The portal fizzed, spitting blue and purple sparks as it spat out Arizona and Cozhlin. The portal was set up a few miles away from the school, in the middle of Energii townsplace. People were already setting up their box carts and selling their goods to the early crowds, shouting about sticky buns and cakes. Several students already had arms filled to the brim with sweet treats to pleasure themselves with before school started. Ladin jumped between woven basket to cart, to shop window and back, eyes wide and full of wonder. She was eyeing a basket of sticky buns too closely, a thieving glint in her eye, when Olivia grabbed her arm. 

“No.” She scolded, then grabbed Cozhlin’s arm without even looking, making him drop the necklace he’d just lifted from some poor souls neck. “Both of you! Seriously? Come on! We haven’t even gotten to the school yet.” Olivia cried, punching Cozhlin good-naturedly in the arm. Arizona giggled when Ladin snatched a bun, stuffing it in her mouth before Olivia could notice. She winked at Ari, then tossed him another sweet bun, which he stuffed in his own mouth quickly. The sugar and butter felt sweet on his tongue, the soft dough melting him slowly. He groaned in satisfaction, licking the white cream from his fingers, stomach satisfied since it had missed breakfast. Olivia was still berating Cozhlin as he emptied his pockets, quietly returning expensive things to their owners as they walked. The town slowly dissolved away to forest lands, only a dirt path engraved with wagon wheel marks leading the way to the looming castle. Castle Leving used to house the former King Leving and his wife, who were now only Lords living in a mansion on the other side of town. It wasn’t as extravagant or as large as Castle Ashington, with no towers or armaments. It made well for a college though. And, if anything ever happened, it could house and protect the residents of Ashington for a while as well. Old carvings on the large wooden doors depicted interlocked swords and shields carved with the familial crest, a single large figure dominating the bloody battlefield, eyes painted a bright gold, hair a pure white like every other Jackdaw. This one was male, perhaps from Jackdaw Orlands reign. It was sometimes hard to tell. Arizona traced the carvings gently as they passed under the huge arches carved with angels and demons, feeling a tingle go down his spine. The inside of the castle reflected the outside well, with thick red carpeted floors and decorated walls. Chandeliers dripping with real glowing crystals lit the main, holsters on the walls supporting bowls full of the glowing gems lining the halls branching off leading to classrooms. Two twin staircases twisted around each other into the ceiling, leading to the upper floor.

 “Welcome to Leving College guys.” Olivia said with a flourish of her hands, knocking into Bay’s chest as she walked backwards. Ladin squeezed Olivia tightly, squealing with delight. 

“It’s. So. Pretty.” She hissed. Cozhlin was looking around with disinterest, but Arizona could tell he was just as stunned as Ari was himself. Ari admired the beautiful architecture, spinning slowly on his heel as he watched the richly dressed students run around like children, gossiping and chatting with friends.

“Ah, these must be our new students.” Arizona stopped, coming face to face with the Prince. Searow flashed his sharp teeth, an arm slung around the shoulders of a freckled boy. 

“Y-your highness.” Arizona stuttered. 

“Searow’s just fine. We’re at school, not a diplomatic meeting. And you are?”

“Arizona. Arizona Lost.” Searow held out his hand not entwined with his little boyfriend, shaking Arizona’s calloused one. Searow tucked his blue hair behind his pointed ears, orange eyes flashing in the lights.

 “I’m Cozhlin.” Cozhlin said, stalking up behind Arizona. 

“Nice to meet you Cozhlin. This must mean this lovely lady is Ladin, am i right?” Ladin flushed, gently shaking his gloved hand. 

“An honor to make your acquaintance.”

“The honor is all mine.” Searow’s companion gently cleared his throat. “Ah, I almost forgot, this is Ginger.” Searow said, squeezing his brown haired boyfriend gently. 

“Nice to meet you.” Ginger said quietly. 

“We have the honor of showing you guys around today.”

“Nice.” Olivia said. “I was hoping you would. Bay and i have special practice today with my sorceress. See you guys at lunch?” Oliva said, squeezing Arizona’s arm encouragingly. Arizona nodded, watching her go. They stood awkwardly for a second before Ladin lunged at Cozhlin, grabbing his wrist. 

“Cozzy. Put. it. Back.” She hissed, gesturing at the necklace he held in his thieving grasp.

 “I’m sorry i can’t help it.” He huffed. Ladin shot Arizona a look that said “Help me he’s insane '' before ordering him to empty his pockets. 

“Does that happen often?” Ginger asked, gesturing in Ladin’s direction as she repeatedly boffed Cozhlin on the head, grabbing him by the horns to make a point from time to time.

“More than i’d like.” Arizona said, suppressing a chuckle. Searow shrugged when Ginger looked at him. 

“What can i say? I make all the bad decisions.”

“Yeah, you really didn’t choose the best servants to bring here.” Arizona admitted, flushing.

“I’m sure it’ll be alright.” Searow reassured. Arizona was sure it wouldn’t be alright, but didn’t protest. He stepped between his friends, pushing them away from each other before Ladin killed Cozhlin. 

“Hey, guys. Calm down. Ladin, you don’t need another murder on your hands, and Cozhlin, you don’t need another mark on your record, Mr. I Just Have To Torture The Guards.” Cozhlin stuck his tounge out, adjusting his sunglasses. 

“Murder? Really Arizona? It was an accident and it was a cat.” Ladin huffed. She snapped back quickly though, a smile back on her face. “Anyways, who’s excited?!” She cried, taking Arizona’s elbow. 

“I know i am.” Ari agreed. 

“Shall we go? No need being late on your first day.” Searow said, gesturing to one of the large branching hallways. “First period is History.” Cozhlin shrugged, fiddling with the edge of his shirt sleeve. 

“Are you nervous?” Ari gently asked when they had set off for the History classroom. 

“No. Yes. Maybe. It’s hard to tell. I feel i can’t retain facts or memories well anymore, and doing school is just going to push my limits.”

“It’ll be okay, alright? And who knows, maybe this place could help you with your Amnesia problems.” Arizona reassured, squeezing his hand quickly. Cozhlin offered a half smile, urging Ari to catch up with Ladin and the royal. Ladin spun around as they walked, trying to catch everything she could and store it away in her brain to write down later as fantastical stories to tell the servant children. She was walking backwards. Then she ran into him. A tall man with broad shoulders and well muscled arms frowned down at Ladin, who was smoothing her hair feathers anxiously. “Oh my gosh, i’m so sorry!”

“Hey, look what the blue haired freak dragged in.” The boy scowled at Searow. 

“Shove off Connor. Leave us alone.” Searow said, clearly not wanting to deal with this as if it happened often. 

“Really Searow? This is how you want to be thought of? The Gay who does nothing better but hang around with servant scum? Olivia was bad enough, but now this?” Ladin scurried back, anger in her eyes. 

“I’m sorry, but no one disses my friend like that.” She hissed. Arizona grabbed her upper arm. 

“Ladin.”

“Ladin, he’s not worth it.” Searow said, gently touching her shoulder. Connor smirked, storming off down the hallway with his goons following close behind. 

“He’s a jerk!”

“He wasn’t always,” Searow muttered. “He used to actually be a good brother to me.” Ladin flinched. 

“Aw, i’m sorry Searow, but, he’s your brother?” Searow hesitated, then nodded. Ginger cleared his throat again, tapping his watch.

“W-we need to get going love if we are to make it in time.” He said, and Cozhlin nodded. 

“I want to get this over with as soon as possible.” He agreed. Searow nodded, shaking off the stinging comments toward his older brother and heir to the throne. 

“Right this way.” He led the way, Ginger falling behind a bit. 

“Poor thing. It’s going to be better.” He muttered to himself, ressuringly. Arizona glanced at Ginger, who flushed, realizing he’d been heard. “S-sorry.” He muttered, hurrying to catch up with his boyfriend. Arizona sighed. He followed his friends to the large classroom with a globe carved into the door. 

“Welcome to History.” Searow was saying, his arm back around Ginger’s shoulders. The two made for an odd couple Ari thought. “Searow!! Are these your little friends?!” A tall woman draped in silks with twisting elk horns sprouting from her head stepped through the doorway, a smile plastered over her face, sharp teeth glinting in the light. “I’m ms. Del!” She said, shaking Ari’s hand. Cozhlin flinched away when she held out her hand, ducking behind Arizona.

“Sorry about him. Trauma.” Arizona explained, patting his friend on the head. “I’m Ladin. It’s very nice to meet you! I’m very excited to be in your class.” Ladin said, shaking Ms. Del’s hand enthusiastically. 

“Oh, i’m glad someone is!” She laughed. Cozhlin cursed under his breath as Ms. Del turned to him again, grabbing him in a hug. 

“We’d love to welcome you to our loving home!” She cried, Cozhlin’s face obviously expressing his pain and disgust. Physical touch was something the goatboy accepted only from close friends or loved ones. He squirmed out of her grip, shuddering. He turned to Arizona, miming gagging. Ms. Del walked off to talk with some other students, allowing Ladin to advance on Cozhlin, delivering a swift blow to the back of his head. Cozhlin cried out, clutching his horns. 

“Ow.” Arizona stepped between his friends to prevent any more injuries.

“Knock it off guys, please?” Arizona asked. The two shared a look, then nodded. 

“Sorry Ari.” Cozhlin apologized, rubbing his head. The large bell erected in the main hall that they had passed on the way to class rang out clearly, causing Ladin to jump. 

“Geez. that’s loud.” She muttered, feathers on edge around her cheekbones and arms. Arizona placed a hand on her shoulder, gently and silently reassuring her it would be alright. She shrugged out of his grip, smoothing down her feathers. He could clearly see the look on her face, and it said that she was nervous. 

“Alright. You three can sit up front in between Searow and Keo.” A young boy with a grey afro and silver wings halfheartedly flicked his fingers in the air. Cozhlin smiled, sliding into the seat next to the winged boy. Arizona sighed, sitting down by the boy crazy goatshorn. 

“Alright settle down everyone! Open your books to page 354 and start reading about the Queen’s rule.”