A small varied group of military and normal students sat under a tree, some slept while the instructor was giving a history lecture.

“The line that we have is thinning, and it’s only a matter of time before it snaps!” The instructor paused looking over at a new and particularly drowsy recruit struggling to stay awake.

“Apollo! Why Was Our Sister Empire Essential To Us?!” Now alert and confused, Apollo’s face was as white as his hair.

“What...uh...um,” his face went from white to being flushed.

“If You Didn't Know, Then Why'd You Volunteer?!”

“I uh, did??” Some other student chuckled. The sergeant wasn't mad. He did, however, like to mess with the newbies. But Apollo didn’t know that, and he barely even noticed the student a couple feet away clear his throat. His high pitched voice cutting the silence.

“The Bealifs were a reknown species of peaceful diplomats, making their skills indispensable to calm our rising tensions, sir.” He had noticeable lisp at every “s” noise, but was filled with confidence.

“Correct!” The instructor’s view went from the student to the sun dial a short distance away. *sigh* “I Guess I've Went On A Speech And Lost Track Of Time! You're Dismissed!”

All the students left. As Apollo walked to his dorm, he looked over the campus at the other avians flying, training, and doing other things. Most were landing to go home. Apollo looked over the mountain cliff and fields at the forsaken woods; everything was quiet--the silence only being broken by the yawns of the recruit. He thought he spotted eyes peering at him through the trees, but quickly shrugged it off as he approached the small shack-like home.

He took a breath, looking one more time at the sunset, feeling absolutely exhausted by the day. He walked into the dorm only to be slapped in the face by confusion. In front of him were piles and stacks of his and another’s belongings. He quickly scanned the room mumbling to find his words. His eyes finally rested on a small redhead with glasses; he hung upside down from a running beam, tinkering with one of his gifted nicknacks.

“Wha- what are- who a-???” He tried to address the intrusive person, but he had so many questions. “What are you doing?!”

“Hm? Oh, um, I found this in your bag…didn't need it did you?” His voice had a familiar lisp to it.

Apollo groaned “I guess not! It was just a gift from my brother!” His voice was sarcastic.

The stranger picked up the sarcasm in Apollo’s voice, but paid no mind “Oh good, cuz it has copper in it, and i've been looking everywhere for some; only found in the city, you know?” He took a long look at Apollo as he got down from the ceiling “Oh! I remember you! You're the newbie! My name's Cal.”

“Listen, I’m just going to bed,” Apollo yawned one more time and glanced at his “bed.” It appeared to be just big enough for Cal, but not for him. To be honest the ceiling beam looked more comfy.

“Oh, yay” Apollo looked from the beam then to his bed. ‘I’m gonna take my chances,’ he thought as he climbed up with his packed little blanket, and went to sleep.

This was going to be an...interesting experience.