Jake Nebahe, Patrick Meska, and Ava Liwanag stroll into the courtyard of the Otherworlder Integrated Academy.

The school is a massive stone fortification, built in the 1600s with high walls, arched windows, and three towers capped with Gothic spires, each flying the flag emblazoned with the crests of the major races: Enchanted, Shifter, and Vampyr. It sits atop a lush, forested hill with a smattering of Enchanted villages surrounding its base.

The Shifter kids are overwhelmed and in awe by the structure's grandeur, given that they live in yurt-filled villages, cleverly and elegantly designed but still far simpler than what they're seeing now.

Patrick lets out a low whistle. "This really is a freakin' castle!" he exclaims. "I thought they were kidding when they described it in the orientation packet."

Jake, taking in the whole scene, murmurs, "It's cold and its dreary. It doesn't look like a castle. It looks more like a prison to me."

"C'mon, guys." Ava, standing in between them, pleads as she crosses her arms over her chest. "We promised ourselves we'd make a go of it, right? We said we'd give it our best shot. So, let's at least try to face this undertaking with a positive attitude, all right?" She looks at each of them hopefully, then gives them her sad puppy dog eyes. "C'mon. What do you say?"

Jake and Patrick roll their eyes simultaneously and let loose low chuckles because this little maneuver of hers works every... single... time.

Ava is sweet and congenial, but by no means a girly girl. In fact, pushed to the extreme, with her back up against the wall, she could easily kick either of their asses. But she has this adorable way of pouting her lips and scrunching her nose that brings out their big brother instincts.

Jake sighs, then responds, "You're right. I know you're right. But I'm not gonna lie. I'm not thrilled being stuck here for the next nine months."

"Me neither." Patrick sighs too, then glances over at Ava. "Look, I guess we didn't read the fine print too carefully, okay? I knew we'd be training with Vamps

and Enchanteds, but I didn't think we'd actually be living with them! Especially in some place like this."

"We'll do what we have to do, Ava." Jake mumbles. "But don't expect us to be enthusiastic about it."

As they wait for the welcome committee to come out and greet them, Jake feels this strange sensation, causing his hackles to rise. But it's not from fear, and he instinctively looks up, catching sight of a pretty girl with long, dark hair and tortoise-shell glasses staring down at him from the Gothic window in the bell tower before them. Taken aback, he's immediately struck by her shy demeanor and her graceful and beguiling features.

And despite being in a crappy mood and wanting to be at this academy like he wants a hole in his head, he can't help but give the pretty girl the tiniest quirk of a smile.

She smiles back and him, and then catching herself, quickly steps away from the window.

While still staring up at her, or rather the place she used to be, Jake murmurs under his breath, "Well, maybe we can find a way to make this work after all."

Suddenly an older man in what looks almost like a butler's uniform approaches them.

"Welcome! Welcome! I'm Crick," he says, extending a hand to his distracted guests. "I'm in charge of logistics and operations here at the Academy."

Jake and Patrick stare awkwardly at Crick's outstretched hand then exchange confused glances. Is this guy serious? Being a warm and informal people, this is not a typical Shifter greeting.

After a moment, Ava steps forward and shakes Crick's hand.

"It's very good to meet you, sir," she says eagerly.

"We're very happy to have you here," he replies. "And how was your journey? Not too taxing, I hope?"

"It was fine. Thank you." Ava says.

"Splendid!" Crick says as he claps enthusiastically. "Well, I just wanted to make sure there was someone here to greet you. I, uh, I was actually hoping we could have the entire faculty convene out here to help welcome you but..." He looks around at the silent, empty courtyard. "Well, I suppose everyone's busy at the moment." He clears his throat. "Regardless, I'll make certain Mrs. Clarkson gets you settled into your wing comfortably before--".

"Wait. We have a wing?" Patrick interrupts. "All to ourselves?"

"Oh, yes!" Crick answers delightfully. "We've had an entire area under the bell tower converted into a special living space for you. It's really quite roomy. It contains separate sleeping quarters for each of you, and we've painted the entire space white to help brighten it up a bit. There's new living room furniture, a gaming console, and even a high-end music system set up in the common room. I think you'll find it quite comfortable and very tastefully done!"

Patrick, who is 6'2" tall and almost 220 pounds, takes a menacing step forward.

"So, you're telling me that you've put us below the bell tower, in the basement?" Patrick inquires. "What? Shifters aren't good enough to live above ground?"

Crick's eyes go wide as he laughs uncomfortably. "Oh, no! I didn't mean to imply that. And I wouldn't call it a basement, at all! It's more like a wine cellar with small windows that we decided to--"

"Hold on." Patrick holds up a hand to stop him. "Where are the Vampyr and the Enchanted kids staying?"

Crick stalls a bit, then says, "Well, I believe we've put them on the second floor of the East Wing, sir."

"Oh, I see," Patrick says, nodding cooly. "So, they get tall windows that let in plenty of fresh air and sunlight, and we get a dark, dingy dungeon. Is that it?"

"Well, no," Crick counters. "As I said, it's not a dungeon. It's not even a basement. It's a--"

"Wine cellar," Patrick finishes. "Yes, I heard you the first time. My real question to you is, why do you think we belong underground?"

"Oh, um..." Crick stalls as he takes an awkward step backward. "I suppose I thought it might be better for you all, in case you needed to... well, you know, shift unexpectedly."

Patrick's eyes narrow as he takes another intimidating step forward, easily closing the distance between Crick and himself. "So you think we're somehow dangerous, then? Out of control. Animals that need to be locked up and kept below ground. What? Are you trying to keep the other students safe from us? Is that it?"

Crick's eyes go wide. "Oh, goodness no! That wasn't the intent. I mean, we didn't mean to imply that--"

"Well, what did you mean, then? What exactly do you think we are, huh? Werewolves?" Patrick huffs out in indignation. "I can't believe you people! How dare you--"

"Patrick!" Ava yells, losing her temper and cutting him off before he humiliates them and brings shame to their tribe. Shifters already have a bad enough reputation among Vampyrs and Enchanteds for being a savage and barbaric race. And Patrick's certainly not helping to dispel that misconception.

She steps in between Patrick and the cowering Crick, and planting a hand on Patrick's chest, pushes him back in an effort to lower the tension.

She turns back to Crick. "I apologize, sir," she says with a charming smile. "We've had a very long journey, and I think we're all very tired. I'm sure the accommodations are perfectly fine."

Crick swallows hard and nods, while Ava gives Patrick and Jake a chastising glare over her shoulder.

Patrick stews, and Jake merely shrugs back at her in a "Hey, I'm not the problem here" gesture.

She turns back to Crick and smiles again, trying hard to convince him they are not barbarians but rather very civilized people.

"Please, sir," she says, in her most soothing voice. "We're happy to follow you if you'd just care to lead the way."

**********

A/N - So, what do you think of the story so far? Or, I guess the expanded chapters for you re-readers. 

And has the arrival of the Shifters and their initial culture clash gotten you intrigued?

And for you newbies, by this point, we've met almost the entire main cast (of kids, that is.) Only one late arrival to go. 😉

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