Creatures of God

A Proper Introduction

The mess hall was a larger-than-necessary expanse; with elevated ceilings; wide, plain walls; lit with humming, artificial lights; more than enough capacity for the students to mill about and huddle around their tables. Despite the lack of decor, the hall was abuzz with laughter and chatter, as the teens commiserated over their day's work and study. It was lunch time now, and unfortunately for these upper level residents, the smell of fresh bread and vegetable stew was far better than its accompanying taste or view.

Alessandro smiled, his mouth ajar, as he gazed at all the people who had gathered to eat underground.

"Excuse me," Elliot said at one particular table. "Please allow me to introduce you to Aless, our newest pathology resident."

The students froze, their eating utensils mid-distance to their mouths. They looked up to see two teen figures standing at their table. One was a senior student in uniform and the other a complete stranger dressed without school attire. The approached students slowed their chewing and glanced at one another to see if anyone knew the two visitors. Having figured nothing out, one person wiped his mouth, while another slurped her drink. Finally, one of the other students waved a free hand to acknowledge the young men.

"May we join you?" Elliot asked.

The students nodded and observed as Elliot and Alessandro sat down to an awkward lack of enthusiasm.

Elliot had chosen one of the more peripheral tables out of convenience and ease of access -- the seats in the center were mostly taken -- but it also meant the students at the selected table were a mixed lot; random; either without a lunch mate or wanting to eat alone.

"Alice, huh?" a student named Lucuz responded. "The name's Luc. Pleased to meet ya."

Lucuz was as good a first person for Alessandro to meet as any other. He was a funny and amicable character with olive-colored skin, slender build and curly black hair. Thin moustache. Irrepressibly cynical, but otherwise not unkind, usually.

Alessandro smiled and waved a quick little hand. "Hello," he said.

"You must be starting next trimester then, huh? Yeah, it wouldn't make sense if you were starting in the middle of this one."

Alessandro looked at Elliot first, then nodded at the question.

"How old are you?" Lucuz asked.

"Thirteen... " Alessandro began to answer.

"He's twelve," Elliot contradicted.

There was a brief moment of uncertainty.

"My name's Fara." A senior female student with flowing, blonde hair had approached. She placed a hand at her hip. "Welcome, Alice." Her light grey eyes did a full look-over. "What division are you from?"

Alessandro looked to Elliot.

"Who was your precept?" Fara changed her question.

"H-he didn't have one," Elliot answered. "He's from a different county."

"A different county?" Fara frowned. "How did that happen?" She looked at Aless again. "What was your admit score?"

Alessandro stood dumbfounded.

"It was g-good," Elliot responded. "Good enough."

"And he's joining our program, now?" Fara asked. "Why'd they do that? They never do that. I started the program here when I was four."

"Stop breaking the guy's balls, Fara, would ya?" Lucuz said. "Not everyone here is as precocious as you. I started when I was seven, so it's not impossible to start at a later age."