Welcome To The School

28

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to... arlixrivers, who wished for Hoshi to appear more often... Your wish is my command :)
(I love you 💚 )

Hayden signed something at Eijeh. They were currently in Riley's sign language club, and they were learning "Old BSL", the language Riley used, along with Zia, Pluto Alodia, Ellowyn, and Blair. Blair and Ellowyn were having a signed conversation in which Ellowyn kept asking, quite loudly, "WHAT'S THAT MEAN??" Meanwhile, Zia was hesitantly asking Alodia questions, as though afraid the silver haired girl might attack her, but instead the oracle signed answers smoothly, and in a lot more detail than the rest of the newbies. On the other side of the room, Adira was coaching some kids through "ASL", Marco was having a signed conversation with some kids, along with showing them some paper advertising his book club,  and Vesper was helping some students who wanted to use their own signs come up with symbols for curse words. Because Vesper.

Fingers spread flat against your chest, bring them forward to make a double thumbs up, Eijeh recalled. And then fingers to chin, and act like you're blowing a kiss. He grinned triumphantly at Hayden. In response, Hayden stuck their tongue out and paused for a split second before making a face not unlike that of a cat being screamed at for being in a restaurant. Riley swooped in and gave both of them a thumbs up and a smile. The two best friends fist-bumped, just before an actual cat ran into the room to cause chaos.

It all happened like this:
First of all, the doors burst open with a thunderous crash, causing everyone who heard it to jump out of their skin. Then a small grey cat darted into the room and jumped onto the seat that an unfortunate third year was just about to sit down on. As the third year in question went to sink into the chair, the cat hissed at them; however they didn't notice and Riley had it gently guide them out of the way while Romeo, Vesper, Marco and Adira all tried to catch it with varying degrees of success. Romeo lunged for it and ended up flat on his face, whereupon Blair leapt up and ran to help him up, knocking into Vesper in the process, who shrieked and clawed at Adira, trying to pull herself upright, before slipping and very nearly bringing her girlfriend down with her. Fortunately, Adira only stumbled slightly before regaining her footing and soothingly calling to the cat, who was now curled up on the chair it had claimed and hissing at whoever got too close. Eijeh watched Adira get closer and closer to the furious feline, before Ellowyn ran over to try and help and crashed into the chair, sending the cat flying into Adira's arms. However, it lashed out at her, causing her to hurriedly place the cat upon the nearest table, where Marco closed his eyes and reached out a gentle hand, which the cat head butted and purred slightly. Just as Marco had tamed the chaotic kitten, a panicked whisper floated their way, through the open doors.

"Bean! Bean, please come back! Bean, where are you? Please don't have disturbed anyone! Bean? Beanie? Beaaaaaan," The voice called.
Pluto Alodia, who had been about to shut the doors again, peeked into the hallway before sighing audibly. "Is... 'Bean' by any chance a small cat, about this big, grey, burst in here a few minutes ago, started causing chaos and is the reason that my friend's sister might have a concussion or whatever it is?" She asked.
"Yes! Yes, that's him! I'm so sorry, he ran off... Is your friend's sister okay?"
Vesper groaned. "Ow. My head hurts... Is it bad? Adira, I leave 90% of my possessions and all that to you, except my books, which I leave to Marco, other than 'The Beginner's Guide To Getting Your Crush To Like You', that can go to Needle-In-A-Haydenstack, I know they'll find it useful... Farewell, cruel world!" She closed her eyes.
Adira rolled her eyes and called out the door, "She's fine. Do you want to come in and collect your cat? Don't worry, most of us don't bite." There was a silence and a boy walked in. Well. Floated in was more accurate.

He looked around nervously, before calling softly, "Bean...Beanie...Please come here...I have treats?...Beaaaaaaaanieeeeee..." The cat let out a small 'mrow' and padded softly over to the boy. He then head butted the boy — except his head went through the boy's leg. Eijeh stared.
"Who are you?" He questioned. The boy winced slightly.
"Ah...Eijeh Ignis. I'm so sorry for bothering you the other day..."
"Wait. When was this?"
Adira smiled and stepped towards the boy. "Hoshi," she began, smile and voice sweeter than honey, "do you want a little tip?" Hoshi. The name sounded mildly familiar. Where had he heard that name before? Adira's voice changed, to something much darker and deadlier. The smile was still on her face. "Don't ever steal my coffee again." Hoshi nodded frantically.
Hayden grimaced. "Poor kid." Eijeh nodded in agreement.
Hoshi glided over to Pluto Alodia, who surveyed him with disinterest. "Yes?"
"You're a natural at sign language. Although, I suppose you had a lot of free time... Thank you for letting me stay. I'll never forget what you did to me." He leaned forward and pressed his pellucid lips to her cheek, before making a clicking noise with his tongue and leaving the room with a whispered apology for interrupting.

Riley was first to break the stillness that had settled over them. Well.