The two girls weren't exactly gathering the luggage at a leisurely pace–still, they were forced to double their efforts as the tell-tale signs of a storm began to form.
Operating with the utmost haste, the duo made it to their dorm before any of Elise's items got soaked.
There were only four suitcases in total–a poultry amount considering she'd be here for an entire year, however, Elise didn't grant any pity for herself. Alice's collection of clothes made Elise's look like a grand wardrobe.
It would no doubt be unbecoming if the noble moaned and groaned about her lot in life when there was an even more unfortunate party present–not that she took any pity on Alice of course. It was merely a reminder that you can't take anything for granted.
Alice busied herself by lighting candles in the darkened room, while Elise held back to examine the dorm.
The room was on the smaller side, but the craftsmanship denoted a high level of expertise, one that was in line with the rest of the academy.
To Elise's right, there was a bunk bed. Given how shoddily the top was made–Elise surmised that Alice had already claimed the upper bunk, she wasn't exactly the tidiest person around.
In front of the beds was a double-wide closet, Elise also noticed that the dresser nearly took up the entirety of the north wall. It was obvious that dorm mates were meant to share.
Elise took no issue with the arrangement, but it did make her wonder how well it would go over with some of the students–most of which never shared anything in their entire lives. Depending on the prissy nature of some of these people, one could imagine the situation boiling over rather quickly.
On the left side of the room, were two desks for writing with a singular ornate full-body mirror in between them.
Alice's desk had various papers and books strewn about, the mess's proximity to the lit candle on the desk made the noble girl somewhat nervous. Juxtaposed to it, the other desktop was completely barren, save for a mostly unused candle.
Finally, there was a window above the dresser. Considering the amount of wax coating the candle sticks strewn about the room clued Elise into the fact that the window likely didn't let enough light in–that or her friend needed glasses.
Satisfied with her scan of the room, she grabbed the two suitcases at her feet and made her way to the dresser.
"I'll just set them here for now–I'm far too tired to organize anything tonight," Elise stated.
She was exhausted from the train ride, and sorting through linens was the last thing she wanted to do.
"That's probably for the best–no need to push yourself over something so minor," Alice responded cheerfully.
The two made small talk as they lugged the suitcases onto the dresser.
"So how'd it go?" Alice asked.
"How'd what go?"
"You know uh-, that…thing you had to do? The stuff with your family. Oh, come on. Don't force me to spell it out!"
Alice avoided eye contact, embarrassed that she'd forgotten nearly one hundred percent of the details.
"Oh, that–it went well enough I suppose. I can't say I have too much to say about it." Elise responded.
"I hope you're not saying that just for my benefit."
Elise was well aware of Alice's pension to disregard noble affairs. Her brain's ability to block it out was truly a marvel, it was clear she'd do her best to absorb the information, but if you asked her to repeat the key details, it was as if you had talked to her about it months ago.
In this case, though, total obliviousness was preferable. The matter that the Wrights had been attending to was a trivial squabble over her Great Uncle's inheritance levied by extended family.
It was an open-and-shut case. Their dear cousins had no right to the estate no matter how hard they threw a fit over it. Despite that, their floundering still needed to be dealt with, and since Elise was technically a beneficiary, her presence was required.
"No I wouldn't patronize you like that," Elise said in answer to Alice's query. "The whole matter was dreadfully dull, and I'd rather not speak on it any further."
Elise opened one of her suitcases to retrieve her nightgown.
"Besides, I'd rather hear how you've been getting along, I'm sure these past few days have been–jarring, to say the least. I just wish I could've been there to help you along."
"I'm happy to hear you wanted to be there for me–but you needn't have worried. It's been a surprisingly smooth experience." Alice said beaming.
Elise was surprised. This was not the answer she'd expected.
She knew Alice was a go-getter, and wasn't one to get hung up on things, but it stood to reason that most people would be put out in her situation. It was more than just being the odd one out, her presence at the school was entirely unprecedented.
Alice saw her friend's perplexity and thought that she better explain.
"Well, I won't lie. I was an emotional wreck the first day, and that probably would've continued for the rest of the week."
"What changed that?" Elise asked curiously.
"I made a friend!" Alice said, giddy with excitement.
"A friend, you made a friend here?"
Alice puffed out her cheeks, crossed her arms, turning away from Elise.
"You make it sound like I'm a leper!"
"You know that's not what I meant," said Elise, rolling her eyes.
She was well aware that Alice was a rather personable girl–she had no issue getting along with others, but that was among her peers.
Alice turned on her heel reorienting herself towards Elise, revealing that she was sporting a wide grin.
"Ha! I'm just messing with you! I get it–I'm well aware the whole thing sounds odd"
"Don't leave me in suspense–who's this mysterious friend of yours?"
"Her name's Catherine."
"Uh-, sweety. How 'bout the last name? 'Catherine' doesn't do much to narrow it down."
"Oh right–you've probably heard of her family," Alice playfully poked Elise. "Cause all you high and mighty nobles know each other right?"
"Cut it out!" Elise smacked Alice's hand away. "Just tell me the name already!"
"Ah, you're no fun. Fine–it's Blackwood. Do you know her?"
Elise's face went white.
"Blackwood, Catherine–Blackwood?"
"Oh, so you have heard of her!" Alice responded with a sheepish grin.
"Heard of her? Of course, I've heard of her! Everyone's heard of her!"
Alice was taken aback. Why was Elise so incensed? All she did was mention Catherine's name.
"Calm down Else! What's up with you?"
"Even you must've heard of her reputation!"
Alice stared blankly at Elise, realizing her friend truly had no idea she slumped onto the lower bunk, defeated.
"I can't say that I knew anything about it before meeting her," Alice thought for a moment. "But now that you mention it– Catherine did say something about a poor reputation."
Elise just stared at her in utter disbelief, it was starting to make Alice a tad uncomfortable.
"Well–uh…I suppose she's usually quite rude to that Wraith fellow. I don't exactly encourage it, I'd rather not see her get in trouble, but I have to admit that he has it coming."
Elise couldn't believe what she was hearing–were they talking about the same person? The likelihood of someone else being named Catherine Blackwood going to the academy was slim, but that might explain it.
"What do you know about Catherine?" Questioned Elise.
"Let's see," Alice tapped her finger on her chin. "She comes from a rich, influential family, the head of which is…Arthur. I think?"
Elise could tell Alice was trying her hardest to remember all the details.
"She says all her father and brother do is look over reports and crunch numbers all day. You know–I get the impression she doesn't like them very much."
Alice dismissed the impromptu thought with a hand wave, continuing her explanation.
"She's not that keen on discussing her role in the noble world. She dismissed the whole thing as 'terribly dull'–I think we've discussed my life far more. Personally, I figured that the life of a commoner would be what was considered dull, but it always seems to hold her interest."
'That's a bad sign," thought Elise, "Why does Blackwood want to know so much about Alice?"
The possibility that the Blackwood tyrant was genuinely interested in some commoner's life wasn't entertained by Elise for even a second.
"Is that all you know about her?" Asked Elise skeptically.
"What is this an interrogation? We've only known each other for less than a week!"
Alice was starting to get annoyed with Elise's sudden strange behavior.
"If you truly need to know more–she likes to read and play piano. Oh, and she has beautiful snow-white hair, but I'm sure you already know that. It would be hard to miss"
Elise blinked.
White hair? What is she talking about? Thought, Elise.
"I'm sure there are other small details I've missed, but hopefully that will be enough for your report to high command."
Alice punctuated the end of the sentence with a mocking salute.
"Look I understand you're already annoyed with me-."
Alice was about to interject, but Elise didn't let her.
"I need you to listen to me. Lady Blackwood's bad news, she's been a terror since adolescence. I don't know what their playing at by getting close to you, but it can't be good–you need to distance yourself as quickly as possible."
"Oh not you too," Alice groaned.
"Look I'm not kidding-."
"I'm not either." Alice cut her off, "Now I don't know where you're hearing all these nasty rumors about Catherine, but believe me–they're wrong."
"Look, Alice-." Elise tried to butt in.
"I'm not finished yet! Just let me talk–Ok?"
Elise hadn't realized that she made her friend this angry, she figured it best to shut up and listen.
"Catherine has been nothing but kind to me this entire time. What're you suggesting it's some kind of act–for what purpose? What would she get out of that?
Elise was drawing a blank on a good answer, she was well aware that Lady Blackwood was not one for schemes, always opting for a more direct approach.
"I don't know what she's up to, but you must've wronged her in some way."
Alice sighed deeply, she was getting a sense of deja vu.
"Catherine's fiancee had a similar baseless accusation."
"Her fiancee–you mean the prince? You met the prince?"
Alice flitted her hand in dismissal.
"Yes, briefly, but never mind that's not important."
Not important? A meeting with the future king isn't important!? Thought Elise.
"Catherine came up to me completely unprompted–not only that she didn't even know who I was at the time, how could I possibly have slighted her?"
Elise had no answer; all she could manage was to stare at the floor. She understood her friend's discontent–in her heart, Elise knew Catherine Blackwood was up to something, she just had to bide her time until the tyrannical noble slipped up.
"Alice I'm sorry, I didn't mean to start a fight–I'm just worried about you is all!"
"I already told you–you needn't be," Alice said sharply. "And just because you're worried doesn't give you the right to debase someone you haven't even met!"
Elise wanted to argue, but she swallowed her pride.
"You're right, I shouldn't let rumors convince me before I've even met the person in question."
Alice seemed to lighten up a little at her friend's apology.
"I knew you'd understand Elise–and don't worry you'll meet her tomorrow. I'm sure that'll be enough to convince you of what Catherine's truly like."
Alice glanced at the clock at the wall.
"Oh goodness–we best be off to bed. I'm sure you're exhausted after the train ride."
The two girls quickly changed into their night garments, then proceeded to blow out the candles and enter their bunks.
"Goodnight Elise…sorry about getting mad at you."
"Oh, don't worry about that, it was my fault. Goodnight."
But Elise didn't fall asleep, she'd been dead tired after arriving but now she was all riled up. Laying there, eyes wide open looking at the bunk above, her one thought permeated her mind.
Blackwood, I'm not letting you get away with your scheme–whatever it may be.