[hr][hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/f0cwlVG.png[/img][/center] [hr][hr] [color=d3d3d3]She had one leg. Chad sat at his desk as Alta Sansuul went on. [color=bc8dbf]"Why don't you introduce yourself to the class, dear?"[/color] He watched her walk. He wasn't the only one. The class always erupted in speculation whenever there was to be a new student. Alta Sansuul usually heard a few days ahead of time and let slip the juicy secret to whoever had scored the highest on the weekly exam. This time, nobody had known. This time, the usual crescendo of murmurs and excited whispers was notably absent. Every student could hear every awkward click-thump, click-thump of the new girl's one legged steps as she made her way towards the teacher's desk. Her eyes flicked nervously their way for a moment and Chad thought he caught them before they escaped to the safety of the floor. He saw her throat tighten as she swallowed and, suddenly, it was as if he was in her shoes - [i]shoe[/i] - and absorbing every bit of the mind-racing terror she must've been in. Still, he watched. Eyes continued to dart among the students. It wasn't as if he hadn't seen a one-legged person before. [i]Everyone[/i] had. There were statues of the fallen goddess Vyshta. Then, there were the discards who came back from the frontiers from time to time: ones who'd survived some sort of animal attack, writhing tree, or other unknown horror. There was lots that hadn't been discovered yet deep in the Writhing Wood. Chad watched the new girl come to a stop. She wasn't just missing a foot or anything either: it was her [i]entire[/i] leg. He paused, trying to recall right and left. [color=f26522][i]My left,[/i][/color] he remembered, [color=f26522][i]her right.[/i][/color] There was only a tiny bit of it left and he watched it just kind of dangle there as she stood, jiggling slightly when she turned on the spot. He found himself burning with curiosity and he could not have been alone. He'd never actually [i]known[/i] anyone with such a gnarly injury. What had happened? What was the story? He remembered not to stare. His father had told him not to. The silence hung ripe and heavy and Alta Sansuul's eyes momentarily joined those of her students in glancing the one-legged girl's way expectantly. She opened her mouth as if to speak but, then, all at once, the new arrival took a deep breath and: [color=98FB98]"I'm Tyrel and I just got here last night from all the way out in Saliac and I'm tireder than you could imagine... but I'm happy to be here."[/color] She flashed a nervous smile, as if having to remind herself to do so. Her eyes flicked up and searched the class and Chad tried to give her a reassuring look. At least she sounded just like any other girl, really. Why would she not have? [color=bc8dbf]"Well, we'll get you caught up soon enough,"[/color] promised the teacher. [color=bc8dbf]"And perhaps be a tiny bit lenient if we see any yawns or daydreaming in class."[/color] Tyrel's big green eyes darted to Alta Sansuul's. [color=98FB98]"Thank you Alta,"[/color] she replied, and her voice was kind of nice, [color=98FB98]"But I promise you won't need to."[/color] Now, there were a couple of whispers - a couple of murmurs. The new girl had given them something else to chew on besides a missing leg. The teacher looked at her questioningly and there was a hind of something in the girl's eyes that reminded him of his brother Darien when he was about to - [color=98FB98]"I always try to put my best foot forward."[/color] There was a collective intake of breath. Eyes widened among the smarter kids and the teacher clammed up. A couple burst out in nervous giggles and snickers. [color=98FB98]"And I always succeed, too,"[/color] concluded Tyrel with a straight face. In an instant, Chad reevaluated her entirely. He grinned. The girl smiled back. Was it at him, specifically? Alta Sansuul smiled as well, in that way that adults did when they were reacting to something unexpected from kids. [color=bc8dbf]"Oh?[/color] she remarked, [color=bc8dbf]"Then I shall expect much from you Tyrel'dichora."[/color] The girl bit her lower lip as if stifling a grin. Then she smiled up at the teacher. [color=98FB98]"I'll do my best, Alta Sansuul,"[/color] she promised, [color=98FB98]"But I'm not like... some goody two-shoes,"[/color] She replied, and now even the dullest among her audience could not doubt what she was doing it on purpose. The teacher let out a snort of amusement. [color=bc8dbf]"Well, it seems that year three has yet another original."[/color] Tyrel shifted on the spot, resting the little stump of her leg on one of her crutch handles. That seemed to bring everyone back to what they'd noticed first about her, before she'd been funny. [color=bc8dbf]"Well, instead of me asking you to keep talking about yourself,"[/color] the teacher offered, [color=bc8dbf]"We're going to let the class ask."[/color] Tyrel nodded. [color=bc8dbf]"Ladies and gentlemen,"[/color] she called out in her singsong voice, [color=bc8dbf]"What kind of questions are we going to ask?"[/color] Chad knew the answer to this. It was an easy way to win points with Alta Sansuul, so his hand shot up along with a half dozen others'. As usual, one of the girls with ribbons in her hair was picked. [color=ed145b]"Relevant, Respectful, and Reasonable,"[/color] she chirped and the teacher nodded. [color=bc8dbf]"Exactly, class!"[/color] She clapped her hands together before turning to Tyrel, speaking in a low voice. [color=bc8dbf]"If there's anything you're uncomfortable answering, you don't have to,"[/color] she promised. [color=98FB98]"Okay,"[/color] the girl replied sheepishly, and the chorus of whispers only grew. From behind Chad, Ashon tapped him on the shoulder. [color=fff200]"I dare you to ask it,"[/color] he whispered, eyes gleaming with mischief and a hint of malevolence as Chad twisted to face him. A couple of others were looking his way as well. [color=98FB98]"Uh huh?"[/color] came Tyrel's voice suddenly, and Chad turned back around. She was pointing at Emiin. [color=8493ca]"What is your favourite colour?"[/color] she asked, and Tyrel furrowed her brow. After a moment she shrugged. [color=98FB98]"Magenta,"[/color] she declared, [color=98FB98]"And then maybe light green."[/color] [color=8493ca]"I like magenta too,"[/color] Emiin lied, or maybe it wasn't a lie. Chad didn't know her favourite colour and it probably changed every weak, realistically. Three more hands shot up. [color=f7941d]"Do you have Titan sloths in Saliac?"[/color] came Samon's question. Tyrel nodded vigorously. [color=98FB98]"We do, and they're huge!"[/color] [color=f7941d]"Have you [i]seen[/i] one?"[/color] The girl seemed a bit lost for response for a moment and Velani whispered from the desk beside Samon. [color=39b54a]"Of course she has if she just said they're huge, dumbass."[/color] Samon shrunk two sizes and something flashed in Tyrel's eyes. [color=98FB98]"Actually, I didn't just [i]see[/i] one,"[/color] she replied, [color=98FB98]"I got to [i]ride[/i] on one once."[/color] People shifted in their seats and conversation rose. Either Tyrel was one of those kids who told a lot of ridiculous stories or she'd had a really interesting life. Of course, the [i]most[/i] interesting question hadn't been asked yet, as if everyone was just waiting for someone else to ask it. [color=ec008c]"What other animals did you see there? Oh, are there writhing trees?"[/color] Tyrel nodded and, all at once, she lifted her stump off of her crutch handle so she could grab it. She took a small step. [color=98FB98]"There are, and we need to hack them back every day. Saliac's not quite on the frontier, but it's close. A lot of mundanes come through it on their way there."[/color] It was like they were sharks, ever more certainly circling in towards the question they wanted to ask, trying to make it seem natural so it wasn't rude, as if by collective agreement. Chad raised his hand and was chosen immediately. [color=f26522]"Have you ever been to the Writhing Wood?"[/color] he asked daringly, and people leaned forward on their elbows or lifted their butts off of their seats. With a small, close-lipped smile, Tyrel nodded. [color=98FB98]"A couple times. It was..."[/color] She trailed off. [color=98FB98]"scary but amazing."[/color] Chad was going to ask a follow-up, but Thandar was practically falling out of his seat in eagerness to ask the next question and Tyrel picked him with a nervous but good-natured smile. [color=0072bc]"Did any of them try to [i]eat[/i] you?"[/color] People bounced up and down nervously. Alta Sansuul's eyes scanned the room warningly, but Tyrel shook her head. [color=98FB98]"Not really. Sometimes, their branches move a bit in your direction but, as long as you keep moving, you're fine."[/color] [color=bc8dbf]"Well, since we're going to be learning about the different regions of Tarlon starting tomorrow,"[/color] the teacher interjected, [color=bc8dbf]"It'll be very nice to have someone who's lived in such a different one."[/color] She smiled. [color=bc8dbf]"Maybe Tyrel will really have a chance to put her best foot forward and help us with some of our wonderings."[/color] There were a dozen hands up now. [color=a36209]"You ever see any really dangerous animals?"[/color] asked Sandii, kneeling on her seat until a venomous look from the teacher forced her to sit properly. Tyrel nodded. [color=98FB98]"Yeah, but mostly just in the distance."[/color] Jasco was next. [color=6ecff6]"How 'bout when you saw 'em [i]not[/i] in the distance? Were you scared? Did you fight them?"[/color] Tyrel arched an eyebrow, taking one of her weird steps back. [color=98FB98]"Of course I was scared. I was with my dad and brother."[/color] She shrugged. [color=98FB98]"I ran away."[/color] A few pairs of eyes went to her leg, or lack thereof, once more. [color=f26522][i]How do you run?[/i][/color] They were all thinking it, but none asked. [color=ed145b]"What's your brother's name?"[/color] came a reprieve from Lyla. [color=98FB98]"Calidan!"[/color] [color=a36209]"That's [i]my[/i] brother's name!"[/color] [color=ed145b]"How old is he?"[/color] [color=98FB98]"Fourteen,"[/color] Tyrel replied, eyes roving about the sea of hands and faces. [color=0072bc]"Did he outrun you?"[/color] Thandar's question was particularly brazen, and a few people shot him annoyed looks. [color=98FB98]"Um."[/color] Tyrel's eyes flicked the teacher's way, but she didn't ask for help. That was the worst thing she could do and she seemed to know it. [color=98FB98]"I mean, he's a lot older than me, so what do [i]you[/i] think?"[/color] Velani made the 'poop' sign at Thandar and rolled her eyes. A few people laughed and he opened his mouth to protest. [color=0072bc]"You know what I was trying to ask!"[/color] he retorted. [color=0072bc]"I just wanted to -"[/color] Alta Sansuul clapped and, out of reflex, Chad clapped back with the others. [color=bc8dbf]"Thandar, quiet time one!"[/color] she singsonged. There were two more claps. [color=bc8dbf]"Velani, quiet time two!"[/color] Clap clap. [color=bc8dbf]"Class! Three 'R's!"[/color] As one, they recited, even Tyrel, Chad noted, tentatively. [color=bc8dbf]"Exactly, everyone!"[/color] She cleared her throat as Thandar and Velani glared daggers at each other for as long as they could until retreating into their opposite-corner wall-facing exiles. [color=bc8dbf]"Now, do we have any more questions that follow our three 'R's or are we finished, class?"[/color] Chad wanted to die. There were so many dumb people. He raised his hand and Tyrel, scanning the crowd, chose him again. Emiin let out a frustrated huff. [color=f26522]"So, if it's okay with you, I'm just gonna ask the thing I think everyone wants to."[/color] He wasn't trying to be rude, but he was pretty sure it was rude anyway. He plowed forward regardless, despite Alta Sansuul's warning look. [color=f26522]"So, um..."[/color] He was starting to clam up. He [i]never[/i] clammed up. Why did he suddenly care so much about this random girl? She'd probably be like all the other girls in the class once the novelty wore off and they'd only ever talk to each other when they were paired up for stuff. [color=f26522]"What happened to your leg?"[/color] Gasps and murmurs. Chad had done it again, of course: the thing everyone else had wanted to do, and at just the right moment. Ironically, he hadn't really been meaning to. He'd just honestly started feeling bad for Tyrel, having to put up with so many dumb questions. [color=f26522][i]Maybe you're not so bad, for a girl, like Velani. Maybe we can kind of be friends.[/i][/color] [color=98FB98]"Oh,"[/color] replied Tyrel after a moment, and everyone went dead silent. [color=98FB98]"It was anklechewers,"[/color] she admitted, [color=98FB98]"I think you call them kneebiters here?"[/color] She looked at Alta Sansuul and the teacher nodded, along with a few other people. [color=98FB98]"I was five and I got lost in the forest and bitten. I wasn't supposed to be there and I didn't want my parents to know so I didn't tell them."[/color] [color=f7941d]"Well [i]that's[/i] stupid,"[/color] Chad could hear Samon whisper to Ashon, and he made a note to punch the former at recess. Tyrel's eyes flicked his way, too, as if she might've heard, and he pretended to be looking elsewhere. [color=98FB98]"It was pretty dumb,"[/color] she addressed him indirectly, [color=98FB98]"but I was five and five-year-olds are dumb. Anyway, the eggs spread and they had to cut my leg off or I probably would've died."[/color] She shrugged again, only a little bit uncomfortable. [color=98FB98]"Honestly, I'm used to it and, most of the time, it isn't that bad."[/color] She sniffed and glanced about, eyes finding the teacher momentarily before returning to her peers. [color=98FB98]"Honestly, I know I'm kind of a rare thing, so if you wanna know anything, you can just ask. It doesn't bug me."[/color] Alta Sansuul nodded approvingly at Tyrel and, momentarily, at Chad as well. He would get a checkmark today. He could feel it. For a moment, whispering and murmured conversation held the class, but then there were more hands. [color=6ecff6]"You said you ran. How do you run?"[/color] There were plenty of nods and more murmurs. [color=98FB98]"I can show you at recess,"[/color] Tyrel replied eagerly. [color=98FB98]"There's two ways: the like... jogging run and the [i]hundred[/i] percent run for your life run."[/color] She shook her head. [color=98FB98]"They're totally different."[/color] [color=bc8dbf]"And, speaking of recess,"[/color] the teacher interjected, [color=bc8dbf]"We need to get started on today's arithmetic before we run out of time."[/color] She turned to the new girl. [color=bc8dbf]"Tyrel?"[/color] [color=98FB98]"Yes, Alta?"[/color] [color=bc8dbf]"Thank you very much for your informative and amusing answers."[/color] [color=98FB98]"You're very welcome, Alta Sansuul."[/color] [color=bc8dbf]"Boys and girls!"[/color] the teacher singsonged, and they all perked up. [color=bc8dbf]"Let's all give our new student a big round of applause and make her feel very welcome today."[/color] Chad clapped along with the others. Ashon's claps were obnoxiously loud, as usual, as if he thought it was some sort of competition. [color=bc8dbf]"The empty desk near the door is yours,"[/color] Alta Sansuul was telling Tyrel. [color=bc8dbf]"You'll find a slate inside."[/color] Tyrel bowed her head. [color=98FB98]"Thank you,"[/color] she replied in a small, sweet voice, making her way over. A few people watched, but the novelty was already beginning to wear off now that their burning question had been answered. She took her seat, pulled out her slate, and that seemed to be the cue for everyone else to do so. Velani and Thandar were called back belatedly to join in and class routine returned to its norm: waiting for the clock to tick its way to 1:00 HO so that recess could begin. Chad had earned some goodwill, and so he was chosen for a few questions. Duly, he calculated his equations, erased with his rag and not his sleeve, and flipped his board when asked to. Alta Sansuul tried to call upon everyone at least once and, when Tyrel stood to give her answer, people took a bit more interest, just to see if she was smart. Chad found himself a bit disappointed not in her response, but in the fact that she was so far from him. He felt like he'd made [i]kind of[/i] a friend, and he didn't want to have to wait until recess when the other girls would inevitably steal her away and she'd be busy demonstrating how she ran - not that he wasn't curious himself. The minutes faded one into the other, and so did the equations. Times tables were easy. That was when he felt a gentle tap on his side: it was a note, passed surreptitiously by Sandii, and he took it with the smallest nod. He opened it and quickly closed it up, warmth rising in his cheeks. His eyes shot Tyrel's way and hers flicked over to meet them. Did she give a hint of a smile or did she follow the unspoken code that one did not acknowledge sending such letters. He wasn't sure. He opened it again. Then, feeling guilty, he folded it gently, tucked it deep into his desk, and decided to keep it.[/color] [center][hider=The Letter][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PodNvZS.png[/img] [i][color=d3d3d3]Thank you - Tyrel[/color][/i][/center][/hider][/center] [hr][hr]