--James, APU Dorms--
“Muh,” I felt the tickling consciousness trying to rouse me from the best of sleeps I've had in awhile. I felt the filtered light hit the back of my eyelids and the earthy fragrance fill my nostrils, ah it seems that I am still dreaming, dreaming of snoozing in a forest~. Cold.
A shudder ripped through my spine as well as every hair stand on end upon my nape. Bolting up, I scan the surroundings. Nothing around me but the... fake trees... ah, it wasn't a dream. It seems the chirping of bugs had the harmony of early morning bird calls mixed into the sound tape. The light over head was more intense to represent sunlight in the forest. Everything was much clearer. I would admire the beauty but every fiber of my existence wailed for survival.
Looking around some more I saw nothing that warrant my senses doing this to me. It felt as though sweat was dripping out of every pour with every tiny muscle on high reflex alert. I slowly scan my surroundings as I stood up. Gradually I made my way to the door, looking for the invisible enemy that would kill me. When I was in arms reach of the door, did I trust my back to it. Letting my hand find the handle on it's own, I slipped through the threshold.
Once the door was latched shut behind me, did I breathe. I buckled to my knees while outside the room. Every muscle relaxing at once was too much to remain standing. I thought I was going to die, but nothing was there...
Taking a few minutes to steady myself, I let my bare feet support me on the gritty tile. Ah, I'm still barefoot. No choice, no choice, I know I there is nothing there, and nothing is out to get me, but I need to risk it for my shoes. Shoes mean civilization. They remind man that he is not beast. Ah, there.
Strengthened resolve, that's all I need. With a very heavy heart I slipped the door open as quietly as possible before throwing myself back in the room. At the entrance, I spot my shoes right in arms reach which made my heart soar to the moon, only for it to come crashing down. Where is my camping bag? It was literally everything I own. Cautiously looking around, I saw my bag near where I rested the previous few hours. Walking slowly over to the bag, I had not felt that same terrifying presence from just a minute ago. All this sweat is really making it very clear that this room is practically freezing, how did I even fall asleep?
Bending over to fetch the bag, my back straightened up, and every muscle fiber was alert again. Seriously. Slowly, I turned around and I saw the crux of my situation mere feet away. A stunning beauty was staring at me. Her stature was roughly the same as mine, maybe slightly smaller. She had long, straight black hair topped with orange and black ears that were slightly rounded instead of angular tipped, like mine. Her eyes shone with a gold brilliance that seem to cut through me, and it sent shivers of fear down my spine. Please, blink! I beg of you. I shuddered.
She did have a cute face kind of small but a little wide at the cheeks, if only that stare didn't terrify me. Her physique was well built from what I could see clad in sweats that was embellished with the APU logo. The baggy clothes would look cute if not for those eyes. Stop staring, Imma have a stroke! She did not stop staring. I sighed in defeat.
She angled her body and started coming closer but in a roundabout kind of way, it made me involuntary take a step angled away from her. Step after step, I realized after the intense staring that we wound up trading places. She blinked, with that short amount of time, my muscles relaxed and alerted themselves once more. That created enough of a jolt to force me into another step. Me taking an extra quick step while we were circling each other made it seem as though I was chasing her in a circle.
If not for the change in the glint in her eyes after she walked away, still staring, I would not feel this massive relief. After she disappeared behind a tree, that is when I fell to my rump and sighed to my hearts content, so much so that a strange sound escaped my throat. That sweet musky smell was back in full force giving me that light feeling in my head. Weird, I feel slightly euphoric. The smell faded after awhile, and I sat there as I tried to coax my heart from behind my ears to settle back in its birdcage. The thumping from my ear drums was bothersome.
Seriously, who taught her manners? Doesn't she know it is rude to stare.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
--Sera, APU Dorms--
After I cut I contact from this stranger by concealing myself behind a 'tree', I heard a weird sound coming from him between sighs. What is this? What is happening here? I head to the hidden shower room where I also stashed the rest of my stuff. After I closed the room off, I sat down. “What should I do? Kill him for entering my room unannounced? Hear him out? Ooh.” As I talked to myself, the last note sounded a little strange to me. Then I heard it, some buzzing sound that wasn't recorded in the speakers. It's rattling in the drawers... my phone! I opened a drawer and found the phone I left on the charger. Who is it at this strange time in the... the Dean?
98% 10:22 4G
Message
From: APU Dean 9:30
You have a new roommate, show
him around. No fighting.
Reply?
Back Home Window
Clutching at my phone, I realize the gravity of the situation... I need a shower. Locking the vault like door, I then disrobe and walk toward the shower, releasing the built up pressure of water jets. Given the time of day, the water was already warm. So I stepped in the path of soothing water and pondered of the events to come.
Why do I get a roommate now? Why is it a boy? Has this college always had coed roommate systems? Was he Tiger-kin as well? I wonder which breed? Bengal? Sumatran? Amur, like me?
I let the warm water wash over me as I later myself up thinking of the intruder. Let's see, same height, maybe taller, a little thin. Did he not get enough to eat? Striped tail and ears with light orange and black color scheme. What I found interesting though was the fact that his hair seemed to resemble the same pattern almost. He seemed to be a carrot-top with black interspersed in it.
Now that is unique. Aside from his physique he seems good looking enough, with an angular face and sharp yellow eyes. Just a little on the thin side though...
Thinking about our first encounter, I let the suds wash of my body. We had circled each other for little while, almost like a little courting ritual. I felt my cheeks flare a little. It's not like I meant to do it, I was trying to size him up is all. Seriously, who taught him manners? Doesn't he know it is rude to tempt a girl on the first meeting.
After I shut off the water, I reached for a towel and started to dry myself off. All the while blow drying my hair, I glanced in the mirror and poked my belly. It's been a couple days, time to feed again. Slipping on the college sweats that I purchased in the Spring, I immediately slipped out the door to find my... visitor.
Well, rounding the 'tree' would have put me back in sight of him, but he wasn't there. I could still sense his presence in the room. Hmm, should I let myself come out brazenly and have him know I'm coming for him? Nah. So, I crouched a little and started stalking around the 'trees'.
Didn't take long for me to find him in the confines of the room, but it did surprise me a little to see him with his back to me. He seemed to be studying the painting on the wall and ceiling, the artists really have done well with making it seem like a forest in here. As I gazed at him from behind a 'tree', I noticed that he seemed to have rigid movements as he turned around. Oh? Is he looking for me? I had to suppress a giggle as I hid. Though the fun was soon over as his eyes locked onto mine. Unflinching, unblinking.
He seemed rather tense, but neither of us moved a muscle. I don't know how long we stood like that, but when I noticed that his muscles started to twitch in a direction, I called out, “Ah, seems like I was caught.” Nice one... “I guess I should introduce myself, my name is Sera Dayerga. I'm a 2nd Year here, I'm guessing you'll be a 1st Year here starting in a couple of weeks?” I hadn't realized that I started walking but before I knew it, I was nearly in arms reach. Yeah, a little scrawny.
He let out a voice that sounded a little deep despite his stature, “My name is James. I don't really have a last name though.” He seemed a little tense, but he gave a smile. “I hope we can get along.” No last name... He then shifted his weight unto his other foot, “So, uh, this room? Why are there trees in here?”
I quickly glance at one of the 'trees', breaking eye contact for a moment, “Ah, well, from how I understood it, each dormitory is specially built to represent a biome that appeals to the animals within us, or so APU reasons. This room obvious is bigger than all the rooms above us, given that tigers in real life would have vast territories.”
I placed my hand on a nearby 'tree', “These trees aren't real, and are made from etched marble. I heard some high class artisans were employed for the artworks in most of the rooms. The reason we don't do real trees is because of health, sanitary, and cleanliness reasons. Imagine all the bugs when you sleep.” I shuddered. I then drew a circle in the dirt with my foot. “The dirt is the only thing that's real in this room, don't worry though, it's clean.”
He seemed to be in awe of our surroundings, “High class artisans? Marble? Wouldn't that be super expensive?”
“Well, I'm not sure on the specifics, who knows, maybe they were alumni?” I posed a reason. “Anyway, since you are new here, I'm supposed to show you around. However, we got weeks to do that, so today is a lazy day” I declared. The puzzled look on his face was precious. “It would be anyway, but it is grass changing day as well as meal delivery. No need to leave the room, but we will be plenty busy.” I flashed him a smile. I guess I need to show him how to do proper dorm maintenance.