The Exchange Teacher - Welcome to Dyntril Academy

Reianna - Razzle

Reianna lay in bed and looked at her menu, trying to come up with something for Gerenet-Shr's homework. Identify. She sighed. What is that? Why hadn't Gerenet-Shr brought it up in class? Why hadn't anyone else asked about it? Why didn't it do anything? There was only a day left before his deadline; she was running out of time to show Gerenet-Shr something she discovered with the interface.

Thanks to Taraia, Reianna's interface was a nice light purple, kind of a lilac color that reminded her of the flowers that grew around her father's bakery. Reianna couldn't show that, though. It was Taraia's discovery, not hers. Most of the other kids had shown their discoveries. Reianna thought Jan's discovery was the best. He'd made a "swap" command that allowed the instant replacement of an object and something in storage.

She was jealous of how talented Jan was with the interface. Most of the other kids' discoveries, he'd already found and moved on from. But even Jan didn't mention an "identify" option. More than once, Reianna had thought about asking him, but she wanted to figure it out on her own; she still had a couple of days left.

There was a knock at her door.

"Yes?"

Fawna stuck her head in the door. "Hey, Rei, I'm going up to visit Avali. Wanna come?"

Reianna hopped off her bed, went over to the door, and opened it. Her angelic roommate was dressed in the normal uniform, the one Gerenet-Shr told them they'd never need to wear. "Who else is going?"

Fawna shrugged. "Prolly just me if you don't come."

"What?"

"My pod doesn't really like going, and I don't want to disturb them."

"Fawna." Reianna could only imagine the stares that Emilisa, Thoms, and Miya received when they went up there. She couldn't blame them for not wanting to go, but at the same time, Fanwa couldn't be allowed to go alone.

Fawna rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine. Seriously, all of you are so worried. Avali's been my best friend since before we could even talk!"

"It's not Avali that we're worried about!"

Fawna waved Reianna's concerns off with her hand. "Avali's too popular. No one would want to alienate her."

"Whatever, I'm going with you. Let me go see if Dmi will go too."

"I'll go ask. Would you mind putting on your uniform while I do?"

"What?"

"Oh, umm, it'll cause less friction if we're in our official uniforms. The other kids don't seem to like it that we're always in our gym getup."

Reianna stared at Fawna. "...sure…"

"Great!" Fawna said, then turned and skipped out of their suite.

Reinna walked to her closet and opened it for the first time since she'd moved in. The dress she'd worn to orientation was hung inside, next to three skirts and three white shirts. Cleaned and pressed, the dress looked ragged beside the school uniforms, but that dress meant the world to her. It was a gift from the people who were counting on her to save them.

Pulling out one of the shirts and skirts, Reianna changed and, after finding them in one of her drawers, finished the outfit off with a plaid vest and plaid bowtie—something she had no idea how to tie. After a few failed attempts at tying it, she gave up and left it dangling around her neck.

Fawna came back with Dmi and Cayelyn in tow, both of whom had changed into their normal uniforms. When Fawna came in, she put her hands on her cheeks and said, "Oh my goodness! Rei, you're just adorable! I wish we could wear these things every day!"

Dmi and Cayelyn nodded in agreement. Dmi said, "I understand Gerenet-Shr's reasoning, but it's also cruel of him to deny us this cuteness!"

Reianna hid her embarrassment over the compliments by grabbing one of the untied ends of the bowtie. "I don't know what to do with this thing, though," she said.

"I'll get that for you," Cayelyn said. The azure-haired girl came over and tied the bow for Reianna, then stepped back, leaving her hand on Reianna's shoulder. "Yup, those two are right, you're just too precious."

"Stop it," Reianna said and pushed Cayelyn's hand away. "Alright, Fawna, let's go visit your friend."

"Thanks, guys!"

The four of them left their floor and headed up to the eighth floor. Unlike the Class E floor, kids from other classes spilled out into the main hallway, where they ran around the outcropping that overlooked the Grand Entrance Hall. At each end, groups of students gathered in the public lounges and chattered, their voices echoing through the Grand Hall.

As the four girls ascended, the playing kids stopped and watched the four Class E students. Fawna didn't seem to notice or care, but Reianna exchanged worried looks with Cayelyn and Dmi. It disturbed Reianna that noble children could wear the same expression as gangs did right before they had a turf war.

Class A's eighth floor resembled Class E's floor more than the other three classes in that no kids were running around in the outcropping where the stairwell was, but that was the only similarity. Even though Class E kept their activities within their locked hall, the atmosphere of classes D, C, and B was similar to Class E's: kids running around and having fun.

The atmosphere for Class A was completely different. The voices of the children using the lounges in their outcropping didn't carry. The voices that should have carried up from the other floors didn't exist; rather, a soft, gentle music permeated the air. Reianna couldn't tell where it came from.

Boys used a lounge on one end, and girls used one on the other—there was no mixing. Reianna and Fawna's maid, Natya, often disappeared as she had other tasks to attend to, but here, servants stood back at attention for both groups.

Fawna led her friends to the entrance to the dorm hall and raised her hand to knock, but before she could, a footman stopped her.

"Pardon me, miss, but my lady wishes to enquire about the purpose of your visit. She requires that you follow me."

"Okay!" Fawna responded, but the man had already turned and started walking back to the lounge with the girls. Fawna, and thus Reianna and the other two, obediently followed the footman.

He stopped and stood behind a girl with lilac hair, lilac eyes, and wearing a school uniform where the colors had been replaced by lilac, the same lilac that Reianna had turned her interface into. Reianna's breath caught, and it wasn't because of how beautiful Banca was. Reianna tried to calm the terror in her, but her heart still raced.

Reianna couldn't forget that girl if she tried. The black aura that surrounded Banca made the gentle background music ominous.

"Why are you here?" the lilac girl asked from where she sat. Though she addressed the group, her eyes locked onto Reianna's.

Reianna swallowed. She felt compelled to answer Banca. She opened her mouth to answer, but a golden light flashing across Banca's aura distracted her. Reianna closed her mouth and inspected Banca's aura further.

It was dark and foreboding, mostly black, signifying danger for Reianna and those she loved, with a tinge of purple, signifying only evil intentions towards Reianna and her friends. It gave Reianna the chills just to look at it, but when looking this closely, a blindingly bright gold would flash across Banca's aura.

Banca was still young. Unlike adults, who were more set in their ways and whose auras were more fixed, from Reianna's experience, children were more likely to change with prompting. It's what Reianna saw in Fawna's friend Avali's aura. Still, that short flash was almost meaningless. Reianna wanted nothing to do with this dark beast.

Fawna and Cayelyn curtsied to the lilac girl, spreading their knee-length skirts out and stepping back with their left feet. Dmi, like Reianna, just stood there.

"I've come to see Miss Avali, Miss Banca." Fawna remained in her curtsy.

"I wasn't talking to you, Fawna. I've given you my permission to be here. I'm talking to the things behind you. Especially the mannerless ones."

Fawna turned her head and saw that Reianna and Demi weren't curtsying. Her face went white. "Rei, Dmi, like this!" she said in a harsh whisper, startling Reianna. Fawna had never taken such a tone with Reianna before.

Reianna had never curtsied in her life. It looked uncomfortable, and not only did she not know how to do it, she didn't want to do it. However, her refusal could be dangerous for her friend. Fawna was stubborn, and Reianna knew she'd continue to insist on seeing Avali.

"Dmi," Reianna said and nodded her head at the two curtsying girls. Dmi, like Reianna, tried to imitate the pose. It was just as uncomfortable as it looked.

"I humbly apologize for their inconsiderateness. Please find it in your heart to look past it."

Banca didn't say anything, and none of the other girls who sat with Banca had spoken since Reianna and the others had come over. There was a lengthy silence, then Banca made a small gesture with her hand.

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The footman who'd called them over stepped forward. He grabbed Reianna's right arm and jerked it out, causing her to lose her balance, but he caught her before she fell.

Reianna stood straight and glared at him.

"If the miss would curtsy again, I can continue to fix your form."

"Why didn't you say something first?" Reianna asked.

"Sevastian, you may slap it if needed."

"Thank you, Miss Banca. I shall bear that in mind." Sevastian looked at Reianna. Her friends were still in their positions, and she didn't want to make them suffer longer, so she curtsied.

"Your right arm should be out here and at this angle," Sevastian said and pulled on her arm. As she expected it this time, Reianna didn't teeter.

"The toes of your right foot should be pointed at a ninety-degree angle, and your left leg should be pointed in this direction."

The grown man's touch on her bare leg disturbed her. It felt like oil was left wherever he brushed her skin. She closed her eyes and put up with it for her friend.

"Very fine form, miss. Please store this in your interface and perform it every time you encounter Miss Banca."

Next, he looked at Dmi and adjusted the grip of her left hand on her skirt. After that, he returned to his spot by the wall behind Banca.

There was silence again. Reianna's legs and thighs burned from holding the position.

"Miss Jaezmina, please have your maid retrieve Miss Avali. Let her know that…Fawna has arrived with some other things."

"Yes, Miss Banca. Gertrude, go."

A maid walked off. Since Fawna didn't move, Reianna didn't move, but she was reaching her limits. She hoped the torture would end soon. If this is what happened every time Fawna came to meet Avali, Reianna understood why Fawna's pod refused to go anymore, regardless of Gerenet-Shr's order.

Soon, Avali arrived, walking at a brisk pace. She too curtsied to Banca and said, "Miss Banca, thank you so kindly for receiving my guests."

"Hohoho, it is my pleasure. Please enjoy your time with Fawna and the other two."

Other two? But there are four of us.

"Thank you for your kindness." Avali stood straight, and so did Fawna and Cayelyn. Once they all stood, Reianna and Dmi did so as well. "Come on, girls," Avali said as she turned back to the dorm hall. Fawna, Cayelyn, Dmi, and Reianna all turned with her.

"Not you, Silver. You stay here with us," Banca said.

Reianna stopped. "Me?"

Banca's face and aura darkened. "Yes. 'Me.'"

Reianna looked at her friends.

"Why are you looking at them? I am the only one with whom you need to concern yourself. Miss Avali, Fawna, the other two, you may go."

"Come on, Fawna," Avali said and took Fawna's hand. Avali gave a pull, and Fawna stumbled after her. Cayelen and Dmi stood in confusion.

"It's okay. You guys go with Fawna. I'll be fine here."

Cayelyn and Dmi looked at each other. "Cayelyn, I'll stay here with Reianna, you go with Fawna."

Banca clapped once, drawing everyone's attention to her. "You will do no such thing! I do not wish for your company. Azure, Turquoise, leave. You bore me."

Reianna looked from Banca to her friends. Fawna had come and gone from here many times over the week. She'd always been fine. Reianna would be fine as well. I'll be fine. "No, guys, it's okay. I'll be fine. Let's not cause any trouble for Fawna."

Cayelyn and Dmi looked at each other again, then at Reianna.

"It's okay. I'll be fine."

At last, the two girls followed after Fawna and Avali, but both of them looked over their shoulders until they entered the dorm hall.

"You've got quite the commanding presence there, Silver. Come over here." Banca gestured for Reianna to stand in the middle of the lounge.

Reianna did as she was told.

"Come closer," Banca said and beckoned Reianna with a finger.

Reianna approached her.

"Kneel."

Reianna went down to her knees.

Banca leaned forward. She studied Reianna's face. Reianna studied Banca's in return. The girl's lilac eyes and hair were the exact color that Reianna had made her interface. She had really liked that color, now she was thinking about what color she should change her interface to.

But still, Banca and the color were beautiful.

Banca sat back in her seat. "You're quite fetching, Silver. Miss Sanya, Miss Jaezmina, Miss Saraia, don't you think so as well?"

The three girls enthusiastically agreed, though none of them scrutinized or even really looked at Reianna's face.

"You're very raw. Even for a commoner. The fake glasses, though…"

Reianna reached up and touched her glasses.

"Anyway, tell me, Silver, who is your failure of a lord? Who do I need to have my father send my thanks to?"

"I'm from a fallen."

One of the other girls gasped. "Why, she might as well be a near-turned Yani!"

"No wonder," Banca said. "Sit, join us."

Reianna stood up and looked at the lounge. All the seats were taken. "Umm, all the seats are taken."

Banca chortled. "Goodness! A commoner in a chair! Even my little Fifi at home knows better than to get on the furniture."

The other girls laughed with her.

"No, Silver. Sit here on the floor next to my chair, right where you were kneeling."

Reianna looked at the spot Banca had pointed to.

When Reianna didn't make a move, Banca said, "Sit." The lilac girl's voice was firm.

"My name is Reianna."

"I didn't ask, Silver. Sit."

Reianna hesitated. She didn't want to sit on the floor. She didn't want to be humiliated by these girls. But more than that, she didn't want her actions here to make future visits for Fawna unsafe.

Biting her lip, Reianna sat beside Banca's chair as instructed. As soon as Reianna sat, Banca reached out a hand and stroked Reianna's hair.

"Not only are your features nice, but your silver hair reminds me of my Fifi back home. Miss Saraia, isn't it just the same?"

"It is Miss Banca!"

"How about a treat, Silver?"

"A treat?" Reianna asked.

"Yes! Since you are sitting here so obediently, I think you deserve a treat. What do you girls think?"

Again, as soon as they were asked, the other girls agreed with Banca.

"Sevastian. My Fifi always likes those strawberry tarts. Get Silver one of those."

"Yes, miss." The footman bowed and walked to the table. He picked up a small round thing that had a strawberry on top of it. He placed it on the floor in front of Reianna.

Reianna looked at it. She'd first had strawberries after coming to Dyntril. They were by far her favorite fruit. The "treat" had a ruffled tan surrounding and a yellowish center with a strawberry on top. Reianna would have loved to eat whatever it was, but the footman had placed it on the floor.

"Girls! Look how obedient Silver is! She's waiting without being commanded! Good girl." Banca stroked Reianna's head. "Eat."

Reianna looked up at the lilac girl.

Banca looked back at her. She stared into Reianna's eyes. "Yes, it's okay. Eat."

Reianna looked at the "treat" on the floor. The maids cleaned thoroughly, she knew that, but still. No, it's okay. I can deal with this humiliation for Fawna. Reianna reached down and picked up the strawberry tart. The brownish surrounding was hard.

"No!" Banca yelled and slapped Reianna.

Reianna saw stars and tumbled over. Her glasses went flying, skidding across the hard floor, and came to a rest near Sevastian's foot. The strawberry treat went tumbling from her hand as she crashed to the floor.

Growing up, Reianna was no stranger to being hit. She'd been hit by plenty of adults and would-be thieves, but all of them paled in comparison to the pain that shot through her cheek when Banca hit her. Reianna gaped on the floor in pain.

"Doggies do not use their hands. Doggies eat with their mouths. Crawl to your treat and eat it, Silver."

Reianna couldn't get up. Her cheek throbbed.

"Go." Banca put her foot on Reianna's butt and shoved her towards where the treat had fallen. The strawberry no longer rested on top and was lying a bit away from it. "Be sure to eat it all. I'd hate to think my generosity would be wasted."

Reianna was no longer worried about Fawna. She was worried about herself. She was terrified that if she didn't listen to Banca that she would be slapped again. Getting up to all fours, Reianna did as she was told and crawled over to the fallen dessert and ate the bottom part first.

Her cheeks flared in pain as she chewed, and her eyes watered. She hurt so much that she couldn't taste any flavors. After she choked it down, Reianna ate the strawberry next. After she swallowed it, she collapsed on the ground and pressed her hands to her cheek.

"Silver! Heel!"

Heal? Was the girl telling Reianna to heal herself? Reianna didn't do anything, she just lay there.

"Sevastian. It won't heel."

The footman walked over to Reianna and grabbed her right arm and leg. Reianna struggled in his grip, but it was too tight; he didn't budge in the slightest. When he got to Banca's chair, he dropped Reianna to the ground.

"Sit, Silver!"

Tears rolling down her cheeks, Reianna sat up with her legs tucked under her and her eyes on the ground.

"Silver's such a boring name. What should we name it?"

"Oh! How about Furia?"

"No, too common."

"But wouldn't a common name for a common thing not be appropriate, Miss Banca?"

"It may come from common stock, but I assure you, Miss Jaezmina, it is anything but common. Hmm…"

Reianna could feel Banca's eyes on her.

"Didn't it say its name started with an R? How about something with an R?"

"Recks!"

"Recks is a boy dog's name. I guess I should start gendering it. It's definitely a girl."

"What do you think about Razzle?"

"Oh! Razzle! Quite lovely, Miss Sanya. She does razzle and dazzle."

"Miss Sanya really does have a sense for naming things."

"Oh, you compliment me too much."

"Reianna?"

Reianna looked up. Fawna was back with Avali, Cayelyn, and Dmi. She couldn't hold back her tears, and they poured out of her eyes.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Fawna. This is Razzle. I do have to thank you for bringing me such a lovely pet. Do be sure to bring her with you every time you come."

"Miss Banca, don't you think you've taken things too far?"

Banca's tone darkened. "Miss Avali, do not take my consent for you and your elevator friend as approval. You have shown yourself to be skilled, despite your lift background. So, I consented to let you and your friend meet. Thanks to my consent, are you not welcomed among the nobles?"

Avali looked to the ground. She didn't object. Her meekness made Reianna wonder if Avali was subjected to this sort of abuse.

"My leniency is a gift to you. Do not take such a tone with me, or I might take it back, and you could find yourself joining Razzle." Banca's tone was casual, almost bored.

"Without me, Lavrence's older brother would have already claimed your blonde friend. He likes them young, and apparently, he's a bit taken with your elevator friend.

"This will be your one and only warning."

Banca's tone turned sharp. "Elevators, if you dare to think of hiding my cute little Razzle from me, Classes A through D will break into your little dorm and kill all of you, including that freak outwall teacher of yours. Got it? Now leave."