and they were roommates || Qinter ||

Chapter 1

Qibli stood at the entrance of Jade Mountain Academy. Queen Thorn had convinced him to go since he earned his scholarship, and insisted that she had many other advisors, now that the war was over. As if Qibli trusted any of them. But the Queen has insisted, and who was he to disobey? Nobles pushes past him, all of them practically radiating elegance, with suits and dresses and clothes that screamed 'I am richer than you'. Just my luck, I get stuck at some stuck up school. Qibli rolled his eyes as he made a start for the dormitory wing.

Today was the first day of the school year. Technically, the first couple of days were reserved for exploring and navigating the building. But having already memorized the layout of the place, Qibli was more focused on studying his fellow classmates. Expert at observing people, Qibli needed to 'scope out the enemy' as Queen Thorn said. It never hurt to be cautious of others, which he learned early on, living as an urchin in the Scorpion Den.

Hopefully his new roommates wouldn't be enemy. Living at the school, students were split into roommates, arranged by the the founders themselves. Arriving at his dorm, he briefly wonders what they'll be like, hopefully kind, but stuck up or not, I'm going to charm them so hard, they won't know what hit them. Determinedly he put on his most charismatic smile and opened the door.

Inside, A Seawing was rubbing a pebble in slow circles on his bicep.

Qibli's grin faltered a bit as he took in the scene. A short, chubby, green haired kid had been rubbing himself with a rock. Very underwhelming. At least he wasn't flashily dressed, wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants, he was even more casual than Qibli. The emerald haired boy across from him scrambled to shove his rock away and stand up, his face heating up as he stammered out an explanation.

"Uhm-sorry, It, uh, helps with my muscle pain," he chuckled sheepishly, embarrassed at his strange ritual being exposed. He stuck out a hand, "I'm Turtle,"

After a brief hesitation, Qibli griped the pale Seawing's hand and shook, "Nice to meetcha' Turtle, The name's Qibli," his gaze darted around, searching for his other roommate. No sign of anyone else, did he luck out and get only one roomie?

Turtle chuckled as he flopped over to the couch, "Winter was here, he left to go help his sister move in,". Qibli mentally groaned, Winter was an Icewing name. Icewings were notoriously difficult to get along with, especially nobles. Speaking of which,

"Did you get here on scholarship too?" Qibli glances skeptically over at his roommate, who was now surfing channel on tv, trying to decipher how such an ordinary looking person ended up at an elite boarding school. His strange arm bard was made of gold, was he secretly rich? Was he studying something obscure, like how worn pajamas affected the mind?

"Oh no, definitely not!" Turtle scratched the back of his head, "I'm actually one of Queen Coral's sons,"

Qibli mentally kicked himself. He should've known that, he's studied enough royal bloodline scrolls to last 20 lifetimes. At least he's a normal dude.

"Well your highness," he joked, "I'll be setting up my room. You need me? Call and I'll come running," The dusty haired Sandwing picked up a box and took no more than a step towards his room, when the front door slammed open with a gust of chilly air.