyance. [b]"Yes, yes,"[/b] He sighed, throwing his hands up in surrender. [b]"I will keep an eye out for other Duel Spirits. Should I see one, especially one partnered to another human, I shall inform you."[/b] 

To this, Valerie finally relented, favoring her spirit partner with a slight upturn of her lips. One blink, and it was gone. It was time to move on, anyway. Seemed the horde of students entering the Academy were starting to head off towards the main building. 

___

Following the speech and explanations, Valerie made her way to the Ra Yellow dorm, silently noting that for all it was touted as the "middle" grade, the amenities here were a damn sight better than most of what she'd seen from any other school she'd been to. Of course, average by Kaiba standards were probably inflated from what average meant to most people. According to her PDA email, she'd been assigned to room 101, and her luggage had already been shipped over, so time to bite the bullet and meet her roommate. 

Valerie opened the door to her room with some trepidation. By this point, she'd grown throughly used to and sick of having to introduce herself to new, unfamiliar faces year after year. Hopefully, this was the last time she'd have to do something like this. She'd be seeing the same faces around for the next three years, plus, everyone else was in arguably the same boat as her for once, instead of Valerie just being the constant outsider trying to break into friend groups she'd be leaving in a year anyways. 

[b]"Go on, girl."[/b] Ceruli quietly encouraged her before ducking down so as to make himself scarce in case his partner's new roommate did have any spiritual sensitivity. Best to evaluate the other first before revealing himself. Valerie suppressed a gulp and nodded, walking in...

...Only to be immediately accosted. Valerie let her hand be grabbed, looking slightly nonplussed as her new roommate immediately burst out with a motor mouth.

"My name's Roché."

[color=#af7ac5][b]"Hey, I'm Valerie-"[/b][/color]

"Here, I have a gift for you!"

[color=#af7ac5][b]"Wait, what?"[/b][/color] Valerie blinked as something was shoved in her hand. A second blink brought clarity. A firecracker? What the fuck? She turned her gaze back up towards Roche to ask her what this was about, but balked as she saw the other girl clutching a lit utility lighter. [i]What the fuck?[/i]

[color=#af7ac5][b]"Woah, woah, woah, wait!"[/b][/color] She hurriedly yanked the firework out of the utility lighter's way, backing up. 

[b]"My, oh my."[/b] Ceruli remarked with a raised eyebrow as he popped into vision from the commotion, staring straight at Roche. [b]"What unfortunate luck that you've been saddled with a pyromaniac, girl."[/b]

[color=#af7ac5][b]"Hold on!"[/b][/color] Valerie said frantically, trying to bullshit her way out of having to deal with a lit firecracker in the dorms while also trying to not offend the person she'd be spending the next year in the same quarters with. [color=#af7ac5][b]"You light that up here, staff's going to be on our asses so fast. Let's uh, wait and pop it in the forest at night?"[/b][/color] She tried, desperately hoping that the crazy redhead would take the offer. This shit had to be contraband, right? [color=#af7ac5][b]"...Want to duel instead?"[/b][/color]