Moira stepped out of the front office, hands full of packets about the school and the year to come, and she adjusted all the belongings she carried to flip to the campus map. Dr. Tiedemann had said in his email that he wished to greet her personally once she checked in, but for the life of her she couldn't find where his office was. So much for graduating high school two years early, if she couldn't even read this dumb map. Moira sighed and looked around to see if there was anyone to ask, and she debated going back inside to ask the front office.
The campus was devoid of the activity Moira expected to see, even for a school with only two hundred students, but most students must not arrive until the day of orientation. Moira liked the quiet and chance to settle in... but she really didn't want to go back into the front office after she had already said she would be fine with the map. Anxiety started to bubble up in her gut, and Moira twisted her father's ring on her thumb to ground herself.
The small building that housed the front office was the historic structure that dated back to when the campus was a small college and it connected to the main administration building like a small wing. Opposite the office was another small wing, made to look historic like the original, and from that building came another student. His badge dangled around his neck as he stretched, squatting down to push on one of his legs. Moira focused on the badge as she took a deep breath and forced herself to walk towards the student.
"Excuse me, but could you tell me where the Director’s office is?"
The guy paused in his stretch and looked up at Moira. His eyes were dark brown against his pupils, and his storm grey hair was an intense contrast. The guy held his stretch like it was nothing, and Moira had to admit she was impressed.
But then they guy didn’t say anything.
And stared.
Without saying anything.
"Um," Moira raised an eyebrow and folded up the map, “never mind.”
The guy shrugged and stood up from his stretch, wiping his pants a bit before taking off into a slow jog down one of the campus paths. But not before smirking at her like her confusion was hilarious. Moira...did her best to quell the surge of rage that enveloped her. Who did this guy think he was? What the hell was his problem?
Deep breath.
Save petty anger for after the meeting. If she could find it.
Moira looked down at the campus map again and felt more than a little overwhelmed by how not-helpful it was. But then...well, Moira swore she heard the sound of heavy metal screeching through the air. Looking up, a figure flew over the top of the administration building at top speeds. Pink-streaked blonde hair billowed in the wind as the light-skinned figure descended like her own personal hero from on high, complete with worn-out combat boots and an old band t-shirt faded to hell and back. She landed in front of Moira like a rock goddess, speaker armband strapped to her muscular arms, and looked at Moira with a face-splitting grin as she paused the music.
"Hello! Are you a new student?"
Moira looked down at her bag, the student pass around her neck, and a map in her hands. She felt like it was obvious, but then she had just been greeted by a girl who leapt over buildings blasting heavy guitar solos. Maybe it was a good idea to ask questions.
"Yeah, just signed in. Tried asking some guy for directions but it didn't work out."
The girl frowned momentarily and took her wireless headphones off her ears, stuffing them into her jeans pocket.
“Tall guy, half Japanese, hair dyed?”
“Um, yeah, that sounds like him.”
The girl waved her hand like it was no big deal.
"That’s just Grey, don’t let him get to you. He’s like a cat -- it takes a while for him to adjust to new people. Or maybe for them to adjust to him...anyway! His sister flies in tomorrow, so he should be less of a dick then."
"Oh, well I hope she's nicer."
"Definitely! Ayame's the best, and her girlfriend Rhiannon is even better!"
Moira blinked. This girl's energy was...a lot. Not bad, just a lot.
"Um, that's really cool. So, would you happen to know where Dr. Tiedemann's office is? I can't figure this map out and I'm supposed to meet him today."
The girl laughed like it was a running joke.
"They never put it on the new map! But don't worry! I can show you to his office. I'll need to fly, but I can keep it low. I'm supposed to be practicing my endurance."
Moira nodded, and they stood there staring at each other before the girl's eyes widened and she burst into laughter.
"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry, I never introduced myself! Ava Burns, Unit 4-2."
Ava stuck her hand out and Moira shook it.
"Moira Burke. I'll be in Unit 3-2."
Ava's eyes widened a bit at Moira's last name, but to Moira's relief she didn't say anything. Moira really hoped people wouldn't make a big deal about it.
"That's awesome! I think you'll really like the program here, even as a single!"
Moira nodded and started twisting her father's ring as the conversation seemed to die off. She hadn't been expecting to talk with so many people today. But Ava didn't seem to mind as she levitated a bit and moved forward in the direction of the main building.
"Your RA will show you most of the campus during orientation, so don't worry too much about knowing where everything is! You can always shoot a message to one of us older students too -- we should all be reachable via the school chat app!"
"Oh?"
Ava nodded and pulled her phone out of the pocket of her ripped jeans. Of course she was wearing ripped jeans.
"Dr. Tiedemann had the programming team finish up the beta early last school year, and I think one of the other new students has a power that will boost up the team even more. So it should get even better! You can check your class schedule, assignment calendar, access your school email, send messages to teachers or counselors, and even message each other. Saves us the trouble of exchanging phone numbers! Especially since some students are pretty paranoid about giving out personal info.”
Moira looked over the features of the app as Ava flipped through them, and she had to agree that it looked really good.
"Everyone I've met seems to have nothing but good things to say about him. Well, at least here."
Ava nodded, her mood wilting for a moment. She even seemed to fly lower.
"Yeah, we've all heard about what his research did. But it's like the guy who made the atom bomb. Or was it the hydrogen bomb? I mean, either way, Dr. Tiedemann has sent his whole career making things to help people, and now he works even harder! It just really sucks that most people only know him for developing the drug that identifies powers. And that it got turned into such a crisis."
Moira nodded. Though not at the same level, she could understand having something from your past hang over you like a constant storm. Something that everyone seems to know you by.
"I'm really interested to meet him."
Ava seemed to perk up a bit at the nervous tone to Moira's voice. Moira tried really hard not to wonder what that was about. It was hard enough to keep the anxiety down when she was currently going to meet one of the experts of numerous scientific fields and a genius in many respects.... Who personally invited her to meet with him. He probably did it for all the students, but still.
"Don't be so nervous! I mean, at least tell your nerves that they're being ridiculous. Dr. Tiedemann is great, and he's really understanding. He can be a bit overwhelming, but I promise you’ll get used to how he acts."
Moira nodded and stopped herself from twisting the ring again. She was doing that too much today. They had passed through the doors of the main building and rounded a few corners by now, the halls all looking the same to Moira. Ava flew easily with her head just below the top of each doorway,and she pointed to a set of elevators just ahead.
"This the main office building -- it's where all the administrative work happens for the school and Dr. Tiedemann’s projects. They don't have his office labeled on purpose, but take the elevators straight ahead to the third floor. There will be sign to the Director's office, and you'll check in at his assistant's desk. Miss Rayna is great too, but she'll seem really stern at first. Don't let it throw you off too much, okay?"
Ava lowered herself to hover just by Moira's shoulder and pointed at the map. Moira nodded and folded it up, repeating the directions in her mind. She couldn't wait until she knew the way around on her own.
"Thanks, it was nice meeting you. Good luck with practice!"
Ava beamed and patted Moira's shoulder before flying towards one of the hall windows.
"Good meeting you too! We'll have to hang out once you get settled, so hit me up!"
Moira watched Ava pop the window latch like it was nothing before she crouched down and blasted herself forward to soar over the campus buildings, pink-streaked hair streaming behind her as she whooped with joy. It was an interesting welcome to the school, that's for sure. But it's not like one could expect differently at a school for powered kids.
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