"Most of the students here don't strike me as regular athletes," Rensha replied.  "Simply going faster isn't gonna help them pace themselves, or see where they're going.  You did well, too," he said to Lillin.<br/><br/>"Yup, the one and only!" Lillin said to Kleris' question.  "The cafeteria and dining hall are in the building across from the Right Dorm.  Pretty convenient for you first-years, huh?"<br/><br/>Lillin cast a<em>prestidigitation</em>spell to turn the white ribbon yellow, and then tied it into her hair.  "You like?"<br/><br/>The dining hall was abuzz with the chatter of students, taking plates and platters of meals straight from the serving line right next to the cafeteria.  Loaves of spiced bread, mangoes and peaches, tomato soup and fettuccine alfredo, and all manner of delicious foods tempted Kleris with their delightful aromas.  The vague outline of spectral entities cleaned dirty dishes and cooked food from behind the line in the kitchen.<br/><br/>Rensha loaded her tray with sandwiches and salads, while Lillin picked out the choicest crab legs, before they and Kleris sat down at one of the long banquet tables.<br/><br/>"So," Lillin said as she took a bite out of a crab leg.  "I can tell that the two of you are First Years.  Unlike other magic schools, Redhurst doesn't have stratified, separate houses, so to speak.  Even the eight schools have students attending several at once, so there are no serious rivalries from that.  The most restrictive we get are the dorms, where boys and girls aren't allowed to mingle past night.  Of course, this is a non-issue if you know how to get around the prefect patrols.  I can show you what I know, if you ever find a cute boy you're fond of..."<br/><br/>Rensha blushed.  "I...well, maybe.  "So, um, going back, you're saying that folks at Redhurst pretty much get along?"<br/><br/>Lillin laughed.  "Hell no!  We get students from all over the Known Realms, which leads to a lot of misunderstandings.  Teachers and staff feel there's no need to add yet more separate social groups to an already-complicated situation.  It's a lot better to encourage teamwork.  If you're up for it, I wouldn't mind being your unofficial 'guide' to Redhurst, if you're okay with it."<br/><br/>"That's okay with me, if it doesn't conflict with my schedule," Rensha said.  "Kleris?"<br/><br/>Lillin stopped talking to eat some more crab legs.  "So, what made you two come to Redhurst?  Family obligation?  Curiosity about the secrets of the universe?"  Her eyes lit up an eerie red.  "The power to bend the world to your will and to crush your enemies?  To sample all of life's pleasures?"<br/><br/>Rensha laughed.  "You got me at the first question.  I don't pursue power for its own sake."<br/><br/>"Most people don't; they want to use power for something or other.  As for me, I just want to be an awesome arcanist and look good doing it!"<br/><br/><br/>The three passed the time away with small chat, until the hour wound down and it became time for their next class.  Before leaving, Lillin passed two small pamphlets to Kleris and Rensha.  "A list of the school's extra-curricular activities," she said.  "In case you're interested in any of them.  I joined almost all of them at one point or another, so it shouldn't be hard for me to accompany you to show you the ropes.  Bye-bye for now!"<br/><br/>Eventually it became late, and nightfall approached.  Redhurst looked a lot different in the dark, and the rogue<em>dancing lights</em>could be seen flitting about teachers and students wandering about for reasons legitimate and potentially mischievous.  Rensha and Zull were back in the girl's dorm when Kleris came back.  Stern prefects encouraged them to go to sleep at a "reasonable time," which in practice was interpreted as "go back to your dorms and keep as quiet as possible."<br/><br/>Rensha eagerly tackled her bed, face buried in the pillows.  "Ah, this bed has never felt so good, I could nearly pass out right now!"  After kicking off her boots, she undid her robes and threw them off onto the ground.  Kleris could see a quick glimpse of her in her undergarments before she pulled the covers right over herself.  She was rather lean, muscular in parts but still possessed curves in all the right areas.<br/><br/>"You're right, it is getting rather late," Zull replied, and she too began undoing her clothes.  Her underwear looked made of spider silk, soft threads of interlacing white covering only the most private of areas.  Her body was petite in comparison to Rensha's.<br/><br/>"What?" she asked, looking at Kleris.<br/><br/><br/><br/>It was now the dead of night, not even the thin traces of moonlight peeking through the curtains.  Rensha was out cold, but Zull lay awake in the bunk bed right atop Kleris.<br/><br/>"Kleris?" she whispered.  "Are you still awake?  I can't sleep."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Sense Motive, DC 10</div><div class="spoiler_body">You can tell that something's on her mind, most likely homesickness.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Sense Motive, DC 15</div><div class="spoiler_body">No, it's not homesickness.  The tone in her voice suggests something different.</div></div><br/>She gets out of bed and climbs down to Kleris' level.  "I'm sorry if this isn't the right time, but I can't help but think about last year.  Things didn't go as well...I was pretty much alone.  Even my roommates went out of their way to avoid me.  I hope this doesn't sound judgmental, but when you first met, you didn't seem as put off my be unlike many others.  Where you're from, is it normal for humans to not be at war with drow and orcs?"