Read The Last Emberwrym :: Uhh... Main Lobby?

I land on the giant ledge in front of the main archway, tuck my wings, and walk in. And I gasp. There's a giant room as the main entryway. And it's LOUD. I think a thousand different conversations are going on here. I see a tiny dragon the size of a fish arguing with an imposing-looking dragon more than ten times her size. There's a group of friends (enemies?) half-laughing, half-shouting at each other. There's a deep blue dragon with their head tucked under their wing, probably trying to block out the noise-or get some extra sleep. Then, suddenly, a dragon pops out in front of me.

"AAH!" I shriek and stumble backwards.

"Oh, sorry, did I scare you?" she asks. She's a pretty pastel mint green, and the color seems to be slowly calming me down.

"I'm okay, I'm okay..." A familar feeling wells up in my throat. "Ah, hold on, I just need to go outside real quick."

"Hey, hey, it's okay! I know it's your first day, but don't worry. Everything will be fine."

"No, it's not that!!!" I say quickly, not wanting to be seen as the widdle cryling who misses her mommy and daddy too much. "I just really feel like I need to let out a fireburst. Like RIGHT NOW."

"Oh, I can help with that!" She places her talon on my shoulder, and immediately I feel more relaxed. And less likely to roast someone else to a crisp on accident.

"Uhm, I hope I'm not being blunt, but... how do you do that?"

"Oh!" she smiles. "No problem at all. It's my ability. See, I'm a Zen Dragon. Being around me will automatically make you more relaxed. Now... my daughter is a different story."

"Your daughter?" I ask, suprised.

"Oh, yeah. Her father is a Dreamcatcher Dragon, so she should have half of my powers, but she's so bouncy, she's better at riling everyone up. Need someone to lead a revolution? Ask her. Need someone to talk the two armies into peace? Ask me. She's the one over there with the pastel-pink and blue and yellow and mint green colors."

I look over. She's one of the dragons in the group of friends (enemies?) I can hear them from here. They're in a heated debate over worst kind of school lunch, with the older dragons in the group telling and the younger ones speculating. She's participating in the debate, that's for sure, but she seems to be egging all the parties on.

"Same grade as you, sixth. I'm sure you'll meet soon!" my attention snaps back to the welcome dragon. "Anyway, my name's Lotus. I'm the counselor, and I also resolve arguments around the Academy. Here's your map, you'll want to head to the atrium for orientation. Here's your schedule, and here's your homeroom! Have a nice day!"

Hmm, I'm in Homeroom 6C.

Suddenly, I hear a shout.

"Scarlet! Over here!"

My friends! I had almost forgotten that they were almost all going to the Academy, because I had been so worked up about the noise! I race over to them, waving my map in the air like a flag.