<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #0080FF">St. Anthony's University- Same Day</span></span><br/><br/>As the westering sun turned the sky to a blaze of luminous, autumnal colours, the imposing red sandstone building which formed the centrepiece of St. Anthony's University seemed to smile benevolently upon the tide of students making their way homeward. Amidst the hubbub of activity and chatter, one student meandered at her own pace, as though possessing all the time in the world. Senxiang Song (or Sen for short amongst such friends as she had) had taken a liking to wandering slowly in recent times. For one thing, it gave her time to think, something she seemed to need increasingly more of since her induction week some two months earlier. For another, it gave her the opportunity to actually look around her. Her face was turned fully towards the gradually setting sun as she ambled along, lost in her own musings.<br/><br/>Within the next couple of weeks she would have essays to turn in- that was fine, essays required research and thought, both of which she was good at. Then there was the group project- Sen contemplated that with less enthusiasm. Group projects required action and people, both of which were weak points for Sen. A group project would need things done right away- something which everyone else seemed just fine with, but Sen, who liked to think everything through (preferably twice) before taking action, found that awkward and off-putting. As for other people- Sen had no personal issues with anyone, but whenever she was grouped with others, she just seemed to naturally fade to the peripheries of a group.. or completely into the background. The fact that she had a naturally shy, intorverted disposition only compunded the matter. In fact, in order to actually be noticed, she had to make a concious effort, which went against the grain. Maybe she should just change her appearence to stand out more? Sen allowed herself a small, wry grin at that, as she caught sight of her reflection in a window as she passed it.<br/><br/>She was an unusual mix of red panda and black squirrel, with the result that her fur was mainly black, but with a pattern of striking red worked through it. Her hair was cut into a neat bob that just brushed her shoulders and fell over almost one half of her face. Over her eyes she wore a set of sunglasses- a permanent feature, since her eyes drew less attention when covered. The shirt and trousers she wore were deep, navy blue, the only contrasts being the silvery belt-buckle, bracelet and small golden locket she wore. Her boots were sturdy black leather. The open coat she wore over the rest of her clothing was a somewhat faded deep blue, with an ornate trim of black and gold thread around the hem and cuffs of each sleeve. All her clothing, whilst in good condition, was well-worn and not new- the way Sen actually prefered it. New clothing always<span style="font-style: italic"> itched</span>. The ringing of bells in the distance brought Sen out of her reverie and back to the present. Going at her own pace might be fun, but she had a train to catch!<br/><br/>Picking up her pace a little, Sen made her way along the paths and down the streets faster than she would've preferred- had it been up to her she would have spent her time trotting down back lanes and wandering along the tops of walls, seeing where her ramblings took her. The train however, would not take her preferences into account and wait idly on her leisure. Walking as quickly as she could without actually running, Sen arrived in the station a good five minutes late. Her concerns about having missed the train almost confirmed by the absence of the many commuters who would ordinarily be filling the station, it was a welcome surprise to discover the train still sitting at its platform. For some reason, the absence of other commuters made Sen shiver, a vague but definite sense of unease and foreboding settling upon her. Where it came from she couldn't say, but it was something instinctive- and Sen had learned to trust her instincts. She boarded the train in a rush, hoping the feeling would pass by the time she arrived home.