Anna's Dream

"So, how old are you?" Anna asked.

"Fifteen. How old are you?" Cecilia asked.

"Eighteen," Anna replied.

"Really? Then why are you a first year?" Cecilia asked.

"Because it's my first year," Anna replied.

"Oh, right," Cecilia said.

They walked up to the girls' dorm, and Anna pulled the door open letting her new friend go first. Once the girl was through, she walked inside and shut it behind her. The entry room was massive with two large staircases that led to the second and third floors. They were located against the rear wall.

"So, what room are you in?" Cecilia asked.

"One twenty-three," Anna replied.

"I'm in one fifteen. We're close to each other!" Cecilia said.

She grinned at the excited girl, and then they walked down the hallway holding hands. When they reached Cecilia's room, the girl let go of her hand and turned to face her, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Can we walk to class tomorrow?" she asked.

"Sure," Anna replied.

She beamed at her before turning and entering her room. Anna walked away when the door had closed, a small smile on her face.

She's a nice girl. I wonder why they were being so mean to her? I mean, was it really just about her being a commoner or did she do something to piss them off?

She puzzled over the situation as she made her way to her own dorm room, pushing the door open when she reached it. The room was small with a simple bed, dresser, and table with a chair as its only furniture. A large window occupied the far wall with the desk directly below it. She looked it over before turning her attention to the bed where Rose was currently fast asleep.

She did have a lot to drink last night. She probably got a hangover. I wonder if I could get the ingredients for the cure around here? I'll have to ask around.

She watched Rose as she slept for a few minutes before walking over to the desk and looking out the window. She watched as the sun went down, her mind wandering far from the dorm room she found herself in.

I wonder what kind of people live on the moon? I hope they have tentacles. It would be nice to be around other people who had them.

Rose began to whimper in her sleep, so Anna walked over to her and sat on the bed. She brushed the hair from her friend's face and leaned close to her.

"I'm here, and you're safe," she said.

The woman stilled and let out a soft sigh, falling back into a deep sleep. Anna curled up next to her friend and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close.

I wonder if her nightmares will ever go away?

She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

She opened them again when the first light of dawn leaked through her window. She got up and smoothed her uniform out before walking over to the dresser and pulling open the top shelf. There she found her brush, which she took out and began to run it through her hair.

She heard Rose stirring and turned to find the woman sitting up on the bed and stretching. Once she finished, she scooted off the bed and went over to the dresser where she pulled out a clean uniform and laid it out of the bed. Anna handed her the brush when she finished, and Rose brushed her hair while she changed into the fresh uniform.

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"You shouldn't wear your uniform to bed," Rose said.

"I know, but I didn't get a chance to get anything to sleep in yet, so I just left it on," Anna replied.

"You should have just slept naked. That way I wouldn't have to iron that one," Rose said.

"You don't mind?" Anna asked.

"We bathe together. Why would I care about you being naked while we sleep?" Rose asked.

"Oh, right," Anna replied.

"You know, you get the strangest notions about things. I wish you'd just ask when you aren't sure about something like you used to," Rose said.

"I only stopped because Lyreen keeps calling me stupid when I ask about stuff," Anna replied.

"Don't change because of that stuck-up cunt," Rose said.

"Don't you like her?" Anna asked.

"I do, but that doesn't change the fact that she's a cunt," Rose replied.

Anna laughed.

"Yeah, I guess she kind of is," she said.

Rose smirked at her and then put her brush down, walking over to help Anna adjust her clothing.

"Thanks," Anna said.

"Just doing my job," Rose replied.

"Well, I still appreciate it," Anna said.

"Mr. Sabastian wants me to meet up with him in the library so he can teach me the darkling's language," Rose added.

"That's nice of him," Anna replied.

"I'm pretty sure Prince Rupert told him to," Rose said.

"Oh, yeah, probably," Anna replied.

"Alright then, you should get going if you want to eat," Rose said.

"Yeah, I'll see you later," Anna replied.

"Have a good day," Rose said.

"You too," Anna replied.

She walked out of her room and headed down the hall to Cecilia's where she knocked on the girl's door. A few moments later, Cecilia opened the door bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

Looks like someone's a morning person.

"Want to get some food?" Anna asked.

"Yes!" Cecilia replied.

She rushed out of her room and scurried along beside the eldritch woman as they made their way out of the dorm.

The air was crisp when they stepped outside with a thin layer of frost covering the grounds. Cecilia didn't seem to mind the chill as they walked down the long path that led to the academy's main building.

"I still can't believe I get my own room here!" Cecilia said.

"I take it you didn't have one before?" Anna asked.

"Oh, no. My family are tenant farmers, and we live in a one-room cabin. I actually shared a bed with my brothers and sisters," Cecilia replied.

"Oh, okay," Anna said.

"So, what about you?" Cecilia asked.

"I grew up on the road, so it just depended. Sometimes I had a huge room. Other times I was huddled in a tent with everyone else trying to keep warm," Anna replied.

"Oh yeah, that makes sense. I bet it was exciting growing up like that," Cecilia said.

"Sometimes," Anna replied.

She shared a few of her safer adventures with the girl as they walked, reaching the rear entrance a few minutes later.

The academy was massive with multiple wings and floors; however, she had already memorized its layout and was able to lead her new friend to the dining hall with ease. They entered through a set of double doors and found it to be filled with students despite the early hour.

I bet they're all nervous about the first day. That's why they're up so early.

They walked over to the serving line and picked up trays before waiting for their turn.

"Of course the hogs are at the trough first thing in the morning," A girl said.

Anna turned and found the group of bullies from the day before. The lead girl had a smug look on her face as if expecting her words to have some deep effect on them. She glanced over at Cecila to find the girl had a pained look on her face.

I guess she's worried about her weight.

Anna looked back towards the bullies and then glanced at the lead girl's chest smirking before looking the girl in the eyes again.

"If you ask me, you could stand to eat a few more meals," she said.

The bully's smug look faded, and she squirmed under Anna's judgmental gaze.

"What do you mean by that?" the lead bully asked.

"I mean boys like something to hold on to," Anna replied.

She cupped her breasts and gave them a squeeze, causing the lead bully to turn bright red and storm off. The other bullies rushed after her, and when they had left the dining hall, she turned back to Cecilia who looked at her nervously. She smiled at the girl.

"Figured she was the type that could dish it out but not take it," she said.

"You shouldn't have said that to her," Cecilia replied.

"Why not?" Anna asked.

"Her father's a count, and her family is powerful," Cecilia replied.

"And?" Anna asked.

"And they could cause you trouble!" Cecilia replied.

Anna laughed.

"I'll be fine," she said.

The girl clearly wasn't convinced but didn't argue.

They moved through the line, and when they reached the servers, she had them pile a lot of everything on her plate. Cecilia on the other hand only took a small portion of a few common breakfast foods. Anna looked at her friend's plate and frowned.

This is all that skinny little shit's fault! I wonder how I can make her feel better about herself? Oh, I know! I'll have her talk to Rupert! If a boy says she looks fine, she should feel better!

"Hey, there's someone I want you to meet," Anna said.

"Who?" Cecilia asked.

"A friend of mine. He's actually in our class," Anna replied.

"Really? Okay," Cecilia said.

"Great! He should be here soon, so let's go and sit down," Anna replied.

"Sure," Cecilia said.

They walked away from the serving line, heading for one of the many tables.