Ink & Ivory

1 - Untethered

As the elegant convertible glides to a halt before the gates of Willow Hall, my heart mirrors the soft flutter of lace trimming the hem of my dress, delicate and full of anticipation. The wheels crunch lightly against the pristine pebble pathway, the sound blending with the distant hum of the fountains.

Willow Hall stands proudly before me, its ivy-clad stone walls shimmering under the gentle caress of late afternoon light—a scene straight from one of my mother's fairytales. Even now, I'm expecting a whimsical creature to flutter by, drawn to the soft Aetheric glow that seems to breathe from every crevice.

I feel like I've stepped into a dream.

My phone buzzes incessantly with notifications, but they fade into the background as I take in the grandeur before me. My fingers instinctively, seeks out the golden locket nestled at the base of my throat, its gentle pulse synching with the hum of Aether around me. Is this real? The energy here is so tangible it almost tastes sweet, like the fizz of a soda, dancing along my skin, making my breath catch.

"We've arrived, Miss Alcott," the driver says, offering me a kind smile as he meets my gaze in the rearview mirror. "Welcome to Willow Hall. Best of luck."

I smile back, my hands trembling slightly as I push open the car door. My ballet flats meet the ancient cobblestones with a soft, satisfying click. A breeze, warm and full of promise, rustles the leaves above me, teasing at the soft pink ribbon tied around my wrist. My outfit—a flowy white blouse with lace trimming tucked into high-waisted jeans—feels perfectly me. Simple, practical, but with a touch of something softer, a silk ribbon dancing with every step.

The campus buzzes with energy, a living thing. Magic seems to hang like a mist, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. I can feel it, the Aether, whispering through the trees, shimmering in the late summer light, and breathing beneath the cobblestones beneath my feet.

"Oh, this is it," I murmur, the awe ever-clear in my voice. "This is really happening."

The grand entrance looms before me, a towering archway woven with vines and glowing with a faint, otherworldly light. The Aether here feels thick and alive, almost like it's welcoming me. I can't help but spin, just a little, letting the magic swirl around me as if I'm already moving to a rhythm only I can hear. Around me, students levitate their luggage with casual flicks of wands, laughing with one another as their belongings float ahead of them. It's like walking into a fairy tale.

Inside the reception area, the atmosphere shifts from magical to cozy. The space glows with soft fairy lights, strung above a large, ornate desk that dominates the room. Behind it, a young woman greets me, her pastel blue blouse and messy bun giving her an approachable elegance.

"Welcome to Willow Hall," she declares, her voice both soft and soothing. "How can I help you today?"

I hesitate for just a moment, feeling a flutter of nerves arises in me. "Hi, I'm Cassandra Alcott," I say, my cheeks warming. "I'm here to check in. This is my first time here."

"Of course!" The woman's smile widens, and I can see a twinkle of understanding in her eyes, as if she's seen a thousand other new students stand where I am, nerves and excitement dancing together. "You must be so excited. And maybe a little overwhelmed, too, I imagine?"

I nod, a breathless laugh escaping me. "You could say that."

"Well, you've come to the right place. Let's get you all set up." She takes my identification card and hands me a few papers to sign. As my fingers graze the edge of the forms, a soft spark of Aether dances across my skin, making me flinch just slightly. It's not something I'm quite used to, just yet. Father did a good job keeping me away from it most of my life.