“Well, this is just fantastic,” I said, dabbing the paper towel on my split lip, wincing in pain as my blood soaked into it. The Quad and I were brought to the Dean’s office for what I assumed was to be a rather intense interrogation session. Hell, I’d be lucky to even remain a student after that. Still, getting kicked out of college would probably be the best-case scenario in this sort of situation. “I’ve never been in here before,” I said aloud, the Quad turning to stare at me. I ignored her and spent a few moments looking at a couple of bookshelves that decorated the walls around us. “Eh, it’s about what I’d expect. Right down to the fat goldfish in a bowl looking at me with its dumb little face. Only, I thought I’d be in here for some sort of praise, or for an award. But no... I’m here because of you.” I said, not hiding the disdain on my face as I turned to look at her. 

“I did not ask for your assistance,” she replied tersely, crossing both sets of arms across her chest. Her blue eyes looked down at me, glowing with irritation no doubt, her mouth slightly open to show me her fang-filled mouth. 

“Let’s get one thing straight here, I was not trying to help you. I could care less about you or any of this cultural exchange crap. I’m just trying to graduate on time, but I can’t do that if I fail that class...again!” She scoffed, riling me up even more. “And you know what? I didn’t need your help either, so why’d you intervene?” She looked towards the floor. 

“I can fight my own battles, that is all. I did not want a man to fight for me.”  

“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Gotta say, not liking the emphasis on one of those words you used.” Before our argument could continue, we were interrupted by the door opening behind us. Stepping into the room were two individuals. 

The first of whom was Dean Richardson. He was dressed smartly in a tweed jacket, vest, tie, and some slacks. And while he had grown bald in his middle age, a massive black beard with streaks of white covered his face. Despite being a bit round in the stomach, his arms and chest were packed with muscle, causing the fabric of his clothes to stretch to compensate for them. 

Trailing behind him was, to my surprise, a female Quad. Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve seen a male one yet. 

Setting that aside for now, she was wearing a pencil skirt and blouse, both of which did very little to hide her hourglass figure. Her white hair was tied up in a large bun, which was being fixed by two of her hands while the other pair was typing on a holographic interface floating in front of her. It vanished from view once the Dean had sat down in his leather chair, turning her attention to us. 

“Do you know why you are both here?” Dean Richardson began. The question was rhetorical as he didn’t allow us to speak. “You are both here for injuring your fellow students and making a mockery of the cultural exchange program.” He shook his head and sighed. 

“So, we should’ve just gotten the tar beaten out of us?” I countered. The Dean looked as though he wanted to say something but thought better of it and turned toward the Quad standing next to him, who was easily another foot taller than Freyja. 

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Hilda Ra’tho, and I oversee the cultural exchange program.” She paused to let us introduce ourselves but neither of us felt up to the task. Clearing her throat, she continued. “Your actions here today have made my job and the job of your Dean very difficult. Thankfully, it can be remedied.” 

“How so, my elder?” Freyja asked. “Will I be allowed to stay?”  

“Yes, despite this disaster both of you shall remain students. The Bevusian government has agreed to pay the tuition of every single student who attends a school involved in the program. It is the hope that this will stem any, or most anti-Bevusian sentiment amongst the student body. So, fear not, you are not being expelled.” I mentally cheered, the worst had been averted. 

“Well, glad that was settled. So, if you don’t mind...” I stood up to leave, but Richardson held up a hand for me to stay. 

“Of course, punishment is warranted. You did injure a few classmates, and before you say anything, they will be punished as well. The officer who called this in identified them, and we plan on reprimanding them too. It was clear from his testimony that neither of you instigated the situation to begin with.” Freyja and I nodded. 

“So, what is the punishment for us then, my elder?” Freyja inquired; her posture unchanged throughout this entire exchange. 

“For this incident, Mr. Richardson and I have decided that you shall both be suspended from classes for a period of two weeks. You are free to remain on campus, but we ask that you avoid causing more trouble, is that understood?”  

“Yes, my elder.”  

“What are you, a robot?” I chuckled, causing Freyja to frown. “Well, all things considered, I guess we lucked out, thank you.” Hilda rolled her eyes before scowling at me. 

“Let’s make one thing abundantly clear Mr. Reyez. You and Ms. Freyja are on the thinnest of ice. One more mistake like this and you will both be expelled and face potential legal consequences. And you, Ms. Freyja, will be on the first ship back to Bevu Prime.  Do I make myself clear?” Even though her tone hadn’t changed, the air in the room became heavier and even Richardson’s body seemed to instinctively pull away from her. 

“C-Crystal.” I finally said.  

“Excellent, you are dismissed.” She said, the air becoming lighter again.  

“But before you go, considering what happened today, the rest of today’s classes have been canceled as we plan to make some changes around here for Monday. So, enjoy the long weekend. We feel partially responsible for what transpired today, we should have had more security and briefed the student body better on the program. But remember you two, thin ice.” Richardson then waved us off, and no sooner had he done so was I already out of the room as I had zero intention of being involved with any of them for longer than was necessary. 

“Do you think the program will be fine after this?” Hilda asked after Freyja left. Richardson rubbed his temples before responding. 

“Well, we’re going to cost your ladies upstairs quite a bit of cash hiring security and paying all that tuition. But yes, I think we’ll be fine. Hiccups are to be expected, it’s only been a year since...your people took charge.” Richardson said that last bit carefully, fearful of incurring her wrath. Instead, the Bevusian chuckled as she crossed her arms. 

“Relax, I wouldn’t hurt a man, you know that. Wouldn’t be much of a challenge anyway.”