Despite the silence of the room, the sheer concentration of the students speaks volumes of their determination to learn. As the clack of my heels echo and bounce off the walls, I observe the faces of my fellow classmates. Actually, I am not sure if that is appropriate to call them by an equivalent title. The head mistress has recently promoted me and while I am no official teacher, I am an assistant to the exams. I have plenty of learning to do, even if I find myself to be particularly skilled in the spells I do already know. Nonetheless, my tutoring sessions have increased test scores and overall performance rates. The statistics don’t lie, I am proud to say the least. My hard work here at the academy has landed me a solid position. Everyone knows of Ruyi Bloodworthe, everyone.

As I stop near the front, glancing out the frost covered window. I reflect on my journey to get here. My gaze softening, I can see my mother standing behind me in imagination. She would be proud, I just know it. In my perfect world she would be here right beside me, conducting her research and flaunting the magic she could do. She wasn’t allowed to cast back at the manor, for magic was only allowed to be shown by the Lady of the Count or by their offspring. Hiring any servants with magical aptitude was strictly forbidden, yet she still ended up in the Bloodworthe walls anyway. Past campus grounds, I watch as the residents of Snowcake fill in for the festival. If mother were here, I’d love for us to attend it together. While I am not the best at social gatherings, I’d feel comfortable knowing she would be by my side.

“Psst! Ruyi!” I hear a familiar whisper call from behind me.

Nadia Hoek, a girl of similar age to me, I guess I could call her a close acquaintance. Assigning the title of friend is a little steep for she only tends to get my attention when she needs assistance. Or to chat about her latest boyfriend. Last week she tried to set me up on a blind date with another classmate. Charming fellow really, but I wasn’t all that interested. For I’d rather be in my room studying or making small stuffed animals. I made an exception for her that night, much to my regret. Especially since she ran off with him halfway through dinner. No harm done though, I hold no attachments nor grudges. Though it is awkward, being set up just to get the man stolen right from underneath you. I suppose I should have expected it, she is the class flirt afterall. 

Raising an eyebrow, I give her a quizzical look with a cheeky smirk. She knows I cannot help her on the exams and I am not one to dance around the bush with answers either. Of course Nadia gives me a pleading look, but I simply shake my head. I hold integrity above all. Transparency and honesty within myself to always give my best guess or attempt if I am ever unsure. Lying about my skill set would only bring my downfall. Too bad Nadia doesn’t understand that. She was sent here by force, so I am not too surprised by her attitude towards her studies. Nonetheless, I fold my arms behind me and walk past her desk. Three… Three questions answered out of fifty?! My eyes suddenly dart towards the grandfather clock near the front of the room. She has only twenty minutes left. With a faint sigh I give her a rushing look and whisper for her to try her best. The test is on general practices and uses of cantrips. While I understand studying such mundane spells pales in comparison to spells like Chromatic Orb. They are still very important.

“Would one hint have killed ya? Huh?!”

After the exam, I sit outside on campus grounds sharing lunch time with Nadia. She may be mouthy, rambles more than me even. But she is always here to sit down beside me and to be honest, it’s nice to feel reliable. To feel like a safe haven for her to ramble. While she is in stress over the exam she definitely failed, I chuckle at her dramatic display. Swinging her arms around as she talks, keeping me on my toes. I occasionally flinch as I nibble on my sandwich. She acts as though the exam is the end of the world, it’s not and she has unlimited retake attempts.

“It would have actually. How am I to sleep at night knowing I gave you the answers and no one else?” I tease.

“Because! Because Ruyi! We are best friends, Bonnie to my Clyde! Hey, if you’re mad at me about Gregory then you should talk with me! Not watch me suffer-”

I am soon sent into a laughing fit but I make sure to reassure her that none of my actions were made out of ill intent. Again, Nadia will not understand the importance of actually trying. Well I shouldn’t say that. She tries but she gives up too quickly which I can empathize with. But that doesn’t excuse her behavior, and I will always try to push her to strive for the morally sound option rather than relying on someone else to give her the easy way out. In fact, explaining my view on the whole ‘man-stealing’ thing is a good call because now all she can talk about is how terrible of a man Gregory was. Albeit, I could be spared some of the details she shares. But it appears I dodged a magic missile.

“You know there will be plenty of singles at the festival right? Also, isn’t today your birthday?”

My chewing begins to come to a halt as I give a tiny shrug to my shoulders. I cannot hide my smile from Nadia, she can pick up on my glimmer of happiness. To place credit where it is due. She knows when to pay attention and retain information when it counts socially. To remember my birthday. I am positive I mentioned it only once to her. Now that I am nineteen and have spent a year in Snowcake, my intention wasn’t to celebrate it this year since I have no one to celebrate it with. Even if I wanted to, I am only close to the Head Mistress and she is a busy woman. She wouldn’t halt her work on my behalf, that would be too much favoritism. Yet Nadia has made it a point to remember and I feel warmth flush upon my cheeks as I release an exhale of winter air. But I really don’t want to go to a festival… It will be awkward and I will likely make a fool of myself. Nadia catches me grumbling under my breath about it too, rolling her eyes to the squeak of my boots as I nervously rub my feet together.

“Oh come on Ruyi! We can go together! They do this cute little circle where you meet new people. It will be perfect for you!”

“W-well I don’t really know about uhm… that…” She doesn’t give me time to debate as I can already feel my arm being tugged, nearly dropping my sandwich in the process.

“You can talk about uh… I dunno. Stuffed animals or something!”

Her mentioning my hobbies in such hesitancy doesn’t particularly make me feel like I should just leap out of my seat to attend the festival. But this is an opportunity that is once a year. While the general idea of it is uncomfortable, especially knowing the moment we step foot in the city center where it takes place. Nadia is totally going to leave me behind for some lunka-hunka boy the moment she lays her eyes on one. But maybe… Just maybe this could be good for me. I need to get better at this whole socializing thing if I am to spread the good name of my family. But then more people will know I am Tharkian…

“So get up! Go get dressed, put on something cute. Girl, you are partying for your nineteenth birthday!” Nadia grins at me, giving my shoulder a shake.

“Alright, alright… I suppose I can go since exam season is over… And I don’t particularly have anything to do. So maybe it will be fun…”

I pick my best outfit for this wonderful occasion. While I am nervous, I do my best to mask it. It is easy to cover true feelings when you distract with wealth and an awe-inspiring fashion sense. As per usual, I wear a red dress adorned with golden leafage around the collar. The fabric is made thicker to combat the harsh weather of this environment. But most importantly, I make sure to attach my fur cloak. It was a gift from father, made from black jaguar hide and the base of the cloak flows into a maroon drapery. It is regal, maybe a little too regal for this festival. But what would a Bloodworthe be without a little bit of flaunting? My hair needs some extra care. I cannot show up looking straight out of a teacher’s office. So I ditch the tight-knit updo and go for something more… Youthful for my age. Teased bangs with loose curls and braids. Allowing some of my natural length to show, I smile as I descend the stairs of the college campus.

As expected, Nadia conveniently gets lost in the crowd the moment we draw closer to the festive grounds. Despite expecting this, I still look around like a lost puppy abandoned on the side of the curb. Everyone seems to have a sense of direction on where to go. Meanwhile I stand in place, dazed by the amount of people who are attending and unsure of the events that are to take place. I saw the bonfire from the window and by following the light, I honestly shouldn’t be able to miss it. So that’s where I go, to the center of it all. The street lanterns are decorated beautifully as vines wrap up and around the trunk of the structure. I see children with warm treats, women with ornate winter pins in their hair that they can only obtain on this day in particular. Families who are brimming with a hopeful future as their babies coo for the mothers affection. No one pays mind to the faint frostbite in the air around us for the love here is simply too warm to inflict any chill. 

In the midst of my staring, I feel a hand clasp my shoulder. The touch is gentle yet firm and I know it can be no other than Haarin. I told him I wished to attend the festival on my way to my room after Nadia’s… Convincing speech she gave me. Haarin had taken the day off anyway from his guard work. I am happy he has made it a point to find me, even if he has an obligation to watch over me. I want him to feel like… Companion, not some guard at my fingertips. We exchange greetings as awkwardly as it may be. While he has traveled all this way from Tharkos to Snowcake with me. We… Haven’t exactly spoken in leisure. I am often focused on my studies and he, his work as a soldier. The only time we really got to exchange a few words is whenever I send writings back to my father. But maybe tonight will be the night I finally get to know my father’s most trusted aid. Uncle Haarin. Oh perhaps I shouldn’t call him that, it will most definitely make him uncomfortable.

“They’re calling for groups to gather around the bonfire I think. Nadia told me there is supposed to be a meet and greet.”

“That is correct Miss Bloodworthe. You should attend it, get to know the people of Snowcake better.”

I give Haarin a nod and hesitantly look towards the great flame of the bonfire as it stretches to the dark sky above. He gives me a pat of reassurance and I offer him back a smile. Even with our brief social interactions, he is aware of how much pressure I often feel with these types of leisure attractions. With a faint adjustment to my cloak, I am already feeling myself shell in as I conceal a majority of my form. I slowly maneuver my way through the crowds and get ushered towards the last remaining group. I find my seat first and the joints of my body begin to tighten up. Whoever steps in next, I really don’t know because I keep my gaze down. But soon enough, the circle is filled and together we make a small group.

Introductions are awkward to say the least, no one immediately jumps to speak up. Beside me I see a lizard-folk. His attire doesn’t particularly scream city dweller so I assume he is from one of the local tribes, a far way from home I’d imagine. Though his dark blue scales make for a fantastic appearance. Next is a young man, I think similar to my age. Pale skin, dark hair with charming reddish-pink eyes to match. He is well dressed like I am and he holds a confident aura about him. So far two group members are already intimidating me and for different reasons. I am like a small fry in a bowl of sharks. My anxieties do not fade as the last member finds his seat, speaking in a thick accent I am not accustomed to. He is similar to the lizardfolk directly next to me and if I am not mistaken, he keeps glancing in my direction. Wait no… he is looking at said lizardfolk beside me, not me. Well that’s good at least.

I don’t know who made the suggestion to share a fun little fact about ourselves but the icebreaker doesn’t go as terribly as I originally anticipated it to be. Silvio is the first to go up, again, his accent making it somewhat hard for me to understand him and I don’t catch his official surname. If I am to take a guess, I bet it is important given that he dresses akin to a noble. He is of high intellect, a researcher of a different craft. Not my field of specialty but I can appreciate another like-minded individual. The next to go is Yee… Yee-fergie? Oh dear, I can’t hear him all that well either. Again, I notice that Silvio gets completely captured as the Lizardfolk comes to a stand. Asking if we have seen a specific group of tribals I have never heard of before. While none of them are paying attention to me in particular, I give my head a shake nonetheless. Last but not least is the confident boy of similar age. Lucien Velisk, a name that feels important but I am not sure why yet. He explains his interests and capabilities in magic, and mentions that he is Goldian, which explains his somewhat cocky appearance. He is properly handsome, a genuine observation. A trait that likely serves great use given he is a merchant's son.

“And what about you, miss?” I hear him ask me in a soft tone.

“Oh! Uhm… Well… My name is Ruyi Bloodworthe. First daughter of the Bloodworthe family. I uhm… I attend the college of Snowcake and I am… Tharkian.”

I wince at the ending of my own introduction. By worrying so much about being judged for my identity. I accidentally blurted it out within seconds of giving a first impression! I can see some uneasiness in their eyes, not much but it is there. I offer them all a sheepish smile and promptly sit down. I regret this, I shouldn’t have come out. How can I salvage this situation? There must be some way. Think Ruyi, think! 

“Oi, kiddo.”

What is that god awful tone of voice? It is distracting! As I look up to the source I am shocked to see such an… Unruly is unfair to say. But if I am to compare this older gentleman to Lucien. Then the two look as though they were born on completely opposite ends of the world! However, his sudden appearance has already distracted everyone from my slip up, good. Once again, I am able to listen in on their conversation. Silvio promptly makes his way to the Lizardfolk who’s name I am still unclear of. They don’t get much time for conversation though, because one of the festival hosts makes an announcement and we are all called to the bonfire. When I find myself getting close, I stare thinking of mother again. I really hope she is still alive… If she is, I will find her, I know it. She made a promise, no matter what, we would always reunite. When my thoughts begin to fade away from my head, I notice the Velisk boy next to me. The other two aren’t far behind. I want to say something to him but I simply cannot muster up the courage to. So I briefly watch as he stares into the flame, staring intently into its heart.

“Clear the area! Dancing shall commence!”

My ears perk up to this, the dancing was mentioned briefly by one of Silvio’s companions back at the group meet. I didn’t quite understand their lingo though, so I kept my mouth shut for the most part. This clearly isn’t the dancing I was expecting. As talk of booze and restless behavior begins to rise I grow uneasy. I don’t know much about this lifestyle and when I finally ask about what they really mean by dancing. I am told to simply wait and see. But that is not something I do, I don’t like going into these types of things blind. 

“So it’s like a form of ballroom dancing?” I ask, my voice somewhat shaken.

“I guess you could say something like that. Do you need a dancing partner? I could show you.”

To my surprise Lucien makes quite the offer. While I am trained in the professional ways of ballroom dancing. I know this is vastly different than anything I have ever experienced back at home. I quickly glance around and alas, no Nadia is here to save me. Not that I should have expected it from her though. I suck on the inside of my cheek and give an awkward chuckle of sorts. I have never really danced with a guy and I don’t count the forced classes my step-mother enrolled me in. The words fumble in my mouth like a jumbled mess and the only thing I can make out is a simple.

“N-no thank you.”

I should have taken his hand… 

For the dance I attempt just moments later will scar me for a lifetime…