The Opalescent Sky

Chapter 6 - New School

          As we pulled around the circular driveway, I couldn't help but stare with my mouth hanging open. This.. was a school? I couldn't believe that this beautiful building was a school, it looked more like a magical mini castle! I just felt like a dirty peasant as we pulled around and came to a stop in the car. I didn't want to get out, but at the same time, I really really did. I think we will find it quite lovely here. said the silky voice in my head. Pineapple, I think you might be right about this one. ...this one? I just rolled my eyes at that. I noticed an aggressively huge but slim woman standing at the front of the building, I guess waiting for us. She was wearing an impressive blue pearlescent robe that shined magenta in the sun, and had gleaming stars and dots of shimmery sparkles along the sleeves and hem of the bottom. Her hair was red, but a magenta red, and intensely curly. Her angled features and eyebrows gave her a stern look, but her smile seemed to make her look very trustworthy, and her teeth were flawless. She's incredibly tall, probably close to 7 foot, with an obvious muscular build under the robe she was wearing. She seemed intense, but had a pleasant enough expression on her face which eased my worry. She smiled at my Grandma as we got out of the car and made our way to her. "I haven't seen you in a fair amount of time. I honestly wish you would come by more just to visit." The giant woman said as she made her way toward us. "This is Isabelle, she is the one I wrote to you about in that letter I sent." The womans eyes slightly widened and she looked back at me with an even wider smile. "Oh really? You are Eolyth and Bens daughter? How wonderful!" My Grandma spoke again, "Theora, may I speak to you for a few minutes? In private?" The woman looked a little surprised, but did not refuse. "Of course. Isabelle, it is alright for you to make your way through the doors, the livingroom or break area will be to your right when you walk in. Feel free to mingle with your soon-to-be new peers." She then started walking with my grandma to what looked like a maze of hedes off to the side, where there appeared to be lavish gardens. I looked up at the building nervously. Do not be afraid. I heard the comforting voice of my companion say. Without any hesitation, I walked up the stairs and made my way to the Iron door. It had gigantic knockers, both in the shapes of faces, one in agony, the other one laughing, much like the masks depicting theatre. Before I could grab the handle, the knocker at my face spoke to me. "And what would be your name, Miss?" It was the one who looked like he was in agony. The voice wasn't just one voice, but an inumerable amount, creating an eerie harmony of minor chord sounds. The other also spoke "Did you not hear, you dimwit? The old woman said her name was Isabelle! Learn to listen!" It sounded annoyed despite the fact that it was the happier looking face, and the sound of the many voices it produced were in more major keys, instead of minor, making it a more pleasing sound. "Well, forgive me but I was just trying to be nice! Ever heard of it?" I stifled a chuckle as the two went back and forth with their bickering, until the door opened from the inside. I had to move back fast, despite the doors enormous size, it swung open without any warning, not making much sound at all, and a head popped out. "Are you two fighting again? What have I tol-" A boy started to say, until we locked eyes. I couldn't help but stare. He wasn't the most impressive looking boy, he looked tan and had curly hair that reached his shoulders in an ordinary way. He had a few freckles, and a goofy looking grin. Though the color of his eyes... they were absolutely indescribable! If I had to try to put it into words, it would be like if an oil slick that shined all colors was put into someones iris, but even that didn't do them justice, they seemed to glow periwinkle from within as well, giving him the most.... ethereal appeareance I could ever imagine. I would have kept staring if I hadn't become painfully aware that he was also staring at me. I quickly looked down, painfully aware of how red I was becoming. I didn't think he was cute or anything, but I didn't like people staring at my awkwardly sharp features and unnatural looking green eyes. He finally spoke after what felt like an eternity. "Well, hello there? Are you the new student everyone has been talking about? We heard the headmasters best friend was bringing her granddaughter here, so that must be you?" I looked up when he mentioned my Grandma. Best friend? Interesting. "I guess so. My name is Isabelle. What's yours?" I tried to sound casual to mask my burning embarrassment. I also couldn't help but notice he had the most un-accented voice I had ever heard in my life. "My name is Sven. It's nice to meet you. Would you look to come inside, meet the kids in the living area?" He said as he stepped aside and opened the door a bit further to allow me room to pass. "Uh.... sure?" I said with uncertanty as I stepped past him into the gleaming room that seemed like a grand entrance to a royal palace. The furnature was lavish, and appeared as though they had never been used before. Anything metal gleamed like it had just been expertly polished, and there was no staff to be found when I looked around. "How is everything so.. shiny?" I asked, not wanting to walk on the perfect marble floor that glistened as though it had just been washed. "Oh, everything here is upkept with magic, so nothing ages or tarnishes. It's pretty sick, isn't it?" I couldn't help but audibly chuckle when he said that. "Jeez, how old are you? No one says sick in a good way anymore." He smiled as he replied, "I am actually approaching my early 30's. I am a uh.... I'm a mer-person. We age slower than you humans. Though, to my people, I am considered around your age." It was then that I noticed his ears. They weren't dramaticaly pointy, but they were pointy enough compared to my own that I did notice notice them. He also had pretty broad shoulders, which I now guessed came from swimming a lot. "So if you're a mer-person, how are you walking on legs right now?" He chuckled. "That's a fair question, I suppose. Do you wanna guess?" He said this with a light smile, but the smile reached his eyes, which made me feel oddly warm inside. "Uhm... well, I don't know. Do you just grow legs when you're dry, or something?" He laughed out loud at that, a full, hearty laugh, and I could feel my cheeks burn. "That's a good guess, but no, oh goodness nooo!" He took a minute to stop laughing and also wiped a tear from his eye before continuing. "It's an illusion spell, I still have my tail, but with a strong enough illusion, you can trick even your own body to do miraculous things. Feel my knee. Go on, it's not weird." He gestured to his leg that he then lifted up slightly for me. "I mean... it is a little weird.." I said, holding out my hand hestitantly. As I touched what I thought would be denim from his pants, I instead felt .... slimy scales. I quickly pulled my hand away and tried not to look utterly disgusted, which just brought on another series of laughs from him. "You're really funny. I hope we have some classes together when you're officially enrolled." With that, he led me to a huge room that was fully stocked with fluffy couches and soft shairs. There was an entertainment system that seemed to reach the ceiling, fully stocked with every console I could think of. The tv wasn't really a tv, but a waterfall that was clearer than any screen I had ever seen. I couldn't begin to guess how the water didn't mess up the electronics, I had to remind myself that most of that stuff probably worked with Magic. I tried not to think too hard about the details. It didn't take a long for me to realize that everyone who had been talking fell silent when we walked in the room, and all eyes were in our direction. I put my head down so my curtain of hair would hide my face, feeling the utter embarrassment wash over me in droves. I thought I was safe when a face peered at me from beneath me, looking at my face under my hair. It was a teeny face, attached to what appeared to be a pixie or other fae-like creature. She was bright pink, and flew in a way that ensured her little wings wouldn't get entangled in my curls. Out of nowhere, this little tiny creature bit my nose, and them flew out from under me before I could scream or swat her away. "Ew, she tastes like salt." Was all I heard as I held my nose with my hand, checking to see if there was any blood. I only yelped a little from being startled, but it didn't hurt as much as I thought it did, I was mostly just shocked. "Why did you bite my nose?" I asked through my hand. "Well, it got you to get out from under your hair, didn't it? Still wanna hide your face, or do you just want to deck mine?" She said with a laugh. He voice was so small, but still powerful enough it could be heard easily. Her laugh was like the chiming of a bell, with  melodic undertone. I wasn't even mad, because she was right. I didn't feel inclined to hide my face anymore. Well, other than wanting to hold my nose to keep her from doing it again. "Don't worry. That's a one time thing. Think of it as our initiation." With that a few scattered laughs and chuckles reverberated through the room. I felt more comfortable, and looked for somewhere o sit. Someone patted the biggest couch, so I made my way to that. Sven followed and sat with me, probably to help me be more comfortable. "This is Isabelle. She's the one the headmaster was telling us about." I spoke up, "Did she tell everyone?" I was genuinely curious as to why. "Oh yes, she literally held an assembly for the whole school to let us know you were arriving. Your guardian has been best friends with her literally since they went to school here." Said a girl who was standing against the wall with her arms crossed. She had a slightly sour look on her face, but other than the expression, she was incredibly beautiful. She had silvery gold hair that reached her knees, in a braid that had flowers woven into it. She was tall and slender, with perfect porcelain doll features. She had stunning blue eyes, the kind of blue that could rival clear skys after a storm. I expected to get bombarded by conversation from all these people I had just met, but they seemed perfectly content with just watching what was on the water screen before us, much to my relief. I guess all I do now is wait for my Grandma to come back with the lady she walked off with. I wondered what they were talking about as I started to drift off to sleep on the comfortable fluffy couch we were sitting on.