She was in a library. She stared down at Grim. She felt someone nearby. It wasn't a kind of person she should trust. A void kind of feeling filled up her gut. Harsh green lights everywhere, they gave her a headache.
CLACK! CLACK! CLACK! The footsteps sped up. Every single second they got closed. She knew she couldn't trust who was there, because if she did, something grave would await her. Or that's what she always believed. She didn't know who would actually care for her or use her like a pawn. She craved to be cared for like she was human. To be seen as a girl. To be seen as someone who has feelings. She yearned for things. Like jewels, necklaces and pretty things
The heavy footsteps were accompanied by small footsteps, which were definitely Grim's.
"Foolish human! Did you really think you could slip away from ME? Now, unless you wanna get burned to a crisp, take off that— Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives?" Grim said. Something had hit him. She raised a brow. As much as she couldn't stand the little weasel, hitting it was cruel. She hated seeing animals getting hurt, it reminded her of all the pain she had endured. She hated seeing pretty things be tainted. It reminded her of herself, on how once she had been an innocent, naive and kind person. Now look at her, cruel and cunning but kind in an aspect.
She snapped out of her thoughts as someone was there. It was the man she hadn't trusted and she wouldn't. He spoke up, "Consider it tough love. Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're one of this year's new students?
My, were you ever eager to make your debut.
And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rules." The man said. He sounded like a grown man. Y/N folded her arms as she glared.
"I suppose I am a new student, but don't treat the poor weasel like that." She said. Even though she had no clue where she was, she wouldn't let her guard down.
"As if I'd serve some lowly human! Now lemme go!" Grim interjected. Grim sounded angry now.
"Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?" The man said. All of a sudden, Grim was quiet. Y/N's trust in the man dropped even more. What power did he have? Who was he? How much strength could he have had to be able to do that?
"Mmmrph!" Grim tried to form words, but that's all that came out. Y/N gave him a concerned look. It seemed she had pity for him, as much as people would've considered her a cold, callous beauty. She had sympathy for animals and innocent things.
"Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out of it.
Does the very notion of patience elude you?
No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber." The mysterious man said again. She glared even more. He had so much attitude, it made her want to personally strike him down. But she kept a neutral face. She shot a fake smile at him. Even Grim knew that smile was fake.
"Gate...?" Y/N said. Had she been kidnapped? What would happen to her? Thoughts raced through her mind at 50 miles per hour. What if this was some crazy hallucination? Maybe it was. Maybe she'd see her cousin who cared for her deeply. Maybe she would. Or maybe she would be stuck here.
"You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates.
Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up." The man said. She thought back to when she arrived. She did awake in a room full of gates.
"Um, yeah. I did." Y/N said awkwardly. She didn't trust him. He was very suspicious from the get go. He reminded her of a crow.
"So, are these coffins like gateways?" She asked curiously. She kept her guard up though one wrong move, and something dreadful could happen. And she would be blamed, like always.
"The design is intended to symbolize a parting with your former world, and a rebirth into a new one." That statement alone made Y/N distrust him even more. That was strangely evil and suspicious. And why would she be brought here?
"But now is not the time for such prattle.
You've a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste!" The man said. She raised a brow. A mere man talking to her like she was an equal? She held back from slicing his face. She was the same height, if not a few inches taller then him. She looked down at Grim. She began moving, but she had one last question.
"First, just tell me one thing: Where am I?" Y/N said. She wanted the full details and she didn't want it to be sugarcoated. On the inside, she was terrified. If he knew that, he would probably take advantage of it. She thought in her head.
"Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories... Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless." The man said. In Y/N's eyes, he was a huge narcissist. No normal person says that, apart from her. She could say her magnanimity is boundless, because well. She's her.
As they walked outside into what Y/N presumed was a courtyard, the harsh cold air blew against her. She had picked up Grim by now, since he couldn't keep up. She raised a brow at the suspicious man. She had held Grim like a Disney Villain.
"Ahem! This is Night Raven College.
It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic.
It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland.
And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as headmage." The suspicious man or should I say Crowley, said with his chest. He was definitely proud of his title.
"So, Mr Crowley. Why am I of all people here?" Y/N said, and to that Crowley said,
"Well, I don't know." Crowley said with a shrug. Her temper nearly flared up but she kept it under control.
"Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college.
Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those "gates," which can appear anywhere." Crowley said as he continued walking, to which Y/N followed with Grim in her arms.
"A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you. Did it not?" Crowley said.
Y/N responded with a curt, "Yes, it did pick me up."
"That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror.
It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition." Crowley said like it was a piece of information that everyone should've known. By now, Y/N was ignoring him and taking in the scenery.
"Mmfff! Mmmmmmfff!" Grim tried to talk but he was still silenced.
"Now, let us attend to your orientation." Y/N just nodded and followed.
