The professor waited patiently for the rest of his class to arrive. The clock struck the start of the hour, and as he was about to start the class as scheduled for the day, he heard a crunch just outside the door. Then, the large dragonkin appeared in the doorway, and a lurching feeling dropped into the pit of his stomach. With a sigh and a chuckle, he slithered out from behind his desk and welcomed the freshman. “Good morning Thag'garuk.” He could tell from his breathing that he had run here and the lamia wasn’t going to fault him for trying his best on the first day of classes. “Please take a seat.” He then gave a small knowing smile as a smaller student rushed in between Thag’s legs, trying to be inconspicuous. Not much can get past the snake man, but for his sake, he’ll act like he didn’t notice.<br/><br/>As all this was taking place, Lori was doing everything in her power not to start hyperventilating. The large scaly creature that nearly barreled through the door almost caused her to scream and fall off her chair. She very nearly would have too had she not heard the professor behind her laugh and leave his desk. Looking over at him, she spotted the tail of which he used to maneuver across the floor. She didn’t notice the shorter student as he had, for all she could focus on was the glittering emerald and turquoise scales that made up half his body.<br/><br/>And yet, once again, her eyes began dating again, lingering on the professor, on the dragon student who arrived late, and one other who seemed to be staring at her far too intently than was deemed comfortable. Her knuckles were turning white as they gripped her seat in her fear. Should she run? Could she run? No, she was certain any of these guys could easily catch her and devour her if they so chose. Gods why is she here?!?!<br/><br/>As if answering her mental question, the professor closed the partially broken door and proceeded to begin the introduction to the class. “Good morning, class! My name is Professor Salini, and I welcome you to Human Sexual Education 101, Anatomy!”<br/><br/>WHAT DID HE SAY?!?! Her eyes shot to the lamia as he was writing his name and the name of the class on the chalkboard behind her. Human sexual education?? Anatomy??? What were they going to do!? Cut her open and poke at her insides?! What happened to being a student alongside working? How could she possibly do such a thing while being prodded by a classroom full of monsters, in pieces, barely held together physically, and at this point mentally. She felt as if she could break down and cry right there, quaking in complete terror of what she was sure was to come. What sort of twisted fate was this?<br/><br/>Despite her discomforts, the professor continued, though he was very much aware of them. Perhaps a calming touch would help. Sure enough, her quaking quickly stopped, but not in the way he’d hoped as her body stiffened when she felt his slender hand rest on her shoulder. Soon a gravelly laugh come from behind her, soft in its tone. "Class, I'd like to also introduce you to the newest addition to our student body, Lori Hathway. Our school saw an uptick in budget and administration decided to help us out. Thus, Ms. Hathway here very generously volunteered herself to aide in our program. In exchange we are allowing her to attend the university and further her own education.. Please treat her as you would any of your other peers here, and, most imprtantly, be gentle. She is a real live human. Not the dummy we used to use before many of you had arrived here. Unlike the mannequin, Lori cannot be so easily fixed if broken. She is more than just a resource, but also an important member of our thriving community.”<br/><br/>She barely heard his words, but somehow he still managed to instill a sense of comfort in spite of her clear discomfort. So, as he went on with the lesson, just outlining what the course will be covering, she recused herself back into her mind and tried making sense of the situation. Though it was difficult to accomplish as all she could do was stare at the student body who sat before her: a dragon...a demon...a leprechaun?? And so many others, all paying attention either to Salini, or to her, while she just looked back at them, forcing herself to breathe as her eyes lingered on each one of them for far longer than she had intended.<br/><br/>First the dragon. He was tall, and terrifying. Completely covered in scales and with a face that was so inhuman, even though he held himself on two feet like one. She was certain he could crush her beneath his claws if he so chose to.<br/><br/>Then the demon. She didn’t know yet what to make of him, but something in her spine shivered when her eyes met his. Quickly she averted them, not wanting to linger any longer.<br/><br/>The leprechaun is what confused her the most. He merely looked like a short human. Did he actually belong here? Was he really the mythical creature of greed and luck? Or was he just a human, like her, just clad in green. she couldn’t know, but her stare on him was longer than the rest as his presence was the most confounding.<br/><br/>Then a pattern clicked. They’re all male monsters.<br/><br/>....you have got to be kidding me.