Dragon's life in college

Second Semester Ch 29

It wasn't quite the same as coming home, but there was a familiarity about the campus and especially room that was somewhat comforting. Home was supremely better, but this room was much more welcoming than it had been previously.

Nigel carefully rearranged his things, noting that Ryu's side of the room was still the same way he had left it. Ryu must not have arrived yet, so Nigel settled down to wait for him.

He chuckled to himself as he thought back to the beginning of last semester, when he had cowered in fear at the thought and then sight of his roommate. Now he was waiting eagerly for him to arrive, knowing that no matter Ryu's reputation or mannerism, that he had nothing to fear from him.

Nigel didn't have to wait long before a familiar scuttling in the hall indicated that Ryu had arrived. The other students were still terrified of Ryu, and it was unlikely that their terror of him would fade soon. Considering how his older siblings had evacuated from home the moment they had heard that Ryu was coming to visit, terror of Ryu was something which was unlikely to dispel.

The curtain over the doorway was pulled aside and Ryu's familiar form entered dragging his luggage behind him.

"You do know that there is a better way of doing that?" Nigel asked, hopping up to help him.

"Of course," Ryu answered. "But what's the point of moving it efficiently when you could just pretend to throw it at another dragon and terrify them."

"Classes haven't started yet and you're already getting a head start on assignments," Nigel paused for a moment to calculate how much of a head start Ryu would have in his major if his behavior could count for school assignments. His quick calculations resulted in the answer that Ryu would have done enough work to complete his basic degree and have a head start on an advanced degree. By how much would consider more work, which he could not do in his head.

"You're one to talk." Ryu opened his bag and began pulling various objects out.

"What do you mean?"

"Nigel, you could literally teach the advanced math and accounting classes at the royal academies right now."

"No, I couldn't," Nigel began to protest, but then stopped. By now he knew that arguing with Ryu, or Oceana, or anyone, about his level of qualifications as far as math or accounting was concerned was pointless.

"The royal academies do not hire teachers right out of college, let alone only halfway through their freshman year," he stated. He wasn't going to let the topic go without any sort of protest.

Another interesting change which had occurred since he'd been at college. Before, he would have simply let the topic go without saying anything. Now, while he still wouldn't argue, he still would put his thought in before letting it go.

"For you, they would," Ryu said, tossing a long dagger onto his bed. "When does Oceana and Turtle get back?"

"Sometime this evening," Nigel answered. "Oceana wasn't sure. But since her father needs to be back in time to teach, she knew it was today."

"Did she manage to dodge the back to school party her aunt was planning?"

"Yes. She didn't say how but I assume her parents explained that they needed to get back on time."

"Strange how her aunt appears to govern the whole family," Ryu mused while adding the dagger to his collection on the wall.

"I think it's probably because she's the only female in her father's family."

"That would do it." Ryu pulled a small seashell box out of his bag. "Here's the gift I told you about that I found for her. Do you think she'd like it?" He opened it, revealing a pair of dangling silver earrings.

"Probably," Nigel agreed. He and Ryu had discussed what gifts to get their friends during the week they'd spent together at his house. As Nigel was used to getting gifts for his younger siblings, they had decided it would better for him to get Turtle something and for Ryu to get something for Oceana. Of course, it didn't mean that they couldn't buy for the other, but as Ryu wasn't sure what to get Turtle they had decided it was best to divide it like this.

Nigel had gotten a gift for Oceana, and with the help of his siblings, had collected several gifts for Turtle. Considering that his younger siblings had helped to pick them out, he was certain that they would fit Turtle perfectly.

Ryu placed the seashell on a shelf. "I hope she doesn't get offended. She never wears matched jewelry and I hope she doesn't take this as an insult."

Considering how important proper jewelry was to dragon society, Nigel completely understood Ryu's concerns. On the other hand, since Oceana had never seemed to care at all about the jewelry she wore, so it was unlikely that she would be offended.

"What did you get for Turtle?" Ryu asked.

Nigel pulled the bundle out of his chest. "Things which will fit him perfectly." He opened the bundle and began showing Ryu the gifts he had gotten for Turtle and Oceana