<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/8/8b/DellbanTrain.jpg)</div>When the students all arrived on the train from Inverness, they were ferried to the castle in several shuttle vans, finally arriving on campus at about 9 am.  They're greeted by a multitude of servants who assist to cart their things through the castle to their rooms, the women wearing knee-length black uniform dresses with white collar, cuffs and aprons.  The men are dressed in crisp black slacks, polished black shoes and white button up shirts beneath a black uniform jacket.  They are all very polite and happy to help, but they maintain an air of professionalism that discourages friendly chit-chat.<br/><br/>Once all the students have picked their rooms and had their things moved in, they are informed that they will have the morning to unpack and explore the grounds before high tea at 2 pm.  They're encouraged to find a member of staff should they need anything before then, and left to their own devices for the four hours until they are expected in the grand ballroom.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>When they arrive in the ballroom, it's to find that a massive patterned cream rug has been laid out on the polished marble floor and many tables have been arranged to fill one half of the space.  Most of the tables are covered with white cloths and set about with chairs for the students to use as they enjoy their meal.<div class="floatright">(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/35/27/a4/3527a4f4d27cf3f749bb2bd2b75d150c.jpg)</div>Each chair has a different tea set on the table before it, complete with cup, saucer and matching charger plate for use at the tables lain with food.  At the center of each table is an elegant flower arrangement comprised of roses of a red so deep, dark and velvety that they are nearly black interspersed with delicate white sprigs and bunches of bright, vibrant greenery.<br/><br/>Scattered among the tables for the students are other tables set with tiers of mouthwatering finger sandwiches, pastries, cut fruit, macrons and petit fours.  Most of the items on offer are sweet, but there are also plenty of savory hors d'oeuvre for those who don't have much of a sweet tooth.  Along one side of the ballroom is a long banquet table manned by several staff members who can make up omelettes or crepes to order, as well as those who will provide the tea or most other drink from a vast variety laid out.  When the students first arrive, they are guided to their table and advised that they will be able to eat once Dr. Boussard has given his speech.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/djimon-hounsou.jpeg)</div>The faculty are seated at another long table arranged to divide the empty half of the ballroom from the one where the tables are arranged.  In the center, Dr. Boussard sits waiting for the last of the students to be seated, then he rises and offers a wide, dazzling smile as his arms outstretch to his sides in a sweeping gesture of welcome.<br/><br/>"Welcome, students, to Dellban University!  I can not express to you how excited myself, and the other faculty, are to have you all here.  Dellban has a short, but very successful, academic history and I have no doubt that this year will prove to be our most fruitful yet."<br/><br/>Looking out over them all, his eyes seem to settle on each student specifically, as if he were somehow speaking directly to them.  Turning, he moved around the table to stand in the open space before the faculty, still smiling and seeming to radiate a magnetism that made one utterly understand how the man had reached such a level of prestige and respect in such a relatively short amount of time.<br/><br/>"Just last month I did an interview for a scholarly journal, and the young man interviewing me asked me a question that I thought was very interesting.  He asked me how it is that Dellban has produced<em>so</em>many men and women who have achieved such greatness in so short amount of time.  Well, I had to take a moment to consider how best to answer that question, and, honestly, by the time I was ready to respond, I believe that nervous young man had sweat right through his shirt."<br/><br/>He chuckled and turned, begging to walk a bit back and forth as he spoke, still looking up and over at the group of students every so often to continue re-enforcing that sense of casual conversation between peers.  "Finally, I looked up from my thoughts and replied that I don't believe myself and the other faculty here<em>produce</em>anything.  My gift, as I like to think of it, is merely to recognize the potential for greatness and to act upon that recognition without hesitation.  Each and every one of you is already special, carrying within you a seed that needs only be nurtured by men and women who know how to bring such brilliance to light."<br/><br/>Stopping back in the center of the table, he spread his arms wide again and beamed, looking out on them with sparkling eyes.  "We are not here to transform you, as some educators might think.  No, myself and the other professors are merely here to clear away the rough that hides the diamonds already within you, and to polish that precious stone until it shines.  And so, I once more welcome each of you to Dellban and express our pleasure at the chance to awaken your exceptional souls!"<br/><br/>One arm swept behind him and the other folded elegantly over his stomach as he bowed gracefully, then straightened and turned to move back around behind the table.  Before taking his seat, he motioned to all of them and laughed.  "Eat, get to know your fellow students and the faculty, if you like.  The afternoon is yours to do with as you wish, students!"  Then he settled back in his chair and crossed his legs, reaching for the silver and ruby teacup before him.