“So, any reason you two were about to kill each other?”

Elenore had taken a seat on the bottom bunk while Reyna and Kyo were on their knees on the mat, both silent and refusing to speak.

“Oh c’mon girls, I’m not even mad, just curious.”

Both still refused to speak.

“Hm… Why would two little girls want to beat each other up on their first day in the new dorm?” Elenore placed a finger on her chin, a thoughtful expression on her face as her eyes glossed over the two. “Maybe to establish the pecking order?” She asked aloud. “Maybe to make a statement? Maybe… because you’re both mad about being here?”

The girls remained silent, and Elenore frowned.

“It’s not fun if you don’t give me hints, girls. What? Were you fighting over the top bunk?”

Both girls looked away, their faces red. Well, Reyna’s face anyway, Kyo’s grey skin made almost impossible to tell. Ether way, Elenore cracked a smile, slapping her hand against her leg as she let out a laugh.

“Oh man, you guys were going to kill each other over top bunk!” She said between giggles, the red hue on both girls’ faces rising. “God, that’s so adorable! I forgot we had some kids this time around!” She hunched over, still laughing.

“It’s not funny…” Reyna muttered.

“Top bunk is serious business…” Kyo added.

Elenore continued laughing for another minute, slowly collecting herself. She took a few breaths and sat up, a smile still on her face. “Alright, fine. Shorties like to be in high places.”

Both girls narrowed their eyes, but said nothing.

“Anyway… Onto business,” Elenore clapped her hands together, the sound snapping the two girls into attention. Elenore had a sharpened look about her now. The relaxed, nonchalant demeanor vanished, replaced with a hardened look as her eyes glazed over the two before speaking in a much lower tone. “Alright girls, I’m your drillmaster, Elenore Quan! You’re to call me Sir or Instructor Quan, understood?”

The snap had the girls frozen for a moment before speaking. “Y-Yes Sir…”

“What was that?” The sharp tone made the two sit up straight.

“Yes, Instructor Quan, Sir!”

“Good!” She clapped her hands again, her more relaxed expression and tone returning, smiling and clearly pleased. “And now you girls know the rules! Feel free to go nuts and use up that rambunctious energy, but when I say stop, you stop. When I go, you go. When you’re in class, you’re in class. When you have free time, you’re free to do whatever. Only thing you need to do is not break my rules and you’ll be out of here in no time.”

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The two relaxed, nearly falling to the floor as the tension released in their spines. That… that was definitely a new experience. A snap like that was the last thing Reyna expected from this instructor. I guess she can keep a bunch of delinquents under control.

The basics of the dorm was explained to them from there. Formal classes were held in the morning, followed by lunch, then physical training, then free time after 3PM. Tests would be held on Friday and the weekend was theirs. They could go to lunch with their friends from outside the dorm so long as they were back by training time. All in all, a very simple schedule.

“So, any questions?”

Both girls shook their heads.

“Alright then. Just don’t kill each other and I think things’ll go well for you.” She eyed Kyo, ruffling her hair. “Lose the bangles, kiddo,”

Kyo clicked her tongue, pushing Elenore’s hand away. “They’re supposed to be on me,” She shot back. Elenore paused.

“Oh yeah, you’re little condition. Read about that in your file.” Elenore poked at Kyo’s forehead, getting a growl from her. “So feisty~” She teased. “Anyway, that’s it for now. See you girls in class tomorrow.” With that Elenore left and the two were alone.

“You condition?” Reyna asked, looking at the golden bracelet’s on Kyo’s wrists. Kyo only scoffed.

“None of your business, Blondie”

Reyna continued to stare. Kyo stared back.

“None of your business,”

“Fine.” She said nothing more and finished unpacking in quick order. “I’m heading out,” The less she was around Kyo the better.

“Uh-huh, see ya’,”

Reyna huffed and walked out the door.

“Hey look, it’s the new girl.”

And no sooner was she a few feet from her dorm she saw those same girls again. None of them looked happy to see her. The one with the staff that spoke up first was Niu if she remembered correctly, and walked right over to Reyna, hovering over her with an annoyed look. “So new girl. You gonna’ give me an answer.”

Reyna looked over the group, looking down, hiding the scowl on her face. Of all times… She swallowed hard and forced a neutral expression at the girl.

“No,” She said. “And leave me alo-”

Before she could finish the leader snatched her hairpin.

“Hey!” She moved forward but was cut off by the staff.

“What’s this?” The girl asked, giving a smug smile. “You like this? Kind of a piece of junk,”

“It’s mine,” She hissed, earning a smirk from the leader.

“It’s yours?” She repeated. “Well it’s mine now.”

Reyna scowled. This was getting irritating. She took it in silence before to avoid trouble, avoid being a target to rile into a fight, but these girls just wanted trouble to find them, someone to pick on and bully.

“Tch,”

Well, Shura, I guess you were right. I will have to be Miss Justice Seeker. Older or not, weapons or not, Reyna refused to deal with this time of treatment. Best to nip it in the bud now before she got targeted for worse treatment.

“Give it back,” Reyna looked Nui in the eye, glaring. Nui, in turn, stopped smiling and glared back.

“Why should I, brat?”

Reyna said nothing, only taking a step toward Nui, her foot right behind Nui’s ankle before pulling it back. Gravity took care of the rest. Nui fell flat on her back, tossing Reyna’s hairpin in the air. Reyna caught it, placing it back in its proper place in her hair.

“Ah, damn brat!” Nui hissed out, the other three girls now approaching Reyna before Nui waved them off. They took a few steps back, letting Nui stand to her feet. “Okay new girl,” She said, picking up her staff. “Hope you’re ready for a beating.”

“Feel free to try…” You ornery delinquent.