Finley wrinkled her nose as the unnamed woman explained she used iron. Gross. She was thankful for the change of conversation. ”Ah yes.” Finley held up their key. ”My room is delightfully apt for me.” She winked. Finley didn’t technically have wings. Her type of fae was not a kind that could fly. However, many still associated fae with wings and flight.

Rohan had already left. Fin started walking. While searching for their room, they glared at an iron door. It radiated the poison like heat; they hurried past it, refusing to touch it even to test their key. Fin figured if the system that had given them the key was smart enough to make sure her key had not been iron, the door surely would not be. One door, as Fin approached, shifted from the hated metal into wood. It no longer held the aura of pain. Finley smiled and tried their key. If the door was being so obliging, it was likely their room.

Upon entering their room, Fin removed a bag that had been under an illusion. From the bag, Fin removed their bread maker and several other items, setting them on the desk or in the wardrobe as appropriate. The only items that went on the bed were two blankets. Both had been crocheted. One was cotton candy colors. The other was an ombre of pink and blue with white and black accents, the coloring clearly matching Dysphoria.

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Connie pinched the bridge of her nose. She would make it through this semester. She would. She was determined to. A few deep breaths, and she lifted her head.

”Yes, I know how to read. If you need assistance learning, I can help.” Maybe she was too helpful. But it might explain a bit about Jake. If he couldn’t read...Connie had a lot of questions. How had he ended up here, was a big one.

”Pedro, let’s go find our room. I know where the hall is, but I don’t know which room is ours. Hopefully, our third roommate will be the pleasant sort. Jake, I'll help you find your room, too.” She smiled and left the Hall. Figuring Jake and Pedro would follow her. She’d help Jake find his room, too. Of the three other members in her coven, Pedro seemed like he would be the easiest to live with.

Connie tried her key on each of the doors until she found the one that it worked on. She also encouraged Jake to try his key.

Upon entering her room, she let out a little sigh of relief. She placed her hand on the bed and said the name of her previous room, ”Please take the setup from there and switch it here.” The area shimmered and changed. Her wardrobe was now full of her clothing, and her desk had documents and a laptop. The bed sheets had changed into a set with constellations. Connie smiled and sat down on the bed, watching Pedro and waiting for their third roommate.

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Cassie was eager to get started, but a new presence came over, wrapping his arm around Cal and whispering into his ear. Or no...was he...Cassie blushed slightly. The warmth of the gesture followed by the playfulness made her feel....well fuzzy was the best term. Were the two of them dating? Cassie admonished herself. Seems Cal was off limits. Cassie nodded her greeting, wondering what Barty's deal was. Cassie sighed, at least she was here.

Cassie followed closely, but not too closely as to not make herself look like some crazed lunatic fawning over the first man she saw (she saw plenty of others before Cal, thank you very much!). She walked alongside Willow, thankful to have someone in her Coven that was not two men who seemed interested. Cassie also held her key firmly in her hand, anxious to see who she would be rooming with and what it looked like.

She knew from TV and movies that colleged typically had bedrooms shared. And Cal confirmed this. Thankfully the bathrooms would not be a shared space either. As much as she was open to new things here in this new school, she didn't want to get dressed in front of Cal or any of the other guys for that matter. Perhaps this school was different and she would get used to it, but baby steps.

Cassie tried not to look at everything with with wonder and amazement and found herself falling short. The school was wild in the best way possible. She wondered how Willow saw it. "So, what do you think so far?" she asked, excitement peppered in her tone. Her previous feelings now a short memory, she decided to make the best of it.

Wating for Willow to respond, Cassie wondered...what was Cal's deal? He clearly had some chemistry with Barty, why was he flirting with her too? Was it an open relationship? She had read about those, though she was sure truth was stranger than fiction. She couldn't imagine being with someone who was so open with others. She would feel left out or discarded. She couldn't imagine paying attention to everyone equally. Though, she supposed, that was what conversation was for.

She felt she was quiet for too long so she smiled in responde. "That's fine! Save the best for last. Not to say Willow isn't the best! She is! We all are! I mean....yes let's find out her room first!" Cassie shuffled a bit on her feet, the awkwardness filling her stomach with butterflies.

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Willow waved politely to the new presence, and let Luna take a gander of the new fellow and smiled softly. It seemed they were friendly, very friendly. "A pleasure, Barty~ I hope to get to know both you and your twin well if you so wish." She giggled softly but it was cut off as she noticed how Cassie was acting. She couldn't be that attracted to Callaghan that quickly? Human emotions were still so confusing to her, but maybe with time she could understand them better.

She listened as Callaghan lead the tour, giggling and listening to his stories on the way, and taking it all in. She did make mental notes of the places he said that might change on you, since she would need visual cues of those places for when she traversed the academy on her own. She couldn't always count on her coven mates or future friends to be there to help her.

"Hmmm? Oh... this place is interesting. Very different than where I grew up, but I knew that would be the case before I got here. I can't wait to see the grounds later, but that is a later thing." Willow had to admit to herself a small disappointment to the lack of green inside the academy, but again she hadn't seen much of it yet, or even the whole of the grounds yet. Being raised in the literal forest had spoiled her, and she was so use to being surrounded by the smell of green, and the sounds of animals. She just hoped that her dorm would provide some home comfort.

She held out her key again and looked to the other two. "We'll take it from here. Thank you for your help, Cal. I'll see you both later tonight at the gathering. Take care Cassie." She waved softly as she walked off, humming as she walked. By some instinct she walked up to a door and slid the key in and clicked the lock open.

Thanks to Luna, she realized that the other two members of her room were there, and already settling into their rooms it seemed. "Oh, hello, I'm Willow. It seems we'll be sharing living quarters. I guess I get the last bed." Willow walked over to the unclaimed bed and ran her hand over it.

She could feeling the magic calling out, her space begging to be changed to her whim, to bend to her will. She didn't dare change too much about the whole space without consulting her roommates first, but for the moment, she could change her small space. She focused as she put her hand over the bed and thought. The bed twisted, the frame becoming more wooden, more organic, twisting forms and sprouting with small flowers of many colors. The bedspread became a homemade patchwork one of many patterns, colors and styles, while the desk soon followed suit with the bed, becoming much more organic in the legs and flowers sprouting out as well. Atop the desk appeared a deck of cards, a tea set, and small bowl with something bone white in it.

A few bags appeared on the bed, and she grinned wider at that. "Oh good, I was hoping my things would either be brought here or arrive here."

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Nicholas watched his coven quietly, warily. A potential threat in a room full of strangers had him on edge, the urge to vanish into the night barely kept at bay. He would prefer a moment away from the prying eyes to unwind and get his head back on his shoulders, but the show must go on and he had a full production planned. He watched with interest as Cal accepted the easy affection, a brief heat building in his veins, but he already had plans for that too. His favorite room in Haven already cleaned and organized and blocked out, he fully planned his dorm and Cal’s cold in their absence and they could send Cal back with all the right marks, a pretty little guide on how to make the shifter melt. Nicholas smirked at the idea.

He could only imagine how scandalized this naive little thing would be.

“Come along, brother. I have no patience for time and we have invitations to be released. Delila is likely finished batching out our welcome favors and it won’t keep forever.” Nicholas gave his twin a look over, just to settle the concern nipping at the back of his head like a poorly trained dog begging for treats, and ignored anyone else as he made his way to the dorms. It was bothersome changing rooms when it was known they would be students here longer, but at least he could enjoy this year’s company more than other years. The amount of times he found himself sleeping in Haven was irritatingly frequent and while he enjoyed it for its distractions, it was not a place he would care to relax on any given afternoon. “We’ll have our fun this evening after we finish with the rabble.”

Nicholas fished out his key, delicately slid it into the door and unlocked it, and more of the tension in his chest seeped away as he caught sight of a welcomed pair-Finley and Dysphoria-laying claim to their space. “Fortune must have found herself a new target this evening, for all of us to occupy the same room. Tis a most welcomed sight.” Nicholas offered in lieu of a greeting to their roommates, crossing the room to take the center bed and going through the normal motions of setting things up. Dark wood claimed the walls, some small shelving appearing above both bed and desk. Heavy blankets, quilts and comforters and duvets piled high, appeared beneath a pile of pillows. Nicholas could make due with less, but he cared greatly for his warmth and his comfort and he would not find himself caught unaware because of a lack of sleep. Had it been someone other than Finley here, perhaps he’d suffer discomfort for safety but with his brother and friend near…

“Darling, aren’t we lucky.” Dysphoria purred at the door opening. Dysphoria had reached out and was fiddling with the blankets their Dewdrop had crocheted, petting it as their head turned to the twins coming in. “The nasty metal changed and now two tasty meals stumbled into our den. Fortune indeed.”

“Alas, we have some business first. We’re inviting all our… peers to the Haven for a few drinks and some idle chat away from the prying eyes of the Professors, including yourselves. I’d care to take their measure before they take ours.” Nicholas gently placed a worn out briefcase on the bed and opened it, revealing carefully packed pipes in a variety of materials. He began to place them on one of the shelves. “Would you two be interested in a more private event afterwards? One of the things in my coven found eyes for Cal and I thought it fun to send him back to it with instructions. Not quite my original plan, but…” Nicholas shrugged.

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Slowly but surely, the small student class made their way to their rooms. The pairings were randomized, decided either by the whims of chaos or the strange will of fate. At any rate, each student would find their place, accompanied by two roommates who bore the same key. For some, they would find themselves sharing space with their coven mates. For others, friends, family, and lovers. For the rest, strangers.

As soon as each trio had entered their room, beginning to make the space into one of their own, a small invitation slid under the door. In a neat pen, it was addressed to the occupants of the room, and contained the following information:

The recipients were invited to a return-to-school bash, hosted by Barty and Nicky Mcleod at their speakeasy, the Haven later that evening. No plus-ones were allowed, and strict adherence to the speakeasy rules was expected: 1) clothing must remain fully on at all times, 2) no harassing (by any means) the employees, and 3) what happens in the Haven… didn’t. The invitation instructed that the Haven could be accessed by a secret passageway concealed by a painting on the basement level of the academy.

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Something strange happened for a moment - something that Jake could not quite understand. Connie was saying one thing, and smiling, but moments ago she looked unhappy. Was it possible for her to say one thing and her body to say another? Could someone do that? The idea made his chest feel tight. Jake didn’t like that, he decided. He didn’t like having to guess if people meant what they said. But the more he thought about it, the more he felt that Connie hadn’t been doing that. She hadn’t been unhappy at him asking her if she could read. It was something else. Something about what Barty had said, maybe? But why would she have been upset with him? It was all so very strange.

So Jake decided not to think about it.

He put a big smile on his face as he ran to catch up with Connie and Pedro. Each time Connie had him put his key in a lock, he was practically vibrating with excitement - and his shoulders slumped every time the lock didn’t turn. ”Is my key broken?” he whined, a little dismayed.

And when he finally found one where the key turned in the lock, he gasped with surprise as the door swung open. For a moment, he thought he’d broken the door, too. But instead, he saw a room. His room. He’d never had a room before! Jake rushed inside and spun around three times, his arms out wide and catching the air as he went. This was so cool! And then his eyes fell on the beds. There were three of them. One of them must have been his! He knew what a bed was. He didn’t spend any time pondering why he knew that, but everything else was so strange.

”THIS IS SO FUN????!!!!” Jake screeched, as he ran and jumped on the bed, bouncing up and down and up and down. He hoped his roommates liked playing in bed, too!

Where were his roommates? He couldn’t wait to meet them!

… He was going to have roommates, right?

He stared with a hand on his chin as he watched the room change to accomodate Connie's wishes. How interesting!!!

Was it Connie who did that? Her speciality seemed to be a kind of transmutation with a focus on the self from what he had watched, but maybe she could influence foreign objects? He is unable to formulate a conclusion based on that small sample but his gut feeling says no, it would be like expecting him to be able to create artifacts because he was able to create golemns... Which he might be able go do? Uh, now that was a though that never appeared before, obviously he wouldn't be able to do it withouth being taught but maybe some disciplines would transfer if he ever tried to dabble into that.

Anyway.

As the room rearenged he walked to the bed on the other side and sat down, then with a snap of his fingers (not needed but he thought it looked cool) he activated one of his spells. His Bocolitos deactivated and Elena became active again.

The walking chest didn't waste any time, the moment it became active it proceeded to shamble towards him before resting as his feet. Automatically his right foot raised and started to push against his alebrije, to what Elena proceeded to seize it with its grubby hands before starting munching on it.

The familiar routine played withouth him noticing, almost enterily focusing on Connie side of the room as everything changed.

It was very imoressive, he opened his mouth to say as much but a bew prescence let herself being known before he could.

He watched as the self identified Willow walked towards the unclaimed bed and proceeded to do the same thing to her corner. Again he watched with interest as reality bend to accomodate the user wishes, this confirmed the function was inherent to the room and was for free use to its inavitants, which meant he could do the same.

Not that he will tho, magic is good and all but if he was going to decore his room he needed time to think about it and he preferred to make his own things, this was an opportunity to decorate part of the room from scratch and he is not going to waste it!

Still, now may be the time for introductions.

"Hello! Nice to meet you, my name is Pedro but feel free to call me pancho or Pedrito" Then he signaled towards the Golemns around him "This one is Cholo, and this big guy is Elena"

As practiced, Cholo besides him did a backflip and gave a happy bark, Elena on the other hand did two rolls on the ground before going back to munching on his shoe.

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Annika followed her companions through the school until they reached the dorm hall of Laveau. She turned in a wide circle, looking up, up, to the top of the staircase before she took in the main floor. Annika started to climb the stairs, seeing doors of different textures and styles. There seemed to also be a separate room for bathrooms.

Eventually, Annika was able to locate her room. She twisted the hourglass key in the correct lock. The door swung up, and Annika was greeted with a lot of screeching and laughing. She paused in the doorway, watching a person jumping up and down on the bed. Curious.

”Hi, I’m Annika,” she introduced herself, wandering to the bed opposite Jake’s. She set her bag on the bed before scanning her papers. She distinctly remembered reading that she could change her side of the dorm to fit her needs. Annika placed her palm along the wall, envisioning the room she desired.

The wall seemed to shimmer and vibrate before the process took hold. The walls that she claimed turned sleek and black, hanging orbs with flickering lights hung from the ceiling, and strangely shaped bookshelves that didn’t seem to take on one solid shape moved into the corner and behind her desk and bed. One shelf spiralled up, dried herbs hanging in random groups. A series of bottles, metals, and other tools lined another shelving unit. Her clothes found their way into a wardrobe, groups of candles sat on the floor, and her desk to provide more ambient light.

Annika flopped herself onto the deep purple covers of her bed and huffed a sigh. Finally, she could relax for a moment. Maybe she could find a cupcake and stick a candle in it for a little birthday treat.

While she pondered the thought, the sound of something being slid under the door grabbed her focus. Annika sat up and stared at the envelope on the ground with interest.

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Callaghan smiled at Willow and nodded. ”Of course. Listen for a letter being slid under the door later. That’ll be invitations for the student gathering later this evening. You won’t want to miss it,” he assured Willow. Cal turned his focus back to Cassie, smiling warmly. ”Alright, darling. Let’s find our room.” Cal pulled out his key and ascended the stairs.

The couple would come upon a door that started to shift as soon as they stepped off the staircase. It became wooden, silver vine work sliding across the stained door. A doorknob with a keyhole that matched Cal’s key presented itself, seemingly to wait patiently for the last two remaining inhabitants of its space.

”Guess this is it,” Cal said, before sliding the key in and turning. Inside, the entire room remained plain and unaltered. However, the bed in the middle looked to be claimed, with a wardrobe open.

”Ah, hello tree,” Cal greeted. He stepped aside for Cassiopeia, throwing an open arm out to guide her in. ”Welcome, darling. The broody gentleman there is Rohan. Rohan, this is Cassiopeia. She is rather new to the school, but equally eager to be here, I think.”

Once Cassie was inside, Cal let the door shut and walked over to the bed on the left side of the room. He instantly brushed one of his hands against the wall, like how a lover would touch the cheek of their companion. The room on Cal’s side instantly started to shift. The wall gave way slightly to accommodate the large bookshelf inlaid in the wall. It was stocked with books from floor to ceiling. An oversized chair and ottoman now rested in the corner, and the small desk shifted closer to the chair and bookshelf for easier access.

Cal grabbed a book off the shelf and collapsed into the chair, flipping it open quickly to begin reading. Papers and assorted stationery lay haphazardly across the small desk, with another towering pile of books sitting precariously on the edge. Beside Cal’s bed, which now bore the similarities one might find in the captain's room of a ship from the early 1900s, were also stacks of books and rolled up parchment that looked so old that a single touch might cause the precious vellum to crumble. A large map of the world, as it currently was, rolled itself out on the wall behind the headboard of Cal’s bed, while a tall wardrobe slid into place on the other side, overflowing with clothes. As the room settled, Cal looked up at Cassie and smiled.

”The room on your side will shift to whatever you want. You can either picture it how you wish, or speak to it and it will accommodate. Feel free to change it daily as you desire,” he encouraged before returning to his reading.

Callaghan heard the invitation slide under the door but ignored it. He already knew where he was going tonight. And what he would be wearing.

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Cal knew as well as Barty did, that no amount of strings would allow for him to mess with the rooming assignments. It was all magically enchanted and sheer luck, or so they all say. He smirked at the notion however, like a cat playing with a mouse that was already caught between its paws. He wasn't fond of how Cal removed his arm however, though he supposed they were even now as he'd done the same just moments ago back when this…Cassie, had decided on how to grab her key. She was staring, and he couldn't quite tell if he liked it or not. Normally he'd live for the attention, but only after he knew it was for better not for worse. Witch hunts would do that to you, and plenty of witches have sold others out for less. ”I'd love to join your little tour – after I aid Nicky in our endeavors. Wouldn't due to have us behind on the first day.”

Barty waved the group away with a smile, and as soon as their backs had turned, he dropped it. ”Always work first fun later, but I guess there isn't any other way to it huh?” Barty whined as he followed behind his brother and went into their own room. Finley had already beaten them to it, and his own brother snatched up a bed leaving Barty with the final one. Not that it mattered to him. ”Now if only that same Covenmate could find a brain as well. The way she gawked at me you'd think she'd never seen two guys together. Not to mention her magic… poor Cal is going to have his hands full it seems, as will you my brother. But first –”

Barty began to decorate his room. Vertical wooden panels of wainscotting lining the lower half of his walls as the top half took on a dark green paint. The floor had several rugs overlapping one another, and the bed was plush with covers and pillows, as oil paintings decorated the wall in antique frames. It looked, homey.

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The girl with an intense stare and vibrant hair had asked him a question, but no sooner had she asked than everyone had begun to devolve into their own pockets of conversation, all excited for the Mystery ahead even with Sariel as their guide. He hadn't gotten the chance to answer her, Finley he thought he'd heard her say, but the conversation quickly shifted to preferred mediums, and then to the topic of rooms. Franklin silent answered to himself, the answers to every question asked. Yes I do know the halls almost as well as she does, I too prefer things that are natural though not alive, typically corpses when I can, but I make do with wood and metal just fine. Ditto on not being much of a talker, I'm so observant I may as well be invisible at times, though Connie always seems to find a way to shine a light on me. And I suppose I'll see who I'm with this year, hopefully someone that can leave me alone.

Rohan was the first to leave, then Finley, then Annika, leaving Franklin and Igor behind as he swung his arms lightly before picking his leather bag back up and sighing. “Well Igor, time to unpack our room. Think we'll get someone interesting this year?” He asked his small rodent friend as he began to make his way over to where Laveau Hall was. He held his key tight in one hand, watching and waiting for a door to react and shift for him as he wished it. Upon reaching his door, it shifted, looking like a dark castle door with iron hinges, he placed his key within and stepped inside. He was greeted by several things all at once. A screeching manchild hopping on a bed, one of his Coven mates in a moody purple room, and a slight slip as he stepped onto his invitation.

Franklin looked towards Igor as he lifted his shoe, the rat scurrying down to grab the letter while Frankie made his way to the last remaining bed. The second he stepped one foot onto his own section, the room began to shift. Dark wood floors covering his side, as the walls around the bed appeared to close in as bookshelves manifested and filled to the brim on either side of the head or foot of the bed. Leather bound books on the shelves with a few loose papers stacked above them. The desk changed its shape into a drawing table, and his bed got several blankets and plush pillows that seemed to be decades old like a childhood pillow. Franklin placed his bag on the bed to one side as he flopped onto his back on the bed, an arm stretched out and off the side where his legs hung off. Dark iron chains came down from the ceiling, some holding a pair of candle holders with cream coloured candles that flickered to life. Franklin felt as Igor pressed the invitation into his hand, and he lifted it up to read.

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Seeing Willow off she followed Cal back to where their room would be. Her heart was beating faster with each step. Cassie had to calm down. This was the first night here.

They came upon their door. The intricate work of it was something to behold. It seemed like magic itself. It shouldn't surprise her, but she continued to marvel at the things this school seemed to offer. All at once she felt...out of place. Yes, she had magic. Yes, if uncontrolled could be catastrophic of epic proportions. But was she Strange Academy material? She felt alone despite being near people like her.

Cal unlocked the door and stepped aside to allow her entry. She immeditaely saw a figure in the room and had to fight the urge to freak out as she remembered there would be another roommate. Made sense given the numbers.

Rohan was an impressive figure as well, though the energy he gave off was chilling. "Rohan, it's nice to meet you. You can call me Cassie. I look forward to getting to know you better!" Cal went off to the left side which meant she would be on the right. As she stepped towards her bed, bland though it was, the left shifted as Cal maneuvered his room. Cassie stared in awe as things shifted and placed themselves. Again, she was flabbergasted by something these men knew already.

"So, you mean to tell me I have my own space and can decorate it with a thought? Like my own Barbie dreamhouse just...college room edition?" Cassie squealed and bounced up and down. "Oh my gosh that's so fricken awesome!"

First she started with the bed. She had an image in her head and the bed shifted to a pink bedframe with white shets and plenty of pink pillows. There was also a little bench at the foot on her bed. She also produced a smal end table next to it that held a few candles, unlit. Her gaze shifted to one of the walls and a vanity appeared with a small stool to sit on. Lastly, a dresser to hold her things that matched the bed vibes.

She spun in a circle on her way to her bed as she flopped down upon it, allowing the comfort to take hold. "This is so cool! And I can shift it whenever I want? My parents never allowed me to decorate my room." Apart from the new window she made, she thought.

She heard something slip across the floor and sat up. There was a paper on the ground now and she walked towards it, picking it up. She opened it and read the contents. This was the gathering Cal mentioned. "Oh wow, my first college party! Is there a dress code? A theme? I know it says clothes should be kept on...is that a thing that happens often enough to warrant its own warning? What are you both wearing? Oh my gosh can we match! I am sure I have something nice to wear." She ran back to her new dresser and opened it before she realized she hadn't actually put her clothes in there yet. "Or, I will once I unpack."

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Tree. Rohan wasn't fond of being called that. Much as he lived among the natural world and was hounded by it, he came to this school full of wizards so he wouldn't be overwhelmed by the curse and turn into something monstrous. Not that Cal knew as much, but it still irked him.

"Yeah, that's me," He turned around and put on a grin. It was good a newer student was put with students who actually knew their way around the place. Less so that of those just happened to be the horny man-dragon of the school. He didn't even mind Callaghan that much. He was pretty decent with magic and his ability to turn into other things was awfully relevant for the sorts of things Rohan focused on when he had the spare time to study what being human actually entailed on a mystical level. But the guy was just obnoxious in his propensity to fuck everything alive and legal, like the witch brothers who ran the Neverish.

Cass seemed pretty damn eager to decorate. Meanwhile, Rohan had just sat his things down and considered resting until it was time to head out. He knew what was happening tonight as well. He fell onto his bed and lazily waved a hand. The bed shifted colors and magically warmed to above ambient temperature. A small, circular table of ironwood appeared beside the table where he deposited a notebook from under the layers of his clothes.

"You can keep changing just about anything in here," Rohan explained, touching the walls behind him to tint them a few hues darker for the sake of less eye strain. "The walls, the furniture- The space doesn't change, since that'd be more costly and magic isn't free, but you can keep changing it whenever you feel like doing so."

When the letter slid under the floor, Rohan didn't bother with it. He'd been before, it was a good place to be. Safe from the aberrations outdoors, firmly in the territory of Man, and the caffeine was something special.

"I'll see what I've got to throw on when it gets a bit later," Rohan decided. "If you can't find the entrance yourself, ask someone. You should know, though, that one of the brothers who runs the place is an enchanter. He can change how a person thinks and manipulate them. The other just plays tricks. Don't cause trouble and you'll be fine, but it's worth keeping that in mind. If something bad did happen, well, I've got a magic staff for that."

The wooden owl croaked, philosophically, as if it had something to add. It didn't.

”Truely lucky indeed.” Finley caressed Dysphoria with one hand and sat on their bed cross-legged.

Finley smiled as the brothers entered the room. Oh, this year will be much better. Finley did not have any issues with their prior roommates, but having people that they actually liked as roommates made the upcoming year much more pleasant looking.

”Interesting.” Finley raised an eyebrow sitting down on the edge of their bed. ”I am looking forward to a private party after the main event.” They winked. Callaghan was a delight to flirt, tease, and many other things with, if tonight was going to include a small group party Finley would have to make sure to wear something interesting to take off.

”I have been put in with a strange coven. They are all crafters of one type or another. I do not know the young woman’s name or abilities. She is very quiet, unless you get her talking about something she’s interested in. The other two are known factors, Rohan and Franklin. Do you need assistance with anything?”

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”Hello Willow. I am Connie.” Connie was smiling as the strange and tall woman entered the room. Willow had a giant moth with her too. Connie was interested in the creature, she assumed it was a familiar of sorts.

A card had slid under the door and was now laying a couple of feet from it. Connie bounced up from her bed and grabbed the card.

”Seems the Mcloud twins have decided to send invites to everyone.” She read off the invite for the others' benefits. Part of her already preparing to deal with helping Jake.

”The Haven is nice. I’ve been a couple of times. The bartender will provide non-alcoholic drinks if you prefer.” She always got non-alcoholic drinks when she attended any of the twins' functions there.

”If you are uncomfortable about things of a sexual nature do not fret too much. Anything that happens in the public areas are kept within reason and general proprietary. At least in my experience." This might have been because the twins were aware that Connie had zero interest in anything like that, or it was because it was the standard rule. She had reason enough to believe it was the latter.

Connie was often asked to help new students become used to the school. Sometimes officially and sometimes when there was a question that another student didn’t know. She had walked most students through their first few days and was used to giving speeches about the school, so she gave these bits of advice without any prompting.

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Willow tilted her head a bit but she thought she heard a bit of home in Pedro's accident, but she would ask him later. Then he said they could call him Pancho or Pedrito. "Oh, do you have a preference on which we call you, Pedro? Pancho or Pedrito? I would hate to mess up what you'd like to be called." She offered a small smile as some of the beads on her headdress clinked together. She then let Luna take in Cholo and Elena and grinned a bit. "Oh what handsome creatures! And I do hope they're friendly. And what interesting features and colors! I'd love to learn more about them later~" She clapped her hands together as she took them in and giggled a bit. Cholo and Elena were clearly some kind of magical constructs, and she wanted to know more.

She did turn towards the other woman in their room, and gave her her attention and smiled as well. She was about to say something when she heard something slide across the floor. Was that the card they had told her to keep an eye out for earlier? Hopefully her new roommates could read it for her! Luna was a great seeing eye moth but sometimes she did mix up letters.

"Hmmmm my Tia would let me have spirits from time to time, that is like alcohol, yes? Though the part about clothing being on at all times... isn't that how it usually works in human society or am I missing something?" Willow recalled her Tia telling her when she was little that now that she was human she had to dress like a human unless she was changing her outfit or cleaning herself. Or for other things later in life. But that was not what was being discussed at the moment.

"Oh. I'm alright with sexual things. That is pretty natural. I've not done anything myself, but good to know that it is within reason." Willow looked over to her roommate and paused, thinking maybe she had said something wrong. She really didn't have much experience with others, so she wasn't aware of what was and wasn't proper to say at times.

"Oh... I know clothing is required but is what I'm wearing alright? Or should I change? Not that I have much in the way of clothing."

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Nicholas looked over at his brother’s side of the room as it unfurled, but otherwise continued with his business. He pulled out six different pipes, four different tins of tobacco, a variety of books, and a small roll of gardening tools and gloves that he neatly deposited away in the little desk provided. At Finley’s acceptance of the offer, Nicholas glanced up, offered an approving nod, and continued meticulously unpacking and putting away. He disliked a disorganized space - it made it so much more difficult to ensure the essentials were brought when they inevitably had to run.

“No, I am quite-” Nicholas stared disapprovingly at the tendril Dysphoria extended at Finley’s offer of assistance and followed it back to the grinning symbiote. “You will get your fill later so be patient. I do not have enough to warrant assistance and I doubt your placements will put my mind at ease.”

“Yes, the quiet thing is a strange one. I would need a better taste to understand what simmers beneath her skin, but it is an interesting one indeed.” Dysphoria agreed. “We have the woodling amongst our coven and the excitable one. What did that one do? AV? Something along that. I imagine with these makers we can create quite the gift for our dewdrop.”

“Do not begrudge the mortals their shortsightedness. They die too quickly to care for others.” Nicholas said, hanging away the last of his clothes and snapping the door shut. “Cal will have his fun with her and move on. wondering over a mortal's incapacity to empathize is a waste.

"I think mortals are fun. They feel so intensely! It makes them tastier.” Dysphoria disagreed playfully, an old argument between them.

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Over the next few hours, the students settled into their rooms. Aided by the school’s magics, each dormitory was thoroughly changed, customized as to better suit its occupants. A seemingly frivolous use of the craft, but one that made a tangible impact in the wellbeing of the academy’s students - enough so that the institution was happy to pay the bill when it came due. Of course, as much as the school was willing to create bedding, decoration, and furnishings, clothing was another matter entirely.

So as each student fretted over what to wear at the Haven’s welcoming bash, they would only have their own wardrobes to peruse. And only a lucky few knew how to conjure up a worthwhile glamor. The invitation gave no instructions as to the manner of attire, but this was the first social event of the year, the first chance to make a good impression on their coven mates and roommates - or rather, their first chance to repair any disastrous impressions from the opening ceremonies in the Hall of Ancients. A terrible outfit would be social suicide.

As the appointed hour approached, the invited students made their way through the school to the Haven’s concealed location - hidden behind “El Aquelarre” on one of the school’s lowest floors. While usually accessed by means of a code, tonight the students were greeted by Alfonse Franzén. He offered each person a soft, pleased smile and nodded as they approached, but otherwise remained quiet until most everyone had assembled. Alfonse cleared his throat once everyone had and took a half step forward.

“Good evening, everyone! Thank you for accepting our invitation and welcome to the entrance of Haven, a place to hide away from the mundanities of the world. It is located within the Neverish with more than just this entrance and so you may encounter people who you would not have ever had an opportunity to mingle with before! However, tonight our owners have opted to only allow those assembled here so the newly formed covens could have some peace, quiet, and drinks to relax and connect away from the prying eyes of your Professors.” Alfonse announced excitedly, beaming at everyone. “Some of you are regulars, others infrequent patrons, but both know the expectations and the offerings. For those who are new, the three rules outlined in the invitations are ironclad. Entering Haven means you magically agree to the terms. Breaking them will cause Haven to remove you and you will find yourself kindly dropped off at a random exit to Haven somewhere in the world.” Alfonso laughed, fond memories of troublesome patrons running through his head.

“Haven can accommodate most requests for… distraction with reasonable notice, but we also have an entertainment menu for our regular offerings. If there are any questions or concerns before we head in, now is the time to ask.” Alfonse looked around expectantly, eagerly, before startling. “Oh, I forgot. My name is Alfonse and I am your server for the evening!”

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He had roommates! Jake ceased in his bouncing, looking at them and memorizing their features with wonderment. Annika! Ahn - Nih - Ka. Annika, Annika, Annika! Did she have other names too? She looked so cool, with her hair so long, and then the way she made the room different! That was so incredible! Was that what her magic was? That was so useful! Jake wanted to know how to do things like that! If he could make the room be anything, it would be… it would be…

His stomach gurgled slightly.

Jake gasped. ”I made a noise! I made a noise without moving my mouth!” Maybe that was what his magic was! He could make noises! Jake held very still, listening for it to happen again, before he became distracted immediately by his roommates. He couldn’t hold his attention on a single thing for very long, not when everything around him was so new and wonderful! He loved being alive! ”Hi Annika! I’m Jake!! Hi stranger! I’m Jake!” The stranger had the same ability to change the room, too!

His other roommate hadn’t introduced himself, but that didn’t matter. Jake was so happy to have them there! And the little thing his roommate had with him, it was so cute! He had the sudden urge to cuddle it and jump around in circles and scream all at once! ”Is that one of our roommates too?” he asked. Connie had been something else and then changed - maybe he had three roommates and not just two!

He tilted his head slightly, as Annika looked at the piece of paper that had been slid under their door, followed by the stranger taking it and looking at it. Was it something important? They’d tell him if it was, right? ”Does it say something?” Jake asked.



Later that evening, Jake had made his way down with his fellow students. He didn’t have any other clothes to wear, so he was wearing what he had been the entire time - a pair of dog tags slung around his neck, comfortable jeans and a hoodie, with a jacket thrown on top. He was completely unremarkable, just an average man walking down the street. What stood out about him was his intense smile, mirroring back Alfonse’s energy. He liked Alfonse! He loved Alfonse! Maybe they could be roommates, too!

”Hi Alfonse!! I’m Jake!!” He had no idea what sort of stuff happened in a place like this but he was so excited!! Maybe they’d play a game! He’d never played a game before!!

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Annika smiled, amused by Jake and his strange behaviour. She wondered if he had just recovered from a strange form of amnesia. She offered him the invitation, so he could look it over.

”It seems we have all been invited to a party. Should be fun,” Annika said and set the invitation down before she walked to her wardrobe to find something suitable.

~~~

A couple of hours later, Annika walked down to the secret location with Jake and her other roommate. She sported a grunge look that was reminiscent of outfits she had worn to parties before. It was comfortable enough for any type of party she had been to before, but casual enough to show that she wasn’t here to impress. She left her hair loose, gathered over her right shoulder for the time.

Along the way, they ran into a few more people who were all making their way to the secret location. Annika was starting to recognize some faces and smiled politely at those she came across, but remained next to Jake. She fiddled with her necklace while the person outside Haven ran over the rules with them again.

Parties were something Annika wasn’t a stranger to. She had been to several over her time on earth when she had been in school. Then there were the parties her ancestors (descendants) had. Annika was always sober, but the atmosphere was intoxicating enough. It didn’t surprise her that a university-style party was known for debauchery, but it did surprise her that there were rules. Of course, it made Annika infinitely more comfortable knowing there were boundaries already in place. At least that way, she wouldn't have to build them from the ground up for herself.

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Callaghan looked up when Cassie’s voice started to rise, the telltale sign of excitement. He chuckled and shut his book. ”It’s nice to be able to come back to your room and have a personalised space after a long day at school.” Cal stood and selected another book from the towering stack on his desk before he sat again. The ability to have his own space was definitely something he valued, but it didn’t prevent Cal from feeling homesick. When that happened, he would visit Professor Mikkhil or sneak out for a nighttime flight. Sometimes the only way to feel like yourself is to be your complete self.

Cassie’s continued joy and excitement became infectious. He chuckled again, his eyes dancing when she asked more about Haven and the clothing situation. ”Mmm, yes. All sorts of entertainment can happen at Haven. However, the clothes-off policy is saved for one of their side rooms. For tonight, though, it is more about getting more acquainted with your classmates and coven sisters and brothers. As for matching, I’m wearing black and lace,” Cal said with a wink in Cassie’s direction before he fell into his book.

~~~

Later that night, dressed in his same black pants, Cal now sported a patterned lace, long-sleeved top. He kept most of the buttons done up to reserve modesty, but his tattoos flirted around the open pattern of his shirt. He knew he was toeing the line with his attire, but Cal was hoping to turn certain heads at Haven. It had been several months after all. He paired the outfit with a necklace that looked similar to the colour and shape of bone, and his signature rings. He left the bracelets behind this time.

Callaghan continued to play tour guide for Cassiopeia. He walked with her down to the portrait that hid the entrance to Haven. Alfonse stood there already, waiting for everyone to arrive. Cal smiled and waved at him before he spotted Finley.

”Oh, there’s someone you need to meet,” Cal said. He placed a hand on the small of Cassie’s back and guided her over to Finley.

Callaghan smiled warmly at his old friend. ”Finely, darling. This is Cassiopeia. My coven sister and roommate.” Cal would then introduce Cassie to Finley and Dysphoria, only if the little minx had made their presence known in the gathering outside the hallway. If Dys wasn’t present, Cal didn’t show any concern, knowing there would be plenty of time for that greeting later.

”I hear you are rooming with the twins this year. Are you going to get any work done this year?” he teased Finley.

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Cassie quickly got to work deciding on what she would wear. This was going to be her first college party. While she had attended parties before, they were usually thrown in her parents' home and she was expected to be on her best behavior. That often meant she would dress up (with her parents picking out what she would be wearing and it was usually matching whatever they had on) and speak to many people she didn't know.

The conversations ranged from creppy, leering old men who called her pretty and 'my how grown up you are now' despite her being 12 years old and it was obvious they were staring at her newly developed chest, to women who informed her how to be the best wife to a man, either by ensuring a clean and tidy home was there when he got back from work and to never, ever say no to his requests because "when did Jesus ever say no". While she had swallowed the poison at a young age and went with it, as she got older she challenged things. It was often met with punishment like staying in her room, but it was worth it to see the face of the last old perv who said she would be a fitting housewife provided she "kept her tongue in check". The sting and red mark on his face was something she recalled privately when she needed to smile.

Now, she was here on her own and getting ready for a party with her peers. She didn't know what the night entailed, but expected it to be filled with all sorts of enchanting prospects. And she could get to know some of the others. While she liked Cal and Willow, she was eager to see who else was there. Barty and Nick were interesting and there was that excitable guy she saw before. This would be an opportunity to learn more and possibly make new friends.

She opted for a dress she had had for a few years now, but one she never got a chance to wear. It was a pink and black number, with some leather work and lace mixed in. She put on a pair of black heels, not so high to be difficult to walk in but enough to give her some height. She pinned her hair up in a nice updo with some tangles drifting down across her forehead and sides. She finished it off with a black feather that swooped in to the side, next to her ear. She polished it off with makeup in light tones and, of course, some glitter around her eyes and cheeks. She swirled in the mirror, looking at and approving herself.

She left the room and made her way to the party.

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She would have surely gotten lost if Cal hadn't been there to steer her in the right direction. And he looked so good in his outfit. Cassie, proud of herself, steeled her emotions when the entrance was revealed. This was a magical school, she couldn't be excited over ever new hidden passage she saw.

Stepping inside she was greeted by Alfonse. She smiled warmly and curtsied upon introductions. "Nice to meet you Alfonse. Thank you for having me." She followed Cal in, watching the others, but soon they came upon a new person. One she didn't recognize from before but Cal knew. "It's nice to meet you Finley. You can call me Cassie, if you want. You look very nice." Cassie let the comment about the twins pass over. Was Finley another person who was enmeshed with them? Was there any learning had here?

Finley liked Haven. They enjoyed dressing up in fun outfits; however, they struggled more with masculine outfits than with feminine ones. There was just so much cuter stuff for female forms. While she could manipulate the outfit to fit their masculine form too, boobs were great. Later, they’d shed the female face for their more masculine one, because they knew how much Barty liked it. For now, though, they were going to be a cute girl.

”Hello, Cassiopeia. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Finley smiled brightly. Their eyes wandered up and down Cassie. She was cute, young, and impressionable. Her eyes showed how naive she really was.

”This outfit is so delightful to wear.” Finley confessed to her. ”Your outfit is perfect. You too look wonderful.” Fin returned the compliment. ”As do you, Cal.” Finley’s grin changed a little, this one more primal. ”I am sure that we shall muddle our way through the semester. Maybe even learn something interesting.”

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Connie had told Willow that her outfit was fine. She had still changed her clothes. Wanting to wear something that was ‘club’ appropriate. She had once worn something she considered modest, but in the end it had attracted more attention than she wanted. If she at least looked like she belonged in a club, she was less likely to get looks. Not that anyone ever made any advances that were actually aggressive or made her feel unsafe. Haven was...well, a Haven. She could drink her mocktails in peace. Nicholas had made sure of that.

Connie had made sure her roommates, who were both new, made it to the entrance to Haven. Once Connie had spotted either Rohan or Franklin, she’d make a beeline for them, standing near her friends. "Good covens, good roommates?” She asked, as they waited to move from the receiving area into Haven. If either of her roommates followed her, she would politely introduce them.

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With everyone having gone all out to look fancy enough for a high-class TV show, Rohan rolled up to the entrance into the Haven looking rather underdressed by comparison. He sported some muted colors of green and brown, with a cargo jacket thrown over a flannel shirt, thrown over a sweater. It was the nicest fit he could put together, he even patched the hole in the flannel last week. The Haven was a good place for something so high class and fanciful, the witch brothers knew where to find the good caffeine.

Slung over Rohan’s shoulder was a leather satchel, where his familiar slept. The woody creature was nestled in there with all the other things he habitually carried with him, everywhere he went. And in one hand rested a staff held upright against the ground, Rohan’s Mountain Scepter. It gave off a faint, warm aura of magic, a clear sign it was no ordinary stick. Rohan always had this thing with him in there. He trusted that the owners were able to handle their own problems if someone broke the rules, but he like being sure he could handle a problem himself too, if someone got a bit antsy or tried a spell on him.

And, of course, it certainly helped if someone’s drink sat poorly with them.

He saw Connie, who had different roommates and a different coven this year. This was a good chance to catch up.

”It’s nice being back,” He said, when she walked up to him. ”I’ve got the man-dragon who forgot how shirts work,” He gestured to Cal and his transparent fit. ”And someone new. She seemed excited. She seemed happy to be here.”

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After being reassure by her roommate that her outfit was fine, Willow dismissed Luna, as she had a feeling her familiar might be overwhelmed by the club atmosphere of the party. She had never been to this kind of party herself before, and she didn't want poor Luna to end up overstimulated. Also she remembered the last time Luna had gotten into too much alcohol, and it had not ended well. (Though to be fair, her Tia's moonshine probably was not for anyone other than her Tia. That had been an accident on her Tia's part, leaving it out where Luna had gotten into it.)

She did need some guidance from her roommates to Haven, and saying hello to Alfonse, she was at the entrance to Haven. She just wished she could see more of it. Glimpses, glimmers were coming to her, from past, present, and future, but it was a jumble. Sometimes that's how it was, especially without Luna to guide her, but she had to risk it.

She did recognize voices around her and smiled as she heard two of her coven mates talking, and mingling. Her roommate Connie had taken off, which was fine, presumably to meet her friends. But in that moment, she felt... lost. Where was she to go? Who was she to talk to? Her roommates? Her coven mates? Well, the two that were sociable at least, right?

She decided to head the direction of Cassie and Cal's voice and took a few steps in that direction and ended up stumbling into a suit of armor, falling against it and causing a clattering sound and hitting her head against its held weapon. "Ouch..."

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Franklin hadn't bothered changing out of his outfit that he'd worn at the opening ceremony. All he'd bothered doing was abandoning his bag at the side of his bed as he laid across his bed waiting for the others to finish getting ready. He waited a couple beats after they'd all left, staring up at the room's ceiling before finally deciding to get himself up and out. Making his way down the halls and towards the painting he'd visited some times before. Others were gathered, Alfonse was present, and – oh Connie was calling.

He'd turned to see her approaching towards him, stopping short nearby with Rohan and Frankie decided to join in. “I also have an excitable person in my room. He doesnt…seem to know much of anything, but he seems nice enough, and has tons of energy. Walked in on him jumping up and down on his bed so there's that.” He said with a shrug. “The other is…quiet to an extent. She's new as well, but seems to have a better grasp at magic than others so that's cool. Curious to see what all it is.”