College - It's Not All Parties And Such

Sophie arrived at campus and was immediately blown away by the amount of progression that was going on. Never mind that her dormies were happily gathered around the table - family style - to chat about the weather and whatnot.

 There was one girl who was fiddling with a metal contraption and talking into a strange looking cone!

Sophie: Hi, sorry to stare ... but what's that?
Radio Hack: Hi, it's my radio. I'm a radio hack. I'm just trying to get a sig ... oh there it is! Sorry I'm a bit distracted, I like to broadcast events and whatnot when I've got the chance.
Sophie: You can do that?
Radio Hack: Sure I can.
Sophie: You don't need to post scrolls on the town hall walls for everyone to read?
Radio Hack: Er no.... where are you from, you sound positively medieval
Sophie: Yeah, you could say that.

There was a distinct squeal of feedback and the hack had to quickly adjust the frequency.

Radio Hack: Sorry, signal's a bit iffy around here. I'd better start broadcasting before I lose it completely. Nice to meet you, see you around campus maybe?
Sophie: Um, yeah, okay. See you.

And Sophie went a wandering, taking in everything that was going on. Never mind that her mother had travelled into the future and seen what could be. This? This is in the NOW. This could bring Dragon Valley slap bang up to date - provided the Elder Counsel would allow it. She was only too aware of their restrictive way of life. How they disapproved of practically everything new.

The only thing that Sophie did not approve of, was the fact that her fellow students/dormies, were a messy lot. But she guessed that this was the price she had to pay for living with a bunch of strangers for a year.

Plus, she also discovered that she was sharing her room with a vampire .... who SNORED! Yes, she herself was a Heavy Sleeper, but the rattling sound of that vampire fast asleep was enough to wake the whole neighbourhood!

Her own semester timetable was punishing. She'd fallen back so badly on her grades at school, that she really needed to slog hard to get that Fine Arts degree that she wanted - and prove that she's equal to .. or even better than ... her siblings. If she was to carry on this legacy, she REALLY needed to pull up her socks - figuratively speaking - and get cracking!

But first, she felt really out of place. Whilst everyone else ran around in loose casual clothing and what she herself called 'reckless hair'. Her 'schoolmarm' look was far too severe. And her purple fitted dress was far too old for her young figure.

So she went to the salon to have a complete restyle.

The severe bun went, and out came a really nice carefree hair, loosely tied into a plait at the back, but short enough so it wouldn't get into her eyes when she studied.

Make up was a little better, not too harsh and heavy, and it accentuated her eyes. She chose NOT to go down the contact lenses route. Maybe because she still had that medieval streak running through her and she believed that they'd roll to the back of her eyes and make her blind.

The outfit. She'd already purchased that in the store and had it tucked away in the chest of drawers. Now that was a little more risky. A short bolero jacket, cut off at the waist, revealing a rather sharp and toned midriff, with a strange leggings/shorts combo. Finished off with some rather dandy ankle boots. She was used to walking in heels anyways. These were just a little higher. Nothing she couldn't handle.

Now she felt ready for college, and what it had to offer.

Before class even started, she decided to sit quietly and sketch for a while. It was peaceful, the warm breeze tickled her hair as she concentrated on her work. It wasn't much, just a quick study sketch. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to keep it. But she did, she added it to her portfolio for future usage.

She went to class where she was also supplied with a textbook that she needed to study. So, after her sketching and drawing, she settled down to read. At least the weather was in her favour as the sun warmed the back of her neck, and the murmur of students passed to and fro as they went about their business.

But then her sweet tooth kicked in, and following the scent of the campus coffeeshop, she treated herself to a large slice of cake. Studying was making her feel hungry! But she really needed to watch those pennies, maybe get herself a part time job or something, just to keep her going through the semester. This slice of cake was her treat... for now.

Just as she was finishing off the last few bites and was ready to go, another student arrived at her table.

Student: Mind if I join you? I feel self conscious sitting on my own.
Sophie: Sure you can, but I'm just headed off to class. I'm sorry.
Student: Hey, that's okay. Maybe we could meet up at some point? Share study tips etc.?
Sophie: That sounds cool. But I'd better go, see you around.
Student: See you.

Sophie felt really guilty that she had to leave like that. But she wasn't kidding. Class was but an hour away and it was right across the other end of campus, so she had to do some serious travelling.

After class, Sophie decided to do the right thing ... and call home. After all, it had been a couple of days and she'd left with hardly a goodbye or even a note for that matter. She felt it was her duty to let her mom know that she was okay and unharmed. By this time, the heavens had opened and it was pouring down outside, at the same time, she was exhausted and needed some sleep. But her mom came first. Her hand shook as she dialled the number. She half expected - actually,  strike that - FULLY expected a right royal dressing down and her ear being chewed off.

Shannon: Hello?
Sophie: Mom?
Shannon: Sophie? Is that you?
Sophie: It is Mom, and I'm sorry.
Shannon: Where are you, we've been worried sick. No note, house empty. All I could get from Sonny Em was that you had gone.
Sophie: I'm at college. I ... I decided to go a little early, you know, get a feel for the place.
Shannon: Although that was a rather reckless and immature thing to do, at least you are safe. You have no idea how close I came to calling the police and reporting you as a missing person.

Sophie: I'm sorry Mom.

Shannon: Well, promise me you'll keep in touch.

Sophie: Yes Mom.
Shannon: So, what major did you pick?

Sophie: Fine Arts, do you approve?
Shannon: I't s a good one for you, and you don't need to ask for my approval here Sophie, you are of your own mind. You can do whatever you want and go wherever you wish to go.... which is college by the looks of things.

She finally hung up, feeling a great weight of guilt lifting from her shoulders. And strangely enough, not once did she even give Pat a second thought. She was here in college, and enjoying every minute of it!