The tick of the clock was amplified in the dead silence of the room. The pronounced and rhythmic noise would have driven her mad if she had endure another minute. The door opened and a poised and elegant woman entered, gliding with an otherworldly grace to the desk in front of her. After she seated herself and smoothed her neat, salt and pepper hair behind her ears, she finally looked at her—and her gaze was not a comfort. It didn’t put her at ease or temper the immense anxiousness she felt. The woman stared at her as though was beneath her, looked down her nose at her as if she were a stain on the floor. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the surface of the old, wooden desk. “Diem Ballenhurst, welcome to Lancaster Academy.” She said dryly, slamming down a stamp onto a stack of papers hard enough to make her jump.<br/><br/>Her sharp green eyes glanced at the gray insignia, a triangle with an open eye in the center. “Given your ability—and I use this term loosely—to see into the future, we’ve placed you where we<i>believe</i>you belong. Some of us on the committee do not<i>believe</i>you have a place here at all, but a vote is a vote and it happened to be in your favor despite not knowing what you are.” She explained, swiftly shoving the papers into a file. “Come with me.” It was a quick demand, so abrupt that she rose to her feet without even thinking. The woman opened the door and allowed her to pass through, and as she stepped into the hall she was reminded of the many oddities of the world in which she hoped to assimilate. Mythical and supernatural creatures walked the halls. They were beings one would read about in fables and fairytales, the subjects of myth and legend.<br/><br/>And they didn’t like being stared at, not by a half-breed especially.<br/><br/>A winged girl bumped her shoulder hard, and Diem turned to see her smirking smugly at her as she continued on her way. She was massaging her shoulder when she realized that the woman leading the way hadn’t so much as slowed her stride. The redhead began to weave her way quickly through the crowd to catch up, minding her eyes while she maneuvered between and around students in colorful uniforms. In her casual wear, she stuck out like a sore thumb. Her black jeans ripped jeans and black v-neck shirt, paired with combat boots on her feet, made her look shabby in comparison to the preppy, buttoned-up students who wore blazers and neckties. Due to her less than fortunate upbringing, she could never afford high-end attire. The rips in her jeans were due to wear and tear, though she wore them like a fashion statement. Still, she felt severely underdressed.<br/><br/>“Keep up, Ballenhurst.” The woman called, taking her down a winding staircase that led to an open breezeway. “I’m taking you to House Anima, where you will find your dorm and roommate.”<br/><br/>“Um, what’s that? What’s House Anima?” Diem asked timidly as she finally caught up to her. She probably should have read the brochure she was given, but she didn’t think she’d be accepted. Judging by the dull, unamused look the woman gave her, she<i>really</i>should have read the brochure.<br/><br/>“Anima is for beings like you, those who practice and are capable of divination through a variety of means. Some dream, some draw, some interpret signs, sense omens, and some—like you—possess foresight.” She informed her. “There are other houses, you should read about them, learn what they’re capable of and for the love of The First, stop staring at everyone.”<br/><br/>Diem muttered a soft apology and continued to follow her until they reached a towering structure on the outskirts of the expansive academy. The same insignia stamped on her file was billowing proudly in the wind on a gray flag.<br/><br/>“342. Floor three, room 342.” The woman told her before vanishing suddenly without another word. For a while Diem simply stood in the exact spot her feet had been planted, in awe of the miraculous feat performed before her very eyes. After the initial shock wore off, and her feet didn’t feel as though there were bricks attached to them, she entered the dormitory. Climbing the steps to the third floor, she adjusted her duffle bag on her shoulder. When she arrived, she pushed the door open, greeted by the sight of petite girl with cropped blonde hair rummaging through a folder with her name on it.<br/><br/>“. . . Hi.” Diem said, pleased to see that the little blonde ceased her snooping.<br/><br/>“Hey, you must be Diem.” She sprang off the bed and plopped down on her own. “I’m Lora, we’ve got a lot of the same classes.” Lora handed her the folder.<br/><br/>“Oh good. This place is massive. I have no idea where anything is.” Diem admitted, taking the folder to examine her class schedule.<br/><br/>“Fiona didn’t give you the grand tour?” Lora asked curiously. At the confused expression on her face, she smiled. “Mrs. Fiona Welbeck? Runs the Admissions Office? Snooty old lady with a superiority complex?”<br/><br/>“Yeah, no. I think she was actually glad to be rid of me.” Diem laughed softly.<br/><br/>“Put on your uniform, I’ll show you around.” Lora offered.<br/><br/>She slipped on her black and gray plaid skirt, and buttoned up her crisp, white blouse. After pulling on black thigh high socks and her gray blazer, she straightened the black bow about her neck. When she looked in the mirror, she hardly recognized herself. Diem would have primped longer had Lora not ushered her out of the room hurriedly. Apparently there was curfew, and it would take a while to show her everything.